GURU PURNIMA
9-Day Retreat
Awakening the Satguru Within
Once each year, under the Full Moon of Guru Purnima, seekers, devotees, and healers gather to honor one of the most sacred traditions of India: the celebration of the Guru.
Yet the deepest teaching of Guru Purnima is not merely to honor the Guru outside of us, it is to awaken the Guru within.
July 22 - 30, 2026
Welcome to Guru Purnima 2026
Welcome to the City of New Light
Welcome home!
Monte Sacro is becoming a sacred meeting point
This year, we gather in the City of New Light at Monte Sacro, a living field devoted to consciousness, transformation, and the remembrance of our divine nature. More than a retreat center, Monte Sacro is becoming a sacred meeting point between ancient wisdom and the emerging consciousness of humanity—a place where spiritual practice, energetic evolution, and community converge.
For nine days, we enter a powerful portal of devotion, awakening, and embodiment
Through meditation, kriya, pranayama, sacred ceremonies, energy activations, multidimensional exploration, satsang, abisheckm, fire puja darshan, mantra, silence, movement, and community celebration, we journey beyond the idea of enlightenment and into the direct experience of it.
Guru Purnima invites us to remember a profound truth:
The Guru is not someone who gives you your light.
The Guru supports us in revealing the light that has always existed within you.
In the ancient Sanskrit tradition, the word Guru is often understood as the one who removes darkness and reveals wisdom. Yet the highest Guru ultimately points us back to our own essence—the eternal Self, the Atman, the Divine Presence residing in all beings.
What is the Satguru and Guru Purnima?
What is the Satguru?
In the yogic traditions of India, the word Satguru means "True Guru."
While a Guru may appear in human form as a teacher, guide, or spiritual Master, the Satguru is the eternal source of wisdom itself. It is the divine intelligence that exists beyond personality, beyond teachings, beyond form.
The Satguru is the voice of truth within.
It is the presence that guides you when the mind becomes silent.
It is the wisdom that exists before all beliefs.
It is the light that has been with you through every lifetime.
External Gurus, Masters, Saints, and enlightened beings serve an important role. They support us to remove illusion, awaken our consciousness, and remember who we truly are. Their highest purpose is not to create followers, but to reconnect us with the Satguru that already resides within us.
At Guru Purnima, we honor both.
We bow in gratitude to the teachers and lineages that have illuminated the path before us.
And we remember that the final destination of every spiritual journey is the awakening of the Inner Guru.
The Satguru is not something to become.
It is something to remember.
What is Guru Purnima?
Guru Purnima is one of the most sacred celebrations in the spiritual traditions of India.
Observed during the Full Moon of the lunar month of Ashadha, this ancient festival has been celebrated for thousands of years as a time to honor the Guru—the one who dispels darkness and reveals the light of truth.
The Full Moon represents completion, illumination, and the revelation of what has been hidden.
Guru Purnima is one of the most sacred celebrations in the spiritual traditions of India.
Observed during the Full Moon of the lunar month of Ashadha, this ancient festival has been celebrated for thousands of years as a time to honor the Guru—the one who dispels darkness and reveals the light of truth.
The Full Moon represents completion, illumination, and the revelation of what has been hidden.
Guru Purnima is one of the most sacred celebrations in the spiritual traditions of India.
Observed during the Full Moon of the lunar month of Ashadha, this ancient festival has been celebrated for thousands of years as a time to honor the Guru—the one who dispels darkness and reveals the light of truth.
The Full Moon represents completion, illumination, and the revelation of what has been hidden.
GURU PURNIMA - THE NINE PATHWAYS OF AWAKENING
PR0GRAM
DAY 1, July 22 | THE CALLING
In the ancient traditions of India, the path to realization was never considered a single moment of enlightenment, but rather a sacred journey of remembering, purifying, devoting, awakening, embodying, and ultimately becoming a vessel for divine light.
These nine days are designed as a progressive initiation into the wisdom of Guru Purnima, guiding us from the outer world into the sanctuary of the Satguru within.
