Travelling Within Retreat

Travelling Within

Study Abroad Program in India

By The Gnostic Centre

The future looks out in front.A flaming jewel of quiet beautyIts blueprint beckoning us near.

All of us driven blindly, all of us driven against our willWe refuse to accept, yet have no choiceBut to follow the hidden secrets of our soul...

Ameeta Mehra

Contact [email protected]

http://tw.gnostic.in; www.gnostic.in

Contents

Travelling Within: Introduction 6

Program Overview 8

• Who is this Program for?

• Fact Sheet

• Special Features

A Sample Day 11

FacultyProfiles 13

The Gnostic Centre: A Brief Introduction 17

Logistics 19

FAQs 20

Himalayan Campus: The Monk’s Retreat 24

Delhi Campus: The Gnostic Centre 27

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Travelling Within: Study Abroad Program in India

Travelling WithinIntroduction

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent in the ideas of living.”

(Mary Ritter Beard)

Travelling Within, is a Study Abroad program designed by The Gnostic Centre to provide an opportunity to deepen an understanding of your self and your journey of life within the dynamic backdrop of India and its multifaceted culture. The Program,asallofferingsofTheGnosticCentre,isinspiredbythe integral vision developed in India by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.The Program will guide you in exploring the depths of your being and in beginning an inward journey of self-awareness. The Program will open you to the possibility of living an integral life that is conscious, authentic and meaningful. At the core of the Program is the practice of mindful, conscious living informed by the rich Indian spiritual traditions. The Program blends urban and rural immersions as well as academic and meditative workshops in order to heighten and deepen your self-awareness. Travelling Within is designed to provide all participants with an academic, emotional and intuitive understanding of their inner resources and strengths.

India: the perfect settingAncient wisdom and modern living

India is a land of striking paradoxes. It’s not an easy place to be in. Once you get past the initial cultural shock and get used to its heat and dust, its sounds and colors, you begin to notice the vibrancy of existence, the magic in the air. You immediately notice that India is not just this or that — it is a bit of everything.

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It has a spiritual energy; you can almost breathe it in the air. It is a living collage of religions and beliefs, and yet you feel that subtle something which is above any religion or belief. India is the birthplace of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism — three major religions in the world. This is the land on which extraordinary sages and masters walked several hundreds of years ago. And thisisalsothelandwhereyou’llfindcontemporarylivingmasters, new-age gurus, monks and sadhus (anchorites). But it is not all spiritual. India is also unashamedly material.Youwillfindglitzymalls and supermarkets, state of the art airports and seven star hotels, big businesses competing with the best in the world. This is perhaps the only culture where materialism is as much celebrated as spirituality. India is also the birthplace of karma-yoga: the path to divinity through work and service. Indians, through the ages, have celebrated desire (Kama) and wealth (Artha) as much as the deeper laws and values of life (Dharma) andthefinalself-realizationandfreedomofbeing(Moksha). Yet India is not all about its cities and markets: most of India still lives in its villages. From the coasts of India to the forests of Madhya Pradesh, from the mighty Himalayan mountains to the dry desert of Rajasthan, no one village is like another. There are cultures within cultures, each unique. Every which way, India challenges and provokes. That is what makes the journey of the self so exciting, so relevant, and so immediate. That is the essence of India: every path will take you inward. As an Indian sage once said —

Here in India, the only way out, is in.

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Program OverviewTowards an Integral Science of Living

“Essentially there is but one single true reason for living: it is to know oneself. We are here to learn — to learn what we are, why we are here, and what we have to do. And if we don’t know that, our life is altogether

empty — for ourselves and others.”(The Mother)

Travelling Within draws on the Indian concept of an Integral Science of Living. The Program consists of practices and experiencesdesignedtodevelopandharmonisethefivemainparts/capacities of the human being:• The Physical / Body• The Mental / Mind• The Vital / Emotions and Life force• The Psychic / Inner Consciousness• The Spiritual / Spirit Travelling Within is a flexible program as it can be offered as a one- to three-week program as per the group’s need.

This program is for you, if you want to — • Experience Indian culture mindfully.• Develop self-awareness and deepen the purpose of your life.• Managethedailystressesinyourlifemoreeffectively.• Become aware of your thought patterns. • Establish peace in the mind. • Widenyourhorizonswithnewperspectives.• Experiencefirst-handIndiancuisineandsimpleAyurvedic

practices.• Practise dynamic and static meditation as well as methods for

deepening concentration.

