When the hills beckon
June 2023
The five-day retreat at Ramgarh, near Nainital organised by Life Positive in nature’s luxurious lap, is designed to heal your body, detox your mind, and infuse your life with renewed hope, faith, and optimism says Navni Chawla
Do you want to smell the flowers, stretch lazily in the cosy lap of the hills, gulp from the chalice of nature’s abundant bounty, and recharge your spirits? If yes, then here is your chance to have all of this and much more.
The Life Positive Foundation is organising a soulful spiritual retreat for all its readers, travel enthusiasts, and spiritual seekers from the 5th to the 9th of July 2023 at the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Ramgarh, near Nainital. This retreat is full of exciting activities and fascinating excursions.
Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a heavenly place nestled in the midst of lush green hills and landscapes filled with immense scenic beauty. As you step into this serene ashram, a sprawling garden unfolds before your eyes—a symphony of vibrant colours and fragrant blooms that dance in harmony with the gentle breeze. You are also greeted with the melodious chirping of birds and the distant rustling of leaves that resonate the ashram with ethereal vibes.
Situated in the lap of Kumaon, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a perfect blend of modern architecture and ancient spiritual practices. The pristine white walls, vast gardens, and the surrounding majestic mountains project an awe-inspiring vision of grandeur, filling the soul with a sense of purpose and divinity.
Located within the premises of the ashram is a sacred temple dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, which is a stunning sight to behold. The inner peace and aura of positivity that emanate from the temple is truly magical. The temple has a tranquil meditation room where one can sit and contemplate. The ashram also has modern accommodation facilities, which are well-equipped with all the latest amenities
to provide a comfortable stay for the guests. The picturesque surroundings and the placid environment make it an ideal spot for the retreat that helps one to connect with their inner self, heal, and find solace in nature’s embrace. This place sparkles with divinity and is a perfect getaway for anyone seeking to unwind from the fast-paced life.
Ramgarh is a quaint town that is abundant in lush fruit orchards and is full of pristine natural beauty. It is known for its apple and peach gardens that are spread over miles of land. These orchards are a sight to behold during the flowering season when the entire area is covered in a sea of white and pink blossoms. The town is also famous for its serene lakes and beautiful temples. Its stunning vistas, orchards, and calm surroundings make it an absolute paradise for nature lovers and peace-seekers. It is also known to be a secret hideout for writers and poets.
Itinerary
On the first day, the participants will reach the ashram around noon. There will be a scrumptious lunch for all, followed by an ice-breaking evening session, where the participants get to know each other better.
The second day of the retreat shall commence with a calming yoga and meditation class. Later, there will be a half-day trip organised to Kainchi Dham, Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram. Anyone who visits this place for the first time is mesmerised by the honeyed bhajans (devotional songs) being sung by Baba’s devotees. Located at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram is a sacred sanctuary that exudes a profound sense of love and peace. As you approach this hallowed place, a gentle aura envelopes you as if the very air is infused with divine grace.
The ashram is adorned with lovely flowers and ancient trees that seem to whisper secrets of wisdom gathered over countless ages. This place exudes rustic charm and a sense of timelessness. You will come across many smaller chamber temples dedicated to different deities. Lord Hanuman has special significance here as Neem Karoli Baba was said to be one of his avatars (incarnations).
At the heart of the ashram stands the main temple, a simple yet powerful structure that bears witness to the devotion and teachings of Neem Karoli Baba. Its white marble facade glistens under the golden rays of the sun, while intricate patterns and motifs delicately carved into its walls narrate stories of spiritual wisdom and devotion.
As you wander along the stone pathways, you encounter devotees immersed in deep contemplation, their eyes closed in meditation or engrossed in quiet conversations about the Divine. The fragrance of incense wafts through the air, mingling with the soothing sounds of mantras and chants, creating an atmosphere that transports you beyond the mundane and into the realm of the sacred.
