On the 1st May many devotees came to Radhadesh from all over Europe to attend the Japa Kirtan Retreat facilitated by Sacinandana Swami. The retreat included classes, exercises, and sweet melodious kirtans centered on meditation on the Hare Krishna mantra.

The blending of inspiration for personal meditation with personal practice and group meditations was a transformational combination.

There were also many people who took part in the retreat by watching the live streaming on the internet.

This retreat was so enlivening, because it went straight to the heart of many devotees… I attribute this phenomenal breakthrough in the lives of the devotees to the fact that they chanted the Holy Name with attention, but also with the right service attitude and the readiness to open their hearts to Krishna. — Sacinandana Swami

On the last evening there was a special theatre evening where different groups of devotees created their own pieces based on things they learned during the week.

The essence of the week was encapsulated in the acronym A.R.R.O.W. which stands for:

1. Alignment (of body, mind, and heart)
2. Relationship (with the Divine)
3. Rendering service (performing meditation as an offering of service)
4. Opening the heart (to the world of meditation and the objects of mediation)
5. Welcoming the divine gift.

We would like to thank all the devotees who helped organize the retreat. First and foremost, of course there is Sacinandana Swami, who gave a virtuoso performance as the facilitator for the week. We would also like to thank all those at Bhaktivedanta College for bringing this marvelous event to Radhadesh, especially Dina Dayal and Jaya Krsna.

There were also many devotees behind the scenes organising things like decorations, handouts, slideshow presentations, and music. Bhanu Nandini Devi Dasi, Gaura Hari Dasa, Kuvalasaya Vishwakarma Dasa, Sadanandi Devi Dasi, and Sudevi Devi Dasi.

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Because of the internet broadcast I was fortunate to take part. What had been impossible for me in the past now became possible! Sacinandana Swami was highly accommodating to us internet followers. He and the rest of the team always took care that we could follow most of the seminar. For that I feel deeply grateful. Distance, illness, household duties and such no longer formed seemingly insurmountable impediments to drinking the nectar of this retreat. I am looking forward to the next internet broadcast from Radhadesh! — Anasuya Devi Dasi