Vishoka Meditation Retreat: Deepening Access at the Ajna Chakra

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Vishoka Meditation Retreat: Deepening Access at the Ajna Chakra

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Vishoka Meditation Retreat: Deepening Access at the Ajna Chakra

May 24—27, 2024
Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhDJudy MoultonGreg CapitoloSandra AndersonShari FriedrichsenIshan Tigunait
With HI Faculty

Registration for this event has closed

Check out our various upcoming programs—we're sure there's something to inspire you

Program Calendar

The tradition repeatedly proclaims “Meditation does that which nothing else can—it introduces you to yourself.” This self-revealing power of Vishoka Meditation is what makes it so precious, and this is the capacity which unfolds as we deepen access at the ajna chakra. Learn more about the deeper significance of this gateway of consciousness, and how its discerning power can illuminate our inner and outer life.

In this in-person, experiential retreat, immerse yourself in the practice of Vishoka Meditation through daily personal practice, guided group practices, and inspirational lectures with Panditji and HI Faculty. Enjoy this inspiring long-weekend retreat in the company of fellow practitioners, and the vibrancy of the Sri Vidya Shrine.

This retreat is only for Vishokis—those practitioners who have taken the Vishoka Meditation Course —to deepen their practice. During certain sessions, we’ll have a separate concurrent advanced offering for those who have taken the Vishoka Meditation Self-Mastery Series.

Program features:
  • Daily guided yoga and Vishoka Meditation practices
  • Personal and group meditation in the Sri Vidya Shrine
  • Special lecture with Panditji
  • Advanced practicums for those who have taken Vishoka Meditation Self-Mastery Series
  • Appointments with HI Faculty for personal guidance
  • Community fellowship (chai social, bonfire) and time in nature

Friday, May 24th

  • 7:30pm – The Self-Revealing Power of Vishoka Meditation with Ishan Tigunait

Saturday, May 25th

  • 7am – Yoga and Vishoka Meditation Guided Practice with Shari Friedrichsen
  • 10am **
    • Vishoka Meditation Practicum with Judy Moulton
    • Advanced practicum with Sandra Anderson for VM SMS students
  • 4pm – Chai Social
  • 7:30pm – The Living Experience of Vishoka Meditation with Pandit Rajmani Tigunait

Sunday, May 26th

  • 7am – Yoga and Vishoka Meditation Guided Practice with Greg Capitolo
  • 10am **
    • Vishoka Meditation Practicum with Shari Friedrichsen
    • Advanced practicum with Sandra Anderson for VM SMS students
  • 5pm – Vishoka Meditation Group Meditation in the Sri Vidya Shrine
  • 7:30pm – Bonfire

Monday May 27th

  • 7am – Yoga and Vishoka Meditation Guided Practice with Judy Moulton
  • 10am – A Blossoming of Life: Concluding Reflections on Bringing Vishoka Home with You with Ishan Tigunait

**Note for the 10am sessions, they are approx 90 minutes; approx 15-30 minute context/lecture and 60-75 minute practice; or mixed style practicum.

Sri Vidya Shrine Sri Vidya Shrine

Sacred Space

The Sri Vidya Shrine serves as the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Institute campus. This spiritually-awakened sacred space is ideally suited to silent meditation and group spiritual practice, which has been a cornerstone of the Himalayan Tradition for thousands of years. The Sri Vidya Shrine is open to seekers from all spiritual traditions.

Himalayan Institute Main Center Himalayan Institute Main Center

Award-Winning Center

For over 50 years, our stunning 400-acre campus in the Poconos has been a gathering place for people from around the globe seeking inspiration, healing, and inner balance. USA Today recently honored us as the #1 Yoga Retreat Center in the nation. Come savor for yourself the goodness our campus and community provide.

Simple Dinner Simple Dinner

Nourishing Meals

Our nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals are consciously prepared with the intention to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Our three daily meals are designed to be easily digestible and to support a meditative lifestyle. Meals are a catalyst for community and deep nourishment.

Red Trail Hike Red Trail Hike

Rest in Nature

Nestled in the rolling hills of the Poconos in North East Pennsylvania, the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre park-like campus offers breathtaking views, scenic hiking trails, and peaceful spaces for reflection and contemplation. Walking is a favorite activity here, either on our groomed hiking trails or on our meandering paved roads.

Shirodhara Treatment Shirodhara Treatment

Wellness Center

Our Pure Rejuv Wellness Center offers integrative health services and therapeutic treatments designed for accelerated healing, disease prevention, and long-lasting vitality. Explore our many Massage Therapy services and book your appointment. The Shirodhara Treatment is our most popular service, and is an excellent way to allow your mind to arrive here fully.

Moka Chocolate Chip Cookie Moka Chocolate Chip Cookie

Treat Yourself

Our Himalayan Cafe offers the Institute’s signature chai tea, coffee, and homemade cookies and treats on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The Tea Lounge is open 24/7 for self-serve hot teas. The Moka Origins Factory, located on campus, is open daily from 9-4 and serves handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate and coffee products. Free tours and tastings on Saturdays.

