Residential Programs

Each day at the ashram begins with the serene sound of Omkara and a simple morning aradhana dedicated to Guru. This is followed by havan, a sacred fire ceremony that invokes positive energies and purifies the inner and outer environment. Participants get to learn the most simple way of conducting a havan, so they are able to take back this ancient form of invocation to their lives and continue it in their homes if they so wish. 

In addition, every Saturday evening the Mahamrityunjaya Havan is held for the wellbeing of all beings. All residents and devotees are welcome to this program.

Connecting with Prakriti, Nature, brings us in alignment with the rhythm of creation. The abundance of shady trees, overflowing grass, green shrubs, blooming lotuses and other flowers at the ashram spontaneously take you into this connection. Sit on a stone bench in the garden and you might find yourself filled with an inexplicable joy. This experience is strengthened with a simple aradhana at sunset called Prakriti aradhana.

The ashram library contains all the books published by the Bihar School of Yoga as well as various other yogic and spiritual literature. During their stay, residents can partake of this treasure.

However, swadhyaya is not merely study of books but study of oneself. We undertake this through introspection and contemplation. The ashram environment is particularly conducive for this. There is also interaction with teachers and other members of the Satyananda Yoga family to discuss and develop understanding. For Yoga Lifestyle participants, specific time is allocated for this endeavour.

The yoga classes at Atma Darshan are designed to bring all dimensions of the personality into a state of balance. The classes therefore include mantra chanting, asana, pranayama, mudra, pratyahara and yoga lifestyle practices. In addition, special courses are also conducted.

Participants of the Yoga Lifestyle week will get to participate in one yoga class in the morning and a yoga nidra session in the afternoon, and also be part of the Yoga Anubhava Series, wherein specific aspects of yoga are focused on to create an in-depth experience and understanding.

The difference between karma yoga and seva is often queried. There is no difference and there is difference. Engaging in the various activities of the ashram is an integral aspect of ashram life. This may range from dynamically raking the leaves in the garden or mopping across a hall to learning the gentle art of mala making or chopping vegetables. When these are done with a single bhava (emotion): “I offer myself to You”, it may be termed as seva. When there is awareness of performing every action as a drashta (observer), giving oneʼs best without expectation of rewards, finding balance between expression and restraint, doing it as a duty with everyoneʼs wellbeing in mind and with the faith that the action will purify one at the deepest level – it may be termed as karma yoga. We learn to imbibe these attitudes as we go through ashram life.