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The Gnostic Centre

Duration 10 days. Can be shorter or longer, based on the group’s needs. The program is self-directedandflexible.

Where The Gnostic Centre, New Delhi; and

The Monk’s Retreat, in the Himalayas (Uttarakhand).

Format of the Program Primarily experiential: workshops, self-reflections,readings,introspectiveactivities, interactive discussions, guided meditations, hathayoga, nature walks, cultural visits and more.

Religious basis None. The program has a spiritual orientation.

Language English.

Program availability April to November.

Health and safety Adequate measures for ensuring the health, safety and well-being of participants,forexample,filtereddrinking water.

For Program Fee & Other details, contact [email protected]

Fact Sheet

• Learn Hathayoga and Pranayama (breathing) techniques.• Interact with and learn from a local community.• Engage in simple green practices and their applications in

daily life.

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Special Features• Cultivating Presence through the Integral Way of the Horse.

As the Delhi Campus is located on Usha, India’s premier thoroughbred stud farm*, you will see the Integral vision applied to the business of horse breeding.

• Mindful nature walks in the oak forested hills of the Himalayas. You will walk consciously, with controlled breathing while being fully aware of every aspect of the walk.

• Critical Thinking applied to Existential Questions, such asCelebratingDiversity,theProblemofPain,Differencebetween Religion and Spirituality, the Meaning of Death, etc.

• Glimpses and tastes of Delhi. You will have a day-long excursion to historic places in Delhi that includes a heritage walk and sampling of traditional Indian dishes.

• Community Cooking with Indigenous Spices and Herbs. Youwillenjoythebenefitsofcollaborationthroughgroupcooking.

* Both The Gnostic Centre and Usha Stud farm are led by Ameeta as Chairperson.

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A Sample Day“Silence, the mystic birthplace of the soul.”

(Sri Aurobindo)

At the Himalayan Campus, The Monk’s Retreat —

Wake up to the chirping of the birds amidst oak-forested hills.

Witness the sunlight gently silhouetting the Himalayan peaksfillingthevalley with a weave of light and shade.

After a cup of morning tea/coffeebeginyour journey of mindful living with a walk into the forest or a guided session of Dhyana, Yogasanas and Mantras.

Experience each cell of your body opening to the light, fresh energy and a poise of balance in your being.

Thearomaoffreshlybrewedcoffee,hottoastwillgreetyouasyou enter the dining place. A mindful engagement with food.

After freshening up for the day, attend a session on the Science of Living, guiding you into a deeper awareness of your being, offeringyouthetoolsforamoreeffectivelivingalongwith

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techniques of balancing your energy and working from a place of silence.

As the hills come alive with the sound of the daily activities, the day will bring to you several opportunities to practise mindfulness in action. Work with your hands in the organic fruit orchards. Interact with villagers in their homes, help and learn from them. Immerse yourself in Nature, learning to recognise the local herbs, collecting unexpected treasures to carry back and transforming them into a delicious dish!

The evening in the hills is a time of joyful gathering of energies after a day spent outdoors in nature. As the sun kisses goodbye to the snow peaks and the birds become quiet, we gather ourownreflectionsandtreasuresoftheday,aroundthefireor otherwise and spend time listening, sharing, singing and deepening.

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Faculty ProfilesAmeeta MehraFounding Trustee & Chairperson, The Gnostic Centre & ICIS•Equine Management (Irish National Stud, Ireland) (gold medalist)•Management Education Programme (IIM, Ahmedabad)•BA Hons: English Literature (Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi)

Since the age of fourteen Ameeta had one dream — to change theeducationsystemofIndia.Itisthisquestthatstartedheroffon the road of Integral Yoga, Psychology and Education in 1986. Over the years Ameeta has conducted growth of consciousness courses and workshops such as ‘Explorations towards a New Creation of the Self and Society’, ‘Foundation Course for Facilitators’, ‘The Science of Living’, ‘Meditation for Inner Growth & Cultivating Presence’.Ameeta’s published works include self-discovery books such as ‘Dhyana (Meditation for Inner Growth)’, ‘Abhaya (Fear: Its Cause and Cure)’, ‘Karmayoga (Perfection in Work)’ and ‘Sadhana (A Guide to Self-Mastery)’. She is also the editor of The Gnostic Centre’s journal ‘The Awakening Ray’. Ameeta heads India’s leading stud farm, and is also on the Governing Board of Auroville.

