Divina Times Ed. 3 - A Pilgrimage of the Soul : simplebooklet.com

Warm greetings from the divinya community!We send you warm greetings with all the vibrant colors and fragrances of summer. Theseamless, ever-flowing stream of time has transformed Divinya’s face entirely since the lastedition of our Divinya Times. Then Divinya was just one glittering crystal winter wonderland.Now Divinya is blessed by nature’s overflowing abundance, vitality and beauty. What a joy tolook at the mesmerizing variety of the blooming flowers, to listen to the birds whose songs fillthe air from early morning to late into the night, to watch the swooping of the swallows, to picknature’s generous gifts wherever you walk – magenta-colored cherries, delicious strawberriesand red and black currants – and to harvest fresh vegetables in our permaculture garden in themorning mist. We are very happy that we can share our joy with so many people who come to Divinya. Thissummer we finally opened our doors again for pilgrims. Now, pilgrims have the opportunity tospend one weekend or one week with the community, joining the daily rhythm, participating inour community projects and activities such as permaculture gardening, going for a nature walk,singing, silent gatherings, study circles and Satsangs with our spiritual Master Guruji Sri Vast.Pilgrims have the opportunity to go on a deep inner journey while they are in Divinya. DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 1DEA R S O U LS ,

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PAGE 2 DIVINYA TIMESUsually going on a pilgrimage means to walk to a sacred place, but what it is ultimately all aboutis the inner journey and the inner growth which can take place within oneself during thatpilgrimage. Being in Divinya facilitates a profound encounter with the core of oneself. What is itthat makes joining the community for even only a few days such a transformational experience?What makes it possible to enter in Divinya into an energetic vortex, which can bring deepinsights about oneself and the meaning of living this life on this planet, at this moment in time? Living among a spiritual sangha, a group of people who dedicate their lives to manifest a vision ofpeace, love and freedom in practical lived reality, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. One entersa new culture in Divinya. The way people dress, the way they communicate with each other, thedaily rhythm, the food, the music, the very fact that it is not a family or a group of friends livingtogether but people bound together by a vision - rediscovering life - everything is a little differentfrom what one might be used to. It is a space where we seek to meet one another as divine souls, beyond our personalities,constructed identities and social roles. It is a space where we explore ourselves at a deeper layer,delving into the question ‘Who am I?’ One of our fundamental spiritual practices is to notconstantly recreate the stories we hold about us and the world. This allows us to enter effortlessly into the present moment, into the Here and Now.By not being busy with our everyday concerns, nor occupied with our past or in planning for the future, we can discover a space within ourselves filled with a sacred inner silence and peace. Rising with the sun in the early morning and starting the day with a magical Morning Meditation, connects us with our senses and fills us with gratitude for the gift of a new day. Being vitalized by the vibrant morning energy through the profound Inner Yoga practice, we come closer to our body and attune ourselves to nature.By participating in the joyful togetherness of the community projects, we can find again our child-like innocence, our natural state of joy and wonder for the miracle of life that we are part of. Inspired by the Teachings of Guruji Sri Vast the Divinya experience can lead to profound insights about oneself and clarity for one’s spiritual path.

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DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 2DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 3In this edition of the Divinya Times, we explore Divinya as a pilgrimage destination. Pilgrimsshare the experience they had living with the community for one week and how it has beensupporting their inner journey towards self-discovery. Likewise, community members share theirexperience of having pilgrims coming to Divinya, and also the way they see Divinya as a livingpilgrimage.We hope that what they share can be an inspiration for those who might feel that the time is ripeto leap into the unnamed waters of self-discovery. To have the courage to leave their comfortzone, just for a while, leaving behind all baggage and attachments and embarking on an adventureinto the unknown. With the faith of being carried to new shores of incomparable beauty,boundless love and infinite freedom within themselves.

