About the Retreat

Before leaving this world, Swami Lakshmanjoo expressed a heartfelt wish that a small group of sincere spiritual aspirants gather regularly to study his teachings. For more than three decades, this living stream of oral transmission has continued—first in person, and now also online—allowing these teachings to reach students around the world.

This four-day online retreat continues that tradition.

Drawing from the oral tradition of Kashmir Shaivism as revealed by Swami Lakshmanjoo, we will study several important texts central to the philosophy and lived practice of this great tradition. Teachings will be accompanied by in-depth discussion and dedicated time for questions, supporting both understanding and integration into daily life.

Sample Retreat Schedule from last year (subject to change)

Daily Rhythm (Online): 

Each day begins at 8:00 am Pacific Time and includes:

• Meditation

• Recitation of Sanskrit verses specially selected for worship (puja) by Swamiji

• Teaching sessions and guided discussion

All sessions are held live on Zoom. Time is set aside each day for questions and dialogue.

(Replays will be available for registered participants.)

Livestream online and recordings will be provided at the end of the day. Information will be sent to you upon registration. To join this retreat, it requires a computer (ideally) or a smartphone with the Zoom app, an internet connection, and a headphone set (optional).

Cost:

The cost is $400 for the four-day retreat from May 10th through May 13th. 

If you are not able to make it to the Livestream retreat, recordings will be provided at the end of each day.

Registration:

This retreat is open to participants worldwide.
All are welcome, regardless of background or prior experience.

Registration and payment are required in advance.

Course leaders:

Teachings and discussions will be led by:

• John Hughes

• Denise Hughes

• George Barselaar

All are long-term devotees who studied directly with Swami Lakshmanjoo and have carried this tradition forward for many years.

Shanna Hughes will serve as emcee.
Claudia Dose supports the retreat behind the scenes.

Swami Lakshmanjoo:

Born in 1907, Swami Lakshmanjoo was the last in an unbroken line of Kashmir Shaiva masters. As a boy, his life was filled with a spiritual thirst to know and realize God. From a very early age, he was filled with spiritual experiences. As Swamiji grew older his desire to completely realize and apprehend the world of spirituality became paramount. He devoted his whole life to teaching Kashmir Shaivism to those who asked and translating and commenting on what he considered to be the most important texts of this system. He became renowned as a philosopher saint steeped in the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism. With the growing interest in Kashmir Shaivism over the last thirty years, hardly any publication has appeared without a mention of his name. He left his body in 1991. Read more...

We will be listening to the recordings of his teachings and study along with the transcripts.