Thinking Soul Retreat: Document to support Architectural Thesis

THINKING SOUL RETREAT

WHAT IS A RETREAT (WHAT HAPPENS IN RETREAT CENTRE) Webster's Third New International Dictionary defines retreat as "a special period of group or individual withdrawal to a place of seclusion for the purpose of deepening the spiritual life of participants through such means as prayer, meditation, study and instruction under a director.“ OR A retreat is a time and place set aside for a person or group to re-view, re-evaluate, take a different perspective on their lives so they can return to their everyday lives with enthusiasm and creative energy.

OR A retreat is exactly what it sounds like — the chance to step aside from life for a while, to rest and just 'be' in a welcoming, peaceful place.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

Sufi Retreats or Spiritual Khalwa : The literal meaning of khalwa is seclusion or retreat, but it has a different connotation in Sufi terminology: It is the act of total self-abandonment in desire for the Divine Presence. In complete seclusion, the Sufi continuously repeats

the name of God as a highest form of dhikr (remembrance of God meditation).

Dark retreat : refers to advanced practices in the Taoism, other schools of Tibetan Buddhism. A dark retreat is a solo retreat in a space that is completely absent of light. Because there is no optical stimulation, one can experience "prisoner's cinema", commonly known as the lights. The time period dedicated to dark retreat varies from a few hours to decades. Dark Retreat in the Himalayan tradition is a restricted practice only to be engaged by the senior spiritual practitioner under appropriate spiritual guidance. The traditional dark retreat requires stability in the natural state and is only suitable for advanced practitioners.

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Classification of retreat: There are many ways to classify retreat. From the point of view of guidance there are the common and the private retreat. In the former a number of persons perform the spiritual exercises under the direction of a priest who gives group instructions and is available for individual consultation. In the private retreat a person makes the exercises alone, often guided only by books or his own notes.

Depending on the retreatants, we may distinguish between clerical, religious and lay retreats. The last class is further subdivided into numerous types according to age, sex and occupation. For example, there can be retreats for primary school children, teenage youth, nurses, lawyers, or married women. In terms of solitude retreats are either open or closed. During the former the retreatants commute from their homes to the retreat centre, while in the latter they stay at the centre for the whole exercise.

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Retreats are a modern answer to modern living. Going on a retreat means taking time away from your ordinary life and situation. It is a special time to give yourself some peace and calm. You might be stepping away from a hectic lifestyle full of being too busy. You may be taking a break away from the responsibilities of children or caring for someone. You may be escaping from a bad emotional situation. You may just want some quiet and to be left alone for a day or two. You may just want some tranquility in which to consider where you are in life.A retreat lets our feelings open out and gives us access to both the light and dark corners of our deep feelings. It can bring understanding of where we are in relationships too. All the great spiritual traditions are about discovering ourselves in ways that help us to grow in happiness and love. For many people a retreat will be an awakening to the presence of God in their lives.

Do you have to be religious? You certainly do not have to be religious to go on a retreat. Men and women of all faiths and those of none go on retreat. You do not have to be a Hindu or Buddhist to go on a retreat even in a monastery run by monks or nuns. You do not have to believe in God. What is vital is your positive decision to take time for your spiritual life. If you want to go to places of the Islam faith, you must enquire first as to the situation.

You should also enquire first at places of Hindu worship and study. While you may not have to be religious, you must

respect the faith of the people in the place you are visiting.

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WHAT TYPE OF PEOPLE COME TO RETREAT Almost everyone comes back from a retreat feeling good about the people they met there. But it is true to say that you may meet people you like at once, those you do not want to know better and those who may make a nuisance of

themselves. There are people who will hammer away about God and salvation or the greening of the planet or why vegetarianism or raw juice or deep breathing is the secret key to good living. This is apt to annoy even the nicest person. If cornered by this sort of person, just excuse yourself go away at once to your room or for a walk. You are there to listen to another voice - your inner spiritual one.At a retreat centre you will meet people of all ages and from every kind of background – factory workers, unemployed, students, housewives, grandparents, business people, millionaires and famous celebrities. A retreat is a kind of spiritual club with membership open to all. A group retreat can be fun and a time of making new friends. Even on a private retreat you are likely to meet interesting people.

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WHAT IS THE BEST PLACE TO SITUATE A RETREAT CENTRE (WHERE A RETREAT SHOULD BE LOCATED) Location should be away from city life, aloof, close to nature preferably on hilly areas.

Entrance foyer should reflect the whole concept of retreat.

