Spiritual Satsang and Kirtan in Rishikesh, India
What is Satsang?Satsang is a Sanskrit word and its meaning is derived from splitting the word into Sat ( truth) + Sangh (association or community)
Satsang is a gathering of true people, who sit together in a serene place and seek spiritual wisdom through holistic sessions conducted by Satgurus.
A Satguru is a spiritual teacher, who has successfully acquired the knowledge of absolute truth. S/he is free from the clutches of emotions and suffering and help solves the complexities of self-realization and guide seekers into moksha (liberation).
Satsang is a part of ancient Indian culture. For more than 5000 years, since the origin of Satsang, Satgurus have been illuminating millions of devotees to heal their mind, body, and soul.
During the event of Satsang, a group of participants immerse themselves into deep, soulful discussions. These meaningful talks include spiritual support, guidelines, and a chance to ask the Satguru questions.It is possible to practice meditation, yoga, singing and dancing to spiritual music in a Satsang to increase awareness and feel a sense of calmness.
Satsang in India
Satsang is one of the oldest practices in Indian tradition. Its inception is as ancient as the creation of Hindu religion. There have been many famous gurus In India, each one spreads awareness through holding Satsangs For the lovers of faith and wisdom, Satsang is a medium of connecting themselves with eternity for the greater good.
In India, a large number of spiritual followers (aka seekers or Rishis) have been visiting India for the attainment of mindfulness, and to rejuvenate their mind, body and soul.
It develops an association with sattva (purity), one of the three qualities of nature as mentioned in Bhagwat Gita. Sattva brings positivity, truth, serenity, balance and peacefulness. The other two qualities of nature are rajas (passion and activity) and tamas (darkness and chaos).
In modern India, Satsang was re-defined by Dayal Singh. He founded Radha Saomi Satsang Beas in 1861. Singh had also formed a six-element framework to uphold the values of Satsang Beas which include the following: a living Guru, bhajan (devotional music), seva (service), kendra (Centre), bhandara (community, food, and service).
Satsang in Rishikesh
Being one of the largest centres of bhakti (faith), Rishikesh has been calling devotees from all around the world to travel to the holy city for the attainment of salvation.
Satsang in Rishikesh is an heightened emotional and spiritual experience for people who value peace and tranquillity in their lives and wish to share it with others.
There are many Satsang events that take place in Rishikesh throughout any given year. Ashrams in Rishikesh also organise regular open Satsangs. Many of them provide food and accommodation at a very reasonable price. The environment of Rishikesh encompasses sacredness, which makes it the best environment for Satsang and Kirtan events in Rishikesh.
Mooji Satsang In Rishikesh
Mooji is one of the most influential spiritual leaders in the world. He was born in Jamaica in 1954. He lives in Portugal where he runs an ashram called Monte Sahaja.
Mooji organises Satsang in India, wherein he shares the wisdom to his followers and inspires them to realise their inner reality. This creates a fire within to burn away samskaras (deep impressions that have accumulated) and seek the path to knowing and experiencing Oneness Every year, Satsang by Mooji is organised in Rishikesh.
Mooji is followed by a large number of Satsang enthusiasts from around the world. Many of the Mooji’s followers attend open Satsang get-together in various ashrams in Rishikesh.
Open Satsang By Mooji: Program Overview
Date: February – March,
Wednesday – Sunday (no Satsangs on Monday or Tuesday)
Duration: Four weeks
Invitation: Free for all
Venue: Swami Swatantranand Ashram, Rishikesh(स्वामी स्वातंत्रनंद आश्रम,
ऋषिकेश), opposite Swami Dayananda Ashram) Shisham Jhari, Muni-ki-Reti
Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
Daily Schedule: 8:00 – 10:00 Ashram gate is open (please be on time!)
9:15 – 9:45 ‘An Invitation to Freedom’ audiobook is played
10:00 – 12:00 Satsang with Mooji
The schedule and timings are subject to change, so please check this page
regularly.
Duration of Satsang is expected to stretch between 1.5 – 2.5 hours;the sessions can be longer or shorter, depending.
Meals and accommodation are not part of the Satsang occasion.
Spiritual Satsang with Dr Rakesh Agarwal/ Dr Amrit Raj
Program Overview:
The way for Healthy Life, Happiness; Self-Realization
Getting Rid of your Mental/Physical Obstacles by
Gayatri Kalptree, Ayurveda, Health Solutions, Body Mind and Soul,
Vedic Solutions for Suffering, etc.
Venue: Maa Yoga Ashram, Rishikesh
Time: Every Saturday 7 pm
Invitation: Free and Open for All
Program topics include:
1. Boo - Self Confidence
2. Boho - Attachment to Duties
3. Swaha - Stability of Mind
Path of Wisdom/Divine Bliss: (1) TAT - Science of Life: profit, loss, life, death, fame, defame are all in God’s hands.
(2) SVITO - gain/grow our physical and mental energies.
(3) VARENIM - to do, or be, the best in life by doing good actions following duties.
(4) BARGO - purity of mind.
(5) DEVASAYA - give unconditionally.
(6) DHIMAHI - life-based on Sattva or Truth.
(7) DIYO - knowledge based on facts/reasoning.
(8) YONA - follow patience.
(9) PROCHODYAT - service to the elders or to anybody.
Kirtan: The path of Bhakti Yoga
When you hear the enchantment of mantras or devotional music and see people dancing the vibration of divine music, you are witnessing a sacred happening of Kirtan.
According to Indian religion, Bhakti Yoga guided the principles of Kirtan. It is one of the four parts of yoga for salvation, advised by Bhagwat Gita. The other three are Raja Yoga (upreme practice of yoga for mystics), Jnana Yoga ( yoga of higher knowledge) and Karma Yoga (yoga of action)
Kirtan and Satsang are associated with each other. The pleasure of Kirtan accompanies people who seek salvation. It encourages freedom from the worldly clutches of pain and suffering, and other ailments which confine our spiritual growth in life.
It is said that 500 years ago, one of India’s greatest sages, Lord Chaitanya performed Kirtan with a gathering of only sixteen people. Soon the numbers of people chanting Kirtan rhymes rose to more than a thousand.
Kirtans in India, Rishikesh
In India, Rishikesh was one of the most favoured places for Kirtan by great saints. Today, it has become a popular destination for famous Kirtan singers in the world.
A large number of followers dwell upon this religious city to attend Kirtan sessions by well-known performers around the world,like Krishan Das, an acclaimed Kirtan singer followed by millions of people.
Kirtans with Krishan Das in Rishikesh
In the late ’60s, an aspiring rockstar, Krishan Das came to India and settled his heart in the soulful tradition of bhakti in the countryside. He met Ram Dass who was following Guru Neem Karoli Baba (Maharaj-ji). Inspired by his Guru and a newly found understanding of love, Krishan Das left his dream of becoming a rockstar and plunged fully and earnestly into bhakti-yoga.
His Guru died in 1970 shortly after Krishna Das returned to his home country, the USA. In his memory, he dedicated his life to practising Bhakti Yoga and started performing Kirtans. In 1994, he opened Jivamukti Yoga centre in New York. Since then, Krishan Das has sung many Kirtan devotional songs around the world.
Few of his popular Kirtans include Hare Krishna, Radhe Krishna and Aum Namah Shivaya.
Krishan Das has performed live Kirtans in Rishikesh. He last performed Kirtan in December 2018.
Starlim India has been promoting Satsang and Kirtan meet-ups in Rishikesh. If you are interested in hosting or participating in Satsang or Kirtan, please write to us with details at support@starlim.co.in.