Advaita Vedanta is the non-dualistic philosophy revealed by the Rishis, the sages of ancient India, to free our Selves from delusion and suffering, discovering our own true nature (Atma) as one and non separate from the absolute reality (Brahman).
Also known as Jnana Yoga, Vedanta gives a very practical approach on how to live our lives and purify our mind to be able to grasp more subtle aspects of this universal Truth.
Join us for this magical week of daily teachings, Mantra chanting (with the correct Sanskrit pronunciation), daily Satsang with Swamini ji to clarify any doubt and answer your questions. Swamini Chidekarasananda will unfold the importance of values in our daily life through the study of one chapter of the Bhagavad Gita, giving us some keys for peace and wisdom in our daily life.
We will also practice daily meditation and Yoga together, with the principles of Yoga Synergy. This approach of Yoga is accessible to all and focus and joints and spinal health through specifics spinal movements. Stretch less, tense less, breath less, think less, those are the principles of Yoga Synergy that we will practice together in Shambala Gatherings, one of the most beautiful place of Sweden.
You will also have a lot of free time to rest, walk in the beautiful forest directly surrounding Shambala, enjoy a daily sauna and dip in the lake, participate in some special Pujas (Vedic rituals) and three amazing vegan meals cooked by a professional Vegan Chef.
Feel free to contact me for any inquiries about this retreat 🙂 HariH Om
“Unmet expectations will naturally incur disappointments in life. A life without any expectation is also impossible. Therefore, in the Bhagavad Gita, Lord Krishna teaches one to manage expectations and avoid disappointment. This teaching is better known as karma-yoga” Swamini Chidekarasananda Saraswati
Swamini Chideka is a true guru who has had a profound impact on both my spiritual and daily life. Being a student of Swamini Ji, who is sharing these ancient teachings with joy and clarity, is a great privilege for me.
Swamini ji is a wonderful chanting teacher who inspire to feel bhakti and at the same time knowing deeply the meaning of the words while singing.
During camp season at Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s Ashram, I was blessed to stumble upon Swamini Chidekananda. I had chanting classes of the Bhagavad Gita with Swamini and quickly melted with the way Swamini unfolded Bhagavan’s words. I was fortunate enough to still be in Rishikesh for a special and unpredicted camp that took place in May/June, where I got the chance to hear Swamini’s (and also Swami Sakshat’s) words once again. Swamini’s clarity and unshakable knowledge and complete devotion to Ishvara’s grace was a heart balm and utterly inspiring.
I hope Bhagavan will bless me with her presence in the future.
Thank you, Swamini, for your knowledge, kindness, and inspiring devotion.
Hari Om
YOGA SYNERGY
Yoga Synergy is an approach to modern postural Yoga developed by Simon-Borg-Olivier and Bianca Machliss. Both of them are exercised based physiotherapist and studied extensively with greats master like B.K.S Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois, with an equal understanding of influence from far east, with Taoist Yoga, Qi Gong and Tai Chi. Synergy is born when they tried to make the traditional Hatha Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga more simple and accessible. It consist of joints movements, unique spinal movements, and more well known postures and sequences coming from yoga asanas. Synergy Yoga is accessible to everybody, beginners practitioners would learn how to warm up correctly the body, bring heat and energy without stress and move from the core, while more advanced practitioners will enjoy the precision in the asanas, the alignments and discover a new way of mobilising the spine in a healthy way.
STAY
Our beautiful venue is an intimate yoga community and retreat centre in the middle of the Swedish forest. 100% of all the energy they use comes from renewable sources, and the majority of their food is organic and locally, sustainably sourced.
It consists of seven buildings in nature, within which you can find two yoga shalas, ten twin bedrooms, four triple bedrooms, one four-bed dormitory, three separate huts, a floating sauna and a lake.
The project started in 2005, out of a vision to live in communion with nature and dedicated to a life of community and yoga. What once was an artist community of yogis simply living in nature, slowly, throughout the years, it opened its doors to those that wished to experience this way of living in the form of retreats.
