From July 6–12, 2025, participants from across the world gathered at the breathtaking Mandali Retreat Center in the mountains of northern Italy for a weeklong immersion in Śiva Saṅkalpa—the sacred intention of the mind, as revealed through the mantras of the Veda to celebrate Gurupūrṇimā.
We began with an inaugural pūjā led by Pundit Harinath Sharma, who joined us all the way from Belgium. This beautiful and participative ritual invoked the presence of our lineage and opened the retreat with devotion and clarity.
Each day unfolded with depth and rhythm—morning yoga guided by Dr. Scott Blossom set the tone for body, breath, and awareness. This was followed by the recitation and study of the Śiva Saṅkalpa mantras with Shantala, exploring their vision of the mind as a devatā, capable of clarity, steadiness, and sacred resolve. We also immersed in the 108 names of Śiva, the Śivopāsana mantra-s and other related practices.
Our beloved Veda Studies Teacher community—graduates of our Teacher Training Programme—led the group in daily Gāyatrī upāsana each morning and afternoon chanting sessions. Their offerings were a powerful inspiration, giving our larger community a living experience of what it means to carry forward this tradition.
The retreat was enriched with beautiful and thought-provoking guest contributions:
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A heartfelt and laughter-filled talk by Dr. Vignesh Devraj on Saṅkalpa in Healing.
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An uplifting evening Satsaṅga on Happiness by Swami Prem Sadashivananda.
- A calming and restorative Yoga Nidrā experience with Lucia Vimercati.
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And a deeply inspiring session with Simran Lal of Paro Good Earth on Beauty in Devotion, during which the skies opened to reveal a double rainbow just as she began to speak—a moment of grace that left everyone in awe.
At the center of the practice was a limited edition prayer book, Śiva Saṅkalpam—created exclusively for the retreat and included in the participants’ welcome gift. Designed with care by Tacit Design, and graced with luminous artwork by Drdha Vrata Gorrick, this book now travels home with each participant. We hope it finds its place on altars and study spaces across the world, continuing the vibration of this retreat for years to come.
On Guru Pūrṇimā, we honoured the Guru principle with Dakṣiṇāmūrti mantra japa, Rudram recitation, and Vedic chanting led by our teacher community. In celebration, a surprise gelato truck arrived and set up in the retreat gardens—bringing joy, delight, and shared laughter.
The retreat concluded with a breathtaking live sand art performance by @loperanne (Anne Löper)—a meditation on the forms of Śiva, drawn to the backdrop of silence and Shantala’s chanting. One unforgettable moment depicted our group standing on the terrace beneath the double rainbow, capturing in art what we had lived together. The performance ended with a stunning image of Dakṣiṇāmūrti emerging in sand—a final blessing to close our journey together.
This retreat was more than a gathering—it was a lived prayer, a celebration of tradition, and a shared resolve to walk the path of sacred intention.
We return with hearts full, awakened to the quiet presence of Śiva Saṇkalpa alive within.
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