The circulation passages should be easily connecting all the major areas of the site.

Open spaces should be developed as activity zones.

There should be segregation of public, private and semi private zones.

The site should lie in a peaceful area where a person can connect to his inner soul easily.

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WHAT THINGS, A RETREAT SHOULD HAVE A typical retreat center should have a REJUVENATION CENTRE which should have basic facilities like: GYMNASIUM YOGA SAUNA

MASSAGE ROOM

There should also be workshop rooms and a lecture rooms.

Since a retreat center is meant to be constructed at a place which is cut-off from the busy city life, these are some basic sub-structures that should be there in a retreat center. This takes Human beings to a more primitive living, and helps in connecting oneself with its inner soul more easily.

Apart from these, a retreat center may have LIBRARIES, ART ROOMS, PRAYER ROOMS, PRIVATE MEDITATION SPACES, AND A CENTRAL MEDITATION HALL.

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HOW, A RETREAT CENTRE IS DIFFERENT FROM A RESORT, AN ASHRAM, ETC RETREAT

RESORT

ASHRAM

Religious Following

no

no

yes

Rejuvenation/ excursion

yes

yes

no

A place to sing Prayers

yes

no

yes

Entry membership?

no

yes

yes

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

CONCEPTUALISING A RETREAT CENTRE The celebrated Swiss Architect, Peter Zumthor's declaration that “architecture is a balance of emotion and reason� stands out in the RETREATS. This mood is created through the rectilinear plan, the functionality of spaces and

materiality. He also taps into the physical, emotional, and spiritual `side of the body with the use of color. The treatment of materials and light in the design allow for the emotional side to come out. Sight, touch, and smell are experienced with how he designed with material and light. The success of Zumthor's work is in his ability to remember the experiences that give a rise to us emotionally and use them to envision a new design that attempts to

achieve the same level of excitement.

This thesis searches to provide an answer to the question: how is hospitality expressed in architectural terms and how does this affect our perception of space? The Building Typology for analysis of the problem is a retreat campus serving as a holistic human wellness center.

Design of a facility for people to rejuvenate their emotional and physical states will be an important part of our future as human technology evolves and distracts us from the basic

necessities in life.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

CONCEPTUALISING A RETREAT CENTRE Design of a facility for people to rejuvenate their emotional and physical states will be an important part of our future as human technology evolves and distracts us from the basic necessities in life.

The THINKING SOUL Retreat Center should be dedicated to helping the individual come to a renewal of Self through

several types of retreats: The Artistic/Creative: Retreat offers an environment for those who seek a space to focus their energies in art, writing, music, movement and other creative endeavors.

The Nature/Outdoor retreat is for those who are seeking to immerse themselves in the beauty and activity of the world of nature.

The Gardening/Farming retreat is for those who love plants and birds.

The Quiet/Reflective retreat is for those who need to view within, to reset their priorities of life, to find and/or deepen and strengthen their spiritual roots.

The Counseling retreat offers you a safe place to enter into your inner healing, to engage in deep and concentrated pastoral

psychotherapy with highly skilled counselors who have many years of experience.

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THE POWER TO HEAL LIES WITHIN ONE’S OWN THOUGHT PROCESS Our body is a perfect healing machine. It has the ability to heal itself within an instance. It was given powers by God before we entered our Mother’s womb to control and regulate our

physical bodies in times of stress and needs. All we have to do is believe we are healed and our body goes to work doing what it was created to do. [That is called the power of thought].

Why? Simply because we are a perfect creation. Made in the image of God himself. Everything that God made was good and perfect in every way. How do we know this, simple, because God said so. After each step in the creation process, God paused and said it was good. Therefore, we are equipped with all the necessary tools to keep our bodies healthy and survive the stress that is put upon it, and if for some reason are other we become unhealthy, we were given the necessary

tools to bring healing to our physical body. Our brain is an amazing tool, back up with the power

of the mind which provides us with a direct link to God.

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There is a well known case of a “Sacred Bone� from the middle ages which had the wonderful power to heal diseases. This bone was brought from the Holy Land by two soldiers of the crusades, and was supposed to be a part of the remains of a saint in the New Testament. It was only many years later when

one of the soldiers confessed the truth on his deathbed that the real relic had been lost because they were drunk. Fearing to return home without it, they substituted the bone of a sheep.

Much to their surprise, the sheep bone operated just as well in its power to heal people. Therefore they agreed to keep silent about the matter. It was the faith and belief of the people about the healing power of the object that acted as a powerful form of suggestion to bring healing to their bodies through the

power of their subconscious mind. But after the disclosure of the true nature of the relic, the cures ceased at once, and many of those who had been healed became sick again.