The dense forests of Bergslagen around Skinnskatteberg, are a fantastic place to encounter the very best of Sweden’s wildlife and enjoy its abundant nature.
EAT
The food is delicious, abundant, and wholesome. It’s vegan, Ayurvedic-based, mainly organic and gluten-free and we will often eat out on the sunny deck overlooking the lake.
The kitchen is at the heart of everything here, using the best possible ingredients and taking care of food combinations to ensure that you are nourished and energised throughout the retreat. They are passionate about providing food that is delicious to eat, look at and feel.
We can cater for dietary allergies if you let us know in your booking form beforehand.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
– Accommodation
– Yoga classes, Vendanta classes, Chanting classes, Meditations and Satsangs
– Three meals per day
– Fresh hebral tea served all day
– Daily sauna
– Pick up and drop off from Skinnskatteberg train station
– Yoga mats and props
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
– Transport to and from the retreat (flights to Stockholm and trains)
– Travel insurance (please make sure you have your own travel insurance)
– Massages and treatments are available at an extra cost
Charles is an incredible teacher and an equally skilled yoga practitioner. His curiosity and researching every details about the body, breath works, and nutrition are very inspiring for me and he has very open heart to always share all his knowledge, it is very valuable.
Charles is a unique trainer with his philosophical background and genuine approach to Yoga. I attended one of his retreats a few years ago where he taught various breathing techniques with excellent guidance and background information. I also learned so much about nutrition from him. The best part was the Yoga talks in the evenings where we had conversations about the philosophy of the discipline. I can honestly say that I have never met such a knowledgeable Yoga teacher before him. I enjoyed both intellectually and spiritually through these conversations. He is a kind soul.
You can view our accommodation options below. Please note that bringing your own tent is also an option. For more information on our rooms and facilities, please visit our The Place page.
Own Tent
Triple Bedroom Shared
Twin Bedroom Shared
Glamping Tent
RETREAT INVESTMENT
Please remember that the amount paid via our website is for Shambala’s food and accommodation only. The teaching fee is donation based. Swamini Chideka ji’s wish is to perpetuate the ancient tradition of Guru Dakshina.
NOT SURE HOW MUCH TO DONATE FOR THE TEACHINGS?
Please consider these options:
1) Pay it forward: donate 5500 or more = Gift yourself this retreat and generously contribute towards the course fee of someone in need of learning.
2) Pay for yourself: donate 4500 = this is the ‘actual teaching cost’ of the retreat.
3) Helping hand: donate 2500 = For those whose current life circumstances require some support, and don’t have family, partner, or friends who they can ask for financial support.
4) Scholarship: donate whatever you can afford = for those unable to contribute to the options above.
Your financial situation shouldn’t be a barrier for you to participate in this retreat and learn in depth the teachings of Advaita Vedanta. Feel free to contact the organizers and offer however much you can afford.
*You will receive Charle’s bank details once we receive your booking for food & accommodation.
SPONSORSHIP ON YOUR ACCOMMODATION
In addition to the scholarship tier, it is also possible to get up to 50% off on your accommodation. We are opening up this opportunity for two or three people who are struggling financially but want to come to this retreat. Send us an email at shambalagatherings@gmail.com and tell us more about you!
DAILY SCHEDULE
(subject to change)
Tuesday
2.30 – 4.00pm Arrival, welcome tea
4.00 – 5.00 Opening Puja (Vedic ritual)
5.00 – 5.45 Vedanta class
6.00 – 7.00 Gentle Yoga
7.00 – 8.30 Dinner
8.30 – 9.15 Satsang
Wednesday to Saturday
7.00 – 9.00am Meditation and Yoga Synergy
9.00 – 11.00 Breakfast
11.00 – 12.00 Vedanta class
12.15 – 1.00pm Mantra chanting
1.30 – 3.00 Lunch break
3.00 – 4.00 Vedanta class
4.00 – 7.00 Free time (Sauna, lake)
7.00 – 8.30 Dinner
8.30 – 9.15 Satsang
Sunday
7.00 – 9.00am Meditation and Yoga Synergy
9.00 – 10.45 Breakfast
10.45 – 11.45 Vedanta class
12.00 – 1.00pm Closing, Guru Dakshina
1.30 – 3.00 Lunch and departure
meet the team
TEACHER’S BIO
Swamini Chidekarasananda Saraswati
Swamini Chidekarasananda Saraswati is a sannyasini, having been initiated into the Paramahamsa sannyasa ashrama (a traditional renunciate lifestyle) by her Acharya, Swami Sakshatkrutananda Saraswati, Chief Acharya and Chairperson of Swami Dayananda Ashram, Rishikesh.
