Dear friends,
With great pleasure, I wish to let you know about our Pakva Arunachala Retreat this autumn. Pakva is a Sanskrit and Tamil word which means many things including "mature", "fit", "ripe", "fully-cooked" and "baked"! Perhaps this shall become a reality for us while on retreat this year.
The retreat begins Saturday, November 18th and ends Tuesday, December 5th at 7 pm. It is designed to be a self-retreat as much as a group retreat. Self-retreat means that people will be encouraged to follow their own disciplines and make their own choices. For example, whether you choose to be in silence, where you eat and when you wish to go to the ashram, the caves, etc. Very few group information meetings will take place this year, only ones that are absolutely necessary. For those of you who are coming to Arunachala for the first time, we will offer plenty of support and guidance. We plan to use a buddy system under which willing veterans will assist those new to Arunachala.
Most mornings and evenings we will meet for meditation and yoga and participants should come to these sessions. We will be staying again at the Arunai Anantha Hotel, the "Ritz" of Tiru with its hot showers, room service, and AC.
There will be ample opportunity to spend time with wonderful teachers and masters, including (I expect) Ganesanji, Sivasakthi Ammaiyar, Brahmam and others. You will also have many opportunities to enjoy the sights and sounds on and around the Hill including the evening chanting at Ramanashram.
Hill rounding (pradakshina) is a most valuable activity. In this retreat, I hope you will reserve plenty of time early in the morning or late at night to walk around the Mountain. As those who have been to Tiru know, none of us can possibly foresee what surprises Arunachala may have in store for us. The energy is powerful and has the possibility of changing our lives in a dramatic and positive way, beyond all expectations!
The Hill
"The benefits that can be gained by meditation and various other forms of mind-control only after great struggle and effort will be effortlessly gained by those who go around the Hill. Bhagavan often said that those unable to meditate would succeed in their endeavour by circumambulating Arunachala". Kunja Swami records that Bhagavan once told him. " What is better than pradakshina? That alone is sufficient."
Anne Meplon will help those coming to Arunachala for the first time to prepare for this retreat. Anne may be contacted by or 707 265 7699 (PST). Those who have already gone to Arunachala should contact Ray Lawson at rayevanslawson@yahoo.ca with any questions.
Puja - 2005 Retreat
It will be the greatest pleasure in the world for me to be with you at Arunachala for the first, second, third or fourth time. To register, please send a first cheque for eight hundred dollars ($800) and a second cheque for four hundred dollars ($400) by August 31st to Mollie Lawson at 37 Church Hill, Westmount, Quebec H3Y 3A1. Each of these payments is non-refundable.
Ganesanji's garden
"The best place to discover the Self is here at Arunachala.
The power to know the Self is available here.
That has been the experience of many sages, including Bhagavan.
Arunachala is the Self.
Ramana is the Self.
Both are here.
Both are inside you."
- Annamalai Swami
May the blessings of Arunachala be with you always. May you be able to join us and partake of the feast!
With love, gratitude and happiness,
Mollie xo
Recommendations
- To secure a place for this retreat, we strongly suggest that you register with your first cheque sooner rather than later to avoid any disappointment.
- As mentioned, newcomers should direct any questions to Anne Meplon and veterans should direct them to Ray Lawson.
- Our friend Mathew Chacko who is extremely competent can assist those in the Montreal area with visas, airline tickets and general information about visiting India should you wish to extend your stay. Mathew may be contacted at unitedtravels@videotron.ca or 514 932 1000 . Naturally, you may choose to use your own travel agent for this purpose.
- I recommend that you purchase your airline ticket without delay since fares are likely to jump.
- Once you have registered for the retreat, we will contact you to advise whether there is a place for you and to give you additional information, recommended books, etc.
Surprise party, Tiru 2005
