The annual retreat is such a valuable time for recharging my inner determination, joyfulness and boldness on this journey of life.
I have lost track of the times I’ve visited India, they started well before I met Ācārya. Little did I know back then, that I would still be traveling to India all these years later. Though India is an amazing destination, compete with every sort of dichotomy and mystery, enough to keep anyone in awe, it is something altogether more impactful that keeps me coming back. In fact there is nothing and no one who has been as impactful in my life than Ācārya. It is through him that I have gained an intimate understanding of why and how, one does live a noble, meaningful and satisfying life.
The retreat is like a filling station. Over the course of the year daily life does its number on every aspect of my being. Yes, I have tools beyond what I ever imagined I might be in touch with for understanding how to navigate the complexities of life as a human being in this fast and frazzling age. But more than that, there is the very real experience of spending time in Ācārya’s presence that impacts my being on a soul and cellular level. And this has an accumulative effect, in that the longer I’ve been making the effort (and take my word, there is an element of pure effort involved), the more I’ve benefited.
Each opportunity I have had to spend time with Ācārya has made me a better human being, not better in a self oriented way, rather in the most other oriented way. A better mother, a better daughter, friend, co-passenger, a better contributor to society, a much more contented individual with a firm understanding of why this is and how to grow this sublime quality of contentment. This all transpires without my full comprehension or identification of how. Though I am the recipient and am keenly aware of this unfolding, which is due in a large part to my continued perseverance in making the effort to attend the annual retreat.
This leads me to humility. I offer my humble, heartfelt gratitude for Ācārya’s continued willingness to teach Western students, to be available for our direct benefit, and for all who help to make the retreat possible. Though I know this journey requires much effort on many levels, I can assure you that the benefits far outweigh any effort. It is our sincere wish that all those who hunger for Truth have the grace to attend the retreat.
Namaste,
Kristin