Ananda Marga
Donate

Collective practices · Together

Seminars and retreats

“Observe C.S.D.K. (Conduct Rules, Seminar, Duty, Kiirtana).”Caryácarya 2, “Sixteen Points”

Watch how it is done
A monk in orange, sitting on the grass with a guitar beside him, speaks with open arms to a small group listening under the trees at an outdoor class

Why we do it

The aim of yoga is Supreme Consciousness

  1. 1

    The aim is Supreme Consciousness. The goal of yoga is far off, like a distant star system.

  2. 2

    The instrument to reach that goal is the mind. It is the subtlest part of us, so it is the only part fine enough to reach the aim.

  3. 3

    The method is meditation. Seeing a star takes a telescope pointed at it; reaching Supreme Consciousness takes the mind pointed at it. That is meditation.

  4. 4

    The preparation and care. A telescope has to be looked after, cleaned and set right to see the stars. The mind is the same. Every practice does this for the mind, directly or through the body, because the mind is connected with the body.

    See how it leads to the goal ↓

Reaching the goal through Seminars and retreats

Seminars and retreats bring us to the goal in two ways. They are a pit stop on the path of sádhaná: days with others who walk the same path, meditating, singing and talking together, charge us to go on. And they give the three steps by which, Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti says, a person returns home to the Supreme: hearing about Him, thinking of Him again and again, and offering Him the whole mind. Knowledge alone can make a person lazy and vain, so it is followed by action, and then devotion comes by itself. Devotion gathers the whole mind on Him, and the mind offered to Him merges with Him. That is the goal of yoga.

  1. 01

    A pit stop on the path

    For some days we are with people who walk the same path: we meditate and sing together, talk, meet new people and see old friends. Together we receive a great deal of energy, enough to keep moving; it charges us to go on.

    “Time spent with others who are also actively seeking His internal [satsauṋga], will give very much momentum to your own sádhaná.”
    Ánanda Vacanámrtam 31, “Guhá and Satsaunga”
  2. 02

    Hearing about Him

    At seminars and retreats we hear about Parama Puruśa for days, and sing His name together in kiirtan. This is shravańa, hearing about the Supreme: the sound goes through the ears to the mind, and the mind starts moving toward Him.

    “When that sound reaches the mind, it gradually starts moving towards Parama Puruśa.”
    Ánanda Vacanámrtam 16, “Spiritual Progress through Shravańa, Manana and Nididhyásana”
  3. 03

    Understanding what was heard

    Hearing is not enough; its meaning has to be grasped. That is what a seminar is for: those who know explain the subject to those who know less, until they understand.

    “Svádhyáya means not only to read or hear a subject, but also to understand its significance, the underlying idea.”
    A Guide to Human Conduct, “Svádhyáya”
  4. 04

    Thinking of Him again and again

    What has been understood the mind turns over again and again. This is manana, thinking of Parama Puruśa again and again; kept up, the mind no longer forgets Him.

    “However, when one is referring to memory of the name of Paramatmá or Parama Puruśa, then manana means to think about Parama Puruśa again and again.”
    Ánanda Vacanámrtam 16, “Spiritual Progress through Shravańa, Manana and Nididhyásana”
  5. 05

    Knowledge, then action

    Much knowledge brings two defects, lethargy and vanity. When knowledge is followed by action, lethargy cannot stay, and devotion comes by itself.

    “In practical life knowledge is important, but at the same time one must guard against the natural defects that may originate from knowledge.”
    Subháśita Saḿgraha 10, “Taking the Opposite Stance in Battle”
  6. 06

    The whole mind offered

    Devotion gathers the mind. When all its propensities are brought to one point and offered to Parama Puruśa, that is nididhyásana.

    “The inner sense of nididhyásana is that all the propensities of the mind are to be concentrated at a point to be offered to Parama Puruśa.”
    Yoga Sádhaná, “Shravańa, Manana and Nididhyásana”
  7. 07

    Home to the Supreme

    Hearing carries the mind across the Vibrational Faculty, thinking across the Primordial Faculty, and the mind offered to Him merges with the Supreme Entity. Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti calls it returning home. This is the goal.

