Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Jalpaiguri, hosted a spiritual retreat on 01 March 2026, featuring a special talk titled “Knowing Our Self”. The event drew a massive gathering of devotees and spiritual aspirants from Jalpaiguri and surrounding regions, demonstrating a profound interest in Vedantic philosophy.
Discourse Highlights
The programme began with solemn Vedic chanting, establishing a serene and meditative environment. The keynote address by Swami Sarvapriyanandaji Maharaj focused on several key spiritual themes:
- Foundational Teachings: The discourse was based on the first four teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Deva from the book Sri Ramakrishna Upadesh, authored by Swami Brahmananda.
- Core Vedantic Principles: Maharaj expounded on self-inquiry as the primary method for realizing one’s true nature.
- Practical Spirituality: The talk emphasized the importance of inner strength, mental purity, and clarity of thought in daily life.
- Outcomes of Realization: Drawing from the Upanishads, it was explained that Self-realization leads to peace, fearlessness, and purposeful living.
The lecture was followed by an engaging interactive session where participants received guidance and insights directly from Maharaj.
Participation and Attendance
The event was attended by more than 1,300 participants, which included a diverse group of monastics, volunteers, staff, and police personnel. The delegate breakdown was as follows:
| Category | Count |
| Registered Male Delegates | 540 |
| Registered Female Delegates | 607 |
| Total Registered Delegates | 1,147 |
Distribution and Hospitality
To support the spiritual outreach and well-being of the attendees:
- Spiritual Literature: Each delegate was gifted a copy of Sri Ramakrishna Upadesh and a set of 50 photographs of the Holy Trinity.
- Refreshments: Tea and biscuits were served at the commencement of the programme, and cooked Prasad was distributed to all participants at the conclusion.
Conclusion
The retreat concluded successfully, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and inspiring participants to strive toward higher spiritual ideals and a deeper understanding of the Self.
