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ASHRAM
OF LIGHT
FIRST ASHRAM IN EGYPT
Vipassana and spiritual development
center in Hurghada

Silence of mind is the essence of happy existence.

Once you know the silence, you will want to return to it again and again. Because it is your true nature. See you at HOME

History of the Ashram
In 2022, when Maria was traveling in India, she was fortunate enough to have a chance meeting with an enlightened master - Yogananda, at the sacred mountain Arunachala, in the beautiful city of Tiruvannamalai. One day, after daily meditations, the master said to Maria and another Russian girl: "Make an Ashram, you need to create an Ashram!" These words left a huge imprint and did not leave Maria. After a while an online course - Vipassana - was organized, where all funds are still raised to this day for the development of the Ashram space. In March 2024 the Ashram's online chat room was opened, where silence meditations, practices, Vipassana and joint Soul Growth broadcasts take place. Through silence and inner peace, we learn unity, joy of life and unconditional love.

Also in March 2024 was magically manifested space in Egypt, in the city of Hurghada. A two-story house with a large hall and 3 spacious rooms, 1 minute from the Red Sea.

Everyone can come here to meditate, to undergo vipassana, to stay, to attend classes, and to serve for the benefit of all living beings.

Thanks to the faith and love of everyone who contributes to this miracle - the doors of the Ashram are open to all who feel the response and inner fire to know their true selves. At the moment the space is on lease, but in time, with the support of God and everyone with a responsive heart, we will be able to purchase the land to build/buy a building and expand for a good cause.

With love and gratitude! See you in the space of Light!
Ashram of Light is not about religion, we do not worship any particular Gods. We are about the path of Love, Light and Joy.
God for us is unconditional, all-encompassing Love, which is in each one of us!
The Ashram of Light is a space that does not belong to any religion. Ashram of Light is a space of unconditional Love and Joy. We do not preach Buddhism, Hinduism or any other "ism". The only thing we follow is the path of Love. The way of Love is inner peace, happiness, quiet joy, trust, open heart, humility and service for the benefit of all living beings. Jesus was never a Christian, Buddha was a Buddhist.

The sole purpose of the Ashram is to inspire everyone who comes to know their True Self. The Ashram is a sunny beacon that can allow you to remember the answer to the most important question - "who am I?". It is enough only to trust and open your heart! The ready come.
The stone where Ramana Maharshi meditated, India, Tiruvannamalai, 2022
Follow the response in your heart...
you should come if...
Your life is very busy, stressful and hectic
You want to find inner peace and harmony. To be in silence, in nature, to contemplate magical sunsets, the desert and the sea
You're lost and want to figure out what direction to take next
The Ashram space will help you find answers to your inner questions and find inspiration
You feel like your body is tired and wants to rest
With a cozy space and guides, you can feel relaxed and comfortable
You're interested in exploring yourself and growing spiritually
Being in the Ashram space, your state will expand and you will be able to know new facets of yourself
You love traveling and meeting new and interesting people
The Ashram brings together wonderful people who do not meet here by chance at all
You feel connected to Egypt and are beckoned by its energy
You have a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrations of Egyptian energy and fill your state, coming back renewed and happy. And maybe even stay here to live :)

Welcome home

About Maria Lav
A guide to the world of meditation, vipassana and breathing. Energetic practitioner since 2016. Over 300 students have done vipassana with Maria and over 1000 students have done a Breath marathon. Gained knowledge and experience from masters in India, Nepal, Thailand, Bali, Cambodia and Egypt. Over 1000 hours spent in meditation, completed 2 ten day practices, one 7 day practice, over 10 three day vipassana, dark retreat, ayavaska processes and assisting masters with vipassana, organized over 10 vipassanas

Translated with DeepL.com (free version)

"Choose the path of love and I will guide you" Maria Lav
Why is the ashram in Egypt, in Hurghada?
Egypt is a very powerful land in terms of energy and strength. Everyone who is ready for change experiences powerful transformations here. The pyramids in Cairo and a huge number of centuries-old temples, are a kind of portal to activate spiritual development.

There is a wonderful climate, no rain and high humidity, the magical Red Sea in Hurghada attracts thousands of people from all countries to see the coral, swim with dolphins or turtles. A variety of juicy fruits, vegetables all year round, dates, nuts, freshly squeezed juices and Egyptian sweets leave no one indifferent. Paradise for vegetarians.

There is a lot of greenery on the territory of the Ashram, and the Red Sea is 1 minute away from the main entrance. This is the RAI corner for those who want to be saturated with sun, sea, desert and silence.

