| The Retreat Centre | |
‘…. a place for learning, for learning the art of questioning, the art of exploring. It is a place which must demand the awakening of intelligence which comes with compassion and love”. Naimisam, the Retreat Centre is located at Kondapur Village, Ghatkesar, an hour’s journey from Hyderabad. The serene 23-acre campus is surrounded by hillocks and farm lands. It houses a collection of Krishnamurti’s works books, audio and video tapes, VCDs and DVDs and a general library of books on religion, philosophy, arts and science. Facilities are available for individual study and viewing of videos. There are also corresponding retreat facilities in the form of guest cottages, dormitory and a kitchen. Naimisam is envisioned as a centre for llearning and austere living for meditation and inward flowering. There is an attempt here to probe the limits of intellect and reason, to examine all the contours of conflict and unrest, that mar men and society. Seminars, study sessions, dialogs and retreats are held at Naimisam from this ground of silence and enquiry. |
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“…Have a complete break with past and see what happens. Sirs, do it and you will see delight. You will see vast expanses of love, understanding and freedom. When your heart is open, the reality can come. Then the whisperings of your own prejudices, your own noises, are not heard. That is why it is good to take a retreat, to go away, and to stop the routine, not only the routine of outward existence but the routine which the mind establishes for its own safety and convenience…” Theme Retreats - In order to probe into the subtler meaning of the teachings and to nurture spiritual and creative living periodic theme retreats are held at Naimisam. They are anchored by individuals with a deep interest in the teachings, by associates of Krishnamurti. The duration of these retreats is between 2-7 days. Introductory Retreats - Theses are held for beginners who have had little or to contact with the teachings of Krishnamurti. Introductory sessions include video screenings, Q & A sessions, reading sessions of silence. A healthy life style – nature walk, simple yet nutritious food – is integral to these sessions. They are of either a day or two-day duration with an overnight stay at the campus. |
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Other Programmes that further the spirit of the Teachings: - Workshops for children & adults - Study Sessions - Seminars “… I think it is essential sometimes to go into a retreat, to stop everything that you have been doing, to stop your beliefs and experiences completely, and look at them anew, not keep on repeating like machines whether you believe or do not believe. You would then let in fresh air in your minds”. |
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Organic Farming "This place must be of great beauty with trees, birds and quietness..." More than 1000 saplings of indigenous trees have been planted making for a poly cultural pattern and providing for bio-diversity and environmental conservation and protection. As preservation of the environment is one of our stated objectives non-destructive modes of agriculture and horticulture have been undertaken. Annual crops and fodder are cultivated in about 2 acres of land organically. Inter-cropping and crop rotation help prevent soil degradation. Rainwater harvesting measures further the goal of preventing soil erosion, enriching the ground water levels and thus protect eco-systems. A fruit orchard of about 150 saplings of 11 different species were planted in an area of about 2 acres. About 1 acre is cultivated to grow crops . Rainwater harvesting is actively undertaken through contour bunding and gully plugging and percolation tanks. A nursery is established to provide for future plantation activities.Plantation of over 1000 indigenous trees, forest species was done. These saplings have been planted all along the campus on both sides of the trail that provides for a good walking path that gives a snapshot view of the campus. "We are always using nature, either as an escape or for utilitarian ends...We never like to till the earth with our hands - we are ashamed to work with our hands. There is an extraordinary thing that takes place when you work the earth with your hands." |
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