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IVINYA TIMES theme A Pilgrimage of the Soul
This Edition Editorial PAGE 1 Thirst for freedom by Guruji Sri Vast PAGE 5 Divinya A living pilgrimage PAGE 8 Pilgrim Experiences PAGE 11 From Taiz to Divinya PAGE 14 Recipe Apple Crumble PAGE 16 An invitation for pilgrims PAGE 17 www divinya org info divinya org 46 73 984 80 50 divinyaofficial
Warm greetings from the divinya community DEAR SOULS We send you warm greetings with all the vibrant colors and fragrances of summer The seamless ever flowing stream of time has transformed Divinya s face entirely since the last edition 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 to look at the mesmerizing variety of the blooming flowers to listen to the birds whose songs fill the air from early morning to late into the night to watch the swooping of the swallows to pick nature s generous gifts wherever you walk magenta colored cherries delicious strawberries and red and black currents and to harvest fresh vegetables in our permaculture garden in the morning mist We are very happy that we can share our joy with so many people who come to Divinya This summer we finally opened our doors again for pilgrims Now pilgrims have the opportunity to spend one week or one month with the community joining the daily rhythm participating in our 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 1
Usually going on a pilgrimage means to walk to a sacred place but what it is ultimately all about is the inner journey and the inner growth which can take place within oneself during that pilgrimage Being in Divinya facilitates a profound encounter with the core of oneself What is it that 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 deep insights 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 of peace love and freedom in practical lived reality is a once ina lifetime opportunity One enters a new culture in Divinya The way people dress the way they communicate with each other the daily rhythm the food the music the very fact that it is not a family or a group of friends living together but people bound together by a vision rediscovering life everything is a little different from 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 not constantly 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 DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 2
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 In this edition of the Divinya Times we explore Divinya as a pilgrimage destination Pilgrims share the experience they had living with the community for one week and how it has been supporting their inner journey towards selfdiscovery Likewise community members share their experience of having pilgrims coming to Divinya and also the way they see Divinya as a living pilgrimage We hope that what they share can be an inspiration for those who might feel that the time is ripe to leap into the unnamed waters of self discovery To have the courage to leave their comfort zone just for a while leaving behind all baggage and attachments and embarking on an adventure into the unknown With the faith of being carried to new shores of incomparable beauty boundless love and infinite freedom within themselves DIVINYA DIVINYATIMES TIMES PAGE 2 3
Going on a pilgrimage means to leap into the unnamed waters of selfdiscovery To have the courage to leave one s comfort zone and all baggage and attachments behind and embark upon an adventure into the unknown with the faith of being carried to new shores of incomparable beauty boundless love and infinite freedom within oneself
thirst for freedom Guruji Sri Vast Everyone 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 yoga practitioner everyone has the same goal to live in freedom to live in peace to live in love to live in nature Ask anyone What do you want and they will give the same answer I want to live in freedom But the paths we take to achieve this freedom differ from each other One who meditates may say I want to achieve my freedom through meditation The businessman may say 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 are taking 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 seeker looks for that freedom now Not after retirement or after completing the house or after marriage or after the divorce not after but now DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 5
As a natural species we have this deep thirst to live in freedom To live in freedom means to live without a reference Many scriptures are available in this world and many people are trying to be correct according to those scriptures Correct according to their culture correct according to traditions correct according to a certain belief system or philosophy Freedom is when there is no need to be correct according to any reference That means that there is no conflict between you and this very moment Our very nature would come alive if we did not have any conflict with this very moment if we were able to sense this very presence We as cosmic divine beings infinite beings our life is not just completed in this body Look at a glass of water We can identify ourselves as the glass or as the water in the glass We can say I m a glass or we can say I am the water The glass has its shape form and material Different glasses are available but the water is the same If I identify myself as the water in the glass I am infinite If I am not in this glass I will transfer into another glass some other form I may evaporate 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 formless again It goes on Infinite life Our experiences are reborn again and again DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 6
As a cosmic divine being life happens between your body this planet and the cosmic body the cosmic realm If there is a movement in the cosmos it creates movements on this planet and creates movements in your body When these movements are aligned when my body is able to move according to the cosmic movement I experience my infinite nature Experiencing the state of 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 such a 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 long time we have all slowly become domesticated All the issues you are facing in your life they do not belong to you they belong to the domesticated state of you Get to know the difference between what belongs to you and what belongs to the domesticated state of you Your spiritual journey is nothing but freedom from your domesticated state towards your natural state The natural state of the being the natural state of yourself