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thirst for freedomGuruji Sri VastDIVINYA TIMES PAGE 5Everyone is spiritual in a way, because in the end, everyone is searching for the same thing.Whether you are a businessman, a professor, a smuggler or a drug dealer, a meditator or a yogapractitioner, everyone has the same goal – to live in freedom, to live in peace, to live in love, tolive in nature. Ask anyone "What do you want?" and they will give the same answer: "I want to livein freedom." But the paths we take to achieve this freedom differ from each other. One whomeditates may say, "I want to achieve my freedom through meditation." The businessman maysay, "After this project I will be free because I will have enough money." The employee will say,"After my retirement I will be free." Everyone is working towards freedom. But the acts we aretaking to achieve that freedom differ from each other.There are two kinds of people. One says, "I want this freedom later, after my goals are achieved,I'll be free." The other one says, “I want to live in peace and freedom now!” The spiritual seekerlooks for that freedom now. Not after retirement or after completing the house or after marriageor after the divorce – not after, but now.

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We as cosmic divine beings, infinite beings – our life is not just completed in this body. Look at aglass of water. We can identify ourselves as the glass or as the water in the glass. We can say “I'ma glass” or we can say “I am the water”. The glass has its shape, form and material. Differentglasses are available but the water is the same. If I identify myself as the water in the glass, I aminfinite. If I am not in this glass, I will transfer into another glass, some other form. I mayevaporate and come back. I keep on taking many different forms. You also. You will never die.We are in this body during this period. The formless becomes form then form becomes formlessagain. It goes on. Infinite life. Our experiences are reborn again and again.PAGE 6 DIVINYA TIMESAs a natural species we have this deep thirst to live in freedom. To live in freedom means to livewithout a reference. Many scriptures are available in this world and many people are trying to becorrect according to those scriptures. Correct according to their culture, correct according totraditions, correct according to a certain belief system or philosophy. Freedom is when there isno need to be correct according to any reference. That means that there is no conflict betweenyou and this very moment. Our very nature would come alive if we did not have any conflictwith this very moment; if we were able to sense this very presence.

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As a cosmic divine being, life happens between your body, this planet and the cosmic body, thecosmic realm. If there is a movement in the cosmos, it creates movements on this planet andcreates movements in your body. When these movements are aligned, when my body is able tomove according to the cosmic movement, I experience my infinite nature. Experiencing the stateof formless in the form. The formless is not having suffering. The suffering belongs to the form.We are living in the form but we can attain the state of the formless in the form. This brings sucha great freedom. The freedom of being in this body but also beyond this body.We, as a human species, our capacity for living this life is so much more! Somehow, for a longtime, we have all slowly become domesticated. All the issues you are facing in your life – they donot belong to you, they belong to the domesticated state of you. Get to know the differencebetween what belongs to you and what belongs to the domesticated state of you. Your spiritualjourney is nothing but freedom from your domesticated state towards your natural state. Thenatural state of the being, the natural state of yourself.

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In my view, Divinya is a very special pilgrimage site. People come here, not to visit some sacredplace or remember some saint who used to live here a long time ago - they come to Divinya toenter a living experience. As a member of the Sangha, it is so beautiful to see pilgrims coming to Divinya. Seeing thedifference in how they come and how they go. The many new components which are part of oureveryday structure here in Divinya, can sometimes be almost like a little culture shock, as somany little details of how we approach life here are unfamiliar at first. Yet, normally, a beautifulreadiness is expressed by the pilgrims to dive into this new experience, a curiosity to discoverwhat their time in Divinya could hold for them. I have witnessed how every pilgrim goes throughtheir own unique, personal journey while they are here; how everybody seems to encounterexactly those moments which can bring them further on their way, often providing deep insightsand new perspectives for their individual quest. I have often seen people leaving with a totallynew body language - with sparkling eyes, broad smiles lighting up their faces, and moving solightly, as if some weight was lifted from their shoulders.Often people report back to us how their stay in Divinya has enriched their life. They speak abouthow the Teachings of Guruji Sri Vast, which are brought into practical life in Divinya, have beenapplicable in their own life back home; that they conduct the morning meditation now at home; JudithDIVINYA TIMES PAGE 9