Anuradha Founding Trustee & Secretary, The Gnostic Centre & ICIS•Masters in International Education: Teacher Education (University of Sussex, UK)•B.Ed. (DAVV, Indore) (gold medalist)•BA Hons: English Literature (Lady Shri Ram College, University of Delhi)•CertificateofProfessionalStudies:FoundationCourseforFacilitators(ICIS,Delhi)• Certificate:LearningHowtoLearn:Powerfulmentaltoolstohelpyoumastertough

subjects (University of California, San Diego on Coursera)

AnuradhahasbeenengagedinthefieldofIntegralEducationsince 1986, through teaching, research and curriculum design.

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She facilitates courses in Integral Education (online & onsite) and self-development for teachers and teacher-students, as well as parents, such as, ‘Scripting Pathways of Change’, ‘Integral Education:FromReflectiontoAction’.In Anuradha’s view, in the current world scenario, the most important aspects to cultivate are — an inner connect with one’sdeepestself,awideningofthemind,andarefinementof the aesthetic sense. She describes her work as a minuscule contribution in this project.Anuradha has co-edited The Gnostic Centre’s journal, ‘The Awakening Ray’ and authored several articles.

Partho Educator & Writer•BA Hons: English Literature (St. Stephens College, University of Delhi)

Partho describes himself as a seeker of the Self, and his life’s deepestaspirationistorealizetheSelfnotonlyinknowledgeandconsciousnessbutinthefieldofeverydaylifeandliving.An exponent of the wisdom tradition of Vedanta and Sri Aurobindo’sIntegralYoga,Parthospecializesintheapplicationof psycho-spiritual practices in personal and corporate education and training, He is associated as mentor and consultant to many integral initiatives in India and the US, such as HTA (now known as JWT), IBM, SmithKline Beecham, PCCW (telecommunication multinational), Reach India (telecommunications), The Times of India, Taj Hotels, media groups, healthcare software multinationals, etc. Partho’s published works include the book ‘Integral Education: A Foundation for the Future’. He also writes on Vedanta and Integral Yoga.

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Ritika Goyal Founding Trustee & Treasurer, The Gnostic Centre & ICIS•Postgraduate Diploma in Alternate Dispute Resolution (NALSA, Hyderabad)

(topper)• PostgraduateDiplomainJusticeAdministration(EdithCowanUniversity,

Australia)• LLB(LawFaculty,UniversityofDelhi)•BA Hons: Political Science (Hindu College, University of Delhi)•CertificateofProfessionalStudies:PowerofAttitude(CODE,HometonCollege,

University of Cambridge, UK & The Gnostic Centre, Delhi)

Ritika has always been interested in social change — she has worked with street children and was also involved in an international youth movement. Her special focus of research has been on how to develop the mind, and she has conducted workshops with students, as well as teachers.RitikaispassionateaboutCulinaryArt.InthefieldofGreenPractices, her chief concerns are rainwater harvesting and conservation.Ritika is involved in the management of L’avenir, a research based pre-school of The Gnostic Centre. She is the Coordinator of The Gnostic Centre’s journal, ‘The Awakening Ray’.Ritika is a practising advocate at the High Court (Delhi) and specializesinCorporateLaw.SheisalsoontheGoverningCouncil of Shikshantar school.

Sanjay Prakash (adjunct faculty)Principal Consultant, SHiFt (Studio for Habitat Futures, Delhi)•Associate of the Indian Institute of Architects•BArch (School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi) (gold medalist)

Sanjay Prakash is an architect with a commitment to energy-conscious architecture, eco-friendly design, people’s participation in planning, music and production design. Over the years, he has integrated all his work with the practice of new urbanism and sustainability in his professional and personal life. His area of

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practiceandresearchoverthelast37yearsincludespassiveandlow energy architecture and planning, hybrid air-conditioning, autonomous energy and water systems, bamboo and earth construction, community-based design of common property, and computer-aided design. Under his guidance, hundreds of persons have developed capabilities in performing design, conceptual or management work in these areas. He has taught, conducted research, and in India and abroad.Sanjay is also the Senior Advisor for Indian Institute for Human Settlements (Delhi). He is the Team Director of the Core Team of Shikshantar school. His publications include the book, ‘Solar Architecture and Earth Construction in the Northwest Himalaya’.