In Egypt, until recently, there were no vipassana centers or Ashrams in operation. We are happy to open our doors to anyone who feels a response and desire to make a radical change in their life, to slow down and dive inside themselves.
About the Ashram
Ashram of Light in Hurghada is a spacious, bright two storey house, 1 minute from the Red Sea. The house has 3 rooms, a large hall for meetings and meditations, kitchen, 2 showers, 3 toilets and 2 balconies. Accommodation is possible up to 6 people, so the appointment is mandatory in advance.

- At the moment it is possible to book a 7 day vipassana retreat (1st day entering vipassana, 5 days of immersion, 7th day leaving vipassana). Passage in a group of up to 6 people and in an individual group of 1-2 people.
- Also 3 days of vipassana (two nights) and 2 days of vipassana (1 night)
- Accommodation with daily practices (no vipassana)
- Class attendance every Friday (breathing and meditation)
- Independent meditations or with a master
Vipassana
Vipassana is not a religion or following any tradition, it is a unique opportunity to see reality as it is
Everyone faces the problem of suffering. It is a universal disease that requires a universal remedy - a non-sectarian remedy. When one suffers from anger, it is not Buddhist anger, Hindu anger or Christian anger.
Anger is anger. When one is out of balance as a result of that anger, it is not Christian, Hindu or Buddhist anxiety. The disease is universal. The cure should also be universal.
Vipassana is such a medicine.

No one would object to a code of conduct that calls for respect for the peace and quiet of others. No one would object to developing control over the mind. No one would object to developing an understanding of one's own nature by which to free the mind from negative
emotions.

Vipassana is the universal path.

To observe reality as it is, through the observation of the truth within, is to know oneself at the factual level,
the level of experience. When one practices, one gets rid of the suffering generated by impurities. From the gross outer level of visible truth, one penetrates deeper and realizes the ultimate truth about consciousness and matter. Then one goes through and through and experiences the truth beyond consciousness and matter, beyond time and space, beyond the conditioned field of relativity - the truth of absolute liberation from all obscurations, impurities and suffering.

It does not matter what people call this ultimate truth; it is the ultimate goal of everyone.

/ Sayaji U Ba Khin

What is Vipassana?
Vipassana is the science of mind and matter.
How the mind affects the body and the body affects the mind.

Vipassana means to see reality as it is.

The mind at the conscious level, does not know what is going on at the deep level, so we continue to develop a habitual pattern of behavior, reacting with passionate attraction to pleasant sensations, and reacting with aversion to unpleasant sensations. Feelings are present in the body all the time, pleasant and unpleasant. The mind becomes a slave to its own pattern of behavior at the deep unconscious level - attraction and aversion, as soon as this arises, the person loses peace of mind, harmony and becomes unhappy, he continues to harm himself without realizing it.

The Vipassana technique starts working at the deep level, unlike many other techniques. The deep level of the mind is in constant contact with bodily sensations. The task of Vipassana is to observe and track the sensations in the body in order to discover and clear habitual patterns of mind behavior.