Judith Divinya A living pilgrimage In my view Divinya is a very special pilgrimage site People come here not to visit some sacred place or remember some saint who used to live here a long time ago they come to Divinya to enter a living experience As a member of the Sangha it is so beautiful to see pilgrims coming to Divinya Seeing the difference in how they come and how they go The many new components which are part of our everyday structure here in Divinya can sometimes be almost like a little culture shock as so many little details of how we approach life here are unfamiliar at first Yet normally a beautiful readiness is expressed by the pilgrims to dive into this new experience a curiosity to discover what their time in Divinya could hold for them I have witnessed how every pilgrim goes through their own unique personal journey while they are here how everybody seems to encounter exactly those moments which can bring them further on their way often providing deep insights and new perspectives for their individual quest I have often seen people leaving with a totally new body language with sparkling eyes broad smiles lighting up their faces and moving so lightly 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 about how the Teachings of Guruji Sri Vast which are brought into practical life in Divinya have been applicable in their own life back home that they conduct the DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 8
morning meditation now at home that they are experiencing more inner peace and less frictions with their surrounding they speak about more loving and compassionate relations with partners children friends and colleagues And this is exactly what the Teachings and the life in Divinya is ultimately all about It is not about some complicated philosophy some groundbreaking theory or some new doctrine It is all about a very simple love a very simple joy a very simple peace which is unconditionally shared It is about becoming a true human again being grounded in a humble appreciation of the wonder of existence enjoying the butterfly swaying in front of our eyes It is difficult for me to find words which could express how much these transformational ex periences of people having been to Divinya fill me with joy and a deep sense of gratification The way we live here devoting our lives to manifesting together this vision of a life in beauty love freedom and sacredness and sharing this living experience with those who stay with us for some time becomes so meaningful The testimonies of people from all over the world and from all kinds of backgrounds and life situations make me aware again and again that the experience that we are sharing here is not confined to Divinya It is a consciousness freely unfolding in so many places at this very moment in time I can see how my own life has become part of a collectively lived experience creating ripples in other peoples lives and I cannot imagine anything more rewarding DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 9
Living in Divinya for me means meeting with the mysterious core of my very being
Pilgrim Experience Andreas Germany Being a pilgrim in Divinya has been simply wonderful overall and very very beautiful For me it is 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 in nature 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 one another 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 absolutely unusual and feels very good I experience being here as a very airy existence There is a definite yes to what is right now from all of you and that is clearly noticeable And there is a great deal of trust in one another and a great deal of trust in us too and that s so beautiful 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 are looked after in such a pleasant way Nobody is asking for something or trying to impose something on you not at all not in the least but there are always offers and an invitation to participate DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 11
For me the Introduction Course broadened my view because otherwise I would have marched in here with my usual way of perception and then I would have interpreted everything according to my point of view and then probably relatively little new would have come out of my experience here But thanks to the introductory course and also through the Satsangs of course my experience has expanded I could understand the background of so many things better the fine subtle things which I would not have grasped otherwise After all your 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 developed over time Of course everyone lives it a little differently but there is a common core and you live it in a very subtle way And without the Introduction Course this subtlety this delicacy this complexity of the whole thing would have been not as noticeable to me So through the course you 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 s an extraordinary experience that you can t have anywhere else Everyone should take the time and just come Pilgrim Experience Monika Germany I enjoyed the whole package of being here in Divinya for one week as a pilgrim If I imagine any piece that would have been missing then it would have been somehow something completely different I enjoyed very much the environment and the garden the garden is wonderful Everything is just so big here and so wide and not so narrow as in normal notions Yes the vastness is so wonderful The Introduction Course I found very helpful the topics were really good I take a great 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 found that extremely nice I also noticed that not a single sharp DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 12
word was uttered the whole time I have been here Also the joy the ease with which everything happens here and the flexibility What impressed me so much is that nothing is overlooked here You never have to worry that you could be forgotten in any way If something needs to be done or if you need something there is 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 t do that but always a just try You can always contribute something and be included and there is no feeling of being a stranger or not belonging And what is also so important for me nobody says to you you have to be like that you can t be like that you have to do it like this you have to do it like this you have to do it differently As a result you are always only confronted with yourself because the instructions from others do not take place and then instead you always look inside What is happening in me how do I process what is happening now is that actually helpful now do I want to keep it or do I prefer to let it go how do I deal with it I think that s great that s one of the most important things for me that you don t blame others for your feelings but you always stay with yourself It always stays with me and I always have the choice to say 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 over and over again What is disturbing my peace Am I at peace or what is disturbing my peace Am I making myself available somehow for an unpeaceful energy or do I really pay attention to not giving 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 I take a lot with me It was a huge gift to be here And we will recommend it to others that is already clear And we will be back that is also clear PA DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 12
Kayleigh From Taiz to Divinya When I was 15 years old my school organized a trip to Taiz Driving up the hill where Taiz is located 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 something I had become so used to Taiz gave me the peace to look around and to wonder what else life had 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 and everyone was always friendly and ready to help It seemed as if there were no conflicts There was so much love for each other God and life In Taiz I learned that there are other options for living your life That I can love my neighbor and that I can give to others what I want to receive myself Back in the Netherlands my life was waiting for me and I dove back into my busy schedule My experience of Taiz faded into the background After I graduated from school I went to university 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 sure what I was actually missing I quit my job in order to travel hoping to find what I was missing DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 14
Even though I had never thought or planned to live in a spiritual community and despite all my future plans to travel and explore the world a synchronicity of events led me to Divinya Here I finally found again the tranquility peace and love that I was so touched by in Taiz Everything that I had liked so much in Taiz I found again in Divinya The joyful togetherness working together in an effortless flow the friendly atmosphere everybody supporting each other And what is so incredible for me in Divinya is that here it is a way of living Instead of just visiting a sacred place I started to live a sacred life among the fellow seekers A group of people dedicating their lives to create this collective experience and sharing it with everybody who comes here Divinya teaches me every day that I can choose to live my divine qualities The most precious thing about Divinya is that everybody here shares the same vision The vision to be part of a new time of a new paradigm how to view and live this life Not just dreaming of a better world but actively manifesting it by creating a life in peace beauty and in harmony with ourselves each other and every living being around us I really like the approach in Divinya that meditation can happen all the time in whatever we do This is something I would love to continue with when I am back home And it is amazing how so many people can live together without conflict It s just peace everywhere and all the time This living experience here is something so precious VIOLETTA ITALY DIVINYA TIMES PAGE 14 15
Apple crumble Ingredients for 8 servings tray of 20x20cm For the apple filling 5 large or 7 small apples sliced into thick wedges cup honey cup apple juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon cornstarch teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon cardamom For the oat almond and pumpkin seed topping 1 cup oats use certified gluten free oats for a gluten free crisp cup almond flour cup chopped almonds cup of pumpkin seeds cup golden sugar teaspoon fine sea salt 100g unsalted butter margarine use straight from the fridge DIVINYA TIMES Instructions Preheat the oven to 175 C Slice the apples and place them on the baking tray In a bowl whisk together the honey and apple juice Then add the lemon juice corn starch cinnamon and cardamom Mix well and pour the mixture over the apples turning the slices to make sure all are covered Bake for 20 minutes To make the topping stir together all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl When they are well mixed add in the butter with your hands until you get a crumbly texture Pour the topping evenly over the baked apples Bake for another 25 to 30 minutes until the filling bubbles up around the edges and the top is nice and golden Take your apple crumble out of the oven and let it shortly rest We recommend serving it with vanilla ice cream PAGE 16
an invitation for pilgrims Seekers from all over the world come to Divinya as pilgrims to experience the transformational togetherness of the eco spiritual community The one week Divinya experience can enhance one s life with a new reference of living this life allowing one the space to look deeply within and listen to one s inner calling It is a profound life affirming experience that supports one s spiritual path with new insights and inspiration Pilgrims take part in the daily life of the community and participate in Divinya s Introductory Program where we explore together how spirituality can be brought into practical living For those who wish to spend a whole month with the community of Divinya we offer the Yogic Life For more information about visiting Divinya https www divinya org pilgrimage of the soul VIDEO
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 in the present moment to find clarity and peace A pilgrimage is like extending this walk a little further Sometimes we also encounter life situations that shake us and clearly ask us to step out of our comfort zone and follow our inner longing Often we don t have words for this feeling for something greater deeper more profound in this life Going on a pilgrimage allows us to leave our life patterns behind for a while and look at our life from a distance Like on our nature walk this will bring us new inspiration and new 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 have gone through in our life living only the I am now Start your journey to come again into contact with this miracle of existence itself Collect beautiful insights and discoveries on your pilgrimage of the soul And in case your soullonging leads you to Divinya we welcome you with open arms Let s embark upon a pilgrimage of the soul together With love and devotion the Divinya Community WWW DIVINYA ORG
10 day Retreat with Guruji Sri Vast Awakening of the self 23 Dec 2021 2 Jan 2022 Welcome 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 awakened state recapturing our natural inner peace joy and freedom It is an invitation to dive into our deepest essence which is unconditional love Register info divinya org Visit the program page