Yoga retreat. Yoga retreat "Hatha Yoga"

“Retreat” translated from English means “solitude.” Although this word and the corresponding type of relaxation have come into fashion recently, retreats are at least 2000 years old: the practice of withdrawing from the world in order to devote oneself to meditation and prayer, accepted in all three world religions, in essence is a real retreat, no matter how it is called called in one tradition or another. However, retreats are different, and the religious component is not always present in them. An example of this is yoga retreats, open to people of all beliefs and beliefs. To participate in many of them, it is not even necessary to have experience in yoga - the main thing is a sincere desire to spend a week or two with benefits for the body and mind.

Strictly speaking, calling a yoga retreat a vacation is not entirely correct. At least it has little in common with staying at an all inclusive resort. There’s not much you can do on the beach here - lay out your mat and go ahead and do asanas! Instead of cocktail parties and dancing until dawn, there is a strict daily routine with early rises, and instead of a buffet there is a vegetarian diet, or even a detox menu of raw fruits and natural juices.

It would seem, why does a city dweller, tired of the squirrel wheel of “work-home-work”, need such torment on vacation? Each yoga retreat participant has his own answer to this question: test yourself, get rid of bad habits and join a healthy lifestyle, find yourself in an environment yoga lovers like-minded people... But the essence of the retreat is the opportunity to go beyond the usual in order to rethink own life, overcome your fears and realize your desires - few things clear your head as much as physical exercise and healthy food. Of course, a yoga retreat is just one of the possible paths to yourself. But, firstly, one of the most interesting, because it involves a trip to exotic places and new acquaintances, and secondly, as paradoxical as it sounds, one of the easiest: starting to wake up at dawn and giving up overeating is much easier in a group than alone.

So where to go? There are retreat centers all year round conductive own programs, which you can join at any time. There are away retreats organized by specific yoga teachers - they take place on certain dates in the same retreat centers, in hotels, or even in the format of hikes (the difference from a regular trip to nature with tents is the practice of yoga).

Yoga retreat programs also vary. Not only by their directions, but also by the requirements for the physical training of participants and even the daily routine and diet: they can be either mandatory or “optional”. If you want to immerse yourself in a radically different environment and understand the essence of retreat as a phenomenon, it is better to choose the “obligatory” option, and at the maximum distance from civilization, or rather its fruits such as bars, clubs, television and the Internet. The optimal period for such complete immersion into oneself through yoga is 7-10 days; it will not be possible to reboot properly in one weekend.

As for programs that allow the participation of beginners, experienced yogis should not be afraid of them. Firstly, it is useful to remember the basics, and secondly, many yoga poses suggest the possibility of simple execution for beginners and more complex ones for “advanced users”, so that the latter will not be bored.

To save money when booking a retreat yourself, it's best to plan your trip in advance - many retreat centers offer early bird discounts. You can also choose, for example, between living in a room and in a tent and single occupancy or a shared room with another participant (in both cases, the second option is more budget-friendly). However, whether these options are available depends on the rules of the particular retreat center.

For those who want to go on a yoga retreat, we have selected 5 interesting places to go this year.

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Yoga tourism is becoming an increasingly popular way of relaxation and wellness. Specialized centers invite you to go on vacation, where you will curl up in asanas for five hours a day, eat rice and beans, and chant mantras in the evenings while admiring the sea or mountain peaks.

Every year thousands of yoga tourists go to India, France, Costa Rica, Bali and other countries for physical improvement and peace of mind. They are convinced that participation in yoga retreats helps to survive in the urban jungle, achieve success in business and reduce psychological stress.

We'll leave walking on coals and lying on nails for the movies. At the core classical yoga – physical exercise, which are combined with breathing practices and meditation. But there are many types of yoga, as well as teaching methods, so before your trip you should find out what exactly a given center or school offers. There are schools and centers that accept only experienced practitioners, but most are also open to those lucky ones who have not yet heard of either trikonasana or savasana.

The leader in receiving yoga tourists is India. There are hundreds of yoga centers and ashrams here, including those created specifically for foreigners. Relatively speaking, an ashram is something like a sanatorium or a pioneer camp, most with a fairly strict daily routine. Getting up at dawn, then meditation and asanas. Absenteeism and violations of the routine are not welcome, drinking and smoking are prohibited, and food is fed in accordance with the canons of Ayurveda, the ancient science of healthy life: Rice, dal bean soup, some steamed vegetables and yogurt - that's a complete lunch.