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It is difficult for me to find words,which could express how much thesetransformational experiences ofpeople having been to Divinya, fillme with joy and a deep sense ofgratification. The way we live here -devoting our lives to manifestingtogether this vision of a life in beauty,love, freedom and sacredness, andsharing this living experience withthose who stay with us for some time– becomes so meaningful. that they are experiencing more inner peace and less frictions with their surrounding; theyspeak about more loving and compassionate relations with partners, children, friends andcolleagues. And this is exactly what the Teachings and the life in Divinya is ultimately allabout! It is not about some complicated philosophy, some groundbreaking theory or somenew doctrine. It is all about a very simple love, a very simple joy, a very simple peace, which isunconditionally shared. It is about becoming a true human again, being grounded in a humbleappreciation of the wonder of existence, enjoying the butterfly swaying in front of our eyes.The testimonies of people from all over the world and from all kinds of backgrounds and lifesituations, make me aware again and again that the experience that we are sharing here, is notconfined to Divinya. It is a consciousness, freely unfolding in so many places at this very momentin time. I can see how my own life has become part of a collectively lived experience, creatingripples in other peoples’ lives, and I cannot imagine anything more rewarding.PAGE 10 DIVINYA TIMES

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For the past few years I felt a strong pull for a change in my life. I was leading a life full ofunnatural desires, while my biggest desire was to experience my true nature. My quest broughtme to the beautiful Sangha of Divinya where I was led to awaken into the present moment.Letting go of the past and future, dropping any kind of personal stories and fully arriving hereand now.I have learned here what it means to be available for life and that freedom is the ability torespond to whatever is in front of you. Life is not happening tomorrow, it is now.This practical approach to spirituality allows me to open my heart every day a little bit more. Iexperience an awakening of all my senses. The sweet smell of flowers, the touch of the wind, thesound of the birds and the feeling of the morning freshness, becomes more vibrant and alive tome. I now realize how dormant this ability to sense was inside me.My thirst to dive into the wild waters of the soul has been met here and I am thankful for everyexperience that brought me here. I would have never expected myself to live in a spiritualcommunity as I am doing in Divinya right now. A beautiful journey inwards that started initiallyas a temporary stay, turned into a feeling of arriving home. Life took me by the hand and guidedme towards Divinya to discover the meaning of my existence.LiesbetDIVINYA TIMES PAGE 11

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You are searching, longing to experience the completeness of you, the infinite and unlimited you. You remember the freedom, you remember the light, you remember being divine. You came with all these memorieswhen you were born, it was your experience. You cannot miss something if you have never experienced it.Deep inside of you there is a memory of being in freedom, of being one with the whole. And you want to reclaim it. That is your search.GURUJI SRI VAST

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Being a pilgrim in Divinya has been simply wonderful overall and very, very beautiful. For me itis an extraordinary, surprising and unfamiliar mixture of completely different components. I enjoyed the accommodation in the tent, airy, pleasant, with a lot of space, being outdoors innature, with birdsongs around. It's so different and much more pleasant than staying in a room.And the wonderful food, which was really tasty.In a way, experiencing the community has been the highlight for me. How you interact with oneanother, how you talk with one another, how you joke with one another, it is just a very light,very pleasant way of communication. And it happens without severity, without impatience,without criticism or even a hint that something does not suit me right now, and that is absolutelyunusual and feels very good. I experience being here as a very airy existence.There is a definite yes to what is right now, from everyone, and that is clearly noticeable. Andthere is a great deal of trust in one another, and a great deal of trust in us too, and that's sobeautiful. I experience that often so differently in everyday life.How the community has received us pilgrims in this week, how we were warmly welcomed,introduced and integrated into the community, that has been absolutely unbelievable. You arelooked after in such a pleasant way. Nobody is asking for something or trying to imposesomething on you, not at all, not in the least, but there are always offers and an invitation toparticipate.DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 13Pilgrim ExperienceAndreas - Germany

