We invite you to a 6 – Day Silent Retreat that will help you deepen and strengthen your meditation and yoga practice and give you a unique experience of living the yogic lifestyle. This 6-day format provides the best opportunity to really understand what meditation is about and take it to a deep level in the shortest possible time.
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Why Silence?
Observing silence has many benefits. The energy that would normally be expended in speaking is preserved – one feels refreshed – faculties such as observation and insight gain more power and sharpness. Speaking agitates the mind. In silence the mind naturally becomes quiet and meditation improves.
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Conditions for Participation
This is a challenging program – on top of the silence, there are several hours of meditation each day along with chanting and twice-daily yoga classes. It is not suited for people who are feeling fragile, and suffering from depression or other psychic issues (a more gradual or gentle program would be better). This program is designed for people who are ready to embrace a challenge and put some serious effort into learning and practicing meditation. Prior experience in meditation will be helpful but is not compulsory.
.About the Program
There will be 4 hours of meditation, 2 hours of chanting, and 2 hours of yoga practice every day. If you are new to meditation then the early rising and long meditation sessions will be a challenge but also an opportunity to reach inner depths never experienced before. Meditation guidance will be given by teachers with years of meditation experience and there will be opportunities for personal consultations on a daily basis if desired.
.Why chanting?
In this practice, we use a dynamic form of chanting that combines a mantra and a simple step and posture from classical Indian dance. This has several benefits: First, it helps achieve a concentrated mind by keeping the mind, voice, and body engaged in a rhythmic process; Second, it provides relief from sitting while still continuing a valid form of meditation; Third, the postures of Indian classical dance open the heart and create a light happy feeling which is helpful for meditation. Finally, it calms our physical and emotional energies by engaging them rather than suppressing them. It is a very helpful and enjoyable practice though it takes a day or two to get used to it.
.What to Expect
If you are not used to getting up early it will take a couple of days to get used to it (we suggest getting up early for a few days before you come). During these first two days everything else is also new – the meditation, the chanting, and the long hours of sitting (you may use a chair if you need to). So the first two days are the most difficult. After that, you will become more adapted to the schedule and you will gradually start to get more enjoyment from the meditation and the chanting. By the end of the retreat, you should be getting significant results from both. So be prepared to face a lot of difficulties in the first few days and be determined to hold out until you start to get used to the routine and the practices. It will be well worth the difficulty. The twice-daily yoga asana classes will help you relax and tune your body and mind which will also help you to better handle the routine and the meditation.
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PROGRAM:
Arrival Day, Tue
11.00 Arrive/Register (Hand in the phone, etc.)
12.00 Lunch
1.00 Cleanup
1.30 Welcoming and Introduction
2.30 Guided Tour
3.00 Meditation Introduction Class
4.00 Yoga Asanas
5.00 Break (Fruit/Juice/Tea)
5.30 Mantra Chanting (Silence Begins)
6.00 Meditation
6.30 Closing Mantra, Reading, Kaoshikii Dance
7.00 Dinner
8.00 Meditation Insight Class
8.30 Guided Meditation
9.00 Sleep
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Main Days
4.00 Rise
4.30 Mantra Chanting
4.40 Meditation
5.20 Mantra Chanting
5.30 Meditation
6.10 Closing Mantra and Reading
6.20 Yoga Asana Class
7.00 Break
7.10 Breakfast
8.30 Cleaning
9.00 Shower/Free Time
10.00 Mantra Chanting
10.20 Guided Meditation
11.00 Mantra Chanting
11.20 Meditation
11.50 Closing Mantra and Reading
12.00 Lunch
1.00 Cleanup
1.30 Free Time
2.30 Mantra Chanting
3.30 Meditation
4.00 Yoga Asanas
5.00 Break (Fruit/Juice/Tea)
5.30 Mantra Chanting
6.00 Meditation
6.30 Closing Mantra, Reading, Kaoshikii Dance
7.00 Dinner
8.00 Meditation Insight Class
8.30 Guided Meditation
9.00 Sleep
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Departure Day, Sun
4.00 Rise
4.30 Mantra Chanting
4.40 Meditation
5.20 Mantra Chanting
5.30 Meditation
6.10 Closing Mantra and Reading
6.20 Yoga Asana Class
7.00 Break
7.10 Breakfast
8.30 Cleaning
9.00 Shower/Free Time
10.00 Mantra Chanting
10.20 Guided Meditation
11.00 Closing Circle (Silence Ends)
12.00 Lunch
2.00 Cleanup and Pack
3.00 Depart.
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Venue
Ananda Gaorii Ashram is located on 13 hectares of farmland near Vig, about an hour from Copenhagen. We have a small orchard, vegetable garden, organic bakery, sauna, music studio, meditation hall, dining hall, and dormitories for men and women.
Accommodation
We have separate dormitories for men and women (big rooms where up to 10 people can sleep). You are also welcome to camp if you prefer.
What to Bring
Sleeping bag, sheet, pillow, comfortable loose-fitting clothes for yoga, indoor slippers, pen, notebook, warm clothes for outdoors, towel, toiletries.
If you don’t want to bring a sleeping bag and etc. you can rent a set of sheets and a towel for 50 DKK.
Food
You will be served 3 light meals per day. The food will be mainly vegan as in Ananda Gaorii we follow vegan principles. Our cooks will make sure it’s nutritious, yet light, and super delicious! 
Besides, our diet is sattvic which means without onion, garlic, eggs, and mushrooms.
Cost
Normal 3500 DKK
Student/Unemployed 3000 DKK
A set of sheets, pillow, and towel – 50 DKK (in case you didn’t bring yours)
Payment
Follow the link to arrange your payment https://anandamargadanmark.nemtilmeld.dk/19/
After you have paid, please fill in this Google form for us to know you better and adjust our menu and program specifically for your needs.
https://forms.gle/fLBFNJbDe2jLadhT6
Refund policy
If you cancel your participation over 2 weeks before the retreat – 100% payback
More than 1 week but less than 2 weeks – 80 % payback
Less than 1 week – 50% payback
How to Get There
Buy a ticket to “Vig”. Change at Holbæk to bus or train. We will pick you up in Vig. Kindly call us half an hour before you are due to arrive. If you come by car navigate to Holbækvej 56, 4560 Vig.
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What to bring
Be sure to bring an ALARM clock cause you won’t have a mobile phone by your side to wake up early. Take also warm clothes, warm socks, indoor slippers, a sleeping bag, bed sheets, yoga mat (if you have one).
.Participants will be asked to surrender all electronic devices including computers, phones, and tablets at the start of the program. These will be returned after the closing circle on Sunday.
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Contact/More Information
•Phone: +45 2254 6680
• Email: