Gurmat Retreat May 24 to 27, 2019

Gurmat Retreat: Register Below

Vaahiguru Ji Ka Khalsa, Vaahiguru Ji Ki Fateh!

Dear Sangat far & wide,

Registration for this year’s annual Gurmat Retreat is now open! SYANA Gurmat Retreat is an annual tradition that brings together Sikhs of all backgrounds to connect & reflect on the wisdom and daily practice of Sikhi – all while spending a weekend surrounded by nature in Jackson, MI.

This year is especially special. 2019 marks the 550th year since Guru Nanak’s arrival into this world. Guru Nanak instigated a personal and communal revolution that the world has never seen before and yet to fathom. In the words of Bhai Gurdas, “Bliss envelopes the world! Guru Nanak brings freedom in the age-of-ignorance.” (Var 1, Pauri 37). As heirs to this incredible legacy, we center the theme of retreat around Guru Nanak: 1469 to Eternity in hopes to understanding the enigma & revolutionary that was our first Paatshah.

For more details on what we have planned check out our blog.


Schedule

4:00pm
  
5:30pm
   Registration
5:30pm
  
6:30pm
   Evening Divaan
6:30pm
  
7:15pm
   Dinner
7:15pm
  
7:30pm
   Opening Remarks
7:30pm
  
9:00pm
  
Moderator: Japman Kaur (ON) & Ujjal Didar Singh (OH)

Game Show
6:45am
  
8:00am
   Morning Divaan
8:00am
  
8:45am
   Breakfast
8:45am
  
10:45am
  
Moderators: Balpreet Kaur (OH) & Ujjal Didar Singh (OH)

Description: Gurbani is a multi-dimensional source of inspiration, guidance, and insights. Exploring the language, metaphors, and socio-political historical contexts of a Shabad of Guru Nanak, we will examine how Guru Nanak framed the path of Sikhi through practical lessons regarding behavior, politics, and emotions. This workshop creates space for individuals to delve deeply into Gurbani and equip them with tools to interpret Gurbani at an individual level.
10:45am
  
11:15am
   Break
11:15am
  
11:30am
  
Description: TBD
11:35am
  
12:15pm
  
Presenters: Harleen Kaur (MI) & Sangeeta Kaur (MI)

Description: Ever feel nervous about giving a talk or teaching others about a topic? These mini sessions will give you tips and tricks to make your own workshops and presentations. Be prepared to learn and share information in a way that will help you connect with others.
12:15pm
  
1:00pm
   Lunch
1:00pm
  
3:00pm
   Break
3:00pm
  
5:00pm
  
Moderator: Santbir Singh (ON)

Description: Every morning for the last five hundred years, Sikhs have gathered together to sing Asa ki Var. Guru Nanak Sahib (with some Slokhs from Guru Angad Sahib) revealed this Bani to destroy the idea of duality and so that the unity of Ik Oan Kar could reign supreme.

Explore with us as we examine how Guru Sahib tackles the duality of our thoughts; how we separate the Creator from Creation. We will learn how he challenges the duality in our actions, how our inauthenticity and hypocrisy comes in the way of a genuine love for Vahiguru.


Finally we will see how Guru Sahib seeks to expose the duality of our societies. The categories we create between pure and impure, good and bad. Let us try and feel a glimpse of the awe that Guru Ji felt upon seeing a fully connected and unified Divinely infused universe.
5:00pm
  
6:30pm
   Evening Divaan
6:30pm
  
7:15pm
   Dinner
7:15pm
  
8:45pm
  
Moderator: Japjyot Singh (MD)

Description: An immersive workshop explaining the importance of Sikh poetry with an opportunity for all to express their creativity through poems and prose.
8:45pm
  
10:00pm
   Bonfire
6:45am
  
8:00am
   Morning Divaan
8:00am
  
8:45am
   Breakfast
8:45am
  
10:15am
  
Moderators: Rubin Pal Singh

Description: How is activism different than Sikh activism? And what does every Sikh Activist need in their toolkit?
Through gurbani, history, and rehat, this workshop will explore how each of us can be a guru-centered activist!
10:15am
  
10:30am
   Break
10:30am
  
12:00pm
  
Moderator: Mohanpal Singh (ON)

Description: How did our Gurus navigate the social and political climates of their times? This workshop explores ways in which Sikh ethics, inspired by the lessons from our Gurus lives and the message of Gurbani, serve as a guide for mindful thought and action in the modern era.
12:15pm
  
1:00pm
   Lunch
1:00pm
  
1:30pm
  
Moderator: Harleen Kaur (MI) & Sangeeta Kaur (MI)

Description: Ever feel nervous about giving a talk or teaching others about a topic? These mini sessions will give you tips and tricks to make your own workshops and presentations. Be prepared to learn and share information in a way that will help you connect with others.

