Friday 3 to Sunday 5 July
What is the Divine — and how do we meet it within ourselves? In this retreat, we will explore together one of the deepest questions of spiritual life. Through devotion, silent contemplation, and discourse, we will inquire into the nature of the Divine — beyond concepts, towards direct experience. In the warmth of a like-minded group of people, a space is created for genuine connection and inner insight.
Programme
Arrival on Friday at 3 pm or earlier
Departure on Sunday from 12 pm (noon)
Friday 3 July
| 15:00 | Latest arrival time. Arrival is also possible on the days before. |
| 16:00 – 17:30 | Introduction and satsang (spiritual discourse), questions & answers |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Puja (worship), 108 names Divine Mother |
| 20:00 – 21:00 | Supper and getting to know each other |
Saturday 4 July
| 06:00 – 07:00 | Puja, 108 names Subramanium |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:30 – 11:30 | Satsang (spiritual discourse), questions & answers |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Abishekum Somaskanda Murthi, Vishnu and Lakshmi, 108 names Shiva |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Lunch |
| 16:30 – 18:00 | Mantras & chanting: introduction and practice |
| 19:00 – 20:00 | Puja, 108 names of Divine Mother |
| 20:00 – 21:00 | Supper |
Sunday 5 July
| 06:00 – 07:00 | Puja, 108 names Subramanium |
| 08:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:30 – 11:30 | Satsang, questions & answers |
| 12:00 – 13:30 | Mahabishekum Somaskanda Murthi, 108 names Shiva |
| 14:00 – 15:00 | Lunch |
| From 12:00 | Departure |
Friday 3 July
| 15:00 | Latest arrival time. Arrival is also possible on the days before. |
| 16:00 | Introduction, satsang (spiritual discourse), questions & answers |
| 19:00 | Puja (worship), 108 names Divine Mother |
| 20:00 | Supper and getting to know each other |
Saturday 4 July
| 06:00 | Puja, 108 names Subramanium |
| 08:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:30 | Satsang (spiritual discourse), questions & answers |
| 12:00 | Abishekum Somaskanda Murthi, Vishnu and Lakshmi, 108 names Shiva |
| 14:00 | Lunch |
| 16:30 | Mantras & chanting: introduction and practice |
| 19:00 | Puja, 108 names of Divine Mother |
| 20:00 | Supper |
Sunday 5 July
| 06:00 | Puja, 108 names Subramanium |
| 08:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:30 | Satsang, questions & answers |
| 12:00 | Mahabishekum Somaskanda Murthi, 108 names Shiva |
| 14:00 | Lunch |
| From 12:00 | Departure |
Information
Registration
The retreat is open to everyone aged 15 and above. Please register online by the 15th June. Cancellations must also be submitted by the 15th June.
Costs
The ashram is funded solely through anonymous and voluntary donations and is run by volunteers. In this spirit, the retreat, including accommodation and catering, is offered free of charge and is funded by the kind and voluntary donations of the participants. Daily chores such as cooking, cleaning, etc. are carried out with the help of the participants.
Accommodation
There are 20 beds available in the ashram itself, in simple, shared dormitories (please bring your own sleeping bag).
External accommodation either at the top of the mountain (Hotel Arflina) or down in the valley, can be booked privately at your own expense.
Catering
Delicious, blessed vegetarian food will be served at all meals.
Please take note
If you wish to attend the retreat, please make sure that you can attend for the full duration. Late arrivals or early departures will cause disruptions and are not permitted.
We regret that the retreat is not suitable for children as the local facilities are unsuitable for childcare. Unfortunately, no childcare will be provided for parents.
Somaskanda Ashram is located in the mountains at an altitude of 1800 metres. As the weather can change quickly, we ask you to bring warm, comfortable and weatherproof clothing and footwear. Even inside the temple it can get quite chilly.
You will be responsible for making your own travel arrangements. The Heuberge bus drives as far as 350 metres to below the ashram where there is a 15-minute walk uphill on a rough mountain track. This track is not suitable for wheeled suitcases and we strongly recommend using rucksacks. People with health issues may be picked up at the bus stop by the temple team (please let us know the arrival time in advance).
There are no parking options at the ashram and it is not permitted to drive from the Heuberge road up to the ashram. Please use the public car park 2 km further on towards Heuberge.
Find out more on our information page.
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