When we become still and look within our heart of hearts, the realization arrives that what we desire most is peace. We may be aware that we desperately need to make peace with our past in order to live our brightest future. We fervently want to live in peace with ourselves, our bodies and the choices we have made (or that we feel were unfairly made for us). We'd like to enjoy peace-filled relationships with others, as we know without it, sustaining life-enhancing love and friendship cannot happen. It certainly often seems elusive, with the myriad challenges which appear to constantly bombard us. Do you find yourself thinking it is impossible? Then this retreat is for you. Our focus will be on how we can most definitely achieve this state of Being. We will learn practical Kundalini Yoga techniques that can put in place an unshakable '..... peace that passeth understanding', no matter what.
Join us on this journey to Greece, specifically to the breathtakingly lovely island of Crete and her wondrous landscapes. Give yourself the gift of time and space to explore beautiful Kundalini Yoga and Meditation on this theme, as we immerse in our inner Ocean of Peace and in the gorgeous outer ocean of the Aegean Sea. We shall lighten and cleanse our bodies with an alcohol-free, exotic and healthful Mediterranean vegetarian diet during our practice days. As has become our custom, we will play, sing, dance and laugh together as we remember and revel in the pure innocence of our hearts.
No previous knowledge of KY or other yogas is needed but please bear in mind that this journey has a spiritual base, though indeed it is also a travel adventure. It is for you if you wish to embrace both in a warm, loving, group vibration. The quality of this group vibration is a significant part of the personal healing which is made possible for each of us. Folks who have joined us for all three past retreats will testify that we live together on these retreats as "one for all and all for one", deeply caring for, and looking after, each other and the experience of this has been nothing short of profound.
Siri Amrita has been teaching KY in this lineage since 1993. See her Bio and an interview that was done by the yoga center in her current hometown of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Read testimonials from folks who've been in her classes and on retreat with her. This, by Grace, will be the fourth international gathering she will lead.
Join us on this journey to Greece, specifically to the breathtakingly lovely island of Crete and her wondrous landscapes. Give yourself the gift of time and space to explore beautiful Kundalini Yoga and Meditation on this theme, as we immerse in our inner Ocean of Peace and in the gorgeous outer ocean of the Aegean Sea. We shall lighten and cleanse our bodies with an alcohol-free, exotic and healthful Mediterranean vegetarian diet during our practice days. As has become our custom, we will play, sing, dance and laugh together as we remember and revel in the pure innocence of our hearts.
No previous knowledge of KY or other yogas is needed but please bear in mind that this journey has a spiritual base, though indeed it is also a travel adventure. It is for you if you wish to embrace both in a warm, loving, group vibration. The quality of this group vibration is a significant part of the personal healing which is made possible for each of us. Folks who have joined us for all three past retreats will testify that we live together on these retreats as "one for all and all for one", deeply caring for, and looking after, each other and the experience of this has been nothing short of profound.
Siri Amrita has been teaching KY in this lineage since 1993. See her Bio and an interview that was done by the yoga center in her current hometown of Harrisonburg, Virginia. Read testimonials from folks who've been in her classes and on retreat with her. This, by Grace, will be the fourth international gathering she will lead.
LOCATION
Our intimate group will stay at a small, family-run place on Crete, the largest of the Greek Isles. Incidentally, the name 'Crete' (kriti, Κρήτη) first appeared in Homer's Odyssey. It was once the center of the Minoan Civilization, the earliest known in Europe. All in all, a wonderful location for our 4th Annual KY retreat. Our accommodations are simple and sweet- meeting high standards for cleanliness, excellent positioning from which to explore and safety, which is always paramount. Our KY practice space will be mostly onsite.
Our intimate group will stay at a small, family-run place on Crete, the largest of the Greek Isles. Incidentally, the name 'Crete' (kriti, Κρήτη) first appeared in Homer's Odyssey. It was once the center of the Minoan Civilization, the earliest known in Europe. All in all, a wonderful location for our 4th Annual KY retreat. Our accommodations are simple and sweet- meeting high standards for cleanliness, excellent positioning from which to explore and safety, which is always paramount. Our KY practice space will be mostly onsite.
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Delicious food is always part of our retreat experience. It is an important way by which we explore the culture of a new place. Group meals are always joyous times, bordering on downright raucous, with maybe the *occasional* baudy joke thrown in.
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INCLUDED:
- 3 daily pranic vegetarian meals, 'safe' water, tea and coffee (with meals). Flight itineraries pending, we start with dinner together on Saturday 31st August and end with breakfast as our last group meal on Sunday 8th September.
