Nutan Swamiji’s interactions with the participants were
lively and engaging.

[Krishna Karthigesan and Yuwen Syaaran are two youngsters who participated in Nutan Swamiji’s Retreat in Malaysia from 17-19 April, 2026, which was themed ‘Inculcating Viveka and Vairagya’.

Krishna had joined SIRD’s Bhagavad Gita Retreat with Poojya Swamiji and Ma during the Jñāna Yajña in November last year. Yuwen was coming to SIRD for the first time during this Retreat. For both, this was the first time being in the company of Nutan Swamiji.]

The “Enlightened Living – Walking the Inner Path” Residential Retreat with Nutan Swamiji, organized by SIRD Malaysia (April 17-19, 2026), was not just another event I attended. It became one of those rare experiences that stays with you long after it ends. I entered this Retreat with an open mind and some cynicism because I had previously been exposed to a variety of spiritual presentations and activities. How different it would be was unknown to me. In retrospect, I can say that these three days were very worthwhile and remarkable.

Mental shift

The first day started off quite hectic for me. I had just finished work and rushed straight to the venue, feeling mentally tired and slightly overwhelmed. I remember thinking to myself whether I would even be able to focus properly. But the moment I stepped into the space, there was a noticeable shift. The environment was calm, welcoming, and grounding. It was like leaving behind the noise of the outside world, and slowly settling into something much quieter within.

As the sessions began, I realized this retreat was very different from the usual format of spiritual programs. Instead of just listening to long lectures or sermons, there was a strong focus on something called ‘guided introspection’. This quickly became my favorite part of the entire retreat. It was not passive at all. It required us to actually look within ourselves, to sit with our thoughts, and to bring forward questions that we may have been holding onto for a long time.

Participants summarizing what they had learnt during the
morning lecture, describing their difficulties in applying the
teaching to their lives.

In the safe space

During these guided introspection sessions, participants were given the space to openly share their doubts, struggles and inner conflicts. What stood out to me was how Nutan Swamiji responded. His answers were not generic or rehearsed. They were thoughtful, direct, and deeply relevant to each person’s situation. Sometimes, the answers given to someone else, I felt, were meant for me too. It made me realize how connected our inner struggles really are, even if our external lives look completely different.

There was something very powerful about that space. People were being real, vulnerable, and honest. And instead of feeling uncomfortable, we felt safe, human. I found myself reflecting more deeply than I usually would. Questions I had avoided before started to surface, and instead of pushing them away, I began to sit with them.

Over the three days, I felt I was going through a quiet transformation. Not in a dramatic, overnight way, but in a more subtle, lasting manner. I learned new perspectives, but more importantly, I also unlearned certain beliefs and patterns that I did not even realize I was holding on to. There was a sense of becoming a little more aware, a little more conscious and a little more honest with myself.

Another beautiful part of this experience was the people I met. There were so many individuals from different backgrounds, yet everyone shared a similar intention to grow, to understand oneself better, and to become a higher version of who each is. Being surrounded by such like-minded and spiritually inclined people was incredibly uplifting. The conversations, even the simple ones, were meaningful. They reminded me how important and relevant it is to be in the right environment with the right kind of people.

Difficulties explored during the Writing Session were the
subject of post-lunch Group Discussions

Wholesome experience

I also want to acknowledge how well the retreat was organized. The management team did an amazing job in making sure everything flowed smoothly. There were no unnecessary delays, no confusion, and everything, I felt was very natural. This might seem like a small thing, but it actually made a huge difference because it allowed us to fully focus on the experience without distractions.

The food deserves a special mention too. Throughout the three days, we were served high-quality vegetarian meals that were both healthy and delicious. You could tell that a lot of thought went into making sure that participants were properly taken care of. I genuinely had no complaints at all when it came to food and eating. It was nourishing, satisfying and thoughtfully prepared.

What really touched me was the fact that all of this was provided free. In a world where most things come with a cost, this was incredibly free. It showed that the intention behind the Retreat was truly about giving and making this experience accessible to people.

Subtle change

By the end of the third day, I felt different – calmer, clearer and more grounded. The mental noise that I had carried with me on the first day had slowly quietened down. I was not leaving with all the answers in life, but I was leaving with better questions and a deeper understanding of myself. And sometimes, that is even more valuable.

This Retreat did not try to change me. Instead, it helped me see myself more clearly. It gave me the tools and awareness to navigate life in a more conscious way. It reminded me that growth does not always have to be loud or intense. Sometimes, it happens quietly, within.

If there is one thing I would say to anyone about this Retreat, it is this – just go with an open mind. You do not have to be deeply spiritual or have everything figured out. Just be willing to explore yourself honestly. Because opportunities like this do not come often, and this is something everyone should experience at least once in their life.

For me, these three days were not just a program. They were a pause, a reset and a gentle push towards becoming a better version of myself. And for that, I am truly grateful.

Krishna Karthigesan

Nutan Swamiji spoke about the importance of maintaining purity of mind and Sama-darśana (equal vision), which meant getting rid of rāga (clinging to what we like) and dveṣa (intolerance or hatred towards what we do not like). Swamiji went on to say that one should never lose placidity of the mind in moments of sukha (happiness) and duḥkha (suffering). It was astonishing to realize that what was felt like a personal message to me was perhaps the same for many others as well.

Through Nutan Swamiji’s teachings I have come to realize that we must remain harmonious even in the midst of disharmony and remain unaffected when the situation is not as expected.

Some of the main take home points from the classes included:

• Change mental attitude or bhāva (mindset) in the deepest level.
• Consider all activities as spiritual pursuit by transforming the buddhi into viveka-buddhi (discriminative intellect).
• To apply the knowledge by ‘living’ it in daily life.
• “Be expansive like the sky and let the clouds (of thoughts) pass. It is not keeping away from the waves, but floating joyfully over them.”

The importance of becoming sāttvika was also mentioned by Swamiji but the next statement really hit me well. Swamiji said when we become sattvika our senses become extremely sensitive and we can feel the vibrations around.

The reading session of articles from the Ashram Diary section of our bhoomananda.org website by Prashantaji was also impactful. We got to understand our Guiding Lights’ personalities on a deeper level and how important it is to embody the virtues which are taught. Not only does it impact us but also those around us including every being and nature. Just as Sukanya, the Ashram pet cat felt safe in the presence of spiritual masters and at the same time so detached in the moments of her death. As seekers we may try to realize our true Self, but we must also inspire others through our thoughts, words and deeds.

Listening to the chants of Aravindanji during the morning prayers and Shloka Chanting sessions was a soothing balm. The sessions were a testament to the power of shlokas.

If so much transformation can be felt in two days, one can only imagine what the effect would be if a retreat like this lasted over a span of five days or a week!