The Sanskrit word “Prashant” refers to absolute peace, “Jivan” means life, and “Darshanam” means vision or seeing. Together, the phrase conveys a vision of life that leads to complete inner peace. This retreat is rooted in the teachings of Baba Shantananda, a remarkable spiritual figure who taught in India for 14 years and has spent the past 16 years living in seclusion in the Himalayas. Its aim is to share this wisdom so that participants can learn to guide themselves.

Participants may visit the very place where Baba Shantananda lived and shared his teachings. Today, Naresh ji, a direct disciple of Baba Shantananda, lives there and supports sincere seekers. There is no teaching fee, and guests are offered free food, accommodation, and instruction. At present, however, the retreat is open only to men. Efforts are being made to make it available for women as well, but this will take time. The location is very remote, and life there is close to a primitive lifestyle.

In addition, there are coordinators around the world who have received this knowledge and offer it purely in service. They can be contacted directly for teaching arrangements, and the retreat may be organized according to nationality, location, and individual circumstances. No teacher is permitted to charge a fee for instruction, although voluntary offerings as a gesture of respect are accepted.

Eligibility

Good command of English, as it is the language of instruction
Strong experience in Hatha Yoga practice and an interest in Yoga as a path to transcendental awareness
Sound physical and mental health; any health concerns should be shared before registering
Ability to sit in a meditation posture for at least 30 minutes without discomfort
Willingness to follow the ethics of the ashram
Long-term practitioners seeking causal-level experiences and wishing to guide themselves and others on this path

Curriculum

Specific asana, pranayama with mudra and bandha, specific mudras, and concentration methods as taught by Baba Shantananda
The 72 gospels of Baba Shantananda, originally in Hindi, with English transliteration and translation available separately
Detailed explanation of each practice according to Baba Shantananda’s guidelines
Karma Yoga as an integral part of the retreat

Relevant Reading

Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha — Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Raja Yoga — Swami Vivekananda
Four Chapters of Freedom — Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Gospels of Baba Shantananda — a small booklet containing 72 basic teachings

Duration

The retreat lasts for 6 weeks. The first 5 weeks focus on the 5 elements — Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Space — while the 6th week is dedicated to the mind and intuitive level.

Daily Schedule

The schedule is tentative and may change based on need. Classes run 6 days a week.

5:30am to 7:00am — Personal practices
7:00am to 7:15am — Herbal tea/drink
7:30am to 9:30am — Asana, pranayama, followed by relaxation
9:30am to 10:30am — Meal time
10:30am to 11:30am — Rest
11:30am to 12:30pm — Lecture
1:00pm to 1:30pm — Fruit/fruit juice
2:00pm to 3:30pm — Meditation and relaxation, with lecture and practice
3:30pm to 4:30pm — Personal cleaning and Karma Yoga
4:30pm to 6:30pm — Asana, alignment and adjustments, theory and practical training, teaching practice
6:30pm to 7:30pm — Dinner
7:30pm to 8:30pm — Kirtan, chanting, video shows, personal time, and more; optional, though participation creates a special harmony
9:00pm — Bedtime

How to Arrive

Shantananda Jnana Yoga Ashram
C/O Secretary - Sadhaka Naresh ji
Village - Mirjapur, Post Office - Vidyapatinagar
District - Samastipur
State - Bihar
Country - India
Postal Code - 848504

You may fly to Patna domestic airport (Jaiprakash Narayan Airport) and continue by bus or train to Samastipur. You may also travel by train to Patna or a nearby city such as Samastipur, then reach the ashram by local auto or car.

How to Register

There is no fixed retreat date. Interested participants should make contact and request to join. If Naresh ji accepts the request, you may then visit the ashram for the retreat or stay there.

Retreat Date and Fee

There is no set date and no fee for the retreat. Voluntary support, if offered, is accepted as a gesture of help and respect.

Men's retreats in Rishikesh