However, one should not think that everything human is alien to yoga adherents. Not at all! The yoga industry adapts perfectly to needs and desires modern man. And as a base for accommodation, adherents of this ancient practice Now they can choose both respectable hotels and comfortable yoga farms. And in last years It has become fashionable to combine the practice of yoga with surfing, kitesurfing, freediving (breath-hold diving without scuba gear), etc. We present you a list best places for yoga retreats.

Omkarananda GangaSadan, India, Rishikesh

Classes in this ashram on the banks of the Ganges are held according to the Iyengar system, which involves a long stay in each asana. The method is considered safe and has no contraindications. However, only those who have been practicing yoga for at least a year are accepted into the ashram. There are seven and ten day courses. The windows of many rooms, quite comfortable by Indian standards, look out onto the Ganges. In the store at the ashram you can buy mats, T-shirts, etc., as well as books on yoga and souvenirs. In the evenings, a beautiful ritual “Ganga aarti” takes place here - a ceremony of worshiping Mother Ganga. A week at Omkarananda GangaSadan costs $150, including room, board and activities. If there is no craving for asceticism, you can stay in one of the 4-star hotels (Hotel The Amaris, Ganga Kinare - A Riverside Boutique Hotel, EllBee Ganga View, Anandam Resort), a room will cost from 60 to 120 dollars per day, and for classes to go to the ashram.

In March, Rishikesh hosts international festival yoga Rishikesh itself is nothing special, but the surrounding Himalayas are very beautiful.

When to go: October-May

Les Passeroses, France, 30 km from Angouleme

Les Passeroses in southwest France offers different types of yoga - from Iyengar to freestyle yoga. This is the perfect place for those who are used to comfort: boutique hotel accommodation with oak wood floors, fine fabrics and natural stone fireplaces. At the same time, the training here is serious - two yoga classes a day plus two-hour meditations. During breaks, you can relax by the pool, take a walk among the fields of sunflowers and corn, and taste homemade vegetarian food... with wine! There are also a variety of massages available, including relaxing Swedish and reflexology. The schedule of yoga courses is drawn up six months in advance. A week at Les Passeroses will cost $1000-1200, including activities, meals and accommodation.

When to go: all year round

Yoga Barn, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

“Eat, Pray and Love!” - taught at the famous Yoga Barn. Programs have been developed here for beginners, people with various diseases and experienced practitioners. Classes are held in five halls from 7 to 21 hours. Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar, breathing practices, meditation - this is an incomplete list. Although the gyms are always crowded, this does not stop the instructors from helping everyone master the exercises. Asanas here adapt to the person, and not vice versa. On Fridays and Sundays, Yoga Barn hosts Ecstatic Dance evenings. You can stay in a boarding house at a yoga center (from $15 per night) or in one of the five-star hotels that are nearby: Komaneka at Bisma Ubud (from $320), Kajane Mua Private Villa & Mansion (from $170) or in a villa Kajane Mua Private Villa & Mansion ($700 per night for the entire villa). In your free time, it is worth visiting the sacred monkey forest, in the depths of which the Pura Dalem Temple is hidden.

The cost of one class at Yoga Barn is about $11.

When to go: all year round

Kalani Retreat Center, Pahoa, Hawaii

Kalani Retreat Center, which has existed for more than 30 years, is one of the most respected places among yoga lovers. The center offers 12 styles, including Ashtanga Vinyasa, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini and Restorative Yoga. The schedule is filled with all kinds of classes, teachers both local and visiting. The accommodation is quite simple; phones and TVs are prohibited here. The food is vegetarian, made from local products.

You won't be bored here: as soon as you finish breathing exercises, it's time to get together for a belly dance or recruit a team to play volleyball. There is also something to enjoy off campus: a walk along the volcanic trails or an excursion into the jungle is worth it. A week at Kalani Retreat Center will cost $900-2000 including meals, yoga, courses and accommodation.

A week at Kalani Retreat Center will cost $900-2000 including meals, yoga, courses and accommodation.

