Skanda Vale

Skanda Vale in Switzerland

Since 1990 Guruji travelled to Switzerland four or five times each year to conduct teaching seminars, ranging from two days to a week in duration and accommodating from 30 to 100 people.

In 1994 The Swiss Association of Skanda Vale was formed by supporters mostly from Switzerland and Germany and a mountain chalet was purchased near Fideris, in Canton Graubünden, about 30km from Davos at a height of almost 2000m. The chalet was to be a permanent venue for the seminars and devotions with the long term aspiration of establishing a temple. Thereafter the seminars were formalised to coincide with the intervals between the festivals in Skanda Vale, normally in June, July, September and October.

The theme of the seminars are about learning to develop a partnership with God in everyday life, dealing with all aspects of living, from physical health, emotional attachments, relationships, parenting, professional responsibilities, suffering and death to mantras, concentration, breathing, devotion, the diverse manifestations of the divine, karma, liberation and our relationship with the planet.

The structure of the teaching is in the form of informal discourses and question and answer sessions. No prescribed schedule is formulated or any texts used; rather, inspiration is drawn directly from the divine in relation to the problems and aspirations of those present. The day starts and ends with devotion. The individual experiences the teachings on a multitude of levels, whilst discussing practical and often humorous aspects of living the Grace of the Divine infuses the room and seems to unwind the pressures, fears and deep seated traumas buried within. Freed from this unwanted mental baggage, the attendees leave spiritually refreshed, focussed and with a renewed sense of purpose in their lives.

The seminars are enhanced and balanced by the stunning mountain landscape and diverse alpine plants and animals. Daily duties in the house such as cooking, cleaning and maintenance are shared by all attendees and the seminars are charged at cost to cover expenditure on transport, food, fuel and materials. The teaching is free of charge, but voluntary donations can be made. The seminars are led by the Swamis accompanied by one or more monks and nuns from Skanda Vale and a German translation is provided simultaneously for all the teachings. The seminars are open to all over the age of fifteen and are normally reserved on a first come first served basis.