1:30pm
  
4:30pm
  
Moderator: Glenn Wygocki (Rochester Hills Mixed Martial Arts Academy)

Description: Learn awareness and how to fight back and defend your life against an attacker.

  • Wear athletic clothes and clean athletic shoes!!!
  • Three hours of self defense instruction with live stress drills.
  • Practice what you learn on a live attacker wearing a tactical padded suit. Learn to use your fight or flight reaction to your advantage.
  • Learn how to trust your instincts and how to deter an attack before it happens.
  • Learn and perform striking, kicking, choke defenses, bear hug defenses and how to target the weakest areas on an attacker.
  • This seminar is highly interactive and everybody will have multiple chances to use what they learn in stress attack drills.
4:30pm
  
5:15pm
   Break
5:15pm
  
6:30pm
   Evening Divaan
6:30pm
  
7:15pm
   Dinner
7:15pm
  
8:45pm
  
Moderator: Jaspreet Kaur (ON)

Description: What does gurbani say about mental wellness? How do we balance this with and evidence based, western mental health framework? Bring your questions to this interactive session as we explore ways to support our mental state with bani and wellness!
8:45pm
  
10:00pm
  
         
6:45am
  
9:00am
   Divaan
9:00am
  
9:30am
   Breakfast
9:30am
  
10:15am
  
Moderator: Kuldeep Singh (FL)

Description: Guru Nanak turned the spiritual and political worlds upside by transfusing both ideals into the life of his Sikhs. This tradition was forged by Charan and then, by the Khanda. This workshop will offer insights on how Miri-Piri relate to one of the most fundamental commitments a Sikh can make: receiving Khandey Ki Pahul. To whom do we owe our allegiance? How can we become engaged citizens of the Khalsa Panth? What responsibilities do we have as constiuents of the Akal Takht?
10:15am
  
11:45am
  
Description: TBD
11:45am
  
12:45pm
  
12:45pm
  
1:30pm
   Packing Break
1:30pm
       Lunch

Retreat Registration

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Frequently Asked Questions

This retreat is geared toward Sikhs, ages 18 – 35, who are dedicated to strengthening their Sikhi and increasing their knowledge of Sikhism. The hope is to create an environment where open discourse and respectful dialogue can help engage a spirit of lifelong learning.
This year’s retreat will be held at the YMCA Camp Storer in Jackson, MI, located approximately 1.5 hours from Detroit. The campsite is on 1,200 acres of land nestled in farm country on the shores of a 240 acre lake. Exciting outdoor adventures are available and can augment the experience of retreat participants.
Through Keertan Divaans, various workshops, Gurbanee discussions, and debates, we will delve into several topics pertinent to our understanding of the Sikh way of life. We will also have dedicated access to low ropes courses, canoeing, rock climbing, and other activities.
This year, the cost of retreat is $165 per person. This cost covers registration, accommodations, extracurricular activities, facilities, and meals.
The Retreat schedule begins Friday, May 24th at 5:00pm and will end by 1:00pm on Monday, May 27th. Please plan on scheduling your flights to arrive before and after these start and end times. We are unable to arrange transportation outside of these times. If flight times and prices make it easier to arrive one day prior or leave one day after, we will arrange for your accommodations. The nearest airport is Detroit Metro Airport. There is also Amtrak and Greyhound/Megabus accessibility. The first workshop on Friday will set the tone and foundation for the remaining workshops, make every effort to arrive by Friday evening.
Please make sure to bring bedding (sheets/blanket/pillow), appropriate clothing, towels, and toiletries and if interested, sport and swimming gear. The YMCA Camp Storer offers a variety of activities and amenities at the campsite. Mornings and evenings are often cooler and afternoons can warm up significantly. You will also need chunnis/dastaars/rumaals, etc, as it is be mandatory to keep your head covered throughout the retreat.
A few weeks before Retreat we will send out a travel information form.
Regular registration will end May 9th. Late registration is open until May 14th with an additional $25 late fee per adult.


DIRECTIONS TO YMCA CAMP STORER


Address:
6941 Stony Lake Road
Jackson, MI 49201

Contact Info:
Inderpal Singh (847) 226.0690
Mandeep Singh (314) 537.5669