- Sweet accommodations close to the action, but far enough away to be peaceful :-)
- Sadhana in the Amrit Vela (sometimes a full Aquarian Sadhana as Taught by Yogi Bhajan, sometimes a variation).
- Kundalini yoga sessions will be balanced 50:50 with our exploration of this beautiful, ancient place on the planet. Our practice will include a mix of kriya (physical KY), pranayama and meditations which support the theme of the retreat.
- 4 excursions (English-guided where needed), one of which will be a visit to an iconic beach. The others will be fun and informative outings, as we immerse in the Grecian culture and visit historical sites. There will be therapeutic playtime in the ocean and time to shop for exotic goods, olives, olive oils, spices and souvenirs.
- All in-Greece ground transport following arrival at local accommodation until retreat ends, entrance fees to monuments/places of interest and basic tips.
Discovering our surroundings on group outings is always a ton of fun! Delights of Crete await our Presence.
COST
Single Occupancy: $3100 (3 single rooms available)
Double Occupancy: $2950 per person (5 double rooms available)
Triple Occupancy: $2750 per person (1 triple room available)
HOW TO RESERVE YOUR SPOT
Via cheque of $501 (non-refundable deposit), due now.
Make payable to: "Dr. Purnima J. Shahani"
(Please state what kind of room you'd like, first come first serve for this. If you won't be traveling with a roommate(s), I'll pair you up. The retreat is open to both men and ladies. It is possible to journey with your significant other- couples are likely to find this a beautiful thing to do together. *As we have done in the past, if a spouse or mature child wishes to join our gang but is not a Kundalini Yogi, a special arrangement can be made- contact me privately.
Mail to: 243 Neff Avenue, Suite N, Harrisonburg, Virginia 22801.
BALANCE/PAYMENT SCHEDULE (VIA CHEQUE, SENT AS FOR DEPOSIT)
Half remaining balance due April 11 ($1299.50-single; $1224.50-double; $1124.50- triple)
Final Payment due July 11 ($1299.50-single; $1224.50-double; $1124.50- triple)
**Please note, it's really important for you to send in your deposit as soon as possible, if you are being called to join us, so I can reserve our accommodation and give the green light for our next Soul Journey. We need to meet a minimum number and then I will be in touch about booking flights. I'll send word so we can try to coordinate and travel, as far as possible, as a group. (Travel together is just more fun too- even unexpected flight delays are less tiresome when shared with friends with whom you can play games and who will at least pretend to watch your bags :-). ****UPDATE: This trip was filled 5 weeks after it was released. You may email me if you wish to be placed on a waiting list. I will be in touch about our flight reservations in a few months.
Some of our group delayed leaving Dulles AND a long delay in Casablanca on our way to begin our last retreat. And yet, these beautiful people took it in stride and kept smiling (well, mostly). Definitely, we humans are stronger together!
NOT INCLUDED
TRAVEL FACTS AT A GLANCE:
Fax: +(30)(210) 724-5313
- Round trip airfare to Crete. I will help you to find the best possible flight itinerary and airfare when we get to that point.
- Transportation costs to get to and from the local airport (for all our past trips, those of us traveling from Harrisonburg have been pooling together to get an easy van ride both ways). There will also be a reasonable shared van cost to get to the retreat location in Crete and back to the airport on departure- arrangements will be made for you, however.
- Spending money for exotic purchases
- Extra tips at your discretion (when superior service warrants it- basic tips for drivers and guides are included in your cost)
- Travel insurance World Nomads
TRAVEL FACTS AT A GLANCE:
- PASSPORT VALIDITY: Must be valid at time of entry (with at least six months to expiry)
- BLANK PASSPORT PAGES: One blank page required for entry stamp
- TOURIST VISA REQUIRED: Not required for stays under 90 days
- VACCINATIONS: None required
- US CONSULATE GENERAL 91 Vasilisis Sophias Avenue
10160 Athens, Greece
Telephone: +(30)(210) 721-2951
Fax: +(30)(210) 724-5313
A PERSONAL NOTE FROM SIRI AMRITA:
'Morning vision of purest Soul
Incandescent and filled with delight
Completely unblemished despite
Regrets for things done in blindness
Or body perhaps mapped with scars
Or mind imprinted by the rage
Of others horrified by their own
Powerlessness and insignificance
Oh sweet heart of incomparable
Beauty and with Divine Indwelling
Listen now to the Beloved‘s Voice
You are a crystallization of Love
An alchemy of Magic and Mystery
One True and Unique Creation
Perfect, Whole and Innocent
All that is needed now is your
Agreement....the acceptance of
The Kingdom of God within You.”
