Yoga camp and Nature retreat in Tryambakeshwar

 

✪ Participating in Bihar School of Yoga's camp in Tryambakeshwar
✪ Experience of online fraud in the name of one famous institution
✪ "Always be aware, never ever think of harming others!"
✪ Satsanga in presence of Paramhansa Niranjanananda Saraswati
✪ "Four meet, sixty four smile and twenty come together"
✪ Excellent conduction and arrangement by BSY with great sessions
✪ Epitome of ideal Guru as well as ideal disciple!
✪ Keertana, Songs and meditation amid fair of sadhakas
✪ Enjoying Tryambakeshwar surroundings and unforgettable trek of Brahmagiri

Namaste. Recently participated in a yoga camp organized by Bihar School of Yoga (BSY) in Tryambakeshwar, Maharashtra. Bihar School of Yoga! Swami Shrimurtee ji from whom I learned Yoga is a BSY Sanyasin. My father and many close people are BSY sadhakas. Therefore was curious for this camp. This camp proved to be a great treat of all delicious servings related to Yoga and meditation- from Asanas, Pranayams to meditation, Keertan and Bhajan. Everywhere there was the typical BSY imprint. It was great to closely see Paramahansa Niranjanananda Saraswati, the chief of BSY  and listen his sessions. 

 
Satyananda Yogadarshan peeth near Tryambakeshwar, Nashik, Maharashtra. This ashram is located on a hill and therefore even for going there, we need to do a small trek. When we reach the ashrama located by natural panorama, our pranayama already has started! I enjoyed this camp with my father who did not took lift and walked every day to the camp. Then I met my first Guru Swami Shrimurteeji, who had taught me Yoga! We also meet many Yoga sadhakas from Parbhani- Niramay Yoga Prasar and Sanshodhan Sanstha and others! Entire the atmosphere is Yoga- electric! Everyone coming to BSY is welcomed like a fellow- disciples (Guru Bandhu/ Guru Bhagini). Many familiar faces meet each other!
 
The outline of the camp was like this- 8-10 in the morning- mainly Asanas, Pranayams and some components of meditation. Also Bhajanas- Keertan and discourses were there. In the afternoon session of 3-5 there was mainly meditation, discourses and many kinds of Satsangas. Lunch at 10 am and dinner at 5 pm. Actually entire the day's sessions spanned just for four and half hours, but its impact was so deep. 

In the beginning, Swami Shivrajanandaji conducted basic asanas and linking those movements with breathing he helped us experience Pranayama. Along with visualization of subtle bodies, it became meditative. He also instructed for Surya Namaskars. Doing yoga alone and doing it in presence of around a thousand sadhakas and higher sadhaks and even the Siddha- it makes a huge difference. There was every arrangement for this number of people- sitting arrangements, water, meals, many screens to see the stage and speakers. Participants were around a thousand and at least two hundred volunteers would be there. After the first session, we watched the campus of this Yoga Peeth. There are many meditation cells for Sadhakas. This area has excellent views of the nature.

In the afternoon session, it was delightful to listen to Paramhansa Niranjananandaji. He appeared to be much distinct from those Gurus who are there on internet. Very harsh approach. His one sentence- If there is someone here who feels that he or she knows about Yoga then he or she should leave. Or- Today people get initiated, in two years they get the Sanyas clothes and then they start their Yoga classes like shops. Such harsh words, even for a few BSY sadhakas! But he also shared how his Guru Satyanandaji helped him come out of darkness of false knowledge. How he made him realize that his deeper journey was remaining. One was feeling as if Swami Niranjanananda was directly present here and Swami Satyanandaji was also present indirectly. His presence was continuously felt through the Kirtanas, Bhajans, his memories and videos and photos showing his life events and his contribution.

 

The treat continued across entire the camp. BSY people are so generous. In form of Prasad (grace), they gifted books and tools for Sadhana. The real centre of the camp was Swami Niranjananda Saraswati! His coming to the venue, sitting, speaking! Depth and weightage eof his speech! For me, the USP of the camp was that we were in his presence- That's what Satsang is. Presence of a Guru! He is a Paramahansa of this times. But his simplicity, respect for others! Despite of his towering charisma, no one felt any burden! When he would make us stay for two more breaths in some Aasana, his saying, "Sometimes I forget to count!" His immersing in singing a Keertana. Or his knack of telling a deeper thought so easily- He would say, do not bow down to me. Just do this- "Four meet, sixty four are pleased and twenty align!" Meaning, when your and my eyes meet (four meet), we smile and our sixty four teeth are pleased and when we do Namaskara, our 10+ 10 fingers get aligned. And when this happen, the body gets happy and the mind gets charged and 72 thousand nadis (energy network) of the body get charged with prana.

