Thriving in the Third Stage of Life:
A MEDITATION & SPIRITUAL PRACTICE RETREAT
with Yogacharya Ellen Grace O'Brian

October 6-8, 2022 (Thursday Evening - Saturday Afternoon)

Registration Fee: $40 ONLINE ONLY
To register, click calendar date icon below (scroll right and down if on a mobile device).

"Retirement means abidance in the Self. Nothing more. It is not leaving one set of surroundings and getting entangled in another set, nor even leaving the concrete world and becoming involved in a mental world."

–Ramana Maharshi

What if our powers increase rather than diminish as we age? Suppose the later years of life were destined to be your most vital. Would you be ready? If you are 50+, this retreat will help you chart your course for thriving.

Yoga philosophy and practice light the path for healthy, vital, and purposeful living at every stage of life. Our later years are highly significant, not only as the culmination of a well-lived life but specifically for profound spiritual development and the expression of wisdom, soul powers, love, and liberation.

Becoming an elder in the Vedic system is called the vanaprastha, or forest dweller, stage of life in which we move from being centered on family and career responsibilities to a stronger focus on spiritual development. The five primary obstacles to spiritual realization—ignorance, egoism, attachment, aversion, and fear of death—take on a new significance at this stage. Aging can be our enemy or ally, depending on how we understand our life purpose and our ability to deal with those obstacles. As an ally, aging brings precious gifts of grace and empowerment that await our recognition.

On this retreat, discover:

• A spiritual model to inspire your life journey and help you prepare for, and navigate, your later years
• How to identify and avoid negative traps that would pull you down when it’s time to soar
• How obstacles can be transformed to support ultimate freedom
• Insights into identifying and re-scripting your life story
• Essential self-care practices for healing and enhancing your energy
• Meditation practices for spiritual awakening and radiant well-being
• A ritual for acknowledging your intention at this stage of your life

PARTICIPANTION OPTIONS 
This retreat will be livestreamed online for all participants. We are also offering a hybrid option to attend a portion of the retreat in-person, which include morning sessions, lunch, and afternoon sessions. All meditation sessions, hatha yoga, and evening sessions will be online only for all participants. Masks are required for in-person participation.

RETREAT PROGRAM OFFERED ON DONATION BASIS
Registration fees covers basic administrative costs. The retreat itself is offered on a donation basis to support the CSE ministry and to continue offering programs like this one. You can offer a donation during the registration process. You will also have an opportunity to contribute throughout the retreat.

RETREAT SCHEDULE  (U.S. Pacific Time)   
Subject to change. Attendance at all sessions required to participate. 
Recordings will be available to support participants in different time zones.                                        

Thursday

  6:30 PM   Opening Session (ONLINE)

Friday

  6:30 AM   Morning Meditation (ONLINE)                                                           
  9:30 AM   Morning Session (ONLINE & IN-PERSON)
11:45 AM   Lunch
  1:00 PM   Afternoon Session (ONLINE & IN-PERSON)
  4:00 PM   Afternoon Meditation & Yoga (ONLINE)                            
  6:30 PM   Evening Session (ONLINE) 

Saturday

  6:30 AM   Morning Meditation (ONLINE)                                                
  9:30 AM   Morning Session (ONLINE & IN-PERSON)
11:45 AM   Lunch
  1:00 PM   Closing Session (ONLINE & IN-PERSON)