From November 20 to 22, 2026, Chișinău will host an open satsang, a practical seminar, and traditional ceremonies featuring Swami Vishnudevananda Giri, a spiritual teacher in the Siddha tradition.
The program is devoted to the foundations of Advaita Vedanta, jnana yoga, contemplative practice, and the discipline of discipleship. The meetings are intended both for followers of the tradition and for participants wishing to familiarize themselves with its teachings and methods.
Program of Events
November 20 — Open Satsang
“The Seven Stages of Spiritual Awakening in Advaita Vedanta”
The satsang will explore the successive stages of a seeker’s inner maturation: from discerning the transient from the eternal to becoming established in the knowledge of one’s own nature.
November 21–22 — Practical Seminar
“The Path of Discovering the Clear Light and the Yoga of the Illusory Body in the Siddha Tradition”
The seminar is devoted to methods of contemplation, recognition of the nature of consciousness, and disciplines through which practitioners investigate the impermanence of bodily, sensory, and mental states.
The seminar will include:
morning and evening practices guided by Swami Vishnudevananda Giri and senior sannyasi disciples;
lectures and satsangs on the foundations of jnana yoga;
instructions on contemplative practice;
work with mantra within the framework of the methods being transmitted;
answers to participants’ questions;
practical guidance on investigating the nature of consciousness.
November 21 — Sharanagati Samskara
Sharanagati Samskara is a ceremony of taking spiritual refuge and consciously entering the discipline of the tradition. It expresses the disciple’s readiness to follow instructions, observe the commitments undertaken, and align everyday life with the principles of dharma.
Sharanagati is not a formal declaration. In the classical understanding, it entails trust in the Divine, respect for the lineage, and personal responsibility for carrying out one’s sadhana.
Participation in the ceremony requires prior familiarization with its meaning and conditions. The organizational and spiritual requirements should be clarified with authorized representatives of the community.
November 22 — Ashta Avarana Diksha
Ashta Avarana Diksha (Sanskrit: aṣṭāvaraṇa-dīkṣā) is initiation into the “eight veils” or “eight protections” of Shiva. The term is derived from aṣṭa, meaning “eight”; āvaraṇa, meaning “veil, enclosure, protection”; and dīkṣā, meaning “initiation.”
The eightfold system of spiritual protection includes:
Guru — the spiritual teacher;
Linga — the sacred symbol of Shiva;
Jangama — an initiated bearer of the tradition;
Vibhuti — consecrated ash;
Rudraksha — sacred seeds associated with the worship of Shiva;
Mantra — a consecrated formula of invocation and contemplation;
Padodaka — consecrated water;
Prasada — a consecrated offering and gift of grace.
Diksha involves not only performing the rite but also accepting the corresponding spiritual discipline. Eligibility for initiation is determined by the teacher or by representatives appointed by him after the content of the vows and practices has been explained in advance.
Venue and Dates
Dates: November 20–22, 2026
Country: Republic of Moldova
City: Chișinău
The exact address, registration procedure, participation fee, eligibility rules for initiations, and preparation requirements should be obtained from the organizers.
Registration contact: Aparajita
Participants are advised to clarify the following in advance:
registration terms;
the list of required items;
dress and conduct requirements;
the possibility of participating without receiving initiation;
accommodation and meal arrangements.
