When the hills beckon

When the hills beckon

June 2023 

The five-day retreat at Ramgarh, near Nainital organised by Life Positive in  nature’s luxurious lap, is designed to heal your body, detox your mind, and  infuse your life with renewed hope, faith, and optimism says Navni Chawla 

Do you want to smell the flowers, stretch  lazily in the cosy lap of the hills, gulp  from the chalice of nature’s abundant  bounty, and recharge your spirits? If yes, then  here is your chance to have all of this and much  more. 

The Life Positive Foundation is organising a  soulful spiritual retreat for all its readers, travel  enthusiasts, and spiritual seekers from the 5th  to the 9th of July 2023 at the Sri Aurobindo  Ashram in Ramgarh, near Nainital. This retreat  is full of exciting activities and fascinating  excursions. 

Sri Aurobindo Ashram is a heavenly place  nestled in the midst of lush green hills and  landscapes filled with immense scenic beauty.  As you step into this serene ashram, a sprawling  garden unfolds before your eyes—a symphony  of vibrant colours and fragrant blooms that  dance in harmony with the gentle breeze. You  are also greeted with the melodious chirping  of birds and the distant rustling of leaves that  resonate the ashram with ethereal vibes.  

Situated in the lap of Kumaon, the Sri  Aurobindo Ashram is a perfect blend of modern  architecture and ancient spiritual practices.  The pristine white walls, vast gardens, and the  surrounding majestic mountains project an  awe-inspiring vision of grandeur, filling the  soul with a sense of purpose and divinity. 

Located within the premises of the ashram is a  sacred temple dedicated to Sri Aurobindo and  the Mother, which is a stunning sight to behold.  The inner peace and aura of positivity that  emanate from the temple is truly magical. The  temple has a tranquil meditation room where  one can sit and contemplate. The ashram also  has modern accommodation facilities, which  are well-equipped with all the latest amenities  

to provide a comfortable stay for the guests.  The picturesque surroundings and the placid  environment make it an ideal spot for the retreat  that helps one to connect with their inner self,  heal, and find solace in nature’s embrace. This  place sparkles with divinity and is a perfect  getaway for anyone seeking to unwind from the  fast-paced life.  

Ramgarh is a quaint town that is abundant in  lush fruit orchards and is full of pristine natural  beauty. It is known for its apple and peach  gardens that are spread over miles of land.  These orchards are a sight to behold during  the flowering season when the entire area is  covered in a sea of white and pink blossoms.  The town is also famous for its serene lakes and  beautiful temples. Its stunning vistas, orchards,  and calm surroundings make it an absolute  paradise for nature lovers and peace-seekers. It  is also known to be a secret hideout for writers  and poets.  

Itinerary 

On the first day, the participants will reach  the ashram around noon. There will be a  scrumptious lunch for all, followed by an  ice-breaking evening session, where the  participants get to know each other better.  

The second day of the retreat shall commence  with a calming yoga and meditation class.  Later, there will be a half-day trip organised to  Kainchi Dham, Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram.  Anyone who visits this place for the first time is  mesmerised by the honeyed bhajans (devotional  songs) being sung by Baba’s devotees. Located  at the foothills of the mighty Himalayas, Neem  Karoli Baba’s ashram is a sacred sanctuary that  exudes a profound sense of love and peace. As  you approach this hallowed place, a gentle aura  envelopes you as if the very air is infused with  divine grace.

The ashram is adorned with lovely flowers  and ancient trees that seem to whisper secrets  of wisdom gathered over countless ages.  This place exudes rustic charm and a sense  of timelessness. You will come across many  smaller chamber temples dedicated to different  deities. Lord Hanuman has special significance  here as Neem Karoli Baba was said to be one of  his avatars (incarnations).  

At the heart of the ashram stands the main  temple, a simple yet powerful structure that  bears witness to the devotion and teachings  of Neem Karoli Baba. Its white marble facade  glistens under the golden rays of the sun, while  intricate patterns and motifs delicately carved  into its walls narrate stories of spiritual wisdom  and devotion.  

As you wander along the stone pathways,  you encounter devotees immersed in deep  contemplation, their eyes closed in meditation  or engrossed in quiet conversations about the  Divine. The fragrance of incense wafts through  the air, mingling with the soothing sounds of  mantras and chants, creating an atmosphere  that transports you beyond the mundane and  into the realm of the sacred. 

