Spiritual Retreat in the Himalayas

My wife Radhika and I recently had the opportunity to attend a retreat organized by the Ramakrishna Mission Gurgaon, focused on the “Gospel of Ramakrishna.” The retreat took place at Sarada Tapovan, a serene location nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas.

For the past few years, I have been exploring Vedanta through talks by Swami Sarvapriyananda, the Minister and spiritual leader of the Vedanta Society of New York, and delving into the Upanishads. I had longed for a chance to visit Rishikesh and immerse myself in a spiritual experience. It felt like a stroke of divine intervention when I discovered the notice of Ramakrishna Mission Gurgaon’s retreat on the “Gospel of Ramakrishna” to be conducted by Swami Shantatmananda ji on their website. Without hesitation, I registered for the retreat. Although I didn’t initially invite Radhika, assuming she might not be as interested in the philosophical aspects of Vedanta compared to her devotional practice, she was persuaded by our daughter Priyanka, who is associated with JK Yog Trust and regards the “Gospel of Ramakrishna” as a masterpiece of spiritual literature. Thanks to Priyanka’s encouragement, Radhika joined me.

We left Gurgaon at 7 a.m. on September 12 and arrived in Rishikesh around 11:45 a.m. We took a lunch break at Raiwala Cantt, which, with its lush greenery, seemed unchanged since our last visit in 2005-2006. The drive from Rishikesh to the Ashram took about three hours, winding through a picturesque route towards Gangotri.

The Ashram, situated at approximately 6,000 feet in the beautiful Bhagirathi Valley overlooking the Tehri Dam, is accessed via a steep, narrow road about 6 km from the main highway. The facility, still under development, includes six residential cottages accommodating about 50 people on a twin-sharing basis. Managed by a small team of five, the staff is augmented during retreats.

After enduring a day of incessant rain and cold weather, it was a relief to arrive at the Ashram and be welcomed with a hot cup of tea and crispy pakoras. We were transported to our cottage in a small golf cart and were pleased to find our room clean, well-equipped, and offering a lovely view of the valley from the balcony.

Dinner at 7:30 p.m. in the dining hall was delightful, featuring food cooked in Bengali-style . Many attendees volunteered to help with serving and cleaning, and everyone was expected to clear their own tables and utensils.

I was struck by the diversity of the attendees, including a notable number of young people and couples. I wondered what motivated them to travel to the Himalayas for a three-day spiritual retreat. Conversations with several attendees revealed that they were seeking a more spiritual and a meaningful life with a sense of purpose. Radhika was particularly intrigued by a group of four—an elderly retired army officer with his son Ujjawal and two of his friends. On interacting with them I learnt that Ujjawal had inspired his father and friends to attend the retreat.

The retreat schedule included a 90-minute meditation session starting at 5:30 a.m., so we went to bed early at around 9:30 p.m. Unlike the bright and noisy environment of our Gurgaon apartment, this retreat provided a peaceful and dark setting, ensuring a restful sleep. We woke at 4:30 a.m. and prepared for meditation, which took place in a simple temple adorned only with photographs of Shri Ramakrishna Parmahansa, Maa Sarada Devi ji, and Swami Vivekananda. There was no music or guidance; participants meditated in their own way, with the Ramakrishna Mission allowing flexibility in choosing one’s focus of meditation. The experience of meditating in the presence of Swami ji and the other attendees was profound. I was particularly pleased to see that Radhika, who had been seeking such an experience, enjoyed it deeply.

Throughout the retreat, we attended 12 sessions on the “Gospel of Ramakrishna,” conducted by Swami Shantatmananda ji. His sessions were engaging and enlightening, offering a unique and accessible interpretation of Ramakrishna’s core philosophy and the complexities of Vedanta. The Q&A sessions and informal interactions with Swamiji were invaluable.

The three days of the retreat passed swiftly, leaving us wishing it could have lasted longer. While summarizing the full impact of the retreat is beyond my capacity, it undoubtedly provided us with clarity of purpose and resolve in our spiritual journey. We also made friends with many people with whom we wish to continue our association.

I must also express my admiration for Swami ji. Beyond his extensive spiritual knowledge, he is an adept administrator, a captivating storyteller, and a skilled conversationalist. I had the privilege of observing him in deep meditation for extended periods, which added to the profound nature of our experience. It was truly a blessing to have spent these three days with him.