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PAGE 14 DIVINYA TIMESMonika - GermanyPilgrim ExperienceI enjoyed the whole package of being here in Divinya for one week as a pilgrim. If I imagine anypiece that would have been missing, then it would have been somehow something completelydifferent.I enjoyed very much the environment, and the garden - the garden is wonderful! Everything isjust so big here and so wide and not so narrow as in normal notions. Yes, the vastness is sowonderful. The introduction course I found very helpful; the topics were really good. I take agreat inspiration with me.And I enjoyed the Satsangs very much, and the contact with Guruji. And how everything flows.How everybody is always included, and how everyone just does what needs to be done. I foundthat extremely nice. I also noticed that not a single sharp word was uttered the whole time I havebeen here. Also, the joy, the ease with which everything happens here and the flexibility.and also through the Satsangs of course, myexperience has expanded. I couldunderstand the background of so many things better, the fine, subtle things, which I would not have grasped otherwise. After all, this way of being together is not rehearsed or learned, or simply a code of conduct. It is something very fine and very unique that is based on many different components and it is something you have developedFor me, the introduction course broadened my view, because otherwise I would have marchedin here with my usual way of perception and then I would have interpreted everything accordingto my point of view, and then probably relatively little new would have come out of myexperience here. But thanks to the introductory course over time. Of course, everyone lives it a little differently, but there is a common core, which islived it in a very subtle way. And without the introduction course this subtlety, this delicacy, thiscomplexity of the whole thing would have been not as noticeable to me. So, through the courseyou look differently at what you encounter here. And then you experience it also differently.I highly recommend to everyone to spend one week in Divinya as a pilgrim. It's wonderful, it'san extraordinary experience that you can't have anywhere else. Everyone should take the timeand just come!

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DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 12PAWhat impressed me so much is that nothing is overlooked here. You never have to worry thatyou could be forgotten in any way. If something needs to be done or if you need something thereis always somebody taking care. Everything is always there and everyone is attentive and aware.I also liked so much that we could do so many different activities. There was never any “you can'tdo that” but always a “just try!” You can always contribute something and be included and thereis no feeling of being a stranger or not belonging. And what is also so important for me, nobodysays to you “you have to be like that, you can't be like that, you have to do it like this, you have todo it like this, you have to do it differently". As a result, you are always only confronted withyourself, because the instructions from others do not take place and then instead you always lookinside - “What is happening in me, how do I process what is happening now, is that actuallyhelpful now, do I want to keep it, or do I prefer to let it go, how do I deal with it?” I think that'sgreat, that's one of the most important things for me - that you don't blame others for yourfeelings, but you always stay with yourself. It always stays with me and I always have the choice tosay "Ok, I want to keep it, or I want to give it up; this fits now, this does not fit now."To do everything that I do with a higher goal, that was truly important to me. And to watch overand over again “What is disturbing my peace? Am I at peace, or what is disturbing my peace? AmI making myself available somehow for an unpeaceful energy or do I really pay attention to notgiving it any space in me?”I want to say thank you, to everything, to the place, to the plants, to the people, to the spirit. And Itake a lot with me. It was a huge gift to be here. And we will recommend it to others, that isalready clear. And we will be back, that is also clear.

