Shuchita means cleanliness or Purification and Sangam means to come together, it was a 2 day gathering in the spirit of coming together in a small effort to purify our hearts. Held in Sanitation school (Safai Vidylaya), a heritage sacred place where Ishwar Kaka also fondly known as Toilet Man of India, worked from. A small group of seven friends got together with an intention to stay together and do few collective spiritual practices. Mukesh Bhai, who became a monk at the age of 17 and now in his fifty’s helped anchoring this silent retreat. A noble friend to all, always ready to give his time and presence for the collective, Mukesh Bhai has always been a silent and yet strong support of Moved By Love community.
Peace pole made from a old tree in Safai Vidylaya Campus, Ahmedabad
Somebody had once asked me “What does peace means ? and I remember replying ” To me it means breath of my heart”, thats what these two days felt, very sahaj (natural flow), mostly in silence, making our own food, doing bhajans and satsang, helped reconnect with so many aspects of myself.
Vinoba had once said ” when It is difficult to break just five wooden sticks together, imagine the power of five people or consciousness coming together in the name of god (soul), so sometimes its important to meet without any reasons ” where friends would come and meet, without any agenda, without any projects but just be in each other’s presence and allow the flow of nature to make us instrument to manifest something which is for greater good.
Jai Jagat ( Glory to the world)
Below is the invitation we sent with a guiding schedule :
We invite you to a small and intimate silence retreat known as Shuchita Sangam in Safai Vidylaya, Gandhi Ashram, on 21st- 22nd- 23rd Nov with an intention to be with each other, rooted in these daily practices –
Prarthna (Prayer- To connect with divinity),
Addhyan (Self Study- to connect with our lineage),
Dhyan (Silence – To connect with ourselves)
Safai– ( Manual Labor- to connect with soil and nature )
Sangath (sharing – to connect with each other )
Mukesh Bhai will be anchoring this retreat.
Here’s a Tentative schedule.:
21st Nov- Friday
5 pm – Meet at Safai vidyalaya, arrival and welcome and opening circle.
6-7 pm – Meditation
7 – 8 – Dinner
8 – 10 – Personal Reading writing and reflection
22nd Nov- Saturday
6am : wake up
6.30 am – 7.30: Safai
7.30 – 8am : Bath
8-9 am : Group Meditation
9 – 10am : Breakfast
10- 11am : Collective reading and sharing
11- 1pm : Prepare and eat lunch
1 – 3pm : Rest and personal time
3-4pm : Group meditation
4-5pm : Group sharing
5-7pm : Prepare and eat dinner
7-8pm – Bhajan
8-9pm: Group meditation
23rd Nov Sunday
6am : wake up
6.30 am – 7.30: Safai
7.30 – 8am : Bath
8-9 am : Group Meditation
9 – 10am : Breakfast
10- 11am : Collective reading and sharing
11- 1pm : Prepare and eat lunch
1 – 3pm : Rest and personal time
3-4pm : Group meditation
4-5pm : Group sharing
5pm : Departure
Notes: We will be observing the following self restraints for personal and collective benefit.
* complete silence throughout the retreat except during the group sharing.
* No use of phone, internet or any communication. for emergency contact office phone no of Safai vidylaya
* Please bring a book of your choice. We invite you to share parts of it during group reading.
Please feel free to suggest your thoughts and if you would like to include or add something.
we look forward to spend this time together.
Together with you in and towards love