A gentle stream meanders through the ashram, its crystal-clear waters reflecting the verdant foliage and the azure sky above. At dusk, as the sun paints the sky in hues of gold and crimson, the ashram comes alive with the enchanting melodies of evening prayers (aarti) and the sound of bells. Devotees gather in the main temple, their faces aglow with devotion, as the fragrance of sandalwood fills the air.
Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram is a sacred haven, a place where boundaries between the physical and the spiritual dissolve, and seekers are drawn to find solace, guidance, and the eternal love that Neem Karoli Baba embodied. It is a testament to the timeless teachings of love, compassion, and Self-realisation. Visiting this place will be an unfading experience for all. The return from Kainchi Dham back to Aurobindo ashram is scheduled for the same evening, by dinner time.
A wonderful trip to Garh Mukteshwar is planned for the third day of this retreat. This pleasant little village, nestled in the quiet outskirts of Nainital, offers an awe-inspiring blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage. As you enter the village, you are exposed to a heart-warming sight of old, rustic homes that have stood the test of time and still stand proud amidst the green farmlands.
The village is surrounded by lush green trees, making it perfect for a relaxed getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. The crisp, fresh air fills your lungs and instantly rejuvenates you. Garh Mukteshwar is also blessed with a serene lake that adds a touch of mysticism to the place. The stillness of the lake is broken only by the chirping of birds and the gentle swishing of the boat’s oars. Moreover, Garh Mukteshwar is rich in history and culture. It is home to several ancient temples, stories of which have been passed down through generations. The most famous of these temples is the revered temple of Mukteshwara Mahadev (Lord Shiva), which is said to have been built during the times of the Mahabharata. The temple has a unique architecture that boasts intricate carvings and sculptures. It is truly a sight to behold, and a full-day trip to this hidden gem adds more thrill to the entire retreat. There will be a stopover for lunch, and the return to the Aurobindo Ashram is scheduled by dinner time.
There is a beautiful and brilliant workshop organised by Life Positive for the fourth day of the retreat called The Journey of ‘5 Senses and Ecstatic Dance Workshop,’ being led by Sonia Wadhwa. Let’s give you a peek into Sonia’s
Sonia Wadhwa will take you through the journey of five senses and ecstatic dance world and her intriguing work through the following interview I conducted with her.
Can you describe yourself and what you do? I have been leading meditation and interactive technique workshops all over the world for the past 27 years. My focus is always on juicing every moment. I am also a very successful businesswoman, and I have been running my own company for 30 years. I had the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, and I realised that everyone is seeking the same thing but is looking outside rather than within. I feel the shift needed is to turn energies from the outer to the inner.
What do you love the most about your job? I love the challenges that come along with
my job. I often ask myself, “Am I ready? Am I there! Am I able to receive this person without any judgements? Am I reacting based on my conditioning, or am I responding to this moment? All the understanding that has come to me through all my experiences, am I living it?”
So, it’s such a dynamic and alive phenomenon of growing and constantly checking oneself as I take workshops. Another thing I love about my job is that every time I lead a group of diverse individuals, it amazes me to notice how alike we all are fundamentally and how beautifully and intricately our community is woven on the basis of love and emotions.
What is the ‘Five Senses and Ecstatic Dance Workshop’ about?
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The whole idea of doing this workshop is to learn to make every experience of life an alive experience. I teach that the meditations we do and their effects must reflect in our daily actions. This workshop carries the seeds of awareness, which are sown in every participant’s mind. These seeds, in turn, sprout and encourage them to become conscious of each and every pore of their senses. The ultimate result of doing this workshop will be the attainment of a deeper sense of living with acute sensitivity and awareness.
You begin noticing things and the beauty around you that you would miss before. You learn through this workshop to make every experience of your senses fuller and deeper, whether it is eating a meal and relishing it or driving a car with full attentiveness and not robotically. I reiterate: the purpose of doing any session within this workshop leads you to understand the art of making each moment alive and throbbing with energy. This is achieved through some fun and playful activities. This workshop also helps you expand your openness towards life and respond from your heart intuitively. The ecstatic dance workshop helps one raise their energy, aliveness, and spandan (sensitivity). This workshop lets dance become a celebration of one’s total self, like a beautiful synthesis of our inner self and outer self. The motto of this workshop is ‘To rise in dance.’
What is sensitivity according to you? Should one nurture this quality within themselves in this era? Why?
Sensitivity is a new opening. We are all born very sensitive, and slowly, as we grow up, we get conditioned to feel less and judge more (ourselves and others). Sensitivity is about being open to everything happening around you and also towards human beings as a community. It’s important to check if we are harbouring joy in
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our bellies and helping each other come out of suffering. It is also about living a full, nourished, and complete life. It has many facets. You can explore all these facets in the 5 senses workshop. Spandan is essentially about sensitivity—the feeling, the reception, and the openness. It is about learning how you receive life, experiences, and people. It is beautiful to be sensitive. It is okay to be thick-skinned sometimes, but to turn away from all life experiences due to some bad experiences isn’t okay. Sensitivity is about regaining one’s innocence.
Sensitivity is often associated with clinging to feelings excessively or being overly attached, but it is also about being more aware. Enlightened masters are the most sensitive ones and can closely understand the problems of the world. Higher sensitivity implies that you would respond to the moment exactly how it needs to be responded to, without getting anxious. This will allow you to make more pragmatic, rational, and wise decisions.Sensitivity should not be misconceived as taking on everyone’s feelings (even the unwanted ones) but rather as a means to be able to feel another person’s need and reach out in whatever way you can to help.
What is your intent for the participants of the workshops you facilitate?
My intent for all my participants is for them to lead a fuller, nourishing, enriching, joyful, celebrative, and complete life as much as possible. The intent is to make them realise that ‘if you live the moment, each moment is enough.’ But, talking about this is mere words; one will understand the real essence of my words when they experience it for themselves. I wish for the people who come to my workshops to go through a transformational journey, where they learn to be sensitive, vulnerable, and soft at times when it is needed. I want them to live so fully that they do not regret missing out on any moments in life
that could have nurtured their soul.
What do you think catalyses one’s transformation?
Transformation happens when you are ready to break open from your shell and step into your higher power. To catalyse this journey, a spark is needed that beckons you to take a jump out of your fears, be open and available to the Universe’s plan for you, and make space for the transformation to occur.
What is your vision for yourself, and what are your aspirations for the world?
I have found my Ikigai (reason or meaning for living). I know I am on the path, and I have to keep going ‘Cheraiveti Cheraiveti.’ (It is a Vedic Sanskrit verse, and its fascinating literal translation is “The honeybee, by its motion, collects honey, and birds enjoy tasty fruits by constant movement. The sun is revered by virtue of its constant shining movement; therefore, one should be constantly in motion. Keep moving, keep moving on!)
I believe:
We all need to be heard,
We all need to be seen,
We all need our place in the sun,
We all need to feel,
We all need to be sensitive,
And, we all need to rise!!”
Sonia signed off with a beautiful smile, spraying her Zen energy on me.
We invite you to be a part of this extraordinary retreat that promises to rejuvenate your spirit and ignite a positive change in your life. The venue for this retreat itself is meticulously chosen, combining comfort and elegance to create an ambience that fosters love, creativity, and connection. The surrounding scenery will serve as a constant reminder of the power and potential that lie within you. Nature’s majesty will inspire and uplift, infusing your stay and workshop experience with an extra touch of magic.
Just as a cherry on a cake adds that delightful burst of flavour, the activities and excursions included in this retreat will enhance every aspect of your experience and learning journey. The breathtaking town of Ramgarh will make the Universe conspire to create the perfect backdrop for your personal growth and restoration.
Prepare yourself for an unforgettable and immersive experience like no other!
To register now, call us or email us at 91 9560803144 (Sheelu Jaisi)
91 9312191587 (Dharamveer)
Email: info@lifepositive.net
Navni Chawla, a Delhi based writer has a heart brimming with passion for life and loves capturing the beauty of the world through words.