Vārāhī NAVARĀTRA MEDITATION RETREAT:
June 25-JULY 4, 2025
Once a month, we are gifted with a highly potent time for inner/spiritual work. These nights/days follow the new moon every month, known as Navarātra (nava = 9, rātri = night).
Four of these Navarātras each year are considered especially auspicious for spiritual aspirants.
There are many stories and legends associated with Navarātra, however, the most important aspect of this time is the evolution of consciousness. We can move from the depths of inertia, stagnation, and deeply embedded self-sabotaging patterns towards freeing dynamism and profound stillness infused with sweetness and contentment.
Navarātra supercharges our practice with vigor, enthusiasm, and powerful cosmic energy.
In these times of unrelenting engagement with work, family, and a constant stream of stressors, Navarātra can become a steady anchor that brings us back to our life purpose, our intention for practice and study, and provides the much-needed respite from the non-stop barrage of to-do lists and tasks.
The Navarātra retreat provides a framework for delving deep into meditative practices, rituals, and satsaṅga to deepen resting in higher states of consciousness.
MEDITATION & VāRāhī
Ordinarily, even long-term meditation practitioners can have little time to move past the many obstacles to practice, including the art of sitting still, the arising of physical discomfort, dealing with mind noise, and finally, resting in meditative repose. To understand one’s mind and conditioned patterns, it is important to retreat into a structured practice of spending progressively greater amounts of time on the meditation instructions.
The beauty of this structure is that it can then become a model for independent long-term practice while bringing the teachings and insights into where it matters - the moment-to-moment unfolding of life. In this way, life and sādhana inform each other. Eventually, the difference between the two dissolves, and all that remains is the continuous opening to the beauty of life.
On this retreat, the emphasis will be on meditation, with instructions to prolong sitting time, eventually up to 6 hours a day in blocks of time as instructed by Saundaryāmbikā (Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan).
The sitting practices will be complemented by the facilitated self-study and exploration of Vārāhī. In addition to meditative practices, the retreat will include fire rituals, worship, and discussion.
Vārāhī
We will delve deep into the adoration and vidyā (wisdom) of Vārāhī. Utilizing the Vārāhī yantra as a reference point, we will explore the history, iconography, practice, and higher understanding of this great goddess. Importantly, this course will provide the basis for meeting Vārāhī in our day-to-day mundane life.
Who is this boar-headed, fierce goddess? What is the significance of her iconography? How is it relevant to our life and spiritual practice? These are some of the many questions we will explore in this course, every day inching a little closer to the great goddess until we are ready to offer up our egos.
What is Śrī Vidyā Kriyā (SVK)?
With the blessings of her beloved Śrī Guru, Saundaryāmbikā has developed a unique system that she calls Śrī Vidyā Kriyā (SVK).
SVK harnesses the power of the Śrī Vidyā dīkṣā mantras in a specific sequence that takes the practitioner from ordinary discursive awareness to progressive opening into unity consciousness. This process is mediated by the synergistic application of various postures, breathing techniques matched with each of the mantras and seals of energy known as mudrās.
Based in timeless Yogic and Tāntrik principles and cutting-edge neuroscience and psychology, SVK is meant for radical transformation of the body-mind. Combined with The Renegade Method™ of self-inquiry, ritual as taught in The Sublime Art of Pūjā, and the Heart of Wellness lifestyle, SVK provides a complete system of practices (upāsanā).
There are 3 current levels of SVK. Level 1 will be taught at this Retreat.
PREREQUISITES
Application is required for acceptance to the retreat. The application deadline is June 15, 2025 (or until all spots are filled) Apply Here
Meditation experience of at least 6 months in any method.
Bliss Meditation-Free enrollment: https://svatantra.institute/bliss-meditation-2/
Shakti Rising: Embracing Shadow and Light on the Goddess Path to Wholeness by Dr. Kavitha Chinnaiyan is HIGHLY recommended to understand the course material.
logistics
Dates: June 25-July 4th 2025
Location: Svaguhā Retreat Center (Outside of Detroit, Michigan, USA)
The Navarātra 2025 Retreat includes:
Progressive Meditation up to Several Hours Every day
Daily facilitated practices
Daily chanting & yantra learning sessions
Guided meditations, rituals & satsaṅgas with Saundaryāmbikā
Homework & other materials
All sessions will be recorded and other materials will be available to review all year
Participant 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 women participants only. $2499.00
2) In-person, no accommodation, two meals a day and all sessions: $1999.00
3) Online, access to all sessions: $1299.00