Long time no see friends! We have some exciting news to share with everyone.
We have continued our life’s work running a Non-Profit Bhakti Yoga Center (ISKCON Syracuse). We'll be doing what we love which is regularly sharing this lifestyle with the people we meet. We currently have two free live weekly programs, Thursdays at 6:30- 8:30 PM and Sundays 11:30 AM- 1:30 PM, all are welcome to join us for the programs and elaborate Vegetarian Feasts afterwards.
The last and maybe most important news (at least for you all) that we have to share is the upcoming….
Thanksgiving Weekend Ashram Experience
Thursday November 23rd - Sunday, November 26th
Join us for a weekend Bhakti Immersion at the Mantra Central Bhakti Ashram;
Bhakti Yoga: is the process of linking with the highest truth in life through the medium of loving devotion through service. Learning this great art and intricate science enables one to appeal to the Supreme Power governing all of existence, even conquering such power not through one’s own strength but through humility, surrender, and love. The result is feeling the all pervading love and grace of the Ultimate, allowing one fearlessness, a blissful life, strength to overcome all challenges, a deep sense of purpose, and the capacity to love and be loved beyond what we can currently fathom.
This Retreat happens to fall on the final days of the Bhakti Holy Month: Kartik called Bhishma Panchak! According to Vedic Lore, spiritual activities practiced during this month and especially these final days are greatly magnified, able to remedy even the most challenging of circumstances, and grant one’s most cherished desires for those who sincerely practice Bhakti during this time. There is no better time to make advancement toward any of one’s cherished goals than this time, and this Retreat is lined up to help you maximize life’s blessings.
We’ll have daily Morning Arati Programs, Group Readings, Reflections, Self-development Workshops, Sacred Cooking Classes, Spiritual Movie Nights, Delicious Vegetarian Feasts, Meditative Nature Walks, and access to daily cultural ceremonies
Thursday, Thanksgiving day
Check in/ Optional Thanksgiving Feast Active Cooking Course ; 2-5:30 pm
Vegetarian Thanksgiving dinner; 6 pm
Retreat Intention Setting Ceremony and Kirtan 8 pm
Retire for bed around 9 pm
Friday:
Mangal Arati 5:30-6:15
Japa meditation 6:15-7
Group reading and reflection 7-7:45
Damodarastakam prayers and lamp offering; 7:45-8 am
Breakfast Prasadam 8-8:30 am
Personal time: 8:30-11 am
(Nice time to work on personal meditation, read, take rest)
Working Through Difficulty Workshop 11am- 12:30 pm
Lunch Prasad: 1-2 pm
Personal time: 2-4 pm
Optional- Japa walk in Barry park or Cooking Course with Sita (weather depending) 2:30-4pm
“Removing Unwanted Things from the Heart” with Kishor 4-5
Kirtan 5-5:30 pm
Dinner prasad: 6-7 pm
Movie Night- Reincarnation Special; 7:15-8:45 pm
Retire for the night; 9 pm
Saturday:
Mangal Arati 5:30-6:15
Japa meditation 6:15-7
Group reading and reflection 7-7:45
Damodarastakam prayers and lamp offering; 7:45-8 am
Breakfast Prasadam 8-8:30 am
Personal time/down time: 8:30-10:30 am
(Nice time to work on personal meditation, read, take rest)
“The Art of Kirtan” Workshop with Kishor 11-12
Kirtan 12-12:30
Lunch Prasad: 1-2 pm
Personal time: 2-4 pm
Optional- Japa walk/hangout at Fiddler’s Run (Weather Dependent) or Cooking Course with Sita 2:30-4pm
Bliss in Finding our Service Workshop: 4-5:30 pm
Dinner prasad: 6-7 pm
Movie Night: The Hare Krishna Movie- 7-8:45 pm
Retire for the night; 9 pm
Sunday:
Mangal Arati 5:30-6:15
Japa meditation 6:15-7
Group reading and reflection 7-7:45
Damodarastakam prayers and lamp offering; 7:45-8 am
Breakfast Prasadam 8-8:30 am
Preparing a Group Feast; 9-10 am
Personal time; 10-11:30 am (pack up belongings and clear out rooms)
Mantra Central Sunday Program;
Kirtan 11:30am-12 pm
“Save this Land” and start Within 12-1 pm
Closing Kirtan 1-1:30 pm
1:30 PM Final Feast w/ Mantra Central Community
Depart after a fun long weekend together!
So when we come together in a beautiful environment to cultivate our divine connection and meditation, we can greatly magnify our practices, inspire each other, and receive transcendental knowledge from experienced practitioners who've already overcome similar obstacles that we may be facing.
Investment and How to secure your spot!
The revered Bhakti Yoga Guru, Srila Prabhupada, cites references from Vedic Scripture throughout his many books that spiritual knowledge should be given as freely to one and all as possible. This is an important principle of brahminical (saintly) culture. It is in this line that we will be offering attendance of our Retreats and will not withhold knowledge for lack of money.
Spiritual culture is a culture of giving, serving and contributing. If we all have this attitude, then there will be no need to charge fees. Donations given with a happy and affectionate heart complete the loving exchange of receiving spiritual knowledge and inspiration.
All of this being said, the world unfortunately is not running on spiritual culture but one quite the opposite. We will have to cover the costs of food, drink, the travel and time of our Instructors, cooks, and Event Leaders, the use and utility of the farm and horses, photography/ videography, advertisement, and some miscellaneous costs as well. We are humbly asking participants in the retreat for an investment of $251 per guest for the whole weekend of events (Lodging and 8 meals included) and $51 for a 1 day pass for Friday or Saturday.
We are very limited on spots including lodging, but can accommodate many more for just attendance. First come, first serve.
We preferably have Venmo available @Rama-Dasa or Zelle available at 908-763-0696. You can also contact us back via this email with any further questions! We are excited to host many of you for a Bhakti Filled Weekend! If you are looking deeper into how you can progress your spiritual life, want to connect to other sincere seekers like yourself, and can get away from hectic and disconnected lifestyle promoted by mainstream society, you'll really enjoy what we have to offer you via this retreat.
Thank You for your Generosity and Support.
We hope to reconnect with you soon!
Your servants,
Sita DD and Rām Dās
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