Designed and instructed by Sri Swami Ramakrishnananda (Sri Gurudev) and based on his book, "Yoga - Union with Reality". The retreat is a unique opportunity to delve into yourself, and come in contact with what you really are... a weekend of spiritual life, with the full range of Yogic paths, doors and teachings, rooted deeply in the ancient Vedic Scriptures and the Sanatana Dharma, the Vedic religion, as taught, by Swami Ramakrishnanada.
Yoga is probably the most ancient and comprehensive path known to man, aged back to more than 5,000 years ago, originated in Bharatavarsha (ancient India) and based on the Vedic scriptures, the most ancient scriptures known to mankind. "Yoga" is a Sanskrit word, from the word "Yuj" (to join, to merge, to bring together, to unite or to harmonize). The term Yoga points out a union, suggesting the existence of a division... We are division... we live as parts, not as the totality that we really are... Yoga is a system destined to create the most proper situation so that the harmony with the incessant flow of life, of existence, will happen. That optimum state in which the union with the natural, universal intelligence, can occur... In fact, that union is not a new situation, but it is to return to our original state, it is to go back to our authenticity... to our simplicity, our innocence. It is to be what you have always been.
Yoga is not a union between two separate things, but the consciousness that The One could never become separated, and that the mentioned dichotomy is only an illusion or "maya"...
- Satsangs with Swami Ramakrishnananda
- Classes on the various Yogic paths or doors:
- Poorna Yoga - an integral movement
- Hatha Yoga - by way of the body
- Karma Yoga - by way of selfless action
- Bhakti Yoga - by way of the heart
- Raja Yoga - by way of the mind
- Kundalini Yoga - the serpentine power
- Nada Yoga - calling ourselves
- Mantra Yoga - by way of chant
- Guru Yoga - the Guru or the Spiritual Master
- Jnana Yoga or Vedanta - to be the Self
- Nature silent walks
- Yogic wisdom, stories and myths
- Free talks, questions and answers
- Concentration techniques and meditation
- The retreat will take place at the Blue Deer retreat centre. Margaretville, Upstate New York. Nestled quietly in the Catskills, only 3 hours drive from New York city. The retreat center occupies 96 acres of forest and fields of abundant wildlife. A beautiful stream flows through the land. It is a perfect place for introspection, meditation and spiritual practice.
- Lodging in the neat rooms of the centre. Bathroom is available in every room.
- Board: Prepared by disciples with devotion as an offering to the Divine, the full vegetarian board consists of balanced, nutritious and delicious blessed meals (Prasadam) in Yogic style: no meat, fish, eggs, hot spices, onion, garlic or mushrooms.
Car Pooling:
We are organizing transportation which will be leaving from the Ashram (96 Avenue B., New York, N.Y.)
on Friday, July 24th at 2:00pm. It will be returning to the Ashram on Sunday
after the retreat has ended. Please let us know in advance if you will need a ride in either direction.
You are welcome to share the car pool expenses.
Driving Directions from New York City:
Blue Deer Retreat Center- 1155 County Route 6, Margaretville, NY 12455
Take I-87 North (the thruway) for 96 miles to Kingston, exit 19. From Exit 19, go West on Highway 28 (the first right off the traffic circle) towards Pine Hill and Woodstock. After passing a 'Hess' gas station and the entrance to Margaretville (you will see a flashing yellow light overhead). Continue driving on this road for about 5 miles (you will pass a sign for the State Police and when the road begins to curve you will see a blue sign for Route 6, and a green sign for New Kingston Road. Turn right. The location is approximately 1 mile up on the left. You will see a sign for the Blue Deer Center and a driveway marked on both sides by large stone pillars. Turn left into the driveway and follow it to the Main House at the end.
- Participation of adolescents under the age of eighteen is conditional and requires parent approval.
- Women during pregnancy should not attend to any of our physical practices.
- If you suffer from any physical or mental health problema, pain, injury or chronic disease, kindly consult with us before registering and attending the retreat.
- No alcoholic drinks, drugs or any other intoxicants are allowed within the retreat premises.
