Paramhansa Yogananda initiated the tradition of an 8-hour meditation before Christmas to honor and celebrate the Christ Consciousness within.

Come for all or part. All are welcome!

Schedule for the Retreat

Activity	Approximate Times
Energization, mahamudra – in person only	9:30 a.m
Online streaming opens	9:50 a.m
Welcome, opening prayer, remarks, inspiration	10:00  a.m.
Chanting*
Silent meditation period – 1 hour, 10 minutes	10:20 a.m.
Chanting*	11:30 a.m.
Silent segment – 1 hour 30 minutes	11:45 a.m.
Recording of Yogananda’s voice	1:15 p.m.
Silent segment – 1.5 hour	1:30 p.m.
Comfort break	3:00 p.m.
Retreat resumes with recorded poem and chant	3:30 p.m.
Silent meditation – 1 hour	3:45 p.m.
Musical interlude (recorded) 30 minutes	4:45 p.m.
Silent meditation – 35 minutes	5:15 p.m.
Chant, healing prayers and closing prayer	5: 50 p.m.
End	6 p.m.

Remember: times are APPROXIMATE! * Chant breaks can also include recordings

Part 3 – Suggestions for the Retreat Day online.

How to Get the Best from an Online Long Meditation!

The power of the holy season of Christmas, combined with the power of others’ efforts and consciousness, and the invoked blessings and presence of the masters enables us to meditate much longer and deeper than we could by virtue of our daily practice. This is true even when only a “virtual” meditation.

“The greater the will, the greater the flow of energy.” Even if new to meditation, you’d be surprised how your intention and effort will draw the grace to go deep!

PREPARATIONS

• You have an inspirational resource at hand such as Metaphysical Meditations to turn to briefly for inspiration.
• Dress for yoga/exercise, comfortably and in layers, no tight or restrictive clothing
• Have water nearby (or, if home, warm water etc.) (only water in the sanctuary, please)
• Consider having lip balm, aspirin (or other pain reliever for back ache, e.g.)
• If at home, keep your room cool. The temple sanctuary will be kept cool also.
• Set your meditation spot up so you can move from floor positions to a chair ideally waiting for chanting or other breaks to move.
• We’ll have a comfort break at 3.00 p.m. We provide light snacks downstairs.

GENERAL MEDITATION SUGGESTIONS

Don’t practice any ONE technique, yes, even kriya, past the point of fatigue. Break up your practices to flow with the natural rhythms mentioned earlier.

Our concentration ebbs and flows during a long meditation. Relax with the awareness that surges of devotion and concentration alternate with periods of quiet stillness.

Take advantage of chanting and other breaks to stand for a while, or use the bathroom, or step out (of the room) and Energize or stretch.

Don’t “force yourself” beyond the simple need and intention to stay calmly focused in the heart, spine, or at the spiritual eye, uniting concentration with devotion

Don’t fight the mind or body so much as to work WITH it ……..this means….

Bring to mind or jot down and have ready to use the various pranayama you’ve been taught, and the techniques of Hong Sau, Aum, kriya techniques, navi kriya, yoga postures, affirmations, visualizations, chants.

Alternate between techniques and sitting in inner silence and devotion. The rhythm for a long meditation is not the same as for shorter, daily meditations. You won’t necessarily do techniques half the day and sit the other half. That’s not realistic for most people.

Emphasize, throughout the day enjoyment, relaxation, and devotion. “At last a day with God and gurus!” J

At breaks, however, be inward and quiet. Put away your cell phone and don’t bother with emails. Minimize talking or socializing.

Don’t bring your problems into the day, expecting your meditation to “solve” them.

In fact, don’t have any “expectations.” This is a day to sit and be with God and gurus.

Throughout the day, mentally pray to God, Christ or the masters. If you get caught up in self-talk, re-direct it to them and then ask them to help you to still the mind to receive their blessings on the level (beyond words) where they can help you most.

If you get sleepy, tense and relax the eyes repeatedly. Gently and quietly tense the whole body with the double breath. Open your eyes. Do some deep and slow breathing. Stand quietly if you need to.

Periodically check your posture: chest up, spine relaxed into its natural curvature; head level, neck, throat, and mouth relaxed, eyes upward.