-Siri Amrita Kaur
As has happened every year since I began leading these KY retreats three years ago, the theme of 2019's was sort of 'delivered' to my conscious awareness, born partly from my general current life experiences and partly from those of the retreat that preceded it. We recently concluded "I Am Bliss!" in Morocco. In those eight days together (which had a very rocky, non-peace-promoting start, by the way, with a dastardly long airline delay in Casablanca airport and me storming a private lounge to take food and drinks for my long-suffering (without complaint!) travel companions), we touched the heart of bliss and......embraced the peace that is its base. The latter presented itself as a theme which deserved more exploration: how do we locate, tap into and live from our personal oasis of peace? And do so despite any external situation or curveball life (Morocco gang- think 'hammam'!) may throw at us? Everything we will do- our KY practices, our exploration of the beautiful, ancient city of Crete, the delectable food we'll eat, the fun we'll have together, the way we'll hold each other with care.....all of it, an affirmation of Pax et Amor.
Personally, 2018 has been a year of such movement! So much that was seemingly entrenched in my life suddenly shifted with warp speed. At times, frankly, all I have been able to do is hang on, literally closing my eyes and praying for courage, trust and most importantly.......peace with all that was leaving, all that was/is looming on the horizon and all the things I may never understand. The words of the poem above were born out of a deep awareness just a few mornings ago, of the Perfect Innocence of my soul, despite the sometimes incredibly challenging circumstances and situations of my life story. We have all experienced some very dark things which threaten our mental, emotional and spiritual peace and make us forget The Kingdom of God Within.
Let us Remember together. If you have read these words and are aware of a call to your soul, please answer it and come be with us. You may email me here if you have questions. You can find me on Facebook: public page "Siri Amrita Kaur".
Incandescent and filled with delight
Completely unblemished despite
Regrets for things done in blindness
Or body perhaps mapped with scars
Or mind imprinted by the rage
Of others horrified by their own
Powerlessness and insignificance
Oh sweet heart of incomparable
Beauty and with Divine Indwelling
Listen now to the Beloved‘s Voice
You are a crystallization of Love
An alchemy of Magic and Mystery
One True and Unique Creation
Perfect, Whole and Innocent
All that is needed now is your
Agreement....the acceptance of
The Kingdom of God within You.”
-Siri Amrita Kaur
As has happened every year since I began leading these KY retreats three years ago, the theme of 2019's was sort of 'delivered' to my conscious awareness, born partly from my general current life experiences and partly from those of the retreat that preceded it. We recently concluded "I Am Bliss!" in Morocco. In those eight days together (which had a very rocky, non-peace-promoting start, by the way, with a dastardly long airline delay in Casablanca airport and me storming a private lounge to take food and drinks for my long-suffering (without complaint!) travel companions), we touched the heart of bliss and......embraced the peace that is its base. The latter presented itself as a theme which deserved more exploration: how do we locate, tap into and live from our personal oasis of peace? And do so despite any external situation or curveball life (Morocco gang- think 'hammam'!) may throw at us? Everything we will do- our KY practices, our exploration of the beautiful, ancient city of Crete, the delectable food we'll eat, the fun we'll have together, the way we'll hold each other with care.....all of it, an affirmation of Pax et Amor.
Personally, 2018 has been a year of such movement! So much that was seemingly entrenched in my life suddenly shifted with warp speed. At times, frankly, all I have been able to do is hang on, literally closing my eyes and praying for courage, trust and most importantly.......peace with all that was leaving, all that was/is looming on the horizon and all the things I may never understand. The words of the poem above were born out of a deep awareness just a few mornings ago, of the Perfect Innocence of my soul, despite the sometimes incredibly challenging circumstances and situations of my life story. We have all experienced some very dark things which threaten our mental, emotional and spiritual peace and make us forget The Kingdom of God Within.
Let us Remember together. If you have read these words and are aware of a call to your soul, please answer it and come be with us. You may email me here if you have questions. You can find me on Facebook: public page "Siri Amrita Kaur".
Most of our sweet group in Morocco (left), September 2nd 2018. Below, a random assortment of photos from past retreats to India, Nepal, Guatemala, Morocco along with photos of special KY classes and outings in Virginia....