By Radhapadma Devi Dasi
All Glories to Srila Prabhupada, Gaura Nitai, Sri Jagannath, Baldev and Shubhadra and Sri Sri Radha Giridhari.
If one googles and finds what ‘spiritual retreat’ means it would rather be taken as a quiet place where meditation and self is given importance to. The self these days seem to be more important than anything else in this world, but there definitely is somebody who is the creator of this self – the most important and the connection with this Supreme is of utmost importance. When are we going to form a beautiful connection? When are we going to realise? Sei din kabe habe mor~ when o when will that day be mine.
‘If there is little pain in the finger, I become so much disturbed because I have got intimate connection with this finger. Similarly, we have got intimate connection with Krishna and we are fallen. Therefore Krishna also feels little pain and therefore, He comes down. Krishna is feeling pain. So you become Krishna Conscious. Then Krishna will feel pleasure. — In his conversation, Vrindavan, 24th April, 1975.’ – Srila Prabhupada.
ISKCON Auckland organised a retreat for this connection with Krishna from May 11 to 13, 2018. The sole aim was to be free from our day to day material commitments and commit ourselves to Krishna and with Krishna for at least a day or two, completely. That’s what retreats are for!
This being a two and a half day engagement was organised at a well thought of spot. Kiwanis lodge, Titirangi. HG Praneshwar Das, our Bhakti Shastri teacher, gave everyone an opportunity to associate with him and relish the nectar of Krishna consciousness from the seminars he would conduct. The lodge only could cater for 48 people for night stay but as many during the day. And guess what happens when devotees come to know of sadhu sanga- they don’t want to miss any opportunity to associate.
There was so much to receive from all the sessions especially on the Saturday, 12th of May, auspicious day of Ekadashi. The day started with Mangal arati, Tulasi arati and an hour and a half chanting together. The experience is ecstatic when devotees sit together and chant in congregation. The whole environment becomes sacred. The first session started with an inspiring lecture as how a devotee should be fixed in Krishna Consciousness— From shooting star to Pole star. Through this session the devotees gauged their sadhana from, where from to where next and how to progress to go to the next fixed level of practice. The next session was so full of insights and realizations from HG Madhava Das on Krishna’s consciousness in Bhagavad Gita. This session definitely was heart- warming and soul stirring, knowing the opulences of Krishna- being the Supreme controller and maintainer of all living entities -is so forgiving and is waiting with two wide arms open to receive us and guides us throughout the Bhagavad Gita as to how to reach to Him and be with Him always. Mind blowing session it was with lots of questions addressed in terms of our inner turmoil. Sessions on the ABCD of devotional life- A- Association, B- Books by Srila Prabhupada, aspects on reading, listening and studying the scriptures. C- Chanting and D- Deity Worship, along with lots of hands on experience and presentations from the participants was another interesting workshop. There were games like Dumb Charades etc. ( transcendental competitions) to add to the fun for the evening. The day ended with Drama based on the life of Narottam Das Thakura bringing clarity through role play, the series of events in the life of this great Vaishnava saint. There was so much to grasp and hold, each individual association was a special one.
It was truly a re- treat from the busy schedule of hustle bustle, traffic and time constraints to fresh air, dense forest, tall green mountains and vast expanse of water around, so much to experience it in essence. The valuable subject matter of our life is the true connection with the Absolute Truth. As Srila Prabhupada quotes, “Because human life is a combination of matter and spirit soul, the whole process of Vedic knowledge is directed at liberating the spirit soul from the contamination of matter.”
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.1.3,
Srila Prabhupada
This retreat inspiring Devotional service was not only just to rejuvenate the body, mind and soul but practice ‘Yoga’ of how to connect with Krishna and remain so. This being the second retreat of the year organised by RISE( Rupanuga Institute of Spritual Education) under the inspiring and motivating expert guidance of HG Kalasamvar Prabhu, Temple President, ISKCON Auckland is looking for more to organise in the near future.
Hare Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada ki Jai!
Comments