Sunaina SinghCoordinator, L’avenir (an integral education based preschool)•BEd (Jamia Millia Islamia University, Delhi)•CertificateofProfessionalStudies:FoundationCourseforFacilitators(ICIS,Delhi)•DiplomainEarlyChildhoodCareandEducation(IGNOU,Delhi)•Teacher Training Course (Mirambika Teacher Education Institute, Sri Aurobindo

Education Society, Delhi)•BA: Home Science (Magadh University, Bihar)

InthefieldofIntegralEducationsince1997,Sunainahasworkedwith children, teacher-students and parents. At L’avenir, she works in the areas of mental, vital and physical education and is involved in curriculum development and administrative work. Sunaina has a deep connect with Nature. She has extensive work experience in organic gardening and farming, and is engaged in the Gnostic Centre’s ecological works.Sunaina is also good at painting in Indian folk styles of Madhubani and Warli, besides watercolour. She likes learning and experimenting with various art forms, such as, pottery, sculpture, puppet making, carpentry, papier maché, marbling, weaving, macramé, knitting and embroidery, etc.

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The Gnostic CentreA Brief Introduction

The Gnostic Centre is a research centre for the growth of consciousness through education. It is located in Bijwasan, New Delhi and is spread over a verdant 12 acre campus. The Monk’s Retreat, which is the Himalayan campus, is in the state of Uttarakhand.

The Gnostic Centre’s philosophical basis stems from the belief that education cannot be merely for utilitarian purposes, nor for purely spiritual ends. The need of the future is for an education that is Integral and brings within its scope all aspects of the human being (physical, vital-emotional, mental, psychic and spiritual); an education that helps humanity bridge the outer and inner dimensions of life. Towards this end, the Centre has established an Academy of the Future, evolving new formats of learning, new curriculum, courses, structures and an integral methodology and practice.

TheCentreofferscourses and programs in online, onsite and blended modes — such as, New Creation of the Self and Society, Psychology of Human Development,

“What has perhaps been the most influential to me were the study circles led by Ameeta on ‘The Synthesis of Yoga’. It was a time for me to nurture myself by giving time to engage with myself and the universe more deeply through Sri Aurobindo’s words. The presence of those attending created a sangha energy where esoteric things become more tangible. The Gnostic Centre is a place that allows me to come into my own with confidence and clarity of vision. It allows me to anchor in the deepest and highest in me while also welcoming mundane — all of life is indeed Yoga.”

- Natasha Nair (Psychotherapist)

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Flowering of Management, Scripting Pathways of Change, Study of the Vedas and Upanishads, etc.

Designed to facilitate self-reflection,alongwith a sound conceptual knowledge, the courses encourage the students to engage in a quest for perfection and balance, and living from within. The student is facilitated tofindanswerstohis/

her dilemmas such as — how to overcome stress, how to be happy, how to deal with anger and negativity, how to create positive relationships, how to lead a more meaningful life, how to findone’saimoflife,etc.

The Centre’s faculty includes practitioners from diverse walks of life, based in India and abroad.

For further information on the courses and programs run by The Gnostic Centre please log on to www.gnostic.in.

“One workshop that really benefited me was the workshop called ‘The Power of Attitude’. The Power of Attitude really gave us opportunities, information, knowledge and techniques that one could use to tap into one’s deeper resources and live a life from within, tap into one’s inner strengths and building on that be able to cope with the world outside. Not to retreat from the world but to find ways and means in which to live one’s daily life and deal with all its challenges from a position of strength and peace — constructive place so to speak. To learn not to let outward circumstances affect one’s action.”

- Sumita Ghose (Social Activist & Social Entrepreneur)

“Meditation workshops have been phenomenal for me. It has shown me a new path towards peace and happiness! With today’s complex and fast life....these workshops are like a breath of fresh air....”

- Pooja Lakhani (HR professional, IKEA)

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Logistics Travelling Within program is held at both the campuses of The Gnostic Centre: at the Delhi campus and at The Monk’s Retreat, which is the Centre’s Himalayan campus. A detailed itinerary will be provided when participants sign up for this program. The sample broad itinerary is as follows:

Course Days Itinerary & Location

Day 1 Orientation at The Gnostic Centre, Delhi campusDay 2 Travel by road to The Monk’s Retreat Days3to8 ProgramcontinuesatTheMonk’sRetreat On 8th day, travel by train to Delhi.Day 9 Glimpses and Tastes of Delhi Closing dinner get-togetherDay 10 Cultivating presence through the way of the horse Conclusion and closing

Meals: Participants will be served three wholesome vegetarian mealsaday,andcoffee/teatwiceaday.

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FAQs What positive changes can I expect after completing the Program?The Program is balanced between outer and inner travel, and the natural landscapes and interactive experiences evoke self-awareness and insights. The Program will give you the skills to better understand solutions to the challenges in your life, and to cultivate equanimity and peace.