    “And nididhyásana makes it possible to merge with the Supreme Entity. This is God-realization.”
    Yoga Sádhaná, “Shravańa, Manana and Nididhyásana”

What it is

Seminar is the S of C.S.D.K., one of the Sixteen Points: Conduct Rules, Seminar, Duty, Kiirtana. It is study done together: those who are educated hold seminars among themselves and among the less educated, and make them understand. Study is of two kinds, literal and non-literal. One who cannot read learns by listening to others, so no one is handicapped.

Seminars and retreats are also satsauṋga: time spent with people who walk the same path.

In the sources

“You may ask, how will an illiterate person study? To this I will reply that such people can also study; they will learn by hearing others’ discourses; so no one is handicapped in this regard. Moreover, study does not mean only the study of books. Study is of two types: literal and non-literal. Those who can read and write can avail themselves of literal study, and those who cannot read can benefit from non-literal study by listening to others.”The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, “Awakened Conscience (Discourse 9)”

How to take part

Ananda Marga holds seminars and retreats all over the world. You can find them on the internet or on the Events page of this site, register and take part.

At a seminar you are taught meditation, ásanas, the dances and how to eat; there are talks; and you meet other people who practice.

People come for inspiration too: to talk with others on the path, to get to know new people and to see their friends.

Kinds of programs

There are seminars, retreats, trainings (LFT training and LPT training among them) and tours.

Dharma Mahásammelana

Dharma Mahásammelana, DMS, is a large program in which thousands of people take part. A special guest of the organization comes to it, a respected monk, an ácárya, and gives a talk on a spiritual topic.

A day at a retreat

A Retreat that Changes LivesOpen on YouTube ↗
A Retreat that Changes Lives
See upcoming retreats and events

Understood, not taken on trust

At a seminar nothing is taken on trust. Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti does not want anything accepted merely because it is written in a book: what has been read is accepted only after it has been thoroughly verified. So the subject is heard, then thought over and examined.

Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti
“Everything written in books should not be automatically accepted. I may read and understand everything written in books, but my mental acceptance will come later. When shall I accept it? After thoroughly verifying all that I have read.”
Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti, The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, “Awakened Conscience (Discourse 9)”

What science has found

  • Students who read a passage and then recalled it from memory remembered 61% of it a week later; students who only read it again remembered 40%.

    Roediger HL, Karpicke JD, 2006, Psychological Science

  • In a randomized study, 94 women spent six days at the same resort, either on a meditation retreat or simply relaxing. Everyone improved in well-being and in stress- and immune-related gene activity; the newcomers who learned meditation kept their lower distress longer, up to ten months later.

    Epel ES et al., 2016, Translational Psychiatry

Stories

  • Why the seminar

    … People showed a lot of interest and would attend classes that would continue late into the night. In the course of time Gurudeva made this a part of His sixteen points. While introducing the seminar system in 1969, Bábá had told us, “It is very essential to know the theoretical aspects of the ideology for the advancement of which you move earth and heaven so you may better understand the Sádhaná that you practice.” Otherwise “mutative forces will try to divert you from your path”. He continued, “Therefore ideological indoctrination is a necessity and this is the reason why I have introduced the seminar system.” It was observed that with this fully rounded ideological knowledge, the level of dedication of the people grew too. From January 1970 the seminar session began and people had several inspiring experiences. … … Gurudevas discourses of the initial years, which were complicated and not easily comprehensible for the common intellect, gradually became easier for the Sannyásii and the Márgii due to the many levels of seminars and discussions. …Read the story

    — A senior worker, India, 1969–1970, Ácárya Rudránanda Avadhúta, “Sharanágati”, “CHAPTER-15. A far sighted vision of Seminar and preparation for a difficult journey”

  • More and more seminars

    It was August 1969. At that time, I was Regional Secretary of Mumbái region and had gone to Ranchi for RDS. Bábá had introduced a new programme of seminars and wanted that it should be implemented down to village level. The workers and Márgiis were doing their best to materialize the programme. It was made a must for every Márgii to first attend a seminar and then organize further seminars in their local place. Bábá personally used to visit the places where seminars were held, when they were organized near Ranchi. Bábá gave the slogan — "Seminars, seminars, more and more seminars, still more seminars, village level seminars." Later, this programme became an important part of the organizational activities, and spread out across the world with terrific speed. It became a must for every Márgii to attend seminars. Bábá made seminars an important item of the Sixteen Points. In order to impart knowledge of Ananda Marga philosophy to the Márgiis and accelerate the organizational speed, seminars were accorded great importance. As a result, the desired targets were successfully achieved. Even today, this programme is sincerely organized and strictly followed.Read the story

    — A regional secretary, Ranchi, August 1969, Ácárya Keshavánanda Avadhúta, “Reminiscences of Bábá: Memoirs”, “2.16. SEMINARS”

  • What does “mediation” mean?

