International Summer Retreat in Vép 2025

Following the six-week retreat in Strilky, Czechia, the Yoga in Daily Life Summer Retreat continued in Vép, Hungary, where seekers once again gathered for a week of relaxation, spiritual upliftment and joyful community life. Under the guidance of Swami Avatar Puriji and Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vivekpuriji, hundreds of participants experienced the blessings of yoga, satsang and the living spiritual tradition. 

 

Daily Programs and Activities

Each day in Vép offered a rich variety of programs, ensuring that every participant could find inspiration according to their needs and possibilities.

Gentle yoga sessions with asanas, pranayama, and relaxation supported all ages in maintaining health and balance, while advanced meditation programs provided a deeper inner immersion for those seeking to expand their spiritual practice.

Children and youth enjoyed a creative and engaging program filled with stories, yoga games, and performances that nurtured both joy and learning.

The spirit of karma yoga, or selfless service, infused the retreat. Participants happily contributed to all areas of the daily organisation, from helping with kitchen and cleaning tasks to assisting in the popular Yoga Buffet, where sweet and savoury vegetarian treats were lovingly prepared for everyone. This cooperative effort not only sustained the retreat but also deepened the sense of community and belonging among all.

Swami Avatar Puriji’s Message

During his satsangs, Swami Avatar Puriji expressed his joy at being in Vép and reminded everyone of the enduring blessings of the Guru:

“Guru Kripa – the mercy of Gurudev – is everlasting, forever. That blessing, that essence of Guru Tattva, doesn’t disappear. We all have our problems in life, but when we are in satsang, this is our safe haven. It gives us at least outer peace, while on inner peace, we are still working. Being in a positive atmosphere gives us peace from outside, and through mantras, kriyas, sadhana and satsang, we gain inner peace. Gurudev has given us these tools, and when we have them, we should use them. When positivity surrounds us, within and without, then that is the best feeling we can have. We have Vishwaguruji with us – what is there to worry about?”

Insights from Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vivekpuriji

Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vivekpuriji offered deep insights into the philosophy of yoga, beautifully illustrating the many layers of human existence. He compared our being to a Babushka doll, or an onion, made up of successive layers that conceal the essence within. The physical body (annamaya kosha), the pranic body (pranamaya kosha), the mental body (manomaya kosha), the intellectual body (vigyanamaya kosha), and the body of joy (anandamaya kosha, the causal body), all together form the outer coverings of our true Self. Yet, beyond and within these layers lies something indivisible, eternal, and unchanging – the atma, our essence.

A Week of Peace and Inspiration

The Vép retreat was a week of deep practice, wisdom and joyful togetherness. Participants left with renewed strength and inspiration, carrying with them the timeless teachings of yoga, the blessings of Gurudev, and the joy of belonging to a global spiritual family.