A gentle stream meanders through the ashram,  its crystal-clear waters reflecting the verdant  foliage and the azure sky above. At dusk, as the  sun paints the sky in hues of gold and crimson,  the ashram comes alive with the enchanting  melodies of evening prayers (aarti) and the  sound of bells. Devotees gather in the main  temple, their faces aglow with devotion, as the  fragrance of sandalwood fills the air. 

Neem Karoli Baba’s ashram is a sacred haven,  a place where boundaries between the physical  and the spiritual dissolve, and seekers are  drawn to find solace, guidance, and the eternal  love that Neem Karoli Baba embodied. It is a  testament to the timeless teachings of love,  compassion, and Self-realisation. Visiting this  place will be an unfading experience for all. The  return from Kainchi Dham back to Aurobindo  ashram is scheduled for the same evening, by  dinner time. 

A wonderful trip to Garh Mukteshwar is  planned for the third day of this retreat. This  pleasant little village, nestled in the quiet  outskirts of Nainital, offers an awe-inspiring  blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage.  As you enter the village, you are exposed to a  heart-warming sight of old, rustic homes that  have stood the test of time and still stand proud  amidst the green farmlands. 

The village is surrounded by lush green trees,  making it perfect for a relaxed getaway from the  hustle and bustle of city life. The crisp, fresh air  fills your lungs and instantly rejuvenates you.  Garh Mukteshwar is also blessed with a serene  lake that adds a touch of mysticism to the place.  The stillness of the lake is broken only by the  chirping of birds and the gentle swishing of  the boat’s oars. Moreover, Garh Mukteshwar is  rich in history and culture. It is home to several  ancient temples, stories of which have been  passed down through generations. The most  famous of these temples is the revered temple  of Mukteshwara Mahadev (Lord Shiva), which  is said to have been built during the times of  the Mahabharata. The temple has a unique  architecture that boasts intricate carvings and  sculptures. It is truly a sight to behold, and a  full-day trip to this hidden gem adds more thrill  to the entire retreat. There will be a stopover for  lunch, and the return to the Aurobindo Ashram  is scheduled by dinner time. 

There is a beautiful and brilliant workshop  organised by Life Positive for the fourth day of  the retreat called The Journey of ‘5 Senses and  Ecstatic Dance Workshop,’ being led by Sonia  Wadhwa. Let’s give you a peek into Sonia’s  

Sonia Wadhwa will take you through the journey of five senses and ecstatic dance world and her intriguing work through the  following interview I conducted with her. 

Can you describe yourself and what you do? I have been leading meditation and interactive  technique workshops all over the world for the  past 27 years. My focus is always on juicing  every moment. I am also a very successful  businesswoman, and I have been running my  own company for 30 years. I had the opportunity  to meet people from all walks of life, and I  realised that everyone is seeking the same thing  but is looking outside rather than within. I feel  the shift needed is to turn energies from the  outer to the inner. 

What do you love the most about your job? I love the challenges that come along with  

my job. I often ask myself, “Am I ready? Am I  there! Am I able to receive this person without  any judgements? Am I reacting based on  my conditioning, or am I responding to this  moment? All the understanding that has come  to me through all my experiences, am I living  it?” 

So, it’s such a dynamic and alive phenomenon  of growing and constantly checking oneself as I  take workshops. Another thing I love about my  job is that every time I lead a group of diverse  individuals, it amazes me to notice how alike  we all are fundamentally and how beautifully  and intricately our community is woven on the  basis of love and emotions. 

What is the ‘Five Senses and Ecstatic Dance  Workshop’ about? 

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The whole idea of doing this workshop is to  learn to make every experience of life an alive  experience. I teach that the meditations we do  and their effects must reflect in our daily actions.  This workshop carries the seeds of awareness,  which are sown in every participant’s mind.  These seeds, in turn, sprout and encourage  them to become conscious of each and every  pore of their senses. The ultimate result of  doing this workshop will be the attainment of  a deeper sense of living with acute sensitivity  and awareness. 

You begin noticing things and the beauty  around you that you would miss before. You  learn through this workshop to make every  experience of your senses fuller and deeper,  whether it is eating a meal and relishing it or  driving a car with full attentiveness and not  robotically. I reiterate: the purpose of doing  any session within this workshop leads you to  understand the art of making each moment alive  and throbbing with energy. This is achieved  through some fun and playful activities. This  workshop also helps you expand your openness  towards life and respond from your heart  intuitively. The ecstatic dance workshop helps  one raise their energy, aliveness, and spandan  (sensitivity). This workshop lets dance become  a celebration of one’s total self, like a beautiful  synthesis of our inner self and outer self. The  motto of this workshop is ‘To rise in dance.’ 

