About this Retreat
Manish Vyas was born in India where he lived all his life until recently when he moved to Switzerland, where he lives with his family. His spiritual masters have been mainly Osho, Gurudev and Yogteerth -- who had a significant influence in the insights and material he shares with participants. Manish connected to the tradition of Kirtan and Mantra as a child and carried it along his life, perfecting it with different spiritual and music masters who introduced him to the use of music in meditation, which can be very beneficial to any genuine seeker, making the path more smooth and enjoyable. Manish grew up in a family of musicians in Gujarat, India, where dance, singing, and spontaneous Kirtans were part of his daily family life. He was initiated to Tabla and Indian classical music when he was just nine-years-old, later followed by five years of study with maestro Ustad Allarakha in Mumbai. As a musician working for 10 years at the Osho Commune International in Pune, he also got in touch with the sound of world-fusion, and added the Santoor and his distinctive voice and compositions to his musical palette. An internationally recognized composer, recorder, and performer, Manish has composed and recorded 32 albums and shared a musical partnership with outstanding musicians from East and West. During many years Manish assisted his master Gurudev in several 40-day retreats in many different locations in India, and that gave him the experience and understanding of the work he is doing by conducting these unique retreats since the last 10 years in different places worldwide.
Details of this retreat
A Journey into Sound, Meditation and Conscious Living
Mantra is a science of sound from an ancient Indian metaphysical system. It rests on the premise that the entire cosmos, and everything in it, consists of sound vibration, or nada. The sounds of mantra come from that current. They exist in nature, and they were first perceived by rishis (seers) in deep states of meditation thousands of years ago. The science has since been applied in daily life, healing, Ayurveda, astrology, and meditation. If sound is powerful enough to create the universe, why not learn to use it for a better life?
Many Indian masters have also used music as a tool on the path toward the rising of energy and, ultimately, liberation. The right music, applied in meditation, can do wonders. In this weekend of training, Manish Vyas presents and explains mantra practice and theory, mantra chanting and singing, the use of mantra in meditation, what is not mantra and how to tell the difference, pranayama, dynamic and passive meditations, relaxation techniques with music, and awareness-training meditations.
Alongside these techniques, Manish shares the wisdom he received from his teachers in India, through stories from a land devoted to the search for truth for thousands of years. He presents the world of mantra as more than mantra singing, introducing the powerful use of mantra in its raw essence. The program is compact, lighthearted, easygoing, and revealing, designed for any genuine participant of any age, creed, or background.
During This Retreat You Will Experience
Mantra and meditation sessions
Pranayama practice with music
Nature awareness meditation (outdoors if weather allows)
Mantras and sacred music from India: theory and practice
Mudra meditation with music
Mantra-listening meditation
Q&A and wisdom from India
Also This Weekend
Saturday evening kirtan led by Manish
A complimentary screening of a shorter cut of his documentary, True World of Mantra, on Sunday after the program closes, open to the whole community
Testimonials
"Manish, your teaching of mantra and kirtan is very high level and it's wonderful to feel in the body/mind and in the soul how it can affect the energy in such a positive way!" — Magali
"The program you put together really touched my heart. I feel relieved and was able to let go of a lot of stress. Your music and also the stories you told are just an amazing gift." — Tom, Switzerland
"The pranayam they teach is absolutely amazing, you are totally renewed after its practice and it's really fun and easier to do at the rhythm of the music. All of a sudden a whole hour of pranayam is over!" — Thomas, Germany
"Although I have been practicing yoga for over 20 years, this retreat with your sacred music opened my heart even more." — Uma, London
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