Swamiji also elaborated about basics of Yoga. He told "being joyful (प्रसन्नता) as the first rule. Being joyful is such a firewall that prevents from many diseases and troubles! He also defined HOPE in this way- Having Only Positive Expectations! There are many ways in which one can be joyful in this camp! Blissful songs, energy of Bhajana and Keertan! Lines helping to deepen the meditation! Some instrumental songs! Depth and vibes of the chanting! Some Keertanas and songs were--

Shivoham Shivoham- Vahi Atma Sachidanand Main Hun (शिवोsहम् शिवोsहम्- वही आत्मा सच्चिदानन्द मैं हूं)

Shambhu Murari Shankara Murari (शम्भू मुरारी शंकर मुरारी)

Jay Jay Gange Jay Har Gange (Ganga Stotram) [जय जय गंगे जय हर गंगे (गंगा स्तोत्रम्)]

He Ishwar He Parmatma Antaryami Tuzko Pranam (हे ईश्वर हे परमात्मा अंतर्यामी तुझको प्रणाम)

Jaya Guru Shivananday (जया गुरू शिवानन्दाय)

For next two days, it was a great revision and learning of many Asanas and Pranayams. Swami Niranjanand elaborated many minute aspects. His speaking was easy and gentle/ Spoken language of this era! Also a little bit teasing to Sadhakas and jokes! He also shared his own experiences! He shared how it was difficult to even give attention on his Jap Mala for one minute with awareness on breath and touch of the mala. Even we cannot be aware of say, second hand of a clock for sixty long seconds! Beginning of meditation stars from there and we then cultivate habit of holding our awareness. Along with Swamiji, other Sanyasins and organizers too would speak a little and accompany him.

One important aspect he shared was that understanding and awareness are key. He beautifully talked about how mental habits can be changed and how we can mould our mind. He shared his own experience! As a sadhaka, he was not able to get up early in the morning. So initially he tried hard to wake up by placing an alarm of 4 am. For some days, that worked, but again his habit would hamper this. It was so much so that his fellow- disciples (Guru Bandhu) would place his bed on the road and then only he would wake up. But later on he decided to get up early by just five minutes. He was getting up at 6 am, so he decided to wake up at 5:55 for one day. It worked smoothly, the mind adjusted. Then he had the alarm for 5:50 the next day, then 5:45 the next day and so on. By doing consistently, he moulded his mind, slowly developed the habit. Slow but steady. In two months, he cultivated the habit of getting up early! Like his Guru Swami Satyanandji would day- taking the mind along without forcing and without loosening- मन को पकड़ना भी नही और छोड़ना भी नही! He also gave another significant formula to the sadhakas- Every day increase two minutes of being joyful in the day. Everyday become joyful for more moments and cultivate this!

Along with his spiritual journey, Swamiji also shared his Guru's experiences. He showed who Swami Satyanand, his Guru was through various films, interviews, audios and photos. How his Guru also at one time was stubborn, how he had to quit his Sanyas due to sorrow of Indian partition, but how his Guru- Swami Shivanandji supported him. Swami Niranjanandji wonderfully narrated this. Talking about his Guru, revisiting his moments with his Guru and how his Guru had devoted entire life for one cause, and while telling that today whatever he is, he owes everything to his Guru, his eyes were teary. Today Swami Niranjanji is a Guru of other meditators, but he is still a disciple in his heart! Rather, it was a touching manifestation of Guru as well as the disciple at the same time!

This way, the camp was unfolded. Asanas, pranayams, meditations and Yoga- Nidra done there were wonderful. In case of Pranayama, Swamiji told that our lungs have capacity to take 5 liters of air, but we just take 500 ml air. And even then, only 350 ml air reach our lungs! The more we utilize this capacity, the more energetic our body would become and the more blissful our mind would become. While knowing all this, just felt how wonderful machine our body is! When we inhale, the incoming breath is slightly cold. In ten seconds, we exhale it as an outgoing breath- but then it becomes slightly hot! Our body machine just has carried it across entire the body! What a miracle this is! Swamiji also told that the more we keep hold, the more we get stress. Even for breath also. The more we exhale outside, we get relaxed. Let go = relaxation.