When to go: all year round

The Yoga Farm, Costa Rica, Punta Banco

“Live in harmony with nature and remain free” is the motto of a yoga farm in the very south of Costa Rica. Life here is just a holiday. Instead of spending many hours in asanas, there is only one lesson a day, but on the terrace overlooking the ocean. The farm is considered environmentally oriented: solar energy provides the house with electricity, and rainwater provides household needs. Food from our own fields, which do not use fertilizers: mangoes, pineapples, papaya, jackfruit, tomatoes, etc.

In your free time, surfing lessons, horseback riding and hiking are offered. Those who wish can work on the farm, this helps improve karma. One of the disadvantages is that you need to come to this outback with cash, since the nearest ATM is 2 hours by bus. A private room starts at $50, a cottage costs $65, including yoga classes and two vegetarian meals a day.

When to go: January-August

KaliYoga, 30 km from Motril, Spain

In KaliYoga, in peace and quiet, you can practice yoga and undergo a course of cleansing and treatment with freshly squeezed juices. The center specializes in dynamic yoga: here they concentrate on breathing, body and movement, quickly moving from one asana to another. 1-2 lessons per day depending on the program. Classes are designed for beginners and practitioners of any level. Courses start every week. The food is vegetarian or completely strict, vegan. Rooms vary in design and size, some have carpeted mosaic floors and French doors leading out to the pool terrace. The instructor will guide you along the most beautiful mountain paths and show you how best to walk - this is also an art. You are asked not to bring alcoholic drinks into the center, but you can drink a glass of wine in the neighboring town of Orgiva. There are also many pleasant places where you can order Moroccan coffee or eat pizza under the canopy of orange trees.

Six days at KaliYoga will cost from $1,300, including food, training and accommodation.

When to go: mid-February to late December

Chalston Beach Resort, Calangute, Goa, India

The Calangute resort, which is famous for its beaches, is owned by the highly respected research center Ayurvedic Natural Health Centre. Here you can do yoga, breathing practices and meditation - 1.5 hours every morning, relax by the sea, enjoy various types massage. The hotel is, of course, quite simple, but it is cozy and the staff is helpful. The food is vegetarian, meat will only be prepared with the doctor's permission. The hotel offers a wide range of massages and Ayurvedic practices, but you must first visit a doctor. If necessary, you can also get a consultation at the main clinic of this research center in Saligao.

The hotel is close to shops and a lively market. A week at Chalston Beach Resort costs $1,000 including accommodation, yoga, Ayurvedic treatment and meals.

When to go: October to March

Jatoba Terra Prana Lar Yoga, Sao Carlos, Brazil

This center, located 3.5 hours from Sao Paulo, teaches different styles yoga Gymnastics, meditation, chanting mantras, reiki, etc. will help you connect with your inner self and find peace of mind. They accept both beginners and experienced practitioners, there are special programs for children. You can take cooking and organic gardening courses. The center is located on a farm that occupies more than 120 hectares, from here vegetables and fruits are delivered directly to the kitchen, where a variety of vegetarian dishes, both local and Indian, are prepared. The water in the shower and pool comes from natural mineral springs. One day at Jatoba Terra Prana Lar Yoga costs $80, including yoga classes, meals and accommodation.

When to go: all year round

Increasingly, you can find invitations to retreats on yoga websites and forums. When I see that the retreat is being held in a resort location by the sea, vague doubts begin to torment me. Doesn't a retreat mean solitude and silence? And do we still have deserted seashores that promote deep dive into yourself? Or has the word “retreat” come to be used in some other meaning? I have been on yoga tours, attended retreats, and even once participated in a 10-day Vipassana. And, it should be noted that the last two practices have nothing to do with recreational relaxation in the lap of nature. Let's figure out what's behind these words.

Yoga tour– this is the simplest thing a beginner in yoga can sign up for. The tour can take place in one place - in the so-called place of power, or in the form of a pilgrimage to several points, for example, in the footsteps of the great yogis of the past. A yoga tour is usually organized by one or two yoga teachers, who offer a fairly standard program: asana classes, usually twice a day - morning and evening, sometimes pranayama and meditation are added to this, the most advanced ones organize lectures and seminars. This pastime can easily be combined with relaxation, which is why beach tours are very popular, allowing you to kill two birds with one stone: you can tighten your stomach and return with a tan. The tourism industry puts yoga tours on the same level as other outdoor activities such as ski tours. You shouldn’t expect grandiose insights from such trips, although, of course, you will return refreshed, with new friends and impressions. And for the first time after your return, you will probably wake up early, start your day not with sandwiches, but with a series of asanas, and generally begin to eat vegetarian food (if you are not already a vegetarian) and tell your loved ones about the benefits of Ekadashi. In general, a lot of unexpected and wonderful things can happen on a yoga tour.