S. N. Goenka
Отзывы о випассане →
Natalya
@NatalyaLifeisnow
Mashenka ❤️ and Dear All ❤️ Thank you 🙏❤️ It was incredible, I have never had such experience of Vipassana before) I meditated with my Beautiful Buddy on the train🚆, on a bench in the park (here I was reminded of Edharkt Tolle😇), the first Addithana was here👆 and there was not a Soul around. I was saying when there were attempts to enter my space “Barriers down” and people magically disappeared🙏 Body still hurts, I'm watching) I don't want to leave the Noble Silence, external noises feel somehow distant. During meditations a question came - when is the next Vipassana? 😁 And there was also a request for Masha ❤️ to tell what other insights, knowledge came in Ayauvaska😇 and quite magically it happened🙏😊❤️ Thank you🙏❤️
Ekaterina
@Mishina_Ekaterina
Thank you Maria and everyone for this wonderful opportunity to be with myself in silence ❤️ This is my first vipassana experience. It was a bit difficult for me, my mind did not want to settle. I wanted to learn how to meditate for a long time, because in my previous attempts I either ran away into my thoughts or slept 😄 and now I learned about this practice and decided that in 2 days it should definitely work 🤣 my perfectionism was sabotaging “where are you going, you don't know how to do it. ...", but I decided for the first time in my life to let myself do at least something, on a three 😁 But it turned out much better than I expected💫💫💫💫🔥🔥🔥🔥 it's a buzz, I want more. Will definitely be joining in May for sure. Special thanks to my buddy @hannashtef such a beauty😍 it was nice to meditate in her company. It's very disciplining💯
Anna
@MiniviAnna
This is my 4th vipassana. It was supposed to work this weekend, but miraculously the weekend shifted and I realized I was getting into vipassana. The task is simple and challenging - to look at thoughts, to unload my head.
I remembered my father-in-law's words from a few days before his death. He was in the hospital and was sometimes sharp-tongued with his sisters. His words: that's not me...I'm different! ...something to realize.
I also saw a continuation from last vipassana. Last time I saw a picture that I am a soldier/guard under a noble man in another age, probably China... this time again the same young man, I am in his body, a man is talking to me, I realize it's dad. I intuitively understand what he is saying about duty/responsibility/honor... I don't feel any resistance in myself, on the contrary, I realize that this is my destiny. I think I was this young man in a past life, but I don't quite understand the meaning of what I'm seeing yet. Saturday after the addithana meditation I was knocked out. Couldn't do anything, slept through the whole lecture. It seemed to me that this time there was more walking. I thank Masha for such an awesome opportunity to clear my head and thank all our divine field. It was very powerful 🥰🤗❤️🙏🙏🙏🙏
Elena
@lina_el369
Thank you, Mashenka, thank you my buddy @Anastasia_acces Nastya, thank you all and our wonderful field 🙏 This is my fifth vipassana. It was easy and comfortable (even though it was a day without sleep), because silence has become the basis of my life. I just watched and listened to the information that came. This is a new relationship between man and woman in respect, acceptance and unconditional love, recognition of God in man and Goddess in woman. There was also a lot of information about the body, rejuvenation and renewal of all systems. Every cell was happy and opened✨
Anastasia
@Anastasia_acces
Mashenka, I thank you for these two and a half days of diving inside myself
I just recently came back from 10 days of vipassana and it was so interesting so much was said in the field about offline vipassana, but I decided to go through these two days to be more strengthened in my results. For me vipassana was easy, but on the second day my mind started to say nothing, we have been silent for 10 days, why do you need it and I started to eat a lot at the end of vipassana, although the first day I was without food and water and here too about the balance for me where it is worth to look, also if on the 10-day vipassana I realized the value of life, then on vipassana with you Mash I realized the value of death, that it is not scary to die, this fear as a barrier became as if transparent.
Thank you to my buddy @lina_el369 ❤️ with whom we are already going through the second vipassana together 🙏 Hugs to everyone and Thank you ❤️ Thank you Thank you Thank you Thank you ❤️
Tatyana
@TatyanaSergeevaTS
Meanwhile, my third vipassana online with the marvelous @marialaav and in a beautiful community. 🌞When I was still in the first practice I looked at the sky, the nature around me, I had an epiphany: Is it possible to live like this?! Can we just live?! Since then it has become my daily tool and way of life. The practice of silence for me is not only about calming the mind, it is about returning to myself, about being real, about dissociating with what we are not. Answers and solutions come by themselves, although it is not an end in itself. Each time I go deeper and deeper. This time there were processes on connecting with the male aspect, healing, clearing with Unconditional Gratitude. And also the opening of the heart to Unconditional love, powerful, the body let everything through, lived. That's how I heard “Heart Replacement,” “Spiritual Heart.”
