Mahāśivarātri Retreat
February 2025

Welcome to the Mahāśivarātri Retreat!

Śivarātri, the night of Śiva, occurs once a month on the 14th night of the waning moon phase. On these nights, there is a characteristic energy that is conducive to spiritual progress and inner peace, and is celebrated in homes and by individuals wanting to deepen their spiritual practice.

Mahāśivarātri, on the other hand, is an annual event that falls on the 14th night of the waning moon in the month of Phalguna (February-March). Mahāśivarātri is closely tied to specific planetary and astronomical alignments, which are considered highly auspicious in Hindu tradition. These planetary characteristics create a natural upsurge of energy in the human system. The practices and rituals of Mahāśivarātri are designed to take advantage of this potent energy for the specific purposes of cultivating clarity, insight, harmony and beauty.


In 2025, Mahāśivarātri will occur on February 25 (Eastern Time).

This year, we will celebrate Mahāśivarātri through a deep dive into the Śiva tattva - pure awareness.

Over the days leading up to Mahāśivarātri, we will explore the meaning of the Śiva pañcākṣara mantra and its applications through:

1. Initiatory  energy and awareness practices

2. Rituals

3. Yantra drawing and meditation

4. Inquiry using sections of the Śrī Rudram as the central text.


The Śrī Rudram is a revered Vedic hymn dedicated to Rudra, a form of Lord Śiva. It is found in the Kṛṣṇa Yajurveda, specifically in the Taittiriya Samhita (4.5 and 4.7), and is considered one of the most powerful and sacred hymns in Hindu tradition.

On the night of Mahāśivarātri, we will engage in nightlong meditative and ritual practices that bring together the insights and teachings of the preceding days.


Artwork: AI-generated

Retreat Options:

1. In-person stay at Svaguhā Retreat Center near Detroit, Michigan with shared accommodations (2 per room), two meals a day, and all sessions. This option is limited to 8 participants.

2. In-person, with off-site accommodations, two meals a day, and all sessions.

Other retreat details: This is a silent retreat. Aside from teaching and satsaṅgha sessions, there will be absolutely no talking, unless talking with Kavithaji. 

Devices, including mobile phones will not be allowed.

Retreat logistics: The Mahāśivarātri retreat will take place in Michigan at Svaguhā, which means one's heart or the cave of one's own heart.

All sessions will occur at Svaguhā and all (vegetarian) meals will be served here. There are plenty of Airbnb and hotel options in the area. The closest airport is Detroit Metropolitan (DTW). Amtrak and bus services may be available, especially in Ann Arbor.

Address: 46266 Spinning Wheel Dr, Canton MI 48187

Dates: Check-in: 4 PM, February 20, 2025 Check-out: 11 AM, February 26, 2025

Meals provided: Brunch and Dinner (February 21-25) and Brunch (February 26)

Retreat begins at 9 AM on February 21, 2025. Mahāśivarātri celebrations will conclude by 7 AM on February 26, 2025.


Prerequisites


Recommended courses:

1. Bliss Meditation (free)

2. Shivoham Self-Study (link to the course will be provided upon enrollment)



RETREAT Details:

    Included in the retreat:

  • Shivoham Self-Study Course.

  • Daily facilitated practices.

  • Daily chanting and yantra learning sessions.

  • Guided meditations, rituals, and satsaṅgas with Kavithaji.

  • Homework and other materials.

   ***All sessions will be recorded and other materials will be available to review all year.

   ***The Shivoham Self-Study Course is a must for anyone interested in nondual Śākta and Śaiva traditions, with a focus on the most important practice - cultivating awareness. Ordinarily, we assume that this primary practice "happens on its own" as we go about perfecting other practices such as mantra, mudrā, prāṇāyāma, and meditation. On the contrary, all other practices become exponentially more effective through the cultivation of awareness and sattarka, which is translated as sound or higher reasoning.

The nondual Śākta-Śaiva traditions provide a systematic method for cultivating awareness and insight through the understanding of the relationship between the Self and the objects of the world, the contents of the mind, and with the self (notice the use of the capital S and the small s in the word "self"). With the progressive deepening of awareness and insight, there is a release of the mass of contractions that influence how we view the world and ourselves.

This self-study course will be deeply empowering and transformational through the application of progressively deepening practices, the darśana or the View of the path, and intimate discussion with like-minded practitioners.

We will work deeply with the Nirvāṇa or Ātma Ṣaṭakam during this course, the famous composition of Jagadguru Śrī Ādi Śankara in answer to the question, "Who are you?" These six verses will become the basis for the exploration of the Self or the Śiva tattva. It is through the progressive exploration of the relationship between the Self and the objects of the world and mind that we will come to rest in the lived understanding of the Śiva tattva.

This is a self-study course and can be completed at your own pace. This course will also include handouts, audio recordings of the chant, recordings of meditations, and homework exercises.


Pricing

Please note that no retrospective refunds will be offered if you have already taken the Shivoham Self-Study Course.

No refunds after enrollment.

 
  $1300

  • 6 night stay at Svaguhā
  • Access to the entire Shivoham Self-Study course 
  • Daily facilitated practices.
  • Daily chanting and yantra learning sessions.
  • Guided meditations, rituals and satsaṅgas with Kavithaji.
  • Homework and other materials.
  • Two meals a day February 21-25 2025
  • Brunch on February 26, 2025


  $1050 

  • Access to the entire Shivoham Self-Study course 
  • Daily facilitated practices.
  • Daily chanting and yantra learning sessions.
  • Guided meditations, rituals and satsaṅgas with Kavithaji.
  • Homework and other materials.
  • Two meals a day February 21-25 2025
  • Brunch on February 26, 2025