ITAMONTE RETREAT
for members and friends of
Self-Realization Fellowship
“Through the portals of silence the healing sun
of wisdom and peace will shine upon you”
Paramahansa Yogananda
ITAMONTE RETREAT is the fruit of the RETREAT PROJECT - an initiative of the Associação Oriente-Ocidente, founded in the year 2000 by kriyabans from various Self-Realization Fellowship groups with the aim of perpetuating the spiritual benefits achieved during the retreats promoted by the Penedo SRF Group since 1991. The development of the Retreat Project was accompanied by SRF Headquarters, with the spiritual support and blessings of Sri Daya Mataji.
Schedule
The weekend retreats take place monthly, and the program includes group meditations, video screenings, and free time for individual meditation, readings (SRF books and magazines are available during the retreat), and contact with the exuberant nature around. The first group meditation takes place on Friday (7 p.m.), and the program runs until Sunday (1:30 p.m.). So far, the Retreat is able to receive guests only during scheduled activities. Longer retreats are occasionally organized on holidays and special dates.
Main House Apartments
Silence
In order to promote an environment of stillness and interiorization conducive to the perception of the Divine Presence, silence is observed from Friday evening throughout Saturday and also on Sunday morning. In case of need, you can contact the volunteers who will be serving during the retreat. There is an opportunity for fellowship and exchange of divine friendship among the participants, on Friday afternoon and also on Sunday, at the end of the retreat. Yoganandaji said, "The joy that awaits you in the silence, behind the portals of your mind, no one can describe!"
Location, accommodation, donations & reservations
The retreats are held in Itamonte (approximately 125 miles from Rio de Janeiro and 167 miles from Sao Paulo, on the BR 354 road, between km 769 and km 770, MG). The inauguration of the Resende airport (35 miles from the Retreat) is expected to happen soon, with connecting flights to the international airports in both Rio and Sao Paulo.
In order to host a larger number of participants, accommodations are made in double or triple rooms, depending on demand. The apartments are shared by legally established couples or by same-sex devotees. The current hosting capacity is for 36 participants. Bed and bath linen are provided at the Retreat.
For weekend retreats, the individual contribution is R$275/day (approx US$ 50/day), including accommodation and vegetarian meals. Reservations are requested by e-mail (reservas.retiroitamonte@gmail.com) and are confirmed according to availability. The Retreat also offers a suite equipped for wheelchairs users.
Chapel
The Retreat is located in an environmental protection area, bordering the Itatiaia National Park, at an altitude of 5000 feet, with a beautiful panoramic view of the valley, mountains and forest. The temperature can drop at night, and it is recommended to bring warm clothing. Appropriate footwear for mountain walks can also be useful (the total area of the Retreat is 37 acres, including trails, plateaus, a pine forest and springs located within the property).
Babaji’s Plateau Guru Mandir
Energization Exercises Meditation Gardens .
Welcome!
In one of the letters sent to the Itamonte Retreat, Sri Daya Mata wrote: "From time to time, everyone needs to withdraw from the daily challenges and responsibilities of this life in order to renew themselves in body, mind and soul, drinking deeply from the inexhaustible Source of all strength, love and understanding. I am glad that you have the beautiful Itamonte Retreat, where you and the other devotees can go to be alone with God – to realize that beneath all the complexities of this life is the reassuring and stable Reality of His presence.”
For more than 30 years, the retreats have been playing this beautiful role, allowing devotees to withdraw from daily activities to deepen their meditation practices in the silent company of other members of our spiritual family.
The Retreat is the offspring of a beautiful spirit of harmony and fellowship, and Brazilian devotees hope to see that spirit reaching out to the Master’s spiritual family from abroad. We invite you to join us in one of the spiritual retreats in Itamonte, promoting the Master's ideal of international fellowship and sharing of divine friendship.
Click on the images to watch the videos
Contact us at retiro.srf.itamonte@terra.com.br
For information about Paramahansa Yogananda and his Kriya Yoga teachings, as well as for guided meditations, talks, videos, an inspirational blog, and much more, visit: