Advaitavidya
Advaitavidya * is an association dedicated to the study, contemplation and practice of the primordial teaching of Sanatana Dharma (Hinduism).
With the guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati we organize retreats, seminars, contemplation groups, kirtans and meditations in order to deepen, preserve and spread the knowledge of the scriptures and traditional practices of Hinduism.
The fundamental texts of Advaita Vedanta, Kashmir Shivaism and the philosophy of Yoga are the thematic axis of our contemplation. The Upanishads, the Bhagavad Gita, the Shiva Sutras, the Bhakti Sutras of Narada, the Yoga Sutras of Patañjali, texts by Sri Ramana Maharshi or Swami Muktananda, among others, are discussed in depth in the different meetings.
(*) Advaitavidya means “knowledge of non-duality”. Knowledge of Reality prior to name, form, time, space and causality. The Reality that is underlying everything and always.
Lineage
OM The lineage (Sampradāya) of Advaita Vedanta is traditionally considered to begin with the Absolute himself, who, manifesting himself as Śiva or Nārāyaṇa, gave this sacred teaching to Brahmā (the creator).
Whom in turn, passed it on to his son Vasiṣṭha, who transmitted to Śakti, Parāśara, and to a long succession of sages (ṛṣis).Following up to; Gauḍapāda (author of the commentary of the Māṇḍūkya Upaniṣad, Māṇḍūkya Kārikās), Govindapāda (who was the Guru of Śrī Śaṇkarācārya), Śrī Śaṇkarā and his four disciples Sureśvarācārya, Toṭakācārya, Pādmapāda and Hastāmalaka.
This tradition has passed through a long succession of great masters and Jñānis whom have kept it alive until reaching our own Guru. Salutations to the lineage that always remains alive in the words of the mahātma.
sadāśiva samārambhām śaṇkarācārya madhyamām asmadācārya paryantām vande guruparamparām
Salutations to the lineage. That originated from Sadāśiva, in the middle (continues) with Śrī Śaṇkarā, until reaching my own Guru.
nārāyaṇaṁ padma-bhavaṁ vasiṣṭhaṁ śaktiṁ ca tat-putra-parāśarañca vyāsaṁ śukaṁ gauḍa padaṁ mahāntaṁ govinda-yogīndram athāsya śiṣyam śrīśaṇkarācāryam athāsya padma pādaṁ ca hastāmalakañca śiṣyam taṁ toṭakaṁ vārtika-kāram anyān asmad-gurūn santatam ānato’smi
Before Nārāyana; before Brahmā, born of the lotus; before Vasistha; before Śakti and her son Pāraśara; before Vyāsa, before Śuka and the great Gaudapāda; before Govindapāda, the greatest of the yogīs; before his disciple Śankarāchārya; before his disciples, Padmapāda, Hastāmalaka; Totakāchārya and Sureśvarāchārya, writer of the commentary, and before the rest of our Guru lineage, I bow forever.
Masters
Bhagavan Nityananda
Swami Muktananda
Swami Satyananda Saraswati
Activities
Retreats offer the opportunity to dedicate a few days to intense spiritual practice and to receive the teaching and guidance of Swami Satyananda Saraswati in a natural, peaceful and silent environment, where ashram life is followed.
Attentive listening, presence and internalization, along with Swamiji’s company and mastery, allow us to receive a transmission and experience of his words and silences. This is where the teachings of ancient Hinduist texts come to life.
Retreats include practice of meditation, devotional singing (kirtan), recitation of sacred texts, haṭha-yoga, moments of silence, studying, contemplation and service.
In the spring we offer a four-day retreat (coinciding with Easter) and in August a retreat of seven to ten days.
In seminars, Swami Satyananda Saraswati exposes a relevant text or delves into specific aspects of the Hindu tradition, practice and spiritual path. Teaching is accompanied by spaces for dialogue, meditation, recitation and devotional singing.
The seminars are an opportunity, in the company of Swamiji, to understand the deep metaphysics of Hinduism, receive valuable guidelines and be guided towards the recognition of inner Silence.
Encounters of two to four hours duration, where Swami Satyananda Saraswati exposes important aspects of Sanatana Dharma, the practice and the spiritual path. They offer us the possibility of sharing, in an open and friendly way, an enjoyable conversation with questions and answers about our doubts and concerns. It is a valuable opportunity to be close to Swamiji and enjoy the wisdom of the tradition.
