Strilky Summer Retreat 2025

The annual International Summer Retreat of Yoga in Daily Life commenced on 4 July 2025 at Mahaprabhudeep Ashram in Strilky, Czechia, opening with a heartfelt welcome for Swami Avatar Puriji, who is the ordained successor of His Holiness Vishwaguru Mahamandaleshwar Paramhans Sri Swami Maheshwaranandaji – Vishwaguruji.

Devotees and seekers from around the world gathered in the serene and sacred environment of the ashram, to immerse themselves in spiritual practice, celebrate auspicious occasions, and experience the beauty of nature in the loving company of spiritual family.

Throughout the six weeks of the retreat, many sannyasins graced the gathering with their presence and participation, including Mahamandaleshwar Swami Phul Puriji, Swami Premanandji, Swami Parvatiji, Swami Gajanandji, Swami Yamunaji, Swami Mantrapuriji, Swami Dayaji, Swami Savitriji, Swami Daya Mataji, Swami Ramanandji, Swami Muktanandji, Swami Jayadevi Mataji, Swami Renupuriji, Swami Hariprashadji, Swami Yudishtirji and Swami Gyaneshwarpuriji.

Daily Rhythm of Practice

Each day began at 6:00 am with morning prayers, setting intentions for inner and global peace and harmony. Programs were based on the Yoga in Daily Life System developed by Vishwaguruji and adapted to meet the diverse needs of participants:

• Gentle Yoga Program – asanas, pranayama and meditation for all participants.
• Yoga Nidra – deep relaxation guided by Swami Avatar Puriji, allowing the body and mind to rest in profound stillness.
• Kriya Anushthana – a special program for those seeking deeper spiritual immersion through disciplined sadhana (practice).
• Children’s Program – storytelling, games and performances to introduce yoga in a joyful, age-appropriate way.
• Youth Program – opportunities for young adults to serve and grow through video, audio, kitchen duties, bhajan band, and organisational activities, while discovering friendships and talents.
• Karma Yoga – selfless service as a living practice of yoga, including helping in the kitchen, administration, cleaning, and ashram maintenance.

In their free time, participants enjoyed peaceful walks through the ashram’s beautiful gardens and surrounding woodlands. Evenings concluded with satsangs, bhajans, kirtans, and sunset prayers – nurturing devotion, reflection and community.

Wisdom from Satsang

The satsangs with Swami Avatar Puriji were deeply cherished moments of inspiration. More than mere lectures, they were heartfelt exchanges imbued with joy, humour and wisdom, offering practical guidance for daily life, while nurturing devotion, contemplation and inner transformation:

"Nothing is permanent in life. We come and go… in life, in Strilky. But bhakti will go with us, devotion will go with us, the blessings of Gurudev will go with us, the guidance of Gurudev will go with us, and His essence and His love will go with us. But, to truly feel that love and those blessings, we need titiksha – endurance."

"We often take many aspects of life as dharma. But sometimes it's easy to be diverted from dharma to adharma. When we are truthful, perform right actions, and free ourselves from jealousy and anger, then we truly follow our dharma (purpose, duty)."

"Time passes so quickly. Time waits for no one. Know that everything comes at the right time. Don't wait for tomorrow. We are here now. But the commitment of a Master, the connection between the guru and his disciples, is timeless."

A highlight was Swami Avatar Puriji’s adaptation of the traditional bhajan, 'Hamare Sath Shri Raghunath'. In the adapted version, Vishwaguruji is invoked as the guiding light and protector, assuring devotees that with the guru’s presence, there is no fear – neither of life, death, nor daily struggles – because the guru’s grace takes care of everything: Hamāre sāth Śrī Vishwaguruji to, kis bāt kī chintā.

Sacred Ceremonies and Celebrations

Beyond daily practice, the retreat was elevated by sacred Vedic rituals and spiritual festivals, creating unforgettable moments of devotion and unity.

Shiva Abhishek

Every Monday before dawn, a ceremonial offering was made to God Shiva. The chanting of mantras, the flow of water over the Shiva Lingam, and the shared devotion, created a deeply transformative and divine atmosphere.

Bhajan & Kirtan Evenings

Once a week, a full evening was dedicated to singing bhajans and kirtans. Under the stars and beside the sacred fire, these gatherings uplifted hearts with joy, unity and spiritual love.

Festival Celebrations

Guru Purnima was celebrated twice – online from Om Ashram, India, with a puja led by Panditji and Swami Avatar Puriji, and in person upon the return of Swami Avatar Puriji and MM Swami Phul Puriji to Strilky. Both occasions were overflowing with devotion, joy and love, in honor of Gurudev, Vishwaguruji.

Vishwaguruji’s 80th Birthday

Vedic calendar 27 July; Western calendar 15 August. It was a sacred occasion to honour Vishwaguruji's divine presence and guidance, to express love and gratitude for his tireless service, and to offer heartfelt wishes for his health and long life. The celebration included touching performances from the children, guided by Swami Avatar Puriji, depicting episodes from Vishwaguruji’s autobiography, Yoga in My Daily Life; as well as inspiring talks from long-time devotees, who shared miraculous memories with Gurudev; and also Guru Paduka Puja led by Swami Avatar Puriji.

Mahasamadhi Day of Paramyogeshwar Svayambhu Sri Devpuriji (26 July – Vedic calendar)

This occasion was marked with satsang, and singing bhajans and kirtans, with the highlight being children's performances of divine stories of Sri Devpuriji’s miracles from Lila Amrit. The celebration concluded with a meditation on the sacred bija mantra of Sri Devpuriji, as candles glowed softly in remembrance, creating a deeply devotional and serene atmosphere.

Raksha Bandhan (9 August)

This much-loved festival was joyously celebrated, emphasizing love, protection, and spiritual family bonds. Devotees tied rakhis (threads) to one another's wrists and to Swami Avatar Puriji, as a symbol of these cherished connections.

Krishna Janmashtami (16 August)

Sri Krishna’s birth and life were celebrated with inspiring performances from children and youth, who shared the lessons of righteousness, devotion and wisdom, conveying the joy of Krishna’s lilas (playful teaching) to all participants.

Closing in Devotion and Gratitude

Krishna Janmashtami also marked the closing evening of the Yoga in Daily Life Summer Retreat 2025 in Strilky, filling the occasion with deep emotion, heartfelt gratitude and an overwhelming sense of love. As the retreat came to an end, participants came together as one spiritual family for a farewell satsang, offering thanks to all who contributed to the organisation of the retreat.

Above all, the evening was devoted to expressing reverence and gratitude to Swami Avatar Puriji, for his love, dedication and guidance throughout the blessed six weeks, and to beloved Vishwaguruji, by whose grace this sacred retreat was made possible.

A Living Experience of Yoga in Daily Life

The Summer Retreat 2025 was more than a spiritual seminar – it was a sanctuary for self-discovery, community and inner growth. In the embrace of serene nature and divine company, participants renewed their spirits, deepened their understanding of yoga, celebrated timeless traditions and felt the living presence of grace through Swami Avatar Puriji and the blessings of Vishwaguruji.

As one bhajan says, “What a glory it is to be in satsang, the company of truth.”

Attendees carried home not just memories, but the living experience of yoga, devotion and the eternal light of the OM Sri Alakhpuriji Siddha Peeth Parampara.