2026 Fall Retreat in Kashmir, India

Date: September 27th - October 8th  

Step into the Living Wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism: A Transformational Retreat
 

Some journeys take you to new places. Others awaken something within you that has always been there.

We invite you to Kashmir—the sacred land where the timeless wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism has been illuminated for centuries. Rooted in the profound teachings of Abhinavagupta and Swami Lakshmanjoo, this Non-Dual tradition unveils the divine as ever-present, woven into the fabric of all existence—within and beyond.

This retreat is more than a journey—it is a sacred immersion into living wisdom, a path of inner awakening guided by the heart-opening teachings of Kashmir Shaivism.

Guided by John, Denise, and Shanna Hughes, George Barselaar, and Claudia Dose—dedicated students of Swami Lakshmanjoo—you will move beyond theory into direct experience. Through study, meditation, and sacred pilgrimage, this retreat will dissolve the sense of separation and awaken you to the limitless awareness of Kashmir Shaivism.

Guided by the teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo (1907–1991), this retreat brings the profound wisdom of Kashmir Shaivism to life.

We anticipate high interest in this retreat; 
spots are limited. 

(Nearly two-thirds of the spots have already been reserved with a down payment.)

Details

Date: Sept 27th-Oct 9th
Length: 12 nights/13 days
Location: Kashmir
Group size: Up to 45
Cost: (not including air)

Luxury accommodation:
Private Room: $4,000 per person
Shared Room: $3,000 per person 

Basic comfortable accommodation:
Private Room: $3,200 per person
Shared Room: $2,500 per person (Queen bed, for couples or friends only)

Registration and exact dates for the 2026 Four-Day ONLINE Study Retreat (Date: Sept 30-Oct 2, subject to change) will become available closer to the event.

Scroll down for past info sessions that may answer your questions... 

 Questions? Contact us here

What Awaits You in Kashmir

This retreat is timed to honor the Mahasamadhi of Swami Lakshmanjoo, the revered master of Kashmir Shaivism, whose life and teachings continue to guide so many on the path of Self-recognition.

In the yogic tradition, Mahasamadhi is the conscious and final merging of a realized being with the Absolute. It is not mourned—it is celebrated. Swamiji left his body on September 27th, 1991, and every year since, his students and devotees gather at Ishwar Ashram, Nishat, for a full-day fire ceremony in his honor. Led by the priest he personally appointed, this ritual is an offering of devotion and love:
Sacred flames consume wood, ghee, spices, and flowers, as ancient Sanskrit chants fill the air. The presence of Swamiji is tangibly felt—an undeniable transmission of grace.

At the heart of our retreat is this sacred fire ceremony. Around it, we weave a journey of study, meditation, pilgrimage, and community in the land where these teachings were born.

You will experience:

• A Four-Day Study Retreat rooted in Wisdom Verses in Kashmir Shaivism—a collection of essential sutras personally selected by Swamiji. He called these verses the “cream” of the tradition, revealing its innermost heart.
• Meditations from the Vijnana Bhairava Tantra, guiding you to rest in the pauses between breath, where your true nature is quietly revealed
• Gentle yoga, deep meditation, and soul-stirring discussions
• A pilgrimage to sacred sites, including: 
  • Shiva Rock, where the Shiva Sutras were revealed
  • Abhinavagupta Shrine, where the great master attained liberation
  • Living temples and ashrams still vibrant with centuries of practice
• Nourishing Kashmiri vegetarian meals shared in good company
• Glide across Dal Lake at sunset in a shikara as devotional hymns carry you into stillness
• And meaningful encounters with local devotees—those who have tended these teachings with love and devotion 

What You Will Take Home

This journey is not simply about where we travel—it’s about what awakens within.

You will return home with:

• A felt sense of the sacred—not as a concept, but as your own inner experience
• A deeper understanding of Kashmir Shaivism, not just through study but through transmission
• A set of living practices and meditations that support your daily life
• A sense of belonging to a spiritual community, sharing the path with fellow seekers
• Friendships, stories, and memories that become part of your own unfolding
• Moments of beauty—sunset silences, scripture reflections, shared laughter—that remain long after the journey ends

This is more than a retreat. It is a homecoming.

To Kashmir.
To Swamiji.
To your Self.

Please watch the introductory meeting recordings below before proceeding with registration.

These recordings will answer many of the questions you may have.

Spaces are limited, and interest in this retreat is high.

(Nearly two-thirds of the spots have already been reserved with a down payment.)

Meet your hosts

This retreat is led by John, Denise, Shanna Hughes, and George Barselaar and Claudia Dose. John, Denise and Shanna lived in Kashmir for over a decade and recorded more than 700 hours of Swamiji’s translations of the teachings of Kashmir Shaivism, the great non-dual Trika tradition that dates back to Abhinavagupta, 924 to 1020 CE. 

Typical Daily Schedule (for the four-day study retreat)

Schedule subject to change

What to Expect Each Day

Our days begin by grounding body, breath, and awareness—through yoga, meditation, and the recitation of Sanskrit verses selected by Swamiji himself.

Midday brings focused study of essential texts in the tradition of Kashmir Shaivism, illuminated by the oral teachings of Swami Lakshmanjoo. In the afternoons, we shift into personal reflection and practice—through stories, scripture, and practical techniques that invite direct experience of the teachings.

Each day closes with a group meditation, ending around 7:00 pm.



Daily Practice: Meditations from the Vijnāna Bhairava

The Vijnāna Bhairava reveals 112 meditation techniques for entering the state of God consciousness. These dhāraṇās are concise, direct, and powerful. Each day of the retreat, we’ll explore and practice one of these methods together—offering a chance to move from study into realization.

Morning Yoga with Shanna

Morning sessions will be guided by Shanna, who weaves together movement, breath, and stillness. Her classes blend gentle strengthening and stretching, breathwork (prāṇāyāma), and moments of inward reflection through poetry and story. All levels welcome.

Recordings Available

Can’t join us live? All sessions will be recorded and shared with registered participants after the retreat.

Suggested Reading

Texts we may draw from during the retreat will be announced closer to the event. These will include core scriptures from the Trika tradition, especially those Swamiji emphasized in his oral teachings.

Feedback from past participants

I was very pleased and delighted with all of them, learned immensely from the materials and the downloads especially the audios of Swamiji and subsequent commentaries. It was like a mini retreat. Or, maybe I could say, it was analogous to the concept of Yoga in action in the sense that Swamiji’s birthday retreat and Swamiji’s Mahasamadhi Havan and retreat were like our daily meditations early and late. Then the webinar was like the “Yoga in Action” strengthening the practice in between.
Jai Guru Dev.
—Bruce Catalano

One of the most tangible, practical and accessible teachings that perfectly marries the world of science and spirituality and provides tools that all of us can use to make the world into a better place.
—Jody Weiss

I want to congratulate you all of the Academy for reaching this milestone of conducting a successful webinar. This was a great experience for me after a long time. I enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to the next one.
Thank you all for doing this.
Jai Guru Dev!!
—Manika Kaul

Thank you very much for the just concluded and enlightening Webinar series!
I grew up in Srinagar and had heard about Swamiji, but never had the good fortune to either meet him in person, or to listen to his commentaries while growing up.  You, through your assiduous work, have allowed people like myself to go back in time and relive moments, as though in the presence of dear Swamiji. Kudos to you all!
The series was very well conducted and the topic chosen, the Bodhapañcadaśikā, was simple, yet profound. I look forward to more seminars from the Academy. I am sure, having spent a number of years with Swamiji, you folks are in the best position to select the next topic.
—Dr. Jatinder Bhan