A transformative journey where meditation, puja, tantric practices and philosophy intertwine to rediscover your true
essence and live in harmony with your heart.
For the first time, we have the honour of hosting Master Shajesh, a great scholar of Nat Shivaita Tantrism and, more
specifically, of the “Aananda Nath” lineage.
I personally had the pleasure of studying with him during my training in Yoga Therapy at the “Chynmayananda” Ashram in Kerala, India. In this week-long residential retreat, we will have the opportunity to study with Shajesh and discover some of the deeper and lesser-known aspects of the practice of certain mantras, with particular reference to the Savitur Gayatri Mantra. The Savitur Gayatri Mantra is one of the oldest and most powerful Sanskrit mantras, dedicated to Savitur, the sun god, who represents divine light and the supreme creator. The mantra is a prayer to illuminate our mind and intellect with this divine light, invoking wisdom, knowledge and protection against ignorance and evil. Its formula is “Om Bhur Bhuva Svaha Tat Savitur Varenyam Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat” and invokes the “exalted splendour of the divine (life-giving) Sun” so that it may “enlighten our minds”.
Gayatri is the mother of all sacred scriptures (Vedas); she is the Goddess who nourishes and sustains the life of every
being. Gayatri is also considered to be the Divine awakening of individual consciousness – Atman – and its union with
Universal consciousness – Brahman.
Normally, when the Gayatri Mantra is mentioned in the context of yoga, almost everyone refers to the Savitur Gayatri, often thinking that Gayatri is synonymous with this particular mantra. Many are unaware that Gayatri is in fact a metrical form of writing characterised by 24 syllables, divided into three verses of eight syllables each. There are many different types of Gayatri of which Savitur Gayatri is the best known and most appreciated, also for its healing and
transformative powers.
Tantra is probably the most misunderstood spiritual tradition. Contrary to popular Western belief, it hasnothing to do with copulation. Tantra is the highest of all possible human goals. Discover the power of Tantra Yoga to relieve stress and embrace a life of harmony and awareness. It is the attainment of complete liberation, a state of ultimate peace in which all obstacles obscuring the mind have been removed and all good qualities such as wisdom, compassion and skilful means have been fully developed.