    In June 1989, while I was posted in GT Sector, I came to Kolkata to attend RDS and DMC. After Dharmamahacakra, there would always be seminar classes. Attendance was compulsory and Bábá included it in the Sixteen Points. It is compulsory for every márgii and every worker to attend seminars. These seminars take place from the central level to the village level. It was the duty of every dádá and didi to attend the seminars, give classes, and get the local márgiis to attend. We SSs and the SWWSs would attend the central seminars, and afterward Bábá would often test us by asking many questions about the seminar topics: what classes were given in the central seminar, had we learned the material properly, etc. In the seminar guidebook there were topics concerning sádhaná, spiritual philosophy, socio-economic philosophy, Prout, Neo-humanism, and Master Units. … In June of 1989, after the DMC had finished, the subject of the seminar that concerned spiritual philosophy was "Ideation and Meditation." After seminar was over, we were doing reporting. Bábá said, "So then, have all the didis attended the seminar classes?" We said, "Yes, Bábá, we all attended the classes." Then Bábá said, "So who among you can say that they have understood the subject in the seminar guidebook that concerns spiritual philosophy?" The New York Sector didi came forward in front of Bábá said a little about the subject. Then Bábá asked her, "So tell me, what does "mediation" mean?" She was unable to answer. I was standing at the front and Bábá called me to come up. I came and stood in front of Bábá. Bábá said, "Look, if the two of you are fighting or having an argument, and if a third person comes along to find a solution to the argument or disagreement, then that process is called 'mediation.' And the person doing the mediation is known as the 'mediator.' Have you understood?" "Yes, Bábá," we said. "We've understood." Bábá would often ask many questions during reporting, and if we did not know the answer He would explain it to us. …Read the story

    — A sister in charge of a sector, Kolkata, June 1989, Avt. Ánanda Candrashekhara Ác., “My Memory Garden — Bábá's Story”, “47. Seminar Class”

  • The cure for clever workers

    … When our headquarters was in Ranchi, Bábá started the "Seminar Year" with the slogan, "Seminars, seminars, more and more seminars, village level seminars!" Due to giving the seminars required by this program, the workers became more intellectual. Seeing this, Bábá remarked that intellectuals have two demerits. They develop their egos and they also become lethargic. The solution, He said, was to do more and more kiirtan. So Bábá began the "Utilization Year," which emphasized kiirtan. …Read the story

    — A worker, Ranchi, Ac. Krpananda, “With My Master”, “7.2. My Master Can Watch You in Any Form”

  • A retreat in tears

    … The márgiis had started pouring into the Master Unit to attend Sádhaná Shivir. In the early morning at Paiṋcajanya on 10 November there were already 200 márgiis. More márgiis were coming in groups. In the afternoon, during my class, the gathering had reached 250 persons, in spite of the fact that the márgiis from the inland portion of Ranchi district and from the neighbouring districts still did not know about the programme; while whoever heard about it was rushing to the place, just to listen more and more about our Master. The retreat was becoming most devotional. Márgiis were doing long kiirtan with a stream of tears rolling down their cheeks. Many senior márgiis who were in close association with Bábá and His mission opened the treasure box of their experiences with Bábá. I could understand how Bábá was maintaining a close relation with each and every one of His disciples. Bábá was loved by one and all, whether they could understand the philosophy or not, because they were tied with the bonds of eternal universal love. …Read the story

    — A worker who led the retreat, Ánanda Shiilá near Ranchi, November 1990, Ácárya Tadbhavánanda Avadhúta, “Stories of Bábá — Shraddháiṋjali”, “Ánanda Shiilá”

