“The Blaze of Spirituality” events commenced in Sydney on 12 April 2018 when Guruji Paramahamsa Prajnanananda arrived at the Mangrove Yoga Retreat Centre with our two resident Kriya Yoga teachers Swami Gurupriyananda and Swami Sarvatmananda, as well as visiting monks Swami Samarpanananda, Swami Atmavidyananda, Swami Matrukrupananda and Swami Sampurnananda.

Surrounded by national parks, this serene and remote destination became a Kriya Yoga hermitage for 90 Kriyavans to bask in the divine blessings and spiritual teachings in a silent residential retreat from 12-15 April. The retreat was officially opened by Guruji and all the monks sharing stories about their connection to Kriya Yoga in Australia, their relationship with each other, and their thoughts and vision for the new Ashram at Lisarow — it was a heart-warming and soul-stirring beginning which highlighted that we all belong to one large Kriya family.

During the four days, the theme of "Monkey Mind" was explored. Baba Prajnananandaji delighted us with stories and wisdom about how to discipline and train our mind. He explained the spiritual meaning of six wise monkeys — the first is holding the head (i.e. take care of your head – maintain a positive attitude for everyone at all times), the second is holding the heart (i.e. take care of your heart – only think and speak good of people, even if they don’t speak good of you), the third is holding hands together (i.e. your hands are to express love, to serve and to give), the fourth has one eye open and one eye covered (i.e. see only good; if you see something bad, the badness is within you), the fifth has one hand over one ear (i.e. only hear good), and the sixth has one hand over half of the mouth (i.e. take care of your tongue). The inspiring discourses encouraged us all to develop an attitude and outlook that is charged with divinity.

Guided meditations were also conducted by all the monks during the program and discourses were also given by Swami Samarpanananda and Swami Atmavidyananda. A silent auction of treasured items blessed by Guruji was held to raise funds for the Ashram.

Guruji encouraged us all to continue to nurture the Ashram, tenderly caring for it like a child as it grows and develops. Some of the monks even pledged to donate personal savings to help support the new Ashram. The entire retreat was truly an experience to set our hearts alight with love, compassion, joy, kindness and gratitude to be in the divine presence of such good company!