For advanced yoga practitioners, there are other ways to spend your vacation. Retreat, as well as retreat (from the English retreat) is translated as “solitude”, “removal from society”, “seclusion”. The spiritual seeker is supposed to withdraw from the hustle and bustle of the world for a time in order to calm the mind, control emotions and find answers to deep-seated questions. The founder of this practice can be considered Buddha Shakyamuni, who retired from the world to know himself and help other living beings in freeing them from suffering. Buddhist monks still have a tradition of going into retreat for three months (during the rainy season) or for a longer period. There are now retreat centers, schools, monasteries and ashrams around the world that offer solitary practice for varying periods of time depending on the goals - from a few days to several years.

Retreats are individual and collective. In a group retreat, there is always a clear daily routine, which combines, for example, static and dynamic meditations, and certain norms of behavior are established, for example, a ban on smoking, drinking alcohol, and eating slaughter food. Violating these rules is unacceptable. The practices performed during a retreat may vary depending on the schools and teachers. Retreats are often conducted in silence.

So what then Vipassana? Globally, this word refers to meditative practices. In our country, Vipassana most often means a retreat consisting of meditative practices, taking place in complete silence under the guidance of an experienced mentor. All contacts with the outside world are completely stopped: phones and other devices are surrendered, communication can only be with the master, and then usually with the help of notes. This practice also has Buddhist roots. In general, vipassana (Pali) or vipaśyana (Sanskrit vipaśyana) is translated as “insight meditation,” “seeing as it is,” or “higher vision.” The point is that as concentration develops (usually on breathing), the body and mind calm down, awareness comes, and along with this a bright and acute understanding of oneself and the surrounding things as they are. In Russia, you can undergo a 10-day Vipassana according to the method of the Hindu master Satya Goenka: the practice comes down to constant, motionless meditation, which is interrupted only by eating and sleeping. There is also a Vipassana scheme from Mahasi Sayadaw, a Buddhist monk from Burma, who proposed alternating static meditation sessions with the practice of meditative walking. I took Vipassana according to the second option, which also included asanas and pranayamas. I consider it more gentle for the modern office person. If sitting still for 20 minutes seems like a severe austerity, not to mention two hours, and then two more, and so on several times a day, then use the development of Mahasi Sayadaw. Well, or just go on a yoga tour so as not to suffer.

Why is there such a fashion for “retreats” now? The fact is that now the word “retreat” is increasingly used to describe a pastime devoted to any spiritual practice. Little remains of the original meaning - shutter. Therefore, to get where you need to go, carefully read the description and program of the proposed internship. And - good luck to meeting yourself!

How can truth be understood beyond words?
If you chat and reason
without your own experience?

In this article we will talk about the topic of retreat.

Let's look at the following topics:

What is a retreat?
three types of suffering (suffering of pain, suffering of change, all-pervasive suffering);
meaning of the word retreat;
reasons for going on retreat;
what difficulties may arise during the retreat;
basic tips on behavior during a retreat;
results and effects upon completion of the retreat.

The state of happiness, joy, balance and fulfillment cannot manifest itself while the mind is dominated by attachment or the desire to achieve some material benefits. No matter how much you follow the desires that cling to this life, thoughts about material things or pleasures, there will be no end to it. Desires will arise again and again. Working on desires is endless. You have to deal with constant anxiety, depression and many other problems.

The material pleasures of the world of people and gods (another name for “samsaric” pleasures) are, by their nature, suffering. The human mind is deluded into thinking that they are pleasures and real happiness.

Video about the retreat conducted by our yoga club:

You can sign up for the retreat at.

Moreover, without being aware of all the varieties of our own suffering, we will not be able to understand the suffering of other sentient beings and accordingly develop true compassion. In order to understand the suffering of others, you must first understand your own.

In our world suffering is divided into 3 types: the suffering of pain (sometimes called the suffering of suffering), the suffering of change and all-pervasive suffering.