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When I was 15 years old my school organized a trip to Taizé. Driving up the hill where Taizé islocated was like entering into another world. On top of that hill was a paradise of tranquility,togetherness, peace and love. It felt so good that I didn't have to rush through my day, somethingI had become so used to. Taizé gave me the peace to look around and to wonder what else lifehad to offer than what I already knew. Working together as one group was something completely new to me, but very beautiful,whether it was in the kitchen, during a game, or while cleaning the toilets. I was never alone andeveryone was always friendly and ready to help. It seemed as if there were no conflicts. There wasso much love for each other, God and life. In Taizé I learned that there are other options forliving your life. That I can love my neighbor and that I can give to others what I want to receivemyself. Back in the Netherlands, my life was waiting for me and I dove back into my busy schedule. Myexperience of Taizé faded into the background. After I graduated from school, I went touniversity, and then I started to work. This was what life was all about, right?After three years of working, I wanted something new. I felt the lack of something. I was not surewhat I was actually missing. I quit my job in order to travel, hoping to find what I was missing.From Taizé to DivinyaKayleighPAGE 16 DIVINYA TIMES

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DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 14I really like the approach inDivinya that meditation canhappen all the time in whateverwe do. This is something Iwould love to continue withwhen I am back home. And it isamazing how so many peoplecan live together withoutconflict! It's just peace,everywhere and all the time.This living experience here issomething so precious.Even though I had never thought or planned to live ina spiritual community and despite all my future plansto travel and explore the world, a synchronicity ofevents led me to Divinya. Here I finally found again thetranquility, peace and love that I was so touched by inTaizé. Everything that I had liked so much in Taizé, Ifound again in Divinya: The joyful togetherness,working together in an effortless flow, the friendlyatmosphere, everybody supporting each other. Andwhat is so incredible for me in Divinya is that here it isa way of living. Instead of just visiting a sacred place Istarted to live a sacred life among the fellow seekers. Agroup of people dedicating their lives to create thiscollective experience and sharing it with everybodywho comes here. Divinya teaches me every day that I can choose to livemy divine qualities. The most precious thing aboutDivinya is that everybody here shares the same vision:The vision to be part of a new time, of a new paradigmhow to view and live this life. Not just dreaming of abetter world but actively manifesting it by creating alife in peace, beauty and in harmony with ourselves,each other and every living being around us.VIOLETTA - ITALYDIVINYA TIMES PAGE 17

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Apple crumbleInstructions:Preheat the oven to 175 °C.Slice the apples and place them on the baking tray. Ina bowl, whisk together the honey and apple juice.Then add the lemon juice, corn starch, cinnamon andcardamom. Mix well and pour the mixture over theapples, turning the slices to make sure all are covered.Bake for 20 minutes.To make the topping, stir together all the dryingredients in a mixing bowl. When they are wellmixed, add in the butter with your hands until youget a crumbly texture.Pour the topping evenly over the baked apples.Bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until the fillingbubbles up around the edges and the top is nice andgolden. Take your apple crumble out of the oven andlet it shortly rest. We recommend serving it withvanilla ice cream!Ingredients for 8 servings, tray of 20x20cmFor the apple filling: 5 large (or 7 small apples) sliced into ¼” ⅓ cup honey¼ cup apple juice1 tablespoon lemon juice1 tablespoon cornstarch½ teaspoon ground cinnamon¼ teaspoon cardamomFor the oat, almond and pumpkinseed topping:1 cup oats (use certified gluten-free oats ½ cup almond flour½ cup chopped almonds ½ cup of pumpkin seeds⅓ cup golden sugar¼ teaspoon fine sea salt100g unsalted butter/margarine (use thick wedgesfor a gluten-free crisp)straight from the fridge)PAGE 18 DIVINYA TIMES

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Dear pilgrims,In life, so many situations call us to go on a pilgrimage.But in our busy lives, we are not often able to listen to that call. Out of tiredness or being overwhelmed we may like to just step out of the door and go for a stroll, without any fixed destination. Just to get some fresh air, to clear one’s head. To enjoy the presence of the trees, to listen to the birds, to arrive again inthe present moment, to find clarity and peace. A pilgrimage is like extending this walk alittle further. Sometimes we also encounter life situations that shake us and clearly ask us to step out ofour comfort zone and follow our inner longing. Often we don’t have words for this feelingfor something greater, deeper, more profound in this life. With love and devotion,the Divinya CommunityStart your journey to come again into contact withthis miracle of existence itself. Collect beautiful insightsand discoveries on your pilgrimage of the soul.And in case your soul-longing leads you to Divinya,we welcome you with open arms!Going on a pilgrimage allows us to leave our life patterns behind for a while and look atour life from a distance. Like on our nature walk, this will bring us new inspiration andnew insights about ourselves. We might find a new “Me”, who is beyond all our identities,roles and masks, who is beyond all the experiences we havegone through in our life, living only the “I am now”. Let’s embark upon a pilgrimage of the soul together!WWW.DIVINYA.ORG

