Appreciations of the Glastonbuty Japa retreat November 2009
Dandavats to everyone.
By the causeless mercy of Sri Sri Guru and Gauranga, this most recent retreat in Glastonbury was an astonishing success. Success in the sense, that all the 18 people who took part, very clearly benefited enormously from the powerful influence of the Holy name.
This power was visibly apparent through our evening exchanges with each other. It seemed that each evening the devotees became more inspired and clearer as to their spiritual direction and focus of energy that they wanted to experience. Much clearing, bonding and healing took place and so much happiness and warmth between us all was exchanged.
This year was different in that we had 7 people new to the concepts of mantra meditation and what that meant. I was so inspired to see them all become enthusiastic students of our Vedic teachings empowered by the maha mantra.
In the last days many were able to chant a full 64 rounds, this certainly opened up new boundaries of consciousness and awareness for them in the holy names glories, and really, this is what the retreat is intended for.
I feel the greatest happiness and respect for all the participants, again I feel I have made so many new life long friends.
Thank you, all of you. In particular Radhe and Kesava for their full support and most warm hosting, no one can compare to their generous spirit. I am always indebted to them and forever grateful.
Yours in the service of Sri Guru and the Vaisnavas
BV Tridandi Swami
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All glories to Srila Gurudeva!
I have been very fortunate to attend four of BV Tridandi Maharaj’s 7 day japa retreats in recent months, and have found the opportunity to deepen my relationship with Nama and associate closely with Tridandi Maharaj and sadhu sangha to be very beneficial and enriching for my spiritual life. Regardless of whether we are steady in sadhana or not, or have experienced periods of intensive sadhana (such as having lived amongst devotees in temple life), the retreat provides a sacred space where participants can drop much deeper into sadhana without distraction and share an intimacy of devotee association.
This is a particularly rare opportunity for grhastas (householders) who most often have many external duties to perform, and can experience some feelings of spiritual isolation in daily life, wishing for more quality association outside of visiting the temple or going to programmes/festivals or on vraja/navadvip parikrama with Srila Gurudeva.
The japa retreat, which is mostly held in silence, provides a simple but effective structure which is both gentle and intense. The day revolves around a spacious programme with mangala arati, Hari katha, kirtan, delicious healthy prasadam, devotee exchange (where participants come together to share their journey in Krsna consciousness and in relationship to the Holy Name) and of course there is enough time to rest, and chant a lot more rounds than we might ordinarily find time to chant. In acknowledgement of the individuals’ different capacity and intention for the retreat, the various aspects of the programme are optional, which allows each participant to engage at the level that they feel happy with and as a result, a very sweet and relaxed mood develops.
After these retreats I have been left with a strong feeling of heart connection and belonging in our Gurudeva’s family, my absorption in Krsna consciousness has deepened, and fulfilling my commitment to chanting my rounds of japa has become quite effortless.
An aspiring servant of the servant of the Lord
Keshava Das Owner and host of Shekin ashram Glastonbury
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I don’t remember when I was last in such a peaceful atmosphere and I could chant so many rounds of the maha mantra. The mode of goodness here I think has helped me tremendously to do all this, and I feel it pulling me away from the modes of ignorance and passion. The Hari Katha of Tridandi Maharaja gives so much sweetness and inspiration.
Ananda Mohini dd from Norwich.
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It is difficult to express just how wonderful this japa retreat has been for me. To be so welcomed into the Ashram of Kesava and Radhe and to experience the wisdom and teachings of Bhaktivedanta Tridandi Swami has been truly beautiful. I believe this week has changed my life for the better, and has given me a host of new friends as well. Thanks to all, especially Gurudeva and Krsna.
Cecilia from Chester.
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My Japa retreat experience has been the most wonderful inspiring week.
It has touched my heart and soul in a way that I know will never leave me.
I am grateful also to have had the opportunity to share this experience with such cool, warm, sincere people.
Thank you.
Katie from Glastonbury.
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This japa retreat has been of immense value for my emotional, physical and especially spiritual life. It is a real retreat with genuine people searching for harmony in the Absolute Reality. I sincerely recommend this retreat to anyone in any walk of life looking for some kind of inner peace and a searching for the soul.
Balabahadra dasa, Hemel Hampstead, London
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The retreat helped me to deepen my devotional practice and allowed me to receive from the Divine. The classes brought up the most profound truths for discussion, and so helped to deepen the understanding of higher realities. The retreat was punctuated with experience of light beings and other mystical phenomena.
Freespirit Glastonbury.
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As a newcomer to this path, I found the retreat to be so informative and inspiring, and the opportunity to practice so much Japa invaluable. I feel so much gratitude for having had such a wonderful opportunity.
Haribol.
Thank you all very,very much.
Helen Shenstone Australia.
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A week spent living an ashram life gives benefits that cannot be perceived of before hand. Under the guidance of a true scholor on Vedic scripture, Tridandi Swami. With the mercy of Sri Krsna delivers a powerful awakening experience whatever the level of understanding. This week has re-enforced my faith in humanity that we have a divine purpose here on beautiful mother earth. Tridandi Maharaja is a living example of this and hopefully we will see each other often again my friend.
Deepest and dearing love and thanks
Marvyn Glastonbury Haribol!
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This is my third Japa retreat and this one has been just as good as the first two, which is to say pretty wonderful!
Gaura Chand Dasa London.
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The most beautiful experience of my life, I have been bitten by that black snake. For one week I was transported to a place of the deepest connection to my soul, Guru and Krsna. I feel totally amazing, nourished spiritually on every level. Maharaja’s classes were like total nectar. I left feeling totally inspired to increase above 16 rounds. My faith in the maha mantra has grown like anything.
Lalit Krsna From Brighton.
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Japa has naturally awakened in my soul through transcendental sound and knowledge. Intensive chanting has lifted me from material anxieties and helped me to understand my true identity.
It was a beautiful journey to make one small step closer to the Divine.
I would warmly recommend this Japa retreat to everyone who is searching for inner peace, truth and a connection with the supreme.
Anni from Estonia.
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The japa retreat was wonderful. It’s a reconnection to the real self, through the Maha mantra. Also, to experience the power of the name. It’s a week I will never forget all my life. I’ve got a second life!
Being with wonderful devotees in a peaceful environment is unique and nourishing.
All by the causeless mercy of Sri Guru and Gauranga.
I recommend it to everyone!
Haribol.
Parama Dharma dasa London (France)
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I am relatively new to the concept of Krsna consciousness, but from my brief experiences previously at Shekinashram, I wanted to know more about it.
The Japa intensive retreat lived up to its name. Foreign concepts and ideas were clearly explained and through the power of Krsna mantra, they started to sink in in a profound way. Repeating the mantra felt like it had a purifying effect. Finding myself worshipping at the feet of the servant of the servant of the servant…to Radhe, feeling nothing but pure love made me realise I’d come to the right place and the right time.
Thanks to you all.
Samantha Marais. Bristol
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