In her Purvashrama, (previous life before sannyasa) she has spent many years in the physical presence of great spiritual masters in India, immersed in sadhana, seva and self-study.
Sri Sathya Sai Baba of Puttaparthi asked her to move back to UK after 12 years in his proximity, where Swamini w as involved in various Seva activities. Back in UK, she met Swami Dayananda Saraswati, a traditional teacher of Vedanta and started studying Vedanta under him.
Her desire to study further and in depth manifested in the form of a 3 and 1/2 year course which was held in a traditional gurukulam in South India. After completing the course, Swami Dayananda appointed Swamini Chideka ji as the Editor-in-chief of his Publications at Arsha Vidya Books and Publications Trust in Chennai, India. She spent more than three years there, editing various spiritual texts in Sanskrit and English, from Upanishads to talks on the Bhagavad Gita.
Swaminiji is now based in England and continues to share her knowledge of the shastra – Vedanta and The Bhagavad Gita, Sanskrit, Vedic and traditional Sanskrit chanting, kirtan etc..- with all interested to learn. Her life is dedicated to bringing the Wisdom and Light of the Rishis, and traditions of Sanatana Dharma culture to all spiritual seekers, regardless of background, language or culture.
Charles Kharboutli
Charles is a Yoga teacher and Vegan Chef, travelling and studying Yoga and Vedanta for many years. He practiced and studied asanas (physical postures in Yoga system) with incredible teachers in Rishikesh, India and around Asia : traditional Hatha Yoga with Krishna Sikwal, Iyengar Yoga with Usha Devi (a direct disciple of BKS Iyengar) and more recently Therapeutic Yoga with Deepak Wadhawan. He also had the chance to meet Stefan Camilleri and Simon-Borg-Oliver, the founder of Yoga Synergy, which has been an huge game changer in his personal practice and teachings. This approach brings fluidity, movements and depth to the physical practice, allowing anybody to practice safely and connect even more to the body and subtle energies. Charles met Swamini Chidekarasananda ji at Swami Dayananda Ashram in Rishikesh, where he spent close to two months studying Vedanta. Among all the Acharyas (teachers) that he met and studied with at the Ashram, Swamini ji left a deep impression with her direct and clear teachings. Her energy is specially uplifting and he knew already at that time that his wish was to help her spread the message of Vedanta in Europe. He still studies weekly with her and have been able since then to deepen a lot his knowledge of the śastras (scriptures) and learn some beautiful and powerful mantras, that will be shared during this week together.
HariH Om
Feel free to contact Charles for any inquiries about this retreat.
MORE at Shambala
GALLERY
How to get here
Shambala Gatherings
Borntorpet 1
Skinnskatteberg
Sweden
Located just two hours away from Stockholm in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden, the area is easily accessible by air, train and car, making a great option for a short break wildlife destination.
- Coming by air: The nearest airport to Shambala is Stockholm Vasteras. The second nearest airport is Arlanda airport, the main airport in Sweden. You can easily take a train all the way to Skinnskatteberg from both of them.
- Coming by train / bus: We are fortunate to have a train / bus station at Skinnskatteberg only 5 minutes ride from the center. We offer free pick up services from this station in summer.
- Coming by car: Simply open this Google map on your navigator and follow directions to Borntorpet 1 in Skinnskatteberg, Sweden.