Have always wondered .. Why the name retreat? what does it mean? The dictionary meaning says ‘withdraw’. In YB retreat, what are we withdrawing?
As I was wondering, the bus came at classic orchard to pick all the enthu students of 2018 batch of YTT. Here was a batch full of youth energy. We all were heading to ‘The school of ancient wisdom”. As always, the journey was filled with never ending Antakshari . The songs were perennially flowing out, filling everyone with lively energy.
What a serene place! This was the thought ,in everyone’s mind when we reached ‘The School of ancient wisdom’. The energy given by the trees, birds, lilies, many flowers, ponds, sculptures, paintings, brought in a strange sense of settle and peace in everyone. Now I reflect .. Are we withdrawing from the hustle bustle noisy city life?
We all sat for a round of introduction, after a welcome chai. Listening to everyone on how their journey has been with YB, was a feast to my mind. Everyone seems to have got the wholistic way of approaching Yoga, starting from Yama niyama itself. All of us felt at home. “Sahanau Bhunaktu, May we nourish” was the thought I was with.
We went on to nourish our body with hot tasty lunch. The DRT accompanied with mild snoring sound added humour to the experience.
Raghuramjis talk on Swami Vivekananda, SharadaMa and Ramakrishna Paramahamsa nourished our imagination. We got ported to their world and there were many moments of goose bumps while listening to the inspiring incidents. The whole speech was so beautifully presented as the Leela ( a drama) played by the supreme to revive Sanatana Dharma that was threatened by the invaders of our country.
The next day ,after an energising Yoga and Pranayama session, we took a walk in the campus. “When you understand the invisible, nothing is impossible” . This was one of the quotes put up in the place and many such thought provoking quotes were found all around the place. It indeed made all of us to ruminate, reflect on the meanings and interpretations of many such quotes.
We got immersed in the sweetness of Bhakti during the Bhakti Yoga sessions by Raghu Ramji.
“Ishavaasyam Idam Sarvam “.. Our minds resonated with this thought from Isavasyopanishad. Followed by bhajans, chanting and Jyoti trataka , it was indeed turning out to be a retreat ,withdrawing ourselves from the outer world.
The happy assembly was a joyful time together, where people participated in full enthusiasm. From martial art display, to dance and songs, the one hour of assembly turned out to be a wonderful platform for every individual to express their inner natural self.
The last day was winding up, packing and feedback sessions. Every one of us felt rejuvenated. Yogasanas, Pranayama, inspiring discussions, all these energised us to go back home with a renewed way of approaching life. As someone reflected , “Let us start walking, the path will unfold “, we all felt like we have started this beautiful journey of learning, sharing and nourishing . The path will unfold as per HIS Leela!!
-Balambika
YB Teacher