Natalya
@natalybakaeva
Thank you Marie for the special field at this Vipassana💜 it was joyful, filled with gratitude and love. This is my 3rd vipassana.
What I take with me:
1. So why has it been so long since I've done vipassana? I feel like this is my path of development. I cried at the 5th lecture when they talked about the need to continue on this path. About how vipassana is not just for getting rid of migraines. So I will try to set aside an hour for meditation every day.
2. Of course I saw all the nonsense and negativity that is constantly playing in my head, and it takes up most of my life
3. Confirmed that my source is unconditional love
Thank you so much for this experience💜💜💜💜
Светлана
This is the first Vipassana on which all the stars “aligned”))) I've been wanting to do some serious practice for a long time, but somehow the conditions didn't work out. And here it was as if everything was prepared for me))) so interesting). Vipassana went on one breath, light meals were given calmly, meditation with buddies is a very powerful immersion, your practices - gave a good mood.
Ekaterina K
My insights) It turns out that stopping the mind is not so difficult, you just take it and stop it))))) And together with it you stop your suffering! In meditation there was a very strong immersion “in yourself”, at some point, meditating with Buddy, it felt like breathing with Lenochka became one for two....
Наталья
Vipassana, it was magical!!!
Insights, what I felt with my body:
✅ time stretched (I not only had time to do Vipassana, I had time to do things around the house that I couldn't get my hands on before, and all this in lightness and love), whether it was Vipassana or a competent daily regimen, and it was magical, as if the practice as a native fit into my life and how much can be done in 30 minutes)))
✅ during the practices there were different sensations, without evaluations, I want to share one bright one, as soon as you merge with the breath, completely dissolve with it, I very clearly feel the beating of the heart, not as usual, but as a big vibration of waves, these waves spread throughout the body and beyond the body, and from them the body shook, these sensations were brighter and brighter with each practice))))
✅ the focus of attention shifted
from external, to internal, to sensations, to the phrase - not life goes on and you practice from case to case, but you are in practice all the time and life happens to you, matrix)))) The infinity of practice!!!
✅ I didn't speak for 2 days, but it felt like I was communicating with my loved ones all the time, everyone, especially children understood me with half a gesture and half a look, you don't have to speak to be understood.
✅ I want to eat live food, during practice I chewed raw food and felt the body, while we are in winter, except for raw food the body wants baked food and hot tea, but it is a huge difference from those sensations when I threw everything at hand, thinking that I was hungry, but it told me not about food at all (I traced a clear independence (minimal dependence of the body in food as a source of energy), that I was hungry, just to drown out and not hear the voice of the body, but it was telling me not about food at all (I traced a clear independence (minimal dependence) of the body in food as a source of energy, food became a pleasure, not a greedy need and attachment).
✅ self-reflection has been reduced from a day to a few minutes (if before (a year or six months ago) I could boil in stradassana for days, come back again and again, savor it, now a few minutes are enough for me to catch this state and get out of it with the help of breathing).
how wise my husband was, when earlier on all my reproaches and scandals, was silent and breathing, on all the questions of others said we're fine, we'll figure it out ourselves)))) and now it's like he's in my place, and I'm in his, and it's now an awesome experience, it's so bright!!!! I wanted brightness, everything comes true))))
Ольга
Masha, hello again! Vipasana has made a fortune. I'm very grateful to you ❤️
For the first time in 20 years, I stopped rushing. Anything that doesn't come together doesn't matter. If a task is stressful, I don't do it at all. The rush is off. I drink tea slowly, my reactions to everything are smooth. I'm guided by a feeling. And that's so cool. My man actually said I was
“smiling, happy, serene. And there's a lot of energy. But it's stable, no fluctuations. It's an amazing feeling that everything around me is me and everything in me and there are no boundaries. Thank you 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Елена
@tenikashell
Masha, hi! It's like I was born again!
I had the surgery. I've been home for a week. The histology came back. I beat her 💪 The tumor is completely destroyed! No more chemo! ❤️ Hooray, my darling!!! Mashenka, I'm happy as a baby, I hugged all the doctors there! I'm sending you hugs and hello! and my hair is actively growing everywhere ❤️
Programs at the Ashram
please book your participation
in advance