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Entering the Sacred Field
Ancient Theme:
Sankalpa (Sacred Intention)
Focus:
Arrival, grounding, intention setting, entering community.
12:30 PM ARRIVAL + CHECK IN
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM SATSANG | Guru Purnima and the Satguru
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 2, JULY 23 | REMEMBRANCE
Awakening the Satguru
Ancient Theme:
Atman — Remembering the True Self
Focus:
Meditation, self-inquiry, darshan, awakening inner guidance.
6:15 AM SILENT MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Remembering Who You Were Before the World Told You Who to Be
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:00 PM DARSHAN
Awakening the Satguru Within
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM GUIDED MEDITATION
The Eternal Self & The Mastery of the Inner Guru
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 3, July 24 | PURIFICATION
Removing the Veils
Ancient Theme:
Shuddhi (Purification)
Focus:
Kriya, pranayama, abhishekam, fire ceremony, energetic cleansing.
6:15 AM SILENT MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Purifying Mind, Body & Energy
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:30 PM ABHISHEKAM
Cleansing Through Grace & Sacred Waters
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM FIRE PUJA
Burning Limitation, Karma & Illusion
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 4, July 25 | DEVOTION
IOpening the Heart
Ancient Theme:
Bhakti- Bhakti Yoga teaches that devotion transforms knowledge into wisdom.
Focus:
Guru Paduka Puja, chanting, devotional practices, sacred offerings.
6:15 AM SILENT MEDITATION BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
The Path of Devotion
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:30 PM GURU PADUKA PUJA
Honoring the Lineage of Light
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM SAMAR PAYAMI PUJA
Offering Beauty, Humility & Gratitude to the Guru
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 5, July 26 | SHAKTI
Awakening the Divine Energy
Within every being resides Shakti—the creative force of life itself.
Ancient Theme:
Kundalini Shakti
Focus:
Energy activations, healing practices, expansion of life force.
6:15 AM SILENT MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Awakening the Sacred Current Within
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:30 PM SHAKTI PATT
Activating the Divine Life Force
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM KUNDALINI ENERGY ACTIVATION
Awakening the Gifts Hidden Within
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 6, July 27 | ILLUMINATION
GURU PURNIMA
The Light of the Guru
Ancient Theme:
Jyoti (Divine Light)
Focus:
Guru Purnima celebration, fire puja, darshan, blessings, sacred ceremonies.
6:15 AM SUNRISE MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Honoring the Light Within All Things
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:30 PM DARSHAN
Receiving the Blessings of the Guru Principle
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM GURU PURNIMA FIRE CEREMONY
Celebrating the Light of the Satguru
Guru Blessings
Sacred Offerings
Full Moon Ceremony
Devotional Chanting
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 7, July 28 | EXPANSION
Beyond the Known Self
Ancient Theme:
Vishva Chaitanya
(Universal Consciousness)
Focus:
Multidimensional meditations, sacred nature pilgrimage, consciousness exploration.
6:15 AM SILENT MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Beyond the Known Self
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:30 PM NATURE PILGRIMAGE
A Walk Through the Living Temple of Monte Sacro
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM MULTIDIMENSIONAL MEDITATION
Entering the Universal Consciousness
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 8, July 29 | EMBODIMENT
Becoming a Living Temple
Ancient Theme:
Sadhana in Action
Focus:
Baptism, healing service, conscious leadership, sacred living.
6:15 AM SILENT MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Living the Wisdom
10:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
1:30 PM BAPTISM
Initiation into Sacred Living
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
7:00 PM AVATARAN PRACTICE
Healing, Presence & Service
9:30 PM Vegetarian Soup
DAY 9, July 30 | DHARMA & RADIANCE
Carrying the Light Forward
The final teaching of Guru Purnima is not retreating from the world but returning to it transformed.
Each participant leaves as a bearer of light, carrying their unique gifts into service for humanity.
