Twice a year, Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) sannyasis lead specially prepared How-to-Live Retreat programmes at Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Math, Ranchi, tailored for those who are studying and practising the teachings of Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda through the YSS Lessons.

The first conducted retreat of the year held from March 1 to 3, 2019 drew participants from across India and a few devotees from outside the country.

The retreat included three days of sadhana, silence, review of YSS techniques of meditation, reading of YSS literature, video shows and kirtans. YSS sannyasis gave satsangas on relevant topics for the benefit of devotees on the spiritual path. Devotees could also seek counselling from the monastics during this period.

On March 1, Swami Ishwarananda conducted the opening satsanga, wherein he shared the retreat guidelines, and spoke on the necessities for spiritual progress. He encourage the devotees attending the retreat to use this opportunity to deepen their practice of meditation.

The satsanga was followed by review classes of Yogoda meditation techniques. Brahmachari Kedarananda conducted a review of Hong-Sau, while Brahmachari Raghavananda reviewed the Energization Exercises for the retreatants. In the evening, an audio talk was played for them.

On the second day of the retreat, Brahmachari Prajnananda conducted a review of the Aum technique. It was followed by a satsanga by Swami Madhavananda on keys to deeper meditations. In the next session, Brahmachari Dhairyananda reviewed the Kriya Yoga technique for Kriyaban devotees. Devotees were shown a YSS/SRF video recording in the evening.

On March 3, the retreatants attended group meditation in the morning, followed by the Sunday satsanga. Swami Shraddhananda delivered the closing satsanga in the afternoon. 

To view images from the retreat, click here.

To know more about conducted spiritual retreats at Yogoda Satsanga Sakha Math, Ranchi, click here.