(originally sent 21/09/26)
This month the Jivamukti focus has been centred around the wonderful mantra:
śrī kṛṣṇa śaraṇaṃ mama
– I take refuge in love and all that is good and beautiful
And I’ve been thinking especially about this captivating Sanskrit word
śaraṇaṃ, which means refuge/shelter/sanctuary. But not necessarily a physical place of shelter — the inner most place in our hearts where we can seek solace when the world becomes too much.
Recently, Sas and I went on a self-created long weekend up the East Coast with our fluffy daughter, Shanti. We slept in, meditated in the sun, ate delicious home cooked meals, swam in the freezing ocean and read books by the fireplace. Not a traditional yoga retreat as such, but it very much carried the essence of a retreat.
It fascinates me that yogis for centuries have been seeking out retreat, as a means to deep dive into the practice, to take a break from everyday life — disrupt the daily routine — and then return to the world more centred and aligned.
Retreats might last a few days, a week or two, months or sometimes years. Traditionally they include austerities (and simple living), sādhanā (daily spiritual practices), and lots of time for introspection and Self-reflection.
These days, modern yoga retreats might resemble more of a holiday; an opportunity to socialise, visit a new place, with some āsana practice thrown in.
Regardless of what it looks like, I don’t need to tell you how how awesome holidays can be and how beneficial it is to get away from time to time, in order to recalibrate. Hopefully we’ve all experienced this.
Sometimes, however, we’re not in a position to leave our job, our responsibilities, or our home. And so, our yoga practice itself becomes our place of śaraṇaṃ; somewhere to seek refuge, and centre ourselves.
Every time you sit on the meditation cushion.
Every time you light a candle on your altar.
Every time you roll out your mat.
Every time you show up for a yoga class.
Every time you set an intention.
This is a mini-retreat. An opportunity to step away from the grind – even just for a few breaths, minutes or an hour.
The more love we can give to our practice, the stronger a sanctuary it is for us during times of need.
Of course, getting away on an actual yoga retreat every now and then doesn’t hurt! And if you’re in need of a springboard to encourage regular practice, a retreat is a wonderful way to fast-track or kickstart a routine (as is teacher training, hint hint).
If you are in a position to join us, this is the final call for two weeks in Indiawith myself and Keith Kempis. We cannot wait to guide you through a pilgrimage from Delhi, to Haridwar, to Kanatal, to Rishikesh and back to Delhi.
It is a study retreat, wherein we’ll not only be living the practice in the home of our teacher Seema, but we have so much more time to delve into philosophy, chanting, meditation and of course āsana.
The intention is that we all return home feeling more whole, more centered, awe-inspired and filled with love; equipped with practices that support you for life.
Final twin room remains. You can read more here, or reply to this email with any questions / to book.
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