This immersion is a rare opportunity to conduct a deep exploration of the power of the Sacred, and cultivate our relationship with it.

Through a rich syllabus and study of fundamental principles of harmony as well as retreating inwards, we define our own sense of what Sacred means and dedicate time to nourishing it. Orchestrated in a natural rhythm, this course supports a nourishing balance of study, engagement, exploration, reflection, and rest.

OVERVIEW

Course Type: Residential Immersion

Topics: Yoga, Meditation, Sacred, Harmonics, Inner Architecture

Dates :  TBC

Duration : 3 weeks

Location : Dharmalaya Institute in Bir, HP, India

Facilitators : Daphne Charles (Routes of Yoga) and Mark Moore (cofounder of Dharmalaya Institute)

Cost : Rs 27,000, inc. of healthy meals and comfortable accommodation in shared dormitories. A limited number of private rooms and tents are available at extra cost.

Application & Registration : Enrolment in by application only and space is limited. Priority is given to those who have previous participation in Routes of Yoga's courses and Dharmalaya's year long programmers.

We are pleased to invite you to join us for an immersive exploration of ‘natural harmony’ — the self-orchestrating vibrations, proportions and patterns that underly all the universe — as we can observe it in nature, in ourselves, and in our creative work.

In this three-week workshop-retreat, we investigate the principles and functions of natural harmony through:

• Our minds — through meditation, observation and contemplation

• Our bodies — through yoga, music and other physical activity

• Space — through exploration of the essence and qualities of space, within and beyond us 

• Form — through studies of sacred geometry and core concepts of sacred architecture

• And the interplay between all of the above.

Examining harmony through these lenses provides us interdisciplinary, holistic pathways of exploration, each pointing us to the same truths within and around us.

The unifying objective is to progress toward a life of balanced sensitivity and innate creativity that brings harmony to ourselves and our world. 

To support us in this journey, we draw on the ancient wisdom traditions that provide precious insights into the subtler workings of this world and the ways we find a graceful place within it. A strong foundation in the wisdom of the past gives us well-grounded confidence to apply these insights in the present, and helps us to see the world as it is, which is the starting point to manifest the beauty that could be.

What is natural harmony?

All of nature, all that is beautiful, and indeed all the world can be understood in terms of harmony. Nature is a song — a world of harmonies, rhythms and patterns. And we, being part of nature, are intrinsically attuned to this song, innately sensitive to natural harmony.

The old wisdom traditions of our world have understood this, and have held it as sacred and central. In modern life, however, we have tended to become more distracted from it, with so  much stimulus overpowering this subtler sensitivity. In this way, we tend to lose touch with nature — the nature around us and our own pure nature inside us. The consequences of this disconnection are vast and deep, leading to suffering and causing humans as a species to drift toward unsustainable modes of living. Fortunately, the benefits of tapping into our deeper sensitivity to nature are equally profound, for ourselves, our relationships, our work, and our creativity.

PRIMARY TOPICS INCLUDE:

• Sensitivity & observation: Using the instruments of our body, mind, and senses to understand nature and its harmonies, its patterns and forms; its energies and flows.

• Explorations of space, form, and vibration: Making an up-close study of natural forms, sacred geometry, and other building blocks of the world, and learning from these studies of nature how we can express this harmony in our own creations. To ground this exploration in space and time, we will make an introductory study of core principles of sacred space and form, and will also look at how the same patterns apply in the spectrum of sound, e.g. in music.

• Creative process: Approaching the creative process as a sacred process. Through drawing, writing, music, and other creative activities, we will practice using the creative process in ways that foster deeper connection with ourselves and our world and thereby empower us to design more responsively and manifest more effectively. We also turn the creative process inward, making an art project of ourselves, designing our own lives with greater harmony. And for those participating in our year-long Sacred Architecture course, this will lay the conceptual foundation for design investigations for structures to be built on the campus over the coming year and onward.

WHO IS THIS PROGRAMME FOR?

This immersion is open to anyone wishing to:

• make an interdisciplinary study of the topics covered here

• cultivate sensitivity to space and form

• retreat from daily life

• experience well-being through simple, healthy living and daily yoga and meditation practice in an ashram-style environment

• participate in an engaging and supportive community experience

For architects and designers, this programme also serves as the first module of our long-term course in Sacred Architecture.

WHAT TO EXPECT

• Supportive routine: A daily rhythm of yoga asana practice, outdoor activities, discussions, and silent meditation time.

• Natural simplicity: Rustic accommodations in natural earthen buildings or comfortable tents in a beautiful forest setting.

• Yogic lifestyle: Clean and simple ashram-style lifestyle in which everyone contributes to the running of the place, including cleaning, washing dishes, etc.

• Healthy food: Natural and mostly organic, purely vegetarian meals (100% plant-based, vegan).

• Digital detox: There will be no use of mobile phones or internet during most of the retreat.

Note: This programme is structured as a workshop-retreat, and accordingly we will be turning our attention inward for the duration of the programme. Parts of the programme will be held in silence. To maintain an environment supportive of this retreat experience, everyone will remain at the institute for the duration of the programme, and we will be unplugging from the world of mobiles and Internet, so please let your loved ones and colleagues know that you will be offline and won’t be in touch for most of these three weeks.

A TYPICAL DAY*

This course is orchestrated to support a nourishing balance of theory and practice, with a blend of hands-on activities and philosophical contemplations, supported by a rhythm of daily yoga, meditation, and rest. 

6:00 Dawn circle & Personal quiet time

6:30 Morning yoga

8:00 Breakfast

9:00 Pranayama & sitting meditation

9:30 Morning activity session 1

11:00 Tea Break

11:30 Morning activity session 2

1:00 Lunch

3:00 Afternoon session

4:30 Evening yoga & chanting

6:00 Dinner (in silence)

7:00 Sunset

7:30 Quiet time for reading and journaling and an evening activity on select nights (e.g. documentary film)

9:30 Lights out

Note: day to day fluctuations to this schedule may occur.

ACTIVITIES INCLUDE:

• A twice-daily yoga programme designed to guide us deeper into the somatic experience of natural harmony (feeling it in the body)

• Daily group meditation sessions, as well as time for individual meditation practice in nature

• Theoretical presentations and philosophical discussions to take us deeper into the core concepts

• Hands-on work with earthen building projects on the Dharmalaya campus, and organic gardening

• Reading and writing assignments, including journaling

• Group discussions on our own relationship to nature, to whatever is sacred for us, to creative process, and to the world as a whole

In the beautiful, forested setting of Dharmalaya Institute, we will be studying, listening deeply to ourselves, to nature, and to the voices of our companions on the journey. As we sync with one another and ease into a sense of community, our experiences become fertile ground for insight through contemplation and group dialogue.

ARRIVALS & DEPARTURES

The course will begin at 11:00am on Day 1 and concludes at 2:30pm on Day 21.

As this is a retreat, all participants will stay on the Dharmalaya campus for the entire duration of the retreat.

YOUR FACILITATORS

VISITING DHARMALAYA INSTITUTE

Dharmalaya Institute is an holistic educational institute with a community-oriented, contemplative, ashram-style environment.

Based in a rural village setting and with a commitment to do their best to minimize harmful impacts on the earth and its inhabitants, Dharmalaya requests for all guests and volunteers to abide by a compassionate code of conduct and attire.

Before you pack for your trip to Dharmalaya Institute, please read the information on their Visitor Info page and FAQ.