Suffering pain (suffering) are all physical and mental experiences considered unpleasant, including those associated with old age, illness and death. This includes the suffering of birth, aging, illness and death; suffering caused by separation from loved ones, meeting with unloved ones; suffering arising from the inability to achieve what is desired and the need to protect what has been accumulated or achieved.

The suffering of change- the second form of suffering, more subtle. It can only be understood with the help of correct analytical thinking. The suffering of change is usually called those fleeting pleasures that we happen to experience.

For example, if today we experience less pain than yesterday, we say that we feel good, but this does not mean that the pain has gone away completely, just that its intensity has decreased.

If we sit for too long, we will feel pain and fatigue. Having stood up after sitting for a long time, we feel an improvement in our condition (which we can call pleasure, especially if we have been sitting for several hours), but after a while we feel tired from being in a standing position. And here it is important to try to understand a very important detail that gives an understanding of this type of suffering: we say we feel better when our pain is reduced, but in reality we call "pleasure" what is actually pain.

As soon as we stand up, standing begins to accumulate in us the discomfort of standing. Although standing discomfort appears as soon as we stand up, at first it is so mild that we simply do not notice it. However, as we continue to stand, it becomes stronger and more obvious. After some time, when the discomfort from standing becomes intense enough, we notice it. At that moment it becomes the suffering of pain.

People often enjoy change, perceiving such life situations as interesting and dynamic. But from the moment a person tries to retain pleasant impressions, his suffering is programmed. Nothing can last forever. Therefore, the Buddha's teaching draws attention to how painful it can be to expect lasting happiness from changeable, transitory things.

All-pervasive suffering - this is our samsara - the connection of our body and mind, under the control of karma and disturbing thoughts, and the mind defiled or poisoned by the seeds of these darkened states. Because the seeds of disturbing thoughts continue to poison our stream of consciousness, whenever we encounter an attractive, disgusting or neutral object, disturbing delusional thoughts are born in our mind and lay the foundation for the appearance of the next conditioned body. If we remove the seeds of delusion from our stream of consciousness, disturbing thoughts will cease to arise in our minds, and in their absence, nothing will motivate us to commit negative actions. By stopping the negative actions of body, speech and mind, we will stop placing imprints in our own consciousness that create our future samsara.

Thinking about suffering, and even more so (one of the main teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni), gives rise to confidence that it is possible to cope with all this and helps to establish yourself on your chosen path.

Everyday life is full of distractions, prejudices and illusions. Retreat is a departure from harmful thoughts by leaving attachments.

Why does a person decide to go into seclusion, leave other people, decide to be alone - to go on a retreat? Maybe the reason is that all this is connected with the desire to calm down a little or take a break from everyday life, environment, family litigation?

First of all, this is a desire or even a need for the development of basic human qualities: love and compassion. Next is the opportunity to develop in practice the teachings that a person receives from a mentor. Equally important is the ability to isolate yourself from the hustle and bustle Everyday life. It is in retreat that we have the opportunity to be without distractions, and only then are we forced to face ourselves, to look inside ourselves.

Retreat helps to take our consciousness away from illusion and towards reality. Discover our natural inner state, our nature. Only by realizing the illusions that occupy our minds and learning to distinguish true from false can we change our lives for the better.

Retreat is important because it takes us away from ignorance, an unsatisfied mind full of attachments and from selfish thoughts, and these are the most important forces from whose power we must free ourselves.

Freeing yourself from them is the true meaning of meditation. Transforming the mind into a source of virtue, freeing oneself from suffering and its causes - this is the essential meaning of Dharma practice.

As long as we believe that the causes of happiness and suffering lie outside ourselves, problems and dissatisfaction will always be present. But the experience of our lives - as well as the omniscient mind - tells us that the source of happiness lies in our own mind. Therefore, retreat and meditation practice are a universal solution to any of our problems.

Retreat is a departure from the non-virtuous, from the cause of suffering. From English "retreat" translates as “withdrawal, retreat, refusal, solitude, removal.”

In Tibet, the word “tsam” is used to denote the concept of retreat and seclusion; it is translated as “drawing a boundary.”

When deciding to go on retreat or go on retreat, we spend a certain boundary at the external and internal levels. The external aspect means that no one is allowed to cross the territorial border and invade the retreat site. This is especially true for social people or those who are far from the practices of self-knowledge and have no interest in them. Anyone who is in seclusion also cannot leave the retreat area. Depending on the severity of the retreat, meetings with the Teacher or like-minded people are possible to clarify any questions or ambiguities in the area of practice.