once you have chosen your participation and sent an application form, you will be contacted with available dates and help with your arrival.
Vipassana
7 days — 639$ / 963$ / 1963$
double occupancy / single occupancy / individually

1st day entry into the practice
5 days of immersion
7th day leaving the practice

6 nights in the Ashram

what's included?
  • accommodation
  • vegetarian meals
  • fruits, vegetables, water, tea
  • shuttle service
what is not included?
  • tickets
  • visa 25$ (on arrival)
  • insurance (optional)
REGISTER
Accommodation in Ashram
20$ / 10$ night
Up to 10 days / more than 10 days

what's included?
  • accommodation
  • morning and evening meditations
  • beach 1 minute from the Ashram
  • transfer
what is not included?
  • meals (you can cook your own)
  • vipassana
  • tickets
  • visa 25$ (on arrival)
  • insurance (optional)
REGISTER
Self meditations or with Mary at the Ashram
1-2 hours No charge
Pre-recording
REGISTER
Classes on Fridays at 3:00 p.m.
Charitable contribution of $10 or more
Acquaintance
Breathing practices
Meditation
Singing Bowl
Delicious tea and treats
REGISTER
Vipassana and class dates
available dates check with the manager by sending a request
  • Vipassana 7 days
    April 22-28
    May 6-12, 20-26
    June 3-9, 17-23
    July 8-14, 22-28
    August -
    September 9-15, 23-29
    October 7-13
    October 27-November 6 Retreat
    November 18-24
    December 2-8, 16-22
  • Vipassana 3 days
    May 3-5, 28-30
    June 25-27
    July 2-4
    August -
    September 17-19
    October 1-3
    October 27 - November 6 Retreat
    November 12-14
    December 10-12
  • Vipassana 2 days
    April 29-30
    May 15-16
    June 12-13
    July 17-18
    August -
    September 4-5
    October 16-17
    October 27 - November 6 Retreat
    November 20-21
    December 25-26
  • Ashram classes
    Breathing practices, first step vipassana instruction, meditation and singing bowl. Every Friday at 15:00. After the practice - socializing, delicious tea, vegetarian pizza, sweets and fruit
Absolutely all funds go to pay for the Ashram's rent and furnishings
All your contributions to the Ashram, including donations collected in the Ashram online, will be used for the further development of the Ashram, the purchase or construction of a building and land where there will be more accommodation, a separate meditation hall, a canteen and a training center

Thank you to everyone who is a contributor to the Ashram of Light

OM
Schedule of Online Ashram
Moscow time
06:40 – 07:40
Meditation and listening
Sai Gayatri Mantras
every Monday (times may vary, see the schedule in the Telegram Channel)
10:00 – 11:00
Silence meditation with Maria's accompaniment and
feedback at the end of the meditation
every Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sats, Suns, Monday and Friday - independent meditation (times may vary, see schedule in the Telegram Channel)
16:00–18:00
Breathing Practices. Online inclusion from the Ashram
every Friday on the Telegram Channel
11:00 – 20:00
Classes with guides
see the schedule in the Telegram Channel; each guide can write about themselves and teach classes in the Ashram
Join Ashram Online on Telegram
charitable contribution from $20+ per
month for the benefit of the Ashram
Schedule of the Ashram in Hurghada
egyptian time / vipassana schedule will be given to all at vipassana
05:40 – 06:40
Meditation and listening to
Sai Gayatri Mantra at dawn
every day (time may vary depending on sunrise)
09:00 – 10:00
Silence Meditation with Maria's accompaniment and feedback at the end of the meditation
every Tues, Weds, Thurs, Sats, Suns
15:00–17:00
Meeting in the Ashram. Breathing practices. Meditation. Singing bowl. Tea and goodies
every Friday
11:00 – 20:00
Classes with guides
see the schedule in the Telegram Channel; each guide can write about themselves and teach classes in the Ashram
21:00 – 22:00
Evening meditation
every day
May all living beings in all worlds be free and happy
Clothing in the Ashram
covered shoulders and knees, white, beige or sunny shades if possible
What is service in the Ashram?
Service is a wonderful practice and a unique opportunity to open the heart and learn the truth of unconditional love through helping a good cause. In the Ashram we cook, clean up, as it is a desert, there is a lot of sand and dust, so the space needs love and care and everyone who comes will be happy to practice in a clean and cozy space of Light and Love. Also each of you can bring food and treats for the guests so that everyone is fed and happy. In addition, we have a garden that also needs love. The Ashram is glad for any help! After all, this is how Paradise on earth is created, by helping to serve each other

IMPORTANT: servants are also accepted by appointment, take with you everything you need for accommodation, towel and bed linen.

2 nights servants (according to availability) can stay FREE of charge, further 10$ per night (which also goes to help the Ashram), only accommodation is included. Now the service is possible up to 5 days, 4 nights, due to the lack of a large number of beds
If you can't click the button or don't have telegram, email info@marialav.com with the subject line "ashram ministry"
shine, LOVE, and FEEL.
It's time to remember the real you. Just walk into the light and shine! There is nothing here but the LIGHT OF UNLESS LOVE.
Maria and the students' journey through India and Nepal
  • Enlightened Master Yogananda and Maria at the service in India, in the city of Tiruvannamalai
  • Enlightened Master Yogananda and Russian girl Alyona, who serves him.
  • Alyona and Maria are the first disciples of the master
  • Master Yogananda and Maria in the Ashram in Tiruvannamalai, India.
  • At the Ashram service
  • Master Yogananda, Alena, Maria, Juliana, Vera, Tatiana.
  • In the footsteps of Buddha - Sarnath, the place of Buddha's first sermon.
  • In the footsteps of Buddha - Kushinagar
  • Russian day in Ashram in India
  • Nepal, Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha
  • In Buddha's footsteps - Sarnath, the place of Buddha's first sermon
Still have questions?
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