The Winter Retreat, New Year 2023, took place at Cleburne State Park, Dallas Region, from December 28 to January 1, 2023. The Winter Retreat was a great ending to the year 2022 and a start for the new year 2023. It was a very inspiring retreat organized by Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya, Avadhutika Ananda Hitaprabha Acarya, Sister Vandana, and supported by Dallas margiis.
In this retreat, we had various activities and classes that some Margiis facilitated. Sister Sananda gave an interesting and interactive session called “The key to Happiness.” She elaborated on the explanation of Yama Niyama and had a great discussion on how to apply it practically in daily life. An Art Class by Sister Prema attracted the beauty and creativity in everyone, where everyone was able to create their own beautiful art piece, even if they had no experience at all in drawing, just by using a burned twig that we collected from nature and applying it on the paper. During the workshop, sister Prema delivered it vivaciously and in a fun way. Everyone was amazed at their own art and discovered that we all have that subtle creativity within ourselves that needs to be brought out.
Ac. Iishvarakrsnanda and Ac. Muktatmananda Avt. gave philosophy and devotional classes. They were very inspiring and gave deeper devotional feelings toward the Guru. Another interactive discussion and sharing on practical life as a sadhaka were facilitated by Avadhutika Ananda Acira Acarya and Avadhutika Ananda Aparajita Acarya. Sister Prema and brother Dave gave a capoeira class. It was fun, and everyone enjoyed the movements.
Ingenious artists brought the RAWA program to the next level, so many creativities were shown: acrobatic yoga dance, contemporary dance, Prabhat Samgiit dances, poems, capoeira, and devotional songs were so fascinating and inspiring. So many touching stories during Katha Kiirtan and bonfires colored our evenings with devotional feelings. Walking in nature every morning was another breathtaking activity where we felt so refreshed, and the closeness with nature also gave us a good feeling and helped deepen our meditation. Of course, we had so many Akhanda Kiirtans. A special New Year Kiirtan on the 31st December night was very vibrated, filled our hearts with love and devotion, and inspired us to start our 2023 with positive energy and spiritual movement.
Delightful sentient meals were served every day by Margiis and Acharyas. Throughout the retreat, everyone seemed ready to give helping hands in the kitchen as needed, making us feel at home. This time so many young margiis attended the retreat and created positive energy. Laughter and smiling faces reflected the happiness and inspiration that everyone got in this retreat. All happened by the Grace of our Guru.
