MSR Retreat

12-June | 09:00–09:25 ET | 13:00–13:25 GMT | 18:30–18:55 India

MSR Retreat 2025 Committee

12-June | 09:30–10:30 ET | 13:30–14:30 GMT | 19:00–20:00 India

Marie Holm

Here we explore the main type of Spiritualist meditation, attunement, also known as sitting in the energy, or sitting in the power.

12-June | 10:45–11:45 ET | 14:45–15:45 GMT | 13-June 20:15–21:15 India

Anil Maheshwari

The premise is that life is lived at two levels of consciousness - relative and absolute. This practice session on transcendence offers a guided experience in accessing deeper states of consciousness will facilitate inner stillness, clarity, and a profound sense of connection with one’s higher self.

12-June | 12:00–13:00 ET | 16:00–17:00 GMT | 21:30–22:30 India

Sheldene Simola and Tianyuan Yu

This session is an opportunity for spiritual sharing and reflection centered upon and reclaiming aspects of the sacred feminine from diverse cultures, spiritual traditions and time periods. Following a reflective, musical video with images of the sacred feminine from around the world, participants may choose to share a (single) image and brief introduction to a feminine mystic, god/dess, prophet or spiritual process, including the ways that their chosen focus resonates with them personally.

12-June | 13:15–14:15 ET | 17:15–18:15 GMT | 22:45–23:45 India

Nelson Pizarro

In a world filled with constant noise, reactivity, and distraction, the ability to anchor the mind in stillness is a profound act of renewal. This session offers a practical and experiential introduction to Ānāpāna, the foundational practice of observing the natural breath as taught in the early stages of Vipassanā meditation.

12-June | 14:30–15:30 ET | 18:30–19:30 GMT | 13-June 00:00–01:00 India

T Raghunatha

While some individuals are emotionally resilient, others may struggle. Those who are emotionally vulnerable require interventions that can help moderate the impact of negative emotions, leading to a stress-free, peaceful, and calm state of mind. In Carnatic music, there are nine primary ragas (musical scales)—Hindolam/Dorian, Shankarabharanam/Ionian, Vachaspati/Mixolydian, Malahari/Ionian, Yadukulakambhoji/Aeolian, Kambhoji/Dorian, Shubhapantuvarali/Lydian, and Charukesi/Phrygian—that can serve as effective interventions to reduce the effects of negative emotions and promote relaxation, peace, and vitality. As a musician, I was introduced to these ragas by my music teacher, and I personally experienced how they can help heal the emotional impact of stress. I would like to share this knowledge and experience with others. Activities: I will introduce the nine ragas and play selected improvisations by renowned Carnatic musicians. After listening to the music, I will invite the audience to describe how they feel, such as whether they experience happiness, sadness, or increased energy. At the end of the session, I will explain which raga evoked which emotions and discuss how participants can use these ragas to reduce the impact of negative emotions in both their professional and personal lives.

12-June | 15:45–16:45 ET | 19:45–20:45 GMT | 13-June 01:15–02:15 India

Freek Sanders

In traditional scholarly environments, achievement often shines brightly on the surface: a paper published, an award won, a grant obtained. Yet the deeper treasures of scholarly life — the joy of discovery, wisdom, the contribution to something larger — often grow in the unseen spaces, nurtured in silence, trust, and vulnerability, don't they? This workshop invites you to slow down, be silent and "listen into the dark." Inspired by a passage from the bible (Isaiah 45:3) "treasures of darkness and riches hidden in secret places", we will explore the gifts that lie beyond the visible and measurable. Through a guided meditation practice, participants will be invited to enter a state of quiet awareness, where the unseen dimensions of their scholarly journey might begin to surface. We will start by softening our attention, focusing on breath and body, preparing to sense into the unknown. In this safe, supportive space, you will be invited to notice - in silence -what wisdom, insights, or longings emerge from the darkness — insights that often remain hidden in the noise and speed of everyday academic life. After the meditation, we will open a space for gentle sharing: what treasures did you encounter in the dark? What secret riches might you now be ready to integrate into your scholarship or your community life?

12-June | 17:00–18:00 ET | 21:00–22:00 GMT | 13-June 02:30–03:30 India

Jerry Bieberman

Tai chi and meditation. In this session I will demonstrate a simple tai chi exercise sequence of movements which I perform daily. We will practice the movements together and then do a short meditation session. We will then discuss where and when we can do the practice, how it felt doing it, and other similar practices that we engage in.

12-June | 18:15–19:15 ET | 22:15–23:15 GMT | 13-June 03:45–04:45 India

Euvia Karijoredjo

An understanding of the persuasiveness of energy all around us will be met in this session. After the session participants will be able to consciously choose and maintain their energy levels.

12-June | 19:30–20:30 ET | 23:30–00:30 GMT | 13-June 05:00–06:00 India

Angela Chen

In this session, participants will have a chance to contemplate the concept of interbeing through self-reflection, small group discussion, and a brief meditation. Interbeing invites us to shift our perspective from individualism to collective well-being.

12-June | 20:45–21:45 ET | 13-June 00:45–01:45 GMT | 13-June 06:15–07:15 India

Soumya Dutta

Step into the timeless wisdom of Sage Patanjali as we journey through the sacred path of Ishwara Pranidhana — surrender to the Divine — as described in the Yoga Sutra. Alongside reflective discussion, you’ll engage in guided practices designed to help you experience this yogic path beyond theory.

12-June | 22:00–22:30 ET | 13-June 02:00–02:30 GMT | 13-June 07:30–08:00 India

MSR Retreat 2025 Committee