We have regular programs and retreats – please see below. We also have programs for groups on request – for example introductory programs in the area of sustainable living alternatives, healthy eating etc. for school groups, college groups, farmer groups, urban forums etc. These group programs are done by prior arrangement only.
If you wish to be on our mailing list to receive notifications of workshop announcements, we request you to join our google group by clicking here https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/navadarshanam
Silent Retreat
These 3-day retreats are being facilitated for the practice of Self Enquiry (Atma Vichara). To aid in this reflection and inward quest, participants will be required to completely de-link from all outer engagement for the duration of the retreat.
Participants will have to arrive on a Thursday by 5pm for an introductory talk on the subject followed by 3 days of meditation and quietude. Participants will be able to leave after 3pm on Sunday. All guidance and readings in this retreat will be in English.
Songs of Mystics
This is a 4-day program featuring selected bhajans of Kabir, Mira and other mystics. Participants will be taught how to sing the bhajans, and will also be trained in rudimentary aspects of the Dhrupad style of classical music and will include an early morning classical session on shlokas. There will also be a discourse on the meaning of the selected bhajans from a mystic point of view.
Sustainable Farming-Permaculture
These 4-day workshops on sustainable farming and permaculture principles is intended for anyone interested in growing food and is designed to provide a good understanding of the principles and methods involved in sustainable farming. The program will have a significant focus on hands on work backed by theory sessions that will cover the underlying principles. Topics covered will include permaculture principles, getting started with a piece of land, low to zero input organic farming methods, understanding soil, pest management, composting, seed saving, plant nurseries and vegetable starts, water harvesting, food forests etc.
Participants will be required to arrive on Wednesday evening or latest by 8am on Thursday. The sessions will begin at 9.00am on Thursday and end at 4 pm on Sunday. This is a fee-based program. All guidance and discussion will be in English.
Enabling farmers cultivate organically
These 2-day workshops on sustainable farming and permaculture principles are intended for local farmers (grains, pulses and vegetables) interested in converting to organic and sustainable farming practices.
The program will have a significant focus on hands on work backed by theory sessions that will cover the underlying principles. Topics covered will include low to zero input organic farming methods, understanding soil, pest management, composting, seed saving, plant nurseries and vegetable starts, risk management, market access.
These workshops are organized working with specific farmer groups. There is no fee or contribution expected for this program from small and marginal farmers. This program can be arranged in Kannada and Tamil.
Reflections on Food – Ahara Vichara
This is a 3-day retreat for conscious repose and reflections on food. Within an overarching framework of quietude and enquiry, the retreat seeks to facilitate participants to see the inter-connectedness between growing, harvesting, preparing, consuming, assimilating food meditatively and our deeper sense of well being.
Participants are required to arrive by 5pm on a Thursday and will be able to leave by 3pm on Sundayt. All guidance and discussion will be in English.
Fasting your way to wellness
This retreat is facilitated to allow participants to explore a 3-day to 7-day guided water-fasting regimen to reboot, reset and begin healing their body and mind and to develop a routine that is immersed in mindfulness and moderation.
Participants are required to arrive a day prior to beginning the fast and stay a day after breaking their fast. This retreat is organized on a request basis any time of the year.