At the Bhagavad Gita Retreat, you will immerse yourself in the transformative wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita through a series of enlightening lectures by Gautam ji (a profound Vedanta scholar and Inspirational mentor), deepening your understanding of peace, purpose, and fulfillment. You'll engage in thought-provoking group discussions and personal reflections, enhancing your philosophical outlook. Experience the devotional upliftment of bhajans and bhakti yoga, and connect with nature through early morning chants and trekking. This retreat offers a unique blend of self-study and spiritual enrichment, all in a serene and supportive environment.
Participating in the retreat will deepen your understanding of detachment as taught in the Bhagavad Gita, highlighting how disengaging from the fruits of your actions can lead to a profound inner peace. Through lectures, discussions, and reflective practices, you'll learn to cultivate a mindset that views success and failure with equanimity, thereby enhancing your overall peacefulness and ability to remain composed in the face of life's fluctuations.
Focus on practicing mindful awareness during your day-to-day activities. Start by setting aside a few minutes each day to reflect on the principles of the Gita, particularly detachment and duty, and apply them to everyday decisions and interactions.
Vedanta USA, the serene destination hosting the Bhagavad Gita retreat, is nestled in the tranquil environment of the Catskills Mountains, offering you a perfect setting for deep spiritual and personal growth. This venue is specifically designed to enhance wellbeing, featuring natural landscapes that encourage meditation and reflection. You'll find spaces dedicated to yoga and spiritual discourse, surrounded by forests that invite peaceful walks and mindfulness practices. At Vedanta USA, every element is aligned to foster a sense of harmony and balance, helping you to reconnect with your inner self and explore the depths of Vedantic teachings.
Gautam Jain, affectionately known as Gautamji, is a distinguished scholar and practitioner of Vedanta with over three decades of dedicated study and teaching. A former standout academic and athlete in the United States, he turned down prestigious corporate opportunities to pursue a deeper calling at India's Vedanta Academy under the tutelage of the esteemed philosopher A. Parthasarathy. Today, as he leads the Vedanta Cultural Foundation in the U.S., Gautamji specializes in applying ancient wisdom to modern self-management, delivering transformative seminars to global leaders and institutions. His expertise and charismatic teaching style make him a revered figure in the field of holistic wellbeing.
The Catskills Mountains in New York provide an ideal backdrop for the Bhagavad Gita retreat, offering lush, serene landscapes that naturally enhance wellbeing. Known for their panoramic views and tranquil forests, the Catskills promote a deep connection with nature, facilitating mindfulness and relaxation. This setting not only supports quiet contemplation and spiritual growth but also invigorates the body through clean air and the calming sounds of nature, making it a perfect sanctuary for rejuvenation.
The most suitable time to visit the retreat in the Catskills Mountains would be during the late spring through early fall months, from May to October. This period offers pleasant weather, making it ideal for outdoor activities like trekking and yoga in nature, and enhances the overall retreat experience with the beauty of the lush, blooming surroundings.
Ancient text name: Bhagavad Gita (~2nd century BCE)
Ancient text name: Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (~400 CE)
Ancient text name: Upanishads (~800-200 BCE)
Title: Construct description of Samatva from the Bhagavad Gita: Implications for Holistic Wellbeing
Title: Personal maturity indicators: An assessment tool based on selected concepts from the bhagavad-gītā
The following schedule provides a general outline of the duration and activities aimed at facilitating the integration of the retreat's teachings into your daily life.
Friday Afternoon
Saturday
Sunday
This itinerary is crafted to offer a comprehensive exploration of the Bhagavad Gita, enabling a deep connection with its teachings through lectures, discussions, and personal reflections, all within a serene retreat setting.
A profound Vedanta scholar and Inspirational mentor