Vanaprastha : Learn about the third stage of life

The Vedic Rishis divided life into four stages. Brahmachari (life of a student), Grihastha (life of householder), Vanaprastha (life of partial retirement), and Sannyasa (life of retirement and renunciation). The word Vanaprastha means going to forest. It is the third stage of life In this stage one is encouraged to gradually turn the mind inward , spend more time in study, reflection, and service.

In this camp we will focus on 

• Learn about stages of life
• Study, reflect, and discuss on Vanaprastha life
• Discuss on duties of a Vanaprasthi
• Study and reflect on rituals, its meaning, and inner significance
• Regular meditation, gentle asanas, chanting, and walks
• Learn about the four pillar of spiritual life : Sadhana (meditation, spiritual practice), Svadhyaya (scriptural study, self-analysis, debate, and discussion), and Seva (joyful dedicated service), and Sangha (spiritual fellowship)

Dates                       -           July 3, 2025, to July 20, 2025 (both days included)
Teachers                 -           Yogacharya Durga Ma, Swami Atmavidyananda, Swami Vairagyananda, and Swami Sahajananda
Participants            -           Male or Female aged 50 and above. Must attend the whole session.
Location                  -          Temple of Harmony (Joliet, IL)
Total Capacity        -           20 (separate accomodation for male and female)
Fee                        -             $725 per person. (due at the time of registration)

Individual registration requested. To register click the below link

https://forms.gle/cRoMMMBSN6zZwowH6

Fee Payment by
"Check" - Payable to Temple of Harmony. Mail to "3400 Earl Drive, Joliet, IL 60431"
or Zelle to "templeofharmony@kriya.org"


Areas of Study and reflection

• Life and teachings of Masters
• Principles and practice of Yoga, Kriya Yoga
• Necessity of Vanaprastha
• Cultivating Vanaprastha life
• How to contribute to the society
• Vanaprastha life and duties
• Concepts of Rituals (Puja, Yajna, Agnihotra)
• Group Discussion on Bhagavad Gita (13:7 – 11)

Tentative daily schedule

06:00 am                     -           Yogasana and morning prayers (30 mins)
06:30 am                     -           Group Guided Meditation (1 hr)
08: 00 am                    -           Breakfast, Cleanup
09:30 am                     -           Session – 1 (1 hr.)
11:30 am                     -           Group Meditation
12:45 pm                     -           Lunch
03:30 pm                     -           Session – 2 (1 hr.)
05:00 pm                     -           Seva/Chores/Afternoon Walk (1 hr)
06:30 pm                     -           Group Guided Meditation (1 hr)
07:45 pm                     -           Dinner
08:30 pm                     -           Evening prayers, Kirtan
09:00 pm                     -           Rest/Lights off.