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The quest for getaways from the urban life was a concept realized many years ago for the people that could afford it. For instance, the Turkish royal family had their palace in the city. Yet, during the summer months they would cross the river to their other palace in the country that employed views of the landscape and natural environment. It was their time to rest and rejuvenate their health. It was a time of relaxation and self-meditation.

In Italy, the Medici family also had a similar concept. The Palazzo Piti was their main home for the cooler months. Then, during the summer months they would retreat to their villa in the countryside for the beautiful landscapes and serenity away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Still to this day there are families that have their house in the city, but a summer place outside of it.

The desire for relaxation and relief from the city life has always been sought over. It gives a personal retreat for the minds to relax and focus in on the lives to rebalance. The wellness center will act similarly as a retreat for the people to obtain these qualities of a getaway. It will give the person time to self-reflect, engage with nature, and rebalance their lives away from the busyness all around them in the city.

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QUANTUM HEALING How does healing work at the cellular level?

Every feeling, every emotion and every thought creates a change in our body chemistry at the subatomic level. And it is these quantum changes that create our state of health. Quantum healing explains why everybody has the ability to change the condition of their physical body regardless of age, health status or body type. The magic of quantum healing (also called cellular healing) is based on one fundamental concept: Where thought goes, energy flows.

Our body shape and functioning changes throughout our whole lives. Why? Thousands of cells are constantly being renewed within the body in the exact image of your emerging state of being. As we learn and develop throughout life, our cells reflect how we feel.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

The cellular healing process is about creating harmony in body, mind and soul. If we feel good in our body, mind and soul, our cells have a healthy vibration and generate more cells of the same. If we don't feel good, our cells have an unhealthy vibration and generate more of the same. If we continue to feel bad, illness develops and persists. If we change our state to feeling good, the is-ease cycle is interrupted and with time our body will return to its natural state of balance. Lets look at a single cell in the body. It will replicate into millions of cells during its lifespan. If the cell is charged with positive energy, it will replicate identical cells. This process is called cellular healing. But if the cell is undercharged with negative energy, it replicates the same, 'negatively charged' cells.

And so begins the dis-ease process.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

SITE ANALYSIS

• SITE ENTRY IS EAST FACING • SITE LOCATED NEAR GEETA BHAWAN PLOT NO.6.

• BREATHTAKING VIEWS OF THE SITE. • ON WATERFRONT • RICH LANDSCAPES • PEACEFULL ENVIRONMENT

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

•At present there is a vegetation cover on the site and a “goushala”.

•Construction on the site has already begun with the foundations of the guest houses being laid.

•Lower end of the site is used as grazing grounds for the cows.

•Certain plants of medicinal values are also grown and used in the ayurvedic medicines made by Gita Bhawan.

•The site is near the Gita Bhawan plot no-6.

•One comees across prominent ashrams and temples all along the river built by people of different sects of Hindu philosophy, devoted to Vedic culture, science and medicine, yoga thus creating a peaceful, learned and divine ambience.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS :1.SOIL:- LATERITE, SEDIMENTARY COARSE GRAINED. IMPLICATIONS:- FOUNDATION- No deep foundation or pile foundation required. DRAINAGE- Water on surface drains easily and is not retained. Though as ground water level is low care to be taken in damp roofing.

PLANTS- Fruit bearing trees like mango, amla can be easily grown and herbs and shrubs cultivated 2. VEGETATION:- DECIDUOUS AND EVERGREEN TREES like sal, mango, amla, neem and shrubs.

The lower end of the site is covered with green grass used as the fodder for cows. There are plants grown for production of medicines. Rest of the site covered with trees. IMPLICATIONS:•Effect on microclimate. Cooler summers.

•Sound absorption and dispersion.

•Visual screening or definition of open spaces becomes easy

TOPOGRAPHY:- SLOPE TOWARDS RIVER, VIEW FROM TOP OF SITE

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3. DRAINAGE:- the natural drainage on the site is towards the river as it is sloping. There is a nallah on one side of the site which is dry during winters and works as a natural drainage in the monsoons. Minimum intervention with the direction of natural drainage for effective drainage.

VEGETATION:- GREEN PATCH FOR THE COWS TO GRAZE ON

BARREN PART OF SITE

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4. TOPOGRAPHY:- CONTOURED VALLEY due to denudation process, weathering and erosion of rocks accumulation of resulting sedimentary debris.

