NOTICE--OCTOBER 18-20 SELF-REALIZATION RETREAT

At this point we do not know how many people are coming. So many have said they will come, and many of those then said they cannot.

Since there is no charge, no one has paid anything to secure a place, therefore there are no confirmed reservations.

I am visiting soon to check out the studio.  I have been told it seats 25 people on chairs and up to 45 if all are on the floor.

Anyone who is flying in will have priority.

So far we have received requests for reservations from a bit over 25 people, but I would be surprised if many more than half that number showed up, because there is no monetary forfeiture for not showing up.

You have to regard this more as an open Satsang than a conventional new age retreat.

THEREFORE I SUGGEST PEOPLE BRING A MEDITATION CUSHION OR A YOGA MAT TO LIE ON IN CASE IT GETS CROWDED.

This is a Self-Realization Satsang, not some other enlightenment retreat.  In order to become self-realized you have to escape the prison of your mind and concepts and become aware of the primacy of awareness itself and what can be found in that awareness that the mind never could experience or understand.

To this end considerable time will be spent on unlearning concepts to gain an empty mind.

To this end will be considerable chanting, both to raise the divine energies within, but more importantly, to quiet the mind so that you can directly perceive yourself in all your colors, energies and forms.

There will be considerable time spent learning "proper" self-inquiry, of finding and abiding in the sense of I Am, through loving, accepting introspection and guided energy work.

If necessary we will explain how Self-Realization differs from the Nisargadatta model of becoming the witness, to instead, becoming the love/bliss body level of Consciousness called Turiya, or the Fourth State.

Also, there will be a lot of attention directed at attending to and dealing with emotions, as much of spirituality is aimed at transcending the "chaos" of emotions, rather than embracing them and incorporating them into our Self.

Also, and of course, we will do a lot of energy "work" sharing love and blissful energies.

This will be mostly a silent retreat as conversation outside of the content of the class is discouraged in order to hold onto the "samadhi" power generated by chanting, self-inquiry meditation, and the energy work we will do to awaken the Shakti within each attendee.

Of course talking and conversations will be allowed during the late dinners at 8:30.  Lunch will be silent and very light in order to preserve the energy gained during Satsang.

IT IS SUGGESTED YOU MIGHT WANT TO BRING YOUR OWN FOOD, AS OUR OFFERINGS WILL BE LIGHT, SUCH AS BAGELS, FRUIT AND VEGGIES. ANY HEAVY MEAL WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL TO CONTINUED FOCUS. IF YOU WANT, WINE CAN BE BROUGHT TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART FOR EVENING DINNER FOR RELAXATION AND UNWINDING.  THERE IS NO CORKAGE FEE.

Saturday and Sunday mornings before the Satsang begins at 12:30 PM, will consist in spending time in Robert's Park a few miles from the Satsang location.