The boundary at the internal level means the complete cessation of all worldly activities of the body, speech and mind, that is, everyday affairs, everyday conversations and worldly thoughts. Shakyamuni Buddha spent six years in retreat in the Bodhgaya area (in a cave now called Mahakala Cave by locals and pilgrims).

Our practice, both meditative and everyday, suffers from various distractions. Even if you have certain achievements in practice, you need to spend a lot of time in retreat in order to achieve stability in these awarenesses.

The meaning of retreat is to eliminate distractions and gain the opportunity to completely devote one's body, speech and mind to achieving a certain realization or goal that the practitioner sets for himself at the beginning of the retreat.

Conversations are the main form of information exchange in this world. By stopping talking, you eliminate a major source of distraction. This is why the practice of silence is used both individually and collectively.

There is no eternal happiness in samsara. You will be out of suffering only when you achieve stability in awareness and gain the experience of understanding that clinging thoughts produce samsara. If you actually have this experience, you will clearly see the meaninglessness of all samsara.

People spend their entire lives alternating between liking pleasant things and rejecting unpleasant ones, appropriating and avoiding something, living in hopes and fears. Observe yourself, listen to the conversations of your friends: what topics are most discussed? What cares and worries people? Often these are the same questions about uncertainty, dissatisfaction, unpredictability, injustice of some external or internal circumstances. People are constantly waiting for something that will change their life for the better. And then they can be calm and happy.

There is an interesting yogic saying:

“Take a realistic look at the present; by seeing it, you will be completely liberated.”

It is important to make an effort to make your mind clear by letting go of desires. If you do not pay due attention to this during a retreat, an imbalance of the internal wind element in a person occurs (in Tibet this is called “lung”). Tension, tightness, and pain arise in the chest. The struggle begins: you are not getting what your attachment desires, your body is in retreat, isolated, as if in prison. It becomes very difficult for you to practice, you cannot recite the required number of mantras and you lose the ability to meditate. You feel angry towards those around you, such as those who disturb your concentration by talking or making noise. It is important to realize in time that the root of the problem is that you have not cleared your mind of harmful thoughts.

If your retreat involves reading literature, good. Reading such texts develops devotion and promotes depth of practice.

It is important to be honest with yourself, check your motivation, intentions and actions. If you only talk about the Dharma and the teachings, thinking about some benefits in this or future lives, it will be of little effect. Dharma must first be practiced by yourself.

During intensive practices and especially retreats, accumulated negative karma is activated by the power of deep instructions. That's why There may be obstacles in practice. For example:

in the place of your practice, various samsaric deities can manifest
they can give you prophecies
various terrifying visions will occur in your dreams and experiences
you may be attacked or robbed by other people
you might get sick
in your mind you may grieve for no particular reason and also become depressed to the point of tears
you will be overcome by violent emotions
your devotion and compassion will decrease
your thoughts will rebel you, driving you crazy
you will misunderstand useful tips
you will get tired of being in retreat and want to break your vow
you will have erroneous thoughts about the Teacher
you will be plagued by doubts about the Dharma
you may be slandered
your friends can turn into your enemies

You need to be prepared to perceive these obstacles as a certain test. This is the point where you either win or lose. If you deal with these obstacles, they will turn into your achievements. If you fall under their influence, they will become an insurmountable obstacle to progress in your practice.

There is an opinion that it is much easier to pass tests under unfavorable circumstances. It is much more difficult to pass the test under pleasant conditions. There is a danger here that a person can imagine himself as a great, highly realized practitioner and get carried away by various passions. It is important to understand that this line separates the up and down movements. And develop modesty and devotion, watch your mind.

To cope with the difficulties that arise both during the retreat and during regular practice in ordinary life, it is important to learn not to fight them, but to use them as a path and as favorable conditions for the practice of virtue. In the evenings, before going to bed, it is advisable to perform short sessions of analytical meditations, in which you review your entire day and examine your motivation during the day. To practice repentance for those actions that were not in accordance with the Dharma is to sincerely admit one's mistakes and generate deep regret. If you have performed many good deeds during the day, it is important to create the determination to do the same tomorrow. It is imperative to dedicate merit at the end of the day and all practices.