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For more information please visit the program page:divinya.org/awakening-of-the-selfRegister: info@divinya.orgWelcome to celebrate this auspicious time of the year in a beautiful and meaningful way.Taking part in a retreat with Guruji Sri Vast is a very profound, transformative experience.Immersed in the loving and graceful presence of the Master, we open up for our awakenedstate, recapturing our natural inner peace, joy and freedom. It is an invitation to dive intoour deepest essence.Awakening of the selfYearly in December/January12-day Retreat with Guruji Sri Vast

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HOW TO PARTICIPATEDIVINYA CALENDARLiving EnlightenmentPeace GatheringsRegularly on SundaysMelt your heart in devotional singing, and celebrate the Glory of Life. EverySunday we come together in Divinya for a Singing Gathering and Satsang withGuruji Sri Vast.10-day retreat with Guruji Sri Vast: Every summerWelcome to an 10-day profound inner journey – full of joy, full of love, and full oflight. Guruji Sri Vast shares a profound path to enter into the realm of theenlightened state – a world of pervasive, infinite self.Awakening of the SelfPilgrimsEvery weekend & monthly for 1 week12-day retreat with Guruji Sri Vast: Every winterThis retreat offers guidance on the quest for the awakened state, recapturing ournatural inner peace, joy and freedom. Immersed in the loving and graceful presenceof the Master, we open up to our deepest essence.Ecology & Spirituality3-12 months volunteering program: Starting at the beginning of every monthThose who wish to be part of the Divinya community for a longer period of time andtake part in a transformational learning experience, can apply for Divinya’s uniqueprogram Ecology & Spirituality – The path of the sustainable Yogi.Divinya receives pilgrims from every part of the world. Pilgrims take part in thedaily life of the Sangha and taste the profound, devotional living experience ofbeauty, love, peace, freedom and divine grace. It is a profound, healing and life-affirming experience that supports one's spiritual path with new insights andinspiration. Divya Deha - The Divine BodyAvailable throughout the yearDivinya’s Healing Center offers holistic healing programs, such as Divya Deha,Ayurveda and natural healing practices. We offer 3 to 21-day Divya Deha healing processes which are personalized to meetthe individual life needs.

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All over the world spiritual seekers visit pilgrimage sites, seeking inspiration by thelives of the Saints, Masters and Sanghas, who once lived, realized and explored thehuman potential, which has contributed to the evolution of humanity. Theircollectively lived life experience has influenced the human consciousness and ourway of life. Divinya provides a beautiful opportunity to experience such a life beinglived in our time. Pilgrims in Divinya take part in the daily life of the Sangha andtaste the profound, devotional living experience of beauty, love, peace, freedom anddivine grace. It is a life-affirming and healing experience that supports one'sspiritual path with new insights and inspiration. Divinya is open for pilgrims on weekends and for a 1-week program once amonth. Pilgrims take part in Divinya’s introductory program, where we exploretogether how spirituality and a harmonious, natural living can be brought intopractical everyday life. You have the opportunity to experience daily morningmeditations, yoga, devotional singing and sacred music, silent gatherings for self-inquiry, seva (selfless service), Satsangs, and a contemplative, prayerful livingexperience. an invitationfor pilgrimsFor more informationdivinya.org/pilgrimage

Divina Times Ed. 3 - A Pilgrimage of the Soul

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