What is sensitivity according to you? Should  one nurture this quality within themselves in  this era? Why? 

Sensitivity is a new opening. We are all born  very sensitive, and slowly, as we grow up, we  get conditioned to feel less and judge more  (ourselves and others). Sensitivity is about being  open to everything happening around you and  also towards human beings as a community. It’s  important to check if we are harbouring joy in  

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our bellies and helping each other come out of  suffering. It is also about living a full, nourished,  and complete life. It has many facets. You can  explore all these facets in the 5 senses workshop.  Spandan is essentially about sensitivity—the  feeling, the reception, and the openness. It is  about learning how you receive life, experiences,  and people. It is beautiful to be sensitive. It is  okay to be thick-skinned sometimes, but to  turn away from all life experiences due to some  bad experiences isn’t okay. Sensitivity is about  regaining one’s innocence. 

Sensitivity is often associated with clinging to  feelings excessively or being overly attached, but  it is also about being more aware. Enlightened  masters are the most sensitive ones and can  closely understand the problems of the world.  Higher sensitivity implies that you would  respond to the moment exactly how it needs to  be responded to, without getting anxious. This  will allow you to make more pragmatic, rational,  and wise decisions.Sensitivity should not be  misconceived as taking on everyone’s feelings  (even the unwanted ones) but rather as a means  to be able to feel another person’s need and reach  out in whatever way you can to help. 

What is your intent for the participants of the  workshops you facilitate? 

My intent for all my participants is for them  to lead a fuller, nourishing, enriching, joyful,  celebrative, and complete life as much as  possible. The intent is to make them realise that  ‘if you live the moment, each moment is enough.’  But, talking about this is mere words; one will  understand the real essence of my words when  they experience it for themselves. I wish for the  people who come to my workshops to go through  a transformational journey, where they learn to  be sensitive, vulnerable, and soft at times when  it is needed. I want them to live so fully that they  do not regret missing out on any moments in life  

that could have nurtured their soul. 

What do you think catalyses one’s  transformation? 

Transformation happens when you are ready  to break open from your shell and step into  your higher power. To catalyse this journey, a  spark is needed that beckons you to take a jump  out of your fears, be open and available to the  Universe’s plan for you, and make space for the  transformation to occur. 

What is your vision for yourself, and what are  your aspirations for the world? 

I have found my Ikigai (reason or meaning for  living). I know I am on the path, and I have  to keep going ‘Cheraiveti Cheraiveti.’ (It is a  Vedic Sanskrit verse, and its fascinating literal  translation is “The honeybee, by its motion,  collects honey, and birds enjoy tasty fruits  by constant movement. The sun is revered  by virtue of its constant shining movement;  therefore, one should be constantly in motion.  Keep moving, keep moving on!) 

I believe: 

We all need to be heard,  

We all need to be seen,  

We all need our place in the sun, 

We all need to feel, 

We all need to be sensitive, 

And, we all need to rise!!” 

Sonia signed off with a beautiful smile, spraying  her Zen energy on me. 

We invite you to be a part of this extraordinary  retreat that promises to rejuvenate your spirit  and ignite a positive change in your life. The  venue for this retreat itself is meticulously  chosen, combining comfort and elegance to  create an ambience that fosters love, creativity,  and connection. The surrounding scenery will  serve as a constant reminder of the power and  potential that lie within you. Nature’s majesty  will inspire and uplift, infusing your stay and  workshop experience with an extra touch of  magic. 

Just as a cherry on a cake adds that delightful  burst of flavour, the activities and excursions  included in this retreat will enhance every  aspect of your experience and learning  journey. The breathtaking town of Ramgarh  will make the Universe conspire to create the  perfect backdrop for your personal growth and  restoration. 

Prepare yourself for an unforgettable and  immersive experience like no other! 

To register now, call us or email us at 91 9560803144 (Sheelu Jaisi) 

91 9312191587 (Dharamveer) 

Email: info@lifepositive.net

Navni Chawla, a Delhi based writer has a heart brimming with passion for  life and loves capturing the beauty of the world through words.