Most main enemy– this is attachment to one’s Self. If you do not get rid of him, he will create much more suffering and trouble than all other enemies. Under the influence of this egoistic delusion and obsession with one's emotions, one constantly commits unvirtuous acts.

You constantly have thoughts about food, pleasure, fame and spiritual achievements even during practice, don't you? It is important to realize that these and similar thoughts keep us in samsara. It is not permissible to follow their lead.

Once you realize how intolerable samsara is, the chaotic thoughts caused by attachment will become less of a distraction. The worry in the mind will decrease. The more you renounce the delusions and suffering nature of samsara, the more content and peaceful the mind will become.

Overcome obscurations every day. Every time you conquer your obscurations, even if it doesn’t happen as often as you would like, you become the greatest winner.

As Buddhist wisdom says:

"Conquer yourself
And you will win a thousand battles."

There is no benefit in being only a Dharma scholar.

The most important thing is complete disillusionment with samsara, the development of an altruistic mind striving for Awakening and a perfect view. You should gain understanding by listening to the mentor. Then reflect on the essence of what you heard and meditate. Meditation is a means of transforming your mind according to what you have heard.

As Buddhist Teachers say: It is not enough to know the Dharma - you must confirm the theory with practice.

With deep devotion to the Gurus, Buddhas and Bodhisattvas! For the benefit of all living beings!

Used Books:

Revelations of Tibetan hermits.
Retreat Guide (Milarepa, Rigdzin Jigme Lingpa, Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Karma Chagme Rinpoche, Tenga Rinpoche, Jamgon Kongtrul Rinpoche, Jamyang Khyentse Wangpo)
Heartfelt Advice for Retreat (Lama Zopa Rinpoche, Pobonka Dechen Nyingpo)

The intense pace at which a person lives today leaves him no chance for proper rest. Worries overtake you even on weekends, and the aggressive urban environment keeps you in constant tension. Increasingly adherents healthy image Life seeks to change the environment in order to give rest not only to the body, but also to the mind. That’s why yoga retreats have become increasingly popular lately.

What is a retreat?

A retreat is solitude, moving away from society in order to immerse yourself in some activity. Among yoga practitioners, interest in this type of recreation is growing. The retreat can be collective or individual, last from several days to several years, have a broad topic or a narrow focus. Required condition Such an event requires drawing a clear boundary between the outside world and the space where the practice takes place. Therefore, picturesque areas far from civilization are chosen as places for retreats.

In an effort to find out what a retreat is, you can turn to the main world religions, where this phenomenon is described as hermitage, seclusion, dedication to prayer and compassion. Buddhism has an annual tradition of going on a three-month retreat during the rainy season. In the modern world, in a context free from religions and rituals, retreat is a way to restore one’s strength, relieve internal tension and mental anxiety.

What does this give?

During a retreat, conditions are created under which a person stops, stops running, and fusses. The body relaxes and emancipates, and the mind calms down. In this state, it becomes possible to see yourself from the outside, to understand your desires, aspirations, and goals. There is a reassessment of values, rational setting of priorities, and the ability to use all one’s resources as efficiently as possible.

What is a retreat? This is a removal from the usual environment. Such conditions do not allow attention to escape into the world of gadgets, the Internet, social networks, and a person directs all his efforts to working on himself. There is a meeting with those aspects of life that we intensely hide from ourselves and other people. The setting and atmosphere of the practice teach us not only to live with these emotions, but also to control them so that they do not control us.

Retreat and personal freedom

We are used to doing many things automatically, without realizing it. This is how the unconscious works. The ability to act is automatically formed through life experience. We have a whole series of patterns according to which we act, speak, and react in familiar circumstances. It brings a feeling of stability, comfort and security. But if the situation changes dramatically and ceases to correspond to the usual patterns, we suffer, look for those to blame, and blame ourselves.

The desire to make everything around oneself familiar and familiar is one of the strongest instincts that helped ancient man survive. The world has changed, but we stubbornly continue to make everything new “the same,” it happens automatically. We hold on to the old, considering it familiar, familiar, safe. But we don’t realize that this or that situation not only does not bring benefits, but also ruins life. Psychologists call this the “comfort zone.” Moreover, its framework usually includes uncomfortable situations, which is why they are familiar and familiar.