Will I have a better life after doing the Program?The people who have taken our courses report leading a more informed and self-directed life. We all have our individual paths, though ultimately we are part of a collective future. If you continue to follow the practices and fundamentals of this program in your life, it will lead to greater self-awareness, peace andfindingyourownspecialpath.

What is mindfulness?Mindfulness is the practice of being fully aware of the present moment. It requires focus, inner calm and steadiness. Mindfulness can be used to combat stress by relaxing and experiencingagentlerflowoflife.Regularpracticeofmindfulness in daily life leads to non-judgmental observation of one’s own and other’s behaviour and, in turn, to greater awareness of one’s actions and purpose.

How can mindfulness lead to deeper levels of knowledge?When we try and understand an event or idea, we often impose our own evaluation on our experience. Mindfulness can create a deeper observational base and consequently help avoid hasty

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judgments, resulting in a greater ability to discriminate. The ‘hereandnow’observationshelpusunderstandandrefinethenuances of a situation or an idea in an unbiased way.

How can the Program improve my relationships with people?During the Program, we trust our own selves and others; and wegentlyallowlifetoflowandunfold,asitissupposedto.Weare taught how to mirror others by understanding a situation fromtheother’sperspective.Andfinally,wearetaughttocommunicate our understanding of their perspective with a feeling of loving kindness, openness and humility. How can I practice mindfulness and integral living after the Program?The programs at The Gnostic Centre teach mindful awareness experientially, i.e. as part of daily activities, such as, the way in which we converse with people, commune with nature, eat our foodandgoaboutourdailywork.Togetthebenefitoftheseexperiencesandreflections,youcanapplytheminyourdailylife. Some ways to do this are:• Continue to practice meditation for at least 15-20 minutes

every day.• During situations of daily stress, take a moment of quiet

reflectiontofocusandcentreyourself.• If you wish to go deeper, enrol for online courses with The

Gnostic Centre.

How much of India will I see/experience?India resides in its people and their culture. Delhi, being the nation’s capital, is home to Indians from almost every part of India. Not only will you experience this variety through your

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timeindifferentpartsofthecity(outskirts,newcity,oldcity),you will also have an insider’s view of its culture as you will be residing in a community rather than a hotel. The train journey and the use of local transport will add to your experience of India. In Uttarakhand, you will experience a hillside village of India, and its scenic beauty amidst majestic Himalayas — again, as an insider, residing close to the village. The program itself is rooted in the spiritual and aesthetic ethos of India and will bring you a deeper understanding of the country as compared to that of a tourist.

Will the journey within cut me off from ‘real life’?Exclusive pursuit of the inner self can lead to a disconnect from outer reality, and exclusive pursuit of the outer reality can lead to a disconnect from the inner self. Therefore, Travelling Within program is designed to create bridges between our ‘self’ and our ‘life’. It will, in fact, help you engage with ‘real life’ with all of your ‘self’ rather than just from the surface being.

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“We do not belong to the past dawns,but to the noons of the future.”

Sri Aurobindo

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Himalayan Campus: The Monk’s Retreat

At an altitude of 7200 feet, surrounded by oak forests, The Monk’s Retreat has stunning views of the majestic Himalayan snow peaks. The fresh air, mountain fragrances, scenes and sounds from village life and glorious sunrises and sunsets will suffuseyoursenseswiththebeautyandenergyofthehills.

The campus is designed on organic principles and has rainwater harvesting, waste recycling and organic cultivation. It is spread overseveralacres,blendingflatlandwithundulatingterracesand meadows.

Community House You will live in the beautifully designed Community House at The Monk’s Retreat. The views from the Community House are of the Himalayan peaks, oak forests, and distant village habitation.

There is a meditation hall that is also used for group classes and/

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or workshops. The three-storied Community House is a speciality lodging with aesthetically designed beds. It can accommodateupto32people. Guests are served from the homely kitchen in the dining area. Filtered drinking water is freely available.

Asetofcommonbathroomsareoneachfloor.Thebathroomsaremodern, clean and equipped with hot water from solar heaters. Bed linen, mattress, blankets, pillows, towels, toilet paper and soap are provided. Laundry service is provided on a chargeable basis.

TheCommunityHousehaspowerback-upandisWi-fienabled.

Meditation Spaces and SurroundingsSet on one of the highest spots at The Monk’s Retreat, six Meditation Caves are being constructed. These Caves will provideanopportunityforquietreflectionandmeditation.

