John Laird of Pittsburgh, director of Jesus Datta Retreat Center, and Padma Phyllis Turk, manager of the center, will welcome an estimated 200 seekers and students of yoga to the retreat in Cherry Township next weekend to learn the ancient practice of Kriya Yoga in the presence of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji.

CHERRY TWP — Next weekend an estimated 200 seekers and students of yoga will seek spiritual energy at the end of a bumpy road four miles north of West Sunbury.

They will converge June 19 through 22 at the Jesus Datta Retreat Center, 147 Moniteau Road, to learn the ancient practice of Kriya Yoga in the presence of his Holiness Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji of Mysore, India.

It was Sri Swamiji's vision that led to the creation of this 50-acre compound featuring a kitchen/dormitory, two halls, two homes and a Universal Datta Sanctuary, said Padma Phyllis Turk, manager of the retreat.

Turk said, “He had visions of rocks while he was in India. He came here and he saw the rocks that he had seen in his vision. His yogic energy energized the rocks, and he asked that people who come touch the rocks.”

Turk, who donated the original six acres of the retreat center, said the sanctuary building includes these rocks, as well as the symbols, pictures and icons of many of the world's religions.

“The whole premise is to have a universal space here that would encompass all religions,” said Turk.

John Laird of Pittsburgh, the center's director, said the new unity hall contains “a 42-inch quartz crystal from the Himalayas.”

Laird said many visitors meditate peacefully beside what is called the Shiva Lingam Crystal as a recorded chant from Sri Swamiji plays from dawn to dusk.

Turk said the site was first named the Datta Yoga Center when it opened in 1990. Then, 10 years ago when the sanctuary was built, the site was renamed the Jesus Datta Retreat Center.

“The name expresses the universality at the center of all religions,” said Turk. “They are all a way to the truth.”

“There is one truth but many paths,” said Laird. “Sri Swamiji emphasizes harmony and that all humans are connected to one another.”

Sri Swamiji's adherents are coming to the center to receive instruction in his Kriya Yoga techniques.“Yoga is such a big, generic term,” said Rosemary Nulty of Sarasota, Fla., who has been a Kriya Yoga instructor since 2009.“Hatha Yoga uses movements. Kriya Yoga is the branch of yoga that uses breathing techniques. Sri Swamiji has a little package of them he feels will give the most benefit to the most people,” she said.Kriya Yoga's emphasis on correct breathing, said Nulty, leads to “benefits that are multidimensional and work on many levels.”Kriya Yoga breathing, Nulty said, provides focus.“It quiets down those busy thoughts you have floating around you. By focusing on breathing patterns, you quiet the normal mental chatter.”“It's good for the health,” said Nulty. “People only use a fourth to a third of their lung capacity. They take shallow, quick breaths and that's not optimal for health.”Sri Swamiji's pranayamas, or breathing techniques, said Nulty, produces a calmer and less reactionary person.“Some are energizing. Some are for balance and reducing stress. Some are excellent for physical health,” she said.“We sit in a relaxed position cross legged on the floor or in a chair,” said Nulty. “The pranayamas help direct the breath and the subtle energy that flows with health. The Chinese would call it chi.”Nulty said the basic techniques can be taught in weekend, but cautioned against trying to practice Kriya Yoga by taking lessons from a book or watching an Internet video.“That can be harmful. I really recommend that anyone who wants to learn Kriya Yoga should learn it from an instructor,” said