Apart from these techniques, methods and types of Asanas and Pranayam, the real minute but valuable thing happening is coming together of Guru energy and the Sadhakas. It felt tremendously blissful. Even minute things helped for meditation- Even the flies helped at the time of Yoga Nidra (yogic sleep), they helped for remaining aware! And also, it was not only about Asanas or lectures. There were plenty of videos, films, Keertanas and songs. Even cartoon stories to narrate many things! Thus, it was a treat to experience. Even while concluding, Swamji thanked all and the volunteers. And lastly, with a smiling face, he also said, "I thank myself”!

When this camp was going on, in available time, I could also walk in Tryambakeshwar. Could visit Gautam lake. Godavari river! Its origin is in Brahmagiri mountain near Tryambakeshwar. Here the river is so small like a stream indicating how things are when they start! I could also trek to Brahmagiri mountain- an extremely blissful experience! What a great mountain range! People were telling to beware of monkeys! But they did not trouble at all. But rather, the throwers of plastic bottles were more dangerous! So, this was about the Yoga camp and the nature retreat. 

And yes, about that online fraud! When we decided to go to Tryambakeshwar, I was searching hotels to stay. BSY had arranged for the camp and for the meals, but everyone had to find accommodation. When I was searching options, I came to know about Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan. I also came to know that they do not have online booking. But when searched on internet, I found one website. When I inquired there, I got a reply and all the details. After getting all the details, I decided to book the room. The person pretending to be speaking from the Sansthan told me to do the booking that day only. Sometimes our intellect just gets off. Why a person from this Sansthan would speak in Hindi? Why he would get that desperate? Why he would call on whats app? Even the given google pay link- that was not in the name of the Sansthan, but a personal ID. Okay, even if it belonged to the Sansthan, why it is showing as joined in January 2025? Despite of so many questions and doubts, the intellect was just eclipsed! Then I made the payment on that number. I was thinking- how people from that Sansthan would cheat, how can this happen with me (“me”)? After the payment, they told to make the payment again with two amounts. I told them to refund me first, then I will do. Then they started to refuse. Then only I realized oh, I was cheated and I allowed me to be cheated! Felt the shock for some time. Felt bad. But then became aware. I realized, life sometimes do many odd things. I might have to pay something to someone. I might have taken some money. Life just channelized it in its own ways!

When I talked with a cyber security expert, he told me to lodge a complaint, but nothing would happen as plenty of complaints are pending. That's why there is that message on telephone calls! I conveyed this to Sansthan's people. Also tried hard and somehow got successful in lodging an online complaint. It was very difficult. But it was lodged and then it was transferred to the police station. When I called on the number given for follow up, they did not answer. I also felt that the Gajanan Maharaj Sansthan should take some action. Because these cheaters are using their name and their image only! And the Sansthan people are aware of this also! But they say we cannot do anything. In an indirect way, the Sansthan is also associated with this and they should take some action. But it is only my poor desire! Any way. And yes, I could sleep well that night when this had happened. Life has its own ways. Sometimes even a seasoned batter loses his wicket to newcomer bowler! 

But now after this camp is concluded, I don't feel a bit about it. There I gained so much and so this loss is so insignificant. Intention of sharing this is only that people need to stay aware. When someone is very desperate for payment, would make calls, then it is time to become alert. We should check whether there is "S (https)” on the website, we should check its contents. We should check the payment credentials. And importantly, "Always be aware and never think ill about anyone!" Being watchful and aware every moment- this is the crux of meditation. And even if the person behaves in any manner, as a meditator, we always think about it from the inside- out perspective. It is our own Karma that returns to us in a different time and place. That's all. In Yoga parlance, let's say Hari Om Tat Sat!
"Always be aware and never think ill about anyone!" Being watchful and aware every moment- this is the crux of meditation.
(Thanks for reading! You can read meditation related experiences on my blog. You can also read about my experiences of trekking, cycling, running, fitness, sky watching etc. there. If you wish to get updates of such activities, you can contact me. Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Date of writing the article: 18 February 2025)