What is a retreat? This is the creation of conditions under which thinking learns to be plastic, so that non-standard situations do not cause stress. The essence of the method is entering beyond the usual boundaries, changing everyday scenery. Then all thought and behavioral patterns are destroyed. Negative experiences of the past lose their influence, opening the way for more rational thinking and behavior. This is how a new quality is acquired - freedom, the ability to independently give the desired direction to the unconscious mind, which has enormous power.

How do changes happen?

All our feelings, emotions, behavior are determined by thinking. Limitations such as fears, doubts, and uncertainty exist only in the head. By changing our thinking, we change our lives.

The mechanism for triggering long-term change is usually standard in all situations and includes the following steps:

awareness of the problem;
looking from a different point of view;
creating and achieving new goals.

Usually, a strong attachment to your habits leads to the fact that changes occur only under extreme pressure. The appeal of a retreat is that the process is much faster. Instead of several years, it may take several days.

What's included in the program?

Most of the retreat is practice - yoga and meditation, less - theory and reasoning. This is what distinguishes this format from an on-site training or seminar. This pace allows you to quickly achieve a state of “here and now” and clear your head of erroneous concepts and ideas.

A high-quality retreat program involves a healthy daily routine - waking up early, going to bed on time. During the day - yoga classes, meditation, body-oriented practices; There may be short lectures and conversations. As a rule, certain standards of behavior are established, the use of alcohol, drugs, and smoking is prohibited.

Meals during the retreat are arranged in advance. This is usually a vegetarian diet with a rich diet of fruits and vegetables, but this is not always the case. You should discuss your gastronomic preferences with the organizer in advance, especially if there are contraindications to certain products.

Why yoga?

To understand the full benefits of this type physical activity, one must understand at the simplest level the structure and functioning of the brain.

Most brain activity involves a group of cells called neurons. They constantly “talk” to each other, transmitting information to each other about sensations, movement, emotions, thoughts and the formation of memory in the form of nerve impulses. When a connection is established between a chain of neurons, a habit is formed of transmitting the same types of messages along it. This lays the biological basis for many repetitive actions that are harmful and good habits, phobias, fears.

The combination of static postures that are uncomfortable for an ordinary person leads to a restructuring of the neural structure of the brain. Some neural circuits are replaced by others in the process of repeated repetition, as a result of which negative experiences can easily be replaced by positive experiences.

Who is the retreat suitable for?

A retreat is called a spiritual practice. Often this designation scares off people who consider themselves not knowledgeable enough about the theory. However, it is not necessary to re-read mountains of specific spiritual literature in order to undergo a retreat. Feedback from people says that, on the contrary, theoretical knowledge can only interfere with focusing on your bodily sensations.

The average duration of retreats is from 7-10 days or more. It should be understood that it may be difficult for some to maintain such a pace. But practice shows that what more people focuses on himself, the easier it is for him to succeed in even the most difficult yoga asanas.

Since a retreat is solitude, withdrawal from society, you should not take to this event those members of your family who may bring household chores with them. There can be no talk of any immersion within oneself here. It is best to go through a retreat on your own, alone, but there may be exceptions.

Retreat in Russia

For those wishing to undergo retreats in Moscow, there are special centers, for example:

Sarasvati Place;
Ilya Bondarenko Meditation Academy;
Buddhist Center "Ripa";
"Club SWami"

However, most full immersion yourself takes place away from the city noise and bustle. Therefore, residents of the capital prefer to take a retreat in the Moscow region. In this regard, many retreat centers organize outdoor events at boarding houses, recreation centers, and cottage villages located in secluded, picturesque places.

Separately, it should be said about the meditation centers (Moscow region, Orekhovo-Zuevsky district, Avsyunino village), "Golden Hill" (Lodeynopolsky district of the Leningrad region). These are the only places in Russia where Vipassana courses, the oldest meditation technique, are held.

Retreats abroad

Retreats are especially popular in India - the homeland of a large number of teachers of spiritual practices. The city of Rishikesh has the status of the world capital of yoga. Every year hundreds of pilgrims flock here from all over the world. Retreats here are held in ashrams - Buddhist monasteries built by monks in ancient times. In addition, Rishikesh is considered a unique place - it is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, from here the path to the sacred mountain temple settlements of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri begins.

A retreat has a beneficial effect on a person, regardless of time and place, religious preferences, physical training and other factors. But once the decision is made to take this path, it changes your life once and for all.