IMPLICATIONS:BUILDING FORM:- Should be used to enhance view and maintain connectivity of the river and mountains.

MICROCLIMATE:- Cool wind from the river to land during day. Harness wind in summer months to make interiors pleasant.

CLIMATIC FACTORS :-

TEMPERATURE :- Ann. Mean Max Temp:- 27.8o C Ann. Mean Min. Temp:15.8o C Ann. Mean Temp:- 21.8o C Winters are quite severe. Cold wind attacks in Dec. & Jan. temp. reaches nearly 0 deg. But no instances of snow.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

RIVER GANGA-CLIMATIC EFFECT :- Water absorbs relatively large amount of radiations. They also allow evaporative cooling. As a result, during the daytime areas around water bodies are generally cooler. At night, however water bodies release relatively large amount of heat to the surroundings.

This heat can be use for warming purposes.

Though beneficial in the hot season, but would be inappropriate in the monsoons and winters.

SHADOW THROWS :- During summer the shadows is towards south-east during the harsh hours of the day. While in winter it is warm on the south-east side. Hence it can be good for sit-outs while south-west can be good for gardening, which in the morning hours have sun during winters and shade during summers.

RELATIVE HUMIDITY :- WIND DIRECTION :Throughout the year both during the day and the night the dominant wind direction is in the north-east adjacent and late in the monsoon it is in the southwest quadrant. During winters the wind-direction is occasionally east. The relative humidity is higher during the monsoon season on an avg. exceeding 70%. In summer season relative humidity is less than 40%

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

Courtyards are most pleasant outdoor spaces for most of the year as it excludes the wind and traps the sun.

It should be designed in such a way as to allow sun penetration in winter and provide shading in summer.

•The building can have variety of external spaces some covered, some open.

•Courtyards may even be covered by a pergola, carrying deciduous creepers.

These would provide shade in summer but admit sun in winter.

•Buildings should be grouped in such a way so as to take advantage of prevailing breezes during the short period when air movement is necessary.

•Orientation of opening is determined by- 1. Towards breeze prevailing during warm-humid season, to utilize its cooling effect. 2. Towards the sun during the cold season. These factors lead to contradictory solutions, the discomfort index can assist in the final decision. Large openings in opposite wall suitable with solid shutters which can be opened when cross ventilation is necessary.

•High rainfall makes it easier to maintain vegetation around buildings, thereby reducing dust.

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IMPLICATION :•Windows to north and protection to south-west needed •Trees proposed to be planted on the southern part of the mass.

•Potential heat loss is possible in buildings due to air infiltration.

•Ventilation of interior spaces and court is effective.

•The roof form has to be sloping for effective drainage of water .

CLIMATIC INFERENCES :- Composite or monsoon climate are neither consistently hot and dry, nor warm and humid. Design criteria suitable for one season may be unsatisfactory to others. So certain design standards can be formulated for composite climate.

•Moderately compact internal planning of houses will be of benefit for most of the year. Courtyard type buildings are very suitable.

•A moderate dense, low rise development is suitable for these climates which will ensure protection of outdoor spaces, mutual shading of ext. walls and shelter from the wind in the cold season.

•Roofs and external walls should be of concrete or solid masonry, have 9-12 hour time lag in heat transmission, as the retention of night-time low wall temperature is desirable in the hot-dry season only but thermal properties will be useful in cold season only but same thermal properties will be useful in cold season to retain the heat of day.

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WAYS OF MEDITATION:There are lot many ways in which meditation and yoga can be done. Some of the way of seating can be seen in the case of studies done. These ways have various advantages to them.

Like the circular way of sitting ensures participation of each and every member in the activity performed. In the same way a rectangular arrangement is sometimes felt more practical and functional.

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THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

WON DHARMA RETREAT LITERATURE STUDY

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INFERENCE REFERENCE SITE LOCATION