  • That retreat was complete

    In 1979, when Bábá came to Switzerland, I was attending an Ananda Marga course in Parma. I had just participated in my first spiritual retreat where I had received initiation. Bábá was still an image — a photograph — to me. Then in Switzerland I saw Him together with many other Márgiis coming from all over Italy. I remember the very large group from Sicily, and from all over the world. It changed my life. I remember Bábá's lovely and sharing glance at the airport just before His departure. He was sitting in lotus position on an easy chair and Kunti, Savitri, little Sulekha, Satyavan, I and a few others were sitting on the floor around Him. He talked to us, looked at us, and did namaskar to us. From my position I could see His teeth which were as small as a child's. It was said that they were re-growing after the suffering of His imprisonment. It was like being under the protective wings of a kind father. Since then I do have a debt of gratitude, as if He gave me a special message, as if in that moment I was called to enjoy cosmic love. It's stupefying in my memory, the extreme serenity that pervaded us; in that unique moment nobody needed to photograph Him, to ask Him any question. Each of us was full of joy. That retreat was totally complete and the closeness with the Guru was so inspiring that even today I can only thank Him for His grace.Read the story

    — A sister from Italy, Fiesch, May 1979, “Divine Love: European Experiences with Shrii Shrii Anandamurti”, “I Thank Him for His Grace”

What Shrii Shrii Ánandamúrti said

  • “One will not be able to know anything unless one develops the psychology of “I know not.” It is the fundamental spirit of a true aspirant.”
    Caryácarya 2, “Sádhaná (Intuitional Practice)”
  • “You must create opportunities for all people to judge everything in the light of truth. Liberate the intellect of each and every person.”
    The Liberation of Intellect: Neohumanism, “Awakened Conscience (Discourse 9)”
  • “So a tremendous thirst for knowledge must be awakened in the students’ minds. They will constantly pry their teachers, their parents and their neighbours with questions like: Why is this so? What is that? Why does that happen? Why does this not happen? etc.”
    Discourses on Neohumanist Education, “Talks on Education – Section E”
  • “Human beings should base their lives on an ideology. Those without an ideology do not view the world rationally or benevolently, but view it with the greedy eye of an exploiter.”
    Ánanda Vacanámrtam 7, “An Exemplary Life”

Videos

  • Meditation Retreat - the Way to Boost Your Spiritual GrowthOpen on YouTube ↗

    Meditation Retreat - the Way to Boost Your Spiritual Growth

  • Inspirational story about retreatOpen on YouTube ↗

    Inspirational story about retreat

  • Collective energy at retreats sparks powerful spiritual growthOpen on YouTube ↗

    Collective energy at retreats sparks powerful spiritual growth

  • A Retreat that Changes LivesOpen on YouTube ↗

    A Retreat that Changes Lives

  • Ananda Marga Seminar | Desire And Detachment | Acarya Krpamayananda AvadhutaOpen on YouTube ↗

    Ananda Marga Seminar | Desire And Detachment | Acarya Krpamayananda Avadhuta

  • Ananda Marga Seminar | Expression and Symbolization | Acarya Krpamayananda AvadhutaOpen on YouTube ↗

    Ananda Marga Seminar | Expression and Symbolization | Acarya Krpamayananda Avadhuta

  • PRAMA ( Balance) part 1 of 4 || Seminar class given by A’ca’rya Shubhatmananda Avadhuta. AnandaMargaOpen on YouTube ↗

    PRAMA ( Balance) part 1 of 4 || Seminar class given by A’ca’rya Shubhatmananda Avadhuta. AnandaMarga

  • A review of the retreat at the Yoga MonasteryOpen on YouTube ↗

    A review of the retreat at the Yoga Monastery

  • International retreat (Oct. 13-17)Open on YouTube ↗

    International retreat (Oct. 13-17)

  • Ananda Nagar Tantra Piitha Sadhana Intensive 2025Open on YouTube ↗

    Ananda Nagar Tantra Piitha Sadhana Intensive 2025

  • Ananda Marga Curitiba: Easter Spiritual RetreatOpen on YouTube ↗

    Ananda Marga Curitiba: Easter Spiritual Retreat

Questions

Ask a question →