What are the essential teachings of this retreat?
Sound is the hidden energy that connects the outer and the inner cosmos. The message of the 15th century Indian saint Kabir is simple and profound. The One Divine Sound resonates vibrantly in all living bodies alike (humans, animals, plants, birds, insects etc) as well as every particle of matter in the universe around us. Only human beings have the spiritual ability to consciously connect their Surati (Awareness) to this Divine Sound and thereby establish themselves in the transcendental dimension, the substratum, the very source of Life. Bringing oneself in alignment with this One Divine Sound can be a path to enlightenment.
In this retreat, we will learn through music and meditation that everything around and within us can be experienced as naad/shabad/sound (the Divine Word or the expression of the One Divine Sound). We will learn the art of listening to and staying connected with this Divine Sound through mesmerizing folk music, transformational words of mystic saint poets and powerful yogic meditation practices, while being deeply immersed in nature.
About Prahlad Singh Tipanya and his village Luniya Khedi :
Prahlad Singh Tipanya is one of the most popular and respected folk singers of Kabir’s verses in India. A school teacher by profession, Prahladji’s life took a deep and profound turn when he first heard the tambura – the five stringed musical folk instrument. That became the gateway for him into the world of Kabir, and since then he has been tirelessly sharing the spirit of Kabir with countless rural, urban and international audiences over the last four decades.
His village Luniya Khedi has become a destination for many seekers of Kabir. Along with his son Ajay Tipanya, Prahladji organizes the vibrant Malwa Kabir Festival every year, where many singers and seekers gather and journey into the villages of the region in a traveling festival. Most will acknowledge him as the man who has deeply impacted and contributed to the resurgence of oral traditions of Kabir singing in India. For his contribution to culture, he was awarded the Padma Shri (fourth highest civilian award in India) in 2011.
During the retreat, Prahlad Ji will be leading the music concerts and meditation sessions, explaining Kabir’s verses and leading the discussions. All verses will be simultaneously interpreted into English during the discussions and printed translations of the songs in the workshops will be provided to all participants.
About Priyal and his Yoga sessions :
Priyal Maheshwari is a Yoga Alliance-Certified Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT-500 hours) and Registered Pregnancy Yoga Teacher (RPYT-85 hours). In his classes, he primarily focuses on cultivating inner stillness and awareness of the present moment using posture, breathwork and meditation. He works with a diverse range of clients to help them realize their essential self by exploring the 5 sheaths of the body (Physical Body, Life-Force, Mind, Wisdom & Bliss) and connecting with the transcendental dimension beyond the 5 sheaths. To this end, he teaches simple, yet profound meditation techniques like awareness of natural breath, inner body awareness & listening to the eternal divine sound in the body.
During the retreat, Priyal will be facilitating the Yoga and Pranayama sessions, all of which will be conducted in English.