ENTRANCE APPROACHABILITY ENTRANCE FOYER

CIRCULATION

OPEN SPACES

ZONING

OM SHANTI RETREAT LOCATED ON DELHI JAIPUR HIGHWAY, 70 KM. FROM DELHI

INFERENCE LOCATION SHOULD BE AWAY FROM CITY LIFE, ALOOF, CLOSE TO NATURE, CONTOURED 2 MAIN ENTRIES, 1 SEPARATE SEPARATE ENTRY FOR SERVICE SERVICE ENTRY AND MAIN ENTRANCE PROPER SIGNAGES THROUGH THE SHOULD BE EASILY ACCESSIBLE ROUTE AND WITH PROPER SIGNAGES SEPARATE BLOCK OF RECEPTION & ENTRANCE FOYER SHOULD ADMIN WITH INFORMATION REFLECT THE WHOLE CONCEPT COUNTRIES AND WAITING OF RETREAT LOUNGE THE MAIN SPINE WAS AROUND THE CIRCULATION PASSAGES THE 2 MEDITATION HALLS SHOULD FORM A SIMPLE WEB, CONNECTING ALL THE BUILDING EASILY CONNECTING ALL THE BLOCKS MAJOR AREAS OF THE SITE WERE JUST MERELY USED AS A OPEN SPACE TO BE DEVELOPED LANDSCAPES OR GARDEN & NOT AS ACTIVITY ZONES & FACILITATE UTILISED AS ACTIVITY ZONES INTERACTIONS SEPARATE BLOCKS FOR TRAINEE & SEGREGATION OF PUBLIC, GUEST RESIDENCES, TRAINING PRIVATE & SEMI PRIVATE ZONES BLOCK, FOODING BLOCK, AND MEDITATION BLOCK.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

DETAILED AREA PROGRAM FAR, ETC REGULATIONS AND BYELAWS LAND USE STATUS UNDER MASTER PLAN SITE IS A REGISTERED SPRITUAL AND RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONS AS PER THE MASTER PLAN IS ALLOWED TO BE BUILT ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER GANGA AT THE PARTICULAR SITE. THE SITE ,ITS ANY PART OR ITS BUILDING CANNOT BE SOLD TO ANY INDIVIDUAL OR BE CONVERTED INTO PRIVATE HOLDING. THE FOLLOWING ARE THE BYE – LAWS APPLICABLE TO THE SITE. 1.THE MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA RATIO IS 75.

2.THE MAXIMUM GROUND COVERAGE IS 35 %.

3.THE SETBACK TO BE PROVIDED IS 3 M FOR 10 M HEIGHT AND ADDITIONAL 1M FOR EVERY ADDITIONAL 3M.

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MEDITATION HALL Auric Egg The Auric Egg, also known as "Auric Envelope" or "Atmic Aura", is an akashic film surrounding all the principles of a person. It endures from life to life and preserves the karmic causes and effects generated by a person during all his incarnations.

EXCHANGE OF AURA WHILE INTERACTION

HEALING EFFECT ON AURA OF THE BODY

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The shape of the tower is influenced by the physical environment of the city AND THE AURIC EGG The smooth flow of wind around the building can be one of the main considerations.

Minimum impact on the local wind environment.

Column free INSIDE SPACE

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THE CONCEPT OF AURA Why Look After Our Energy Systems?

Our energy systems are alive and intelligent.

They know exactly what they need for perfect health and vibrant energy. When our energy systems are disrupted, blocked, slowed down, or damaged, messages are sent to the conscious level that something is wrong and that we need to address imbalances, blockages and damage.

We are trained to look at the physical body and address its needs rather than look at our energetic systems to provide them what they need for perfect health. Our energy systems are conscious energy and this energy is connected with all energies in the Universe.

Our energy systems act as a connection between the physical world and the metaphysical or spiritual world.

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WHAT IS AN AURA Aura is a sort of energy field that surrounds every object in the universe; humans, organisms, animals and even objects have an aura. It was also known as an electromagnetic field or some people call it Human Energy Field that covers the human physical body. The auras that our body emit have different densities that enter and exit through the body and this energy is often in an oval shape (therefore it is called an auric egg). It surrounds us in all directions.

Some people can see auras and some people can’t, but whether it is magical, physical or mystical, auras are a part of everyone. It is said that children are very good at seeing and experiencing the aura. A healthy person will usually have an aura that covers his or her whole body, from above the head to below the feet.

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An aura is made of seven interrelated layers and each layer has distinct and unique frequencies. These layers interact and relay information between human body through its seven chakra energy centers, as well as the immediate external environment.

The energies from the chakras produce the auras.

Each of the layers relates to the mental, physical, spiritual and emotional conditions of an individual. Energetic vibrations of our feelings, thoughts, awareness, state of health and past experiences are stored in our different aura layers. The outermost layer of an aura’s energy field could extend anywhere from 5 – 7 feet from a person’s body, depending on his overall health and well-being. Spiritual, emotional and physical health affect the size of the aura.

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

THINKING SOUL RETREAT :THESIS`14

THINKING SOUL RETREAT

by: Abhimanyu Goel

THANK YOU 