Ancient Theme:
Dharma
Focus:
Purpose activation, closing ceremonies, blessings, integration.
The journey began with a call.
It concludes with a commitment.
To live as a beacon of light.
To embody wisdom.
To trust the Satguru.
To help build the City of New Light—within ourselves and upon the Earth.
6:15 AM GRATITUDE MEDITATION + BABA AARATI
7:00 AM YOGA
8:00 AM SADHANA
Walking Your Dharma
9:30 AM Vegetarian Breakfast
12:30 PM CIRCLE OF WISDOM
Sharing the Gifts of the Journey
3:30 PM Vegetarian Lunch
Departure Blessings
Who Is This For?
This retreat is for you if:
✨ You feel called to deepen your spiritual practice
✨ You are seeking clarity regarding your Dharma and purpose
✨ You desire a deeper connection with your intuition and inner guidance
✨ You are drawn to meditation, yoga, energy work, healing, and consciousness exploration
✨ You are ready to release old identities and step into a more authentic version of yourself
✨ You are interested in both ancient spiritual traditions and emerging understandings of consciousness
✨ You wish to experience authentic Guru Purnima celebrations rooted in Indian wisdom
✨ You are curious about multidimensional awareness and energetic awakening
✨ You are a longtime devotee, practitioner, healer, teacher, or simply someone who knows there is more waiting to be remembered
By the end of this retreat you will experience:
Retreat Highlights
"A rare opportunity to celebrate one of India's most sacred festivals within an immersive spiritual community."
Daily Sadhana & Meditation
Begin each day with practices designed to align body, mind, energy, and spirit.
Darshan & Spiritual Transmission
Receive teachings, guidance, energetic blessings, and direct transmission.
Sacred Fire Ceremonies
Ancient Vedic-inspired rituals dedicated to purification, gratitude, and manifestation.
Guru Paduka Puja
A beautiful devotional ceremony honoring the lineage of Masters and the awakening of the Satguru.
Kundalini Energy Activations
Powerful experiences designed to awaken dormant energy and expand consciousness.
Multidimensional Journey Experiences
Exploring consciousness beyond ordinary perception through guided meditations and energetic practices.
Pilgrimage of Light at Monte Sacro
Sacred walks, nature practices, and ceremonies woven into the unique energy of the land.
Devotional Chanting & Mantra
Ancient sounds and sacred vibration used to elevate consciousness and open the heart.
New Light Community Gatherings
Celebrations, music, sharing circles, and joyful connection with like-minded souls from around the world.
Contribution for Retreat
We ask for a DAKSHINA for this sacred retreat.
*NOTE: the Dakshina is only in exchange for the 1-3+ spiritual practices offered daily by Shivananda Swamiji. If you would like to stay (room and board) at the City of New Light | Monte Sacro, please contact us for details.
Dakshina is the act of giving from a place of inner recognition.
Traditionally, Dakshina is offered to a teacher, a guide, or a sacred space—not to "repay" them, because what is given in wisdom cannot be priced—but to honor the exchange and keep the flow of energy alive.
It is what arises when something within you has been touched—when knowledge, guidance, presence, or truth has shifted you in a real way. Rather than payment, it is a chosen offering from the heart. A quiet acknowledgment that says: I have received, and I choose to give in return—not out of obligation, but fullness.
Dakshina is reciprocity without measure.
It is gratitude made tangible.
It is giving that reflects not the value of the service, but the sincerity of the heart.
It also asks something deeper of the giver—presence, honesty, and self-responsibility.
Not "What is expected?" but "What feels true to give?"
In this way, Dakshina becomes a practice in itself.
A mirror of one's relationship to abundance, worth, and receiving.
And when offered with awareness, it nourishes both directions—
the one who gives, and the one who holds space.
The Master + Teacher...
Shivananda Swamiji
Swamiji’s mission is to create a supportive space for transformation. Whether through retreats, meditations, ceremonies, or personal guidance, his work fosters healing and connection. For Swamiji, community is at the heart of spirituality.