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The Meditation hall in the Community House serves as a space for group meditations and the beautiful orchards and terraced hillsides form a calm and natural setting for meditations.

Fruit Orchards and VillagesThe Monk’s Retreat is located in the fruit bowl of India, with orchards of apples, pears, peaches, plums and apricots. Itself housed in the quaint village of Dehra (with just 12 households), it has several other villages just a short walk away.

Some of the village folk are a repository of knowledge about the use of local herbs, found in the wild, for culinary and medicinal purposes. Some are master craftsmen in the dying art of stone masonry. Almost all farm organically, and breed cows.

The village houses are a study in simple beauty and use of local materials with warm and friendly colours. The village folk welcome you into their homes with remarkable generosity.

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Delhi Campus: The Gnostic Centre

At the Delhi Campus, peacocks languidly crisscross the verdant landscape that houses two meditation spaces, a seminar hall, library, a pre-school, a gym-cum-yoga studio, a cafe and guest accommodation.

While walking around the Delhi campus, visitors instinctively speak in quieter, softer tones; breathing becomes slower and deeper and the feelings of negativity, worry and stress recede as they absorb the calm and serenity.

“I don’t know whether it is because of the ecological principles or the materials or the ambience or the tweeting of the birds, or whatever it is, but every time I have come to the Centre and spent a little bit of quiet time with myself, I have gone back really smiling, deep from within me.”

- Sanjay Prakash (Ecological Architect)

Meditation Spaces The Shrine: Inaspacedesignedwithlight,spaceandfluidlines, the Shrine is home to Sri Aurobindo’s relics. Located in a silentzone,theShrineismeantexclusivelyforsilentmeditation.Cushionsarespreadoveratieredbamboofloorandthe

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ambient temperature is maintained at a comfortable level through a fresh earth tunnel system that warms in winter and cools in summer. The Shrine can accommodate up to 50 people.

The Meditation Hall: The hub of The Gnostic Centre, the Meditation Hall stands as a sentinel, serenely at the back of

the campus. The large French windows overlook the central vista that has trees planted to enhance balance and positive energy. Circular alcoves attached to the central hallhavefloorcushionswhere visitors can either

meditate or read quietly. Guided meditations, workshops and meetings are conducted here. The Library is also housed here.

Seminar Hall: SynthesisWith projecting, recording and editing facilities, Synthesis is a modern, air-conditioned, fully equipped conference space that can seat up to 50 people. The spherical,domedroofoffers

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beautiful acoustics such that even a soft-spoken person on stage can be heard clearly at the back of the hall. The inside walls have been treated innovatively with mud mixed with cow-dung, hayandfiberpulpto

provideasound-absorbentsurface.Tieredwoodenflooringallowsseatingtobebothinformal(onthefloor)andformal(onchairs) as the occasion demands. The chairs are handcrafted with wood and jute rope.

Accommodation:QuietudeAdjacent to the main campus sits Quietude, a black and white bungalow that accommodates up to 10 guests in single rooms. Set amidst rolling lawns,withlily-filledpondsoneitherside,theenvironmentand

ambiencereflectsitsname.Furnished with steel, cane and stone, each room in Quietude is named after a quality such as Progress, Joy, Sincerity that is meant to serve as a mantra for the person staying in that room.

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Wi-Fi connectivity is available in the rooms and also in the shared community space Harmony which has a pantry equipped with a fridge, microwave, and an electric kettle. All rooms are air-conditioned and have solar-heated water.

Alchemy: Café, Gym and Yoga StudioAs the name suggests, the food from the Café and the exercise at the Gym, can magically transform one’s physical body.

The Café has a wide variety of food made with organically grown ingredients, from herbal teas and infusions to muffinsandcrepes.Tables shaded with cheerfully striped umbrellas are set on a lawn overlooking trees that are half-a-century old. Hanging bamboo planters with herbs such as thyme, parsley and basil surround the outdoor sitting area.

The Gym is well equipped with treadmills, cross-trainer, multi-gym, weights, exercise balls etc.

The Yoga Studio has specially designed yoga mats and a sports flooringmakingitsuitableforYogasanas,Aerobics,Tai-chiandotherfreehandandfloorexercises.

Withaviewofgreenery,naturallightfloodsbothspacesgivingusers a feel of being out in the open while exercising in air-conditioned comfort.

http://tw..gnostic.in; www.gnostic.in

Travelling Within Retreat

Self Improvement

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