Online Spring Retreat

Last three years, Ananda Marga has organized successful Spring Retreats in May for the regions on the East Coast of the US. The previous retreats were at Arsha Vidya Gurukulam retreat center in Pennsylvania. This year, due to the Pandemic, the retreat center was closed, and all major in-person programs were canceled in the Sector. After consulting with Margiis and Acaryas, we decided to have the Spring Retreat online. This was the first online retreat in New York Sector. The Margiis sincerely prepared and attended the retreat, and it was very enjoyable to meet everyone, at least by video conference.

Before the program, Dharma Cakra Parikrama was organized from April 25 – May 7, 2020. This was an effort of the New York Sectorial Office to have daily online Dharma Cakra connecting many families and units in Pennsylvania and Boston Regions. Numbers of the Margiis were inspired and experienced online programs during the DC Parikrama.

During the Spring Retreat, we had a RAWA Program, Katha Kiirtana, devotional class, PROUT class, and an interactive session. The Margiis and Acaryas expressed their views, opinions, and feelings and were motivated and inspired by the programs. The Online Spring Retreat was important to help maintain the continuity of organizing collective programs in the Sector.

The Pandemic posed a major challenge to maintain the projects, programs, and activities of the Sector, and to inspire the Margiis and the workers. By Baba’s Grace, we were able to have success in His mission. Ac. Abhiramananda Avt., (SSNY) took a lead to motivate the committees. Ac. Dhruva, Ac. Anudhyanananda Avt., Sandeep Khanuja, and Satyendra Suryawanshi, and other Margiis and Acaryas contributed to make this program an amazing experience. About 70 Margiis attended and about $1900 were collected and given as support to the Whole-Time Acaryas that contributed to the program.