Ishan Tigunait

Growing up at the Himalayan Institute, Ishan Tigunait received his first spiritual lessons from Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and has continued his spiritual education for the past 30 years under the guidance of his father, Pandit Rajmani Tigunait. Ishan serves as Executive Director of the Himalayan Institute, and has been a...
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Shari Friedrichsen

Shari Friedrichsen has been teaching and studying yoga for more than 50 years and is a key facilitator of the Himalayan Institute's Vishoka Meditation Course and the Vishoka Meditation Teacher Training program. She conducts classes, seminars and trainings, nationally and internationally, sharing the Wisdom of the Himalayan...
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Sandra Anderson

Senior faculty at the Himalayan Institute, Sandy teaches yoga, meditation, and philosophy, and is a key instructor in the Institute's teacher training programs. She is the coauthor of the award-winning book, Yoga Mastering the Basics, and a frequent contributor to the Himalayan Institute's online Wisdom Library. Her work dr...
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Greg Capitolo

Greg Capitolo is a certified E-RYT 500 yoga teacher who has studied, practiced, and trained with the Himalayan Institute since 1995. Greg’s teaching combines precise alignment-based instruction with breath-centered movement, pranayama, systematic relaxation and meditation, leading students of all levels to experience the tr...
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Judy Moulton

Judy Moulton is a Himalayan Institute certified and Yoga Alliance recognized E-RYT 500, an Ayurvedic Health Counselor, and Ayurvedic Yoga Therapist registered with the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA). Judy is also the director of the Himalayan Institute’s professional certification programs and an integral fac...
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Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD

Pandit Rajmani Tigunait, PhD, is a modern-day master and living link in the unbroken Himalayan Tradition. He is the successor to Sri Swami Rama of the Himalayas, and the spiritual head of the Himalayan Institute. As the author of numerous books, including his autobiography Touched by Fire: The Ongoing Journey of a Spiritual...
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Himalayan Institute Retreat Center

For more than fifty years, the Himalayan Institute’s Retreat Center has been a gathering place for people seeking inspiration and aspiring to restore inner balance. Home to a vibrant community of yogis, it’s a place for seekers wishing to study the ancient tradition of yoga and to deepen the connection between themselves and the world around them. Whether you visit for a weekend retreat, a personal getaway, or one of our longer-term programs, your visit to the Himalayan Institute will accelerate your personal journey of rejuvenation and transformation.
Free Wifi
400-Acre Campus
On-Site Cafe
Meditation Shrine
Wooded Hiking Trails
Pond with Kayaks
On-Site Wellness Center
Bonfires and Stargazing
Bookstore and Giftshop

Retreat Center Highlights

Sacred Space
The Sri Vidya Shrine is the spiritual heart of the Himalayan Institute. This sanctuary offers an ideal setting for silent meditation and group spiritual practice, a cornerstone of the Himalayan Tradition for thousands of years. Open to seekers of all backgrounds and traditions, the Shrine provides a serene, sacred space for meditation, quiet reflection, prayer, and contemplation.
Nourishing Meals
Our nutritionally balanced vegetarian meals are thoughtfully prepared to nourish body, mind, and spirit. Each of our three daily meals is designed to be easily digestible and to support a meditative lifestyle. Sharing meals here naturally fosters connection, offering both deep nourishment and a sense of community.
Loving Community
The Himalayan Institute welcomes people from all walks of life. With a blend of short-term guests, long-term visitors, and a vibrant residential community, the atmosphere here is warm, inviting, and rooted in kindness, generosity, and service. It’s a place where friendships form naturally, often becoming the kind of connections that feel like family, and last a lifetime.
Rest in Nature
Nestled in the rolling hills of the Poconos, the Himalayan Institute’s 400-acre campus offers breathtaking views, scenic hiking trails, and quiet spaces for reflection and contemplation. Walking is a favorite activity, whether along our groomed trails or meandering paved roads, inviting both movement and mindful presence in nature.
Conscious Simplicity
At the Himalayan Institute, we embrace simplicity in all aspects of life, from our surroundings to our approach to yoga. By minimizing distractions, we create space to strengthen the inner self and quiet the mind. Guided by authenticity and grounded in philosophy rather than frills, we support a path of meaningful personal growth.
Treat Yourself
Our Himalayan Café serves the Institute’s signature chai, coffee, and homemade cookies and treats on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The 24/7 Tea Lounge offers a variety of herbal teas for anytime enjoyment. On campus, the MOKA Origins Factory is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering handcrafted, ethically sourced chocolate and coffee, with free tours and tastings on Saturdays.
Date
May 24—27, 2024
Duration
4 days, 3 nights
Teachers

$249 per person + accommodations

Registration

Dates
Friday, May 24, 2024 @ 7:30 pmMonday, May 27, 2024 @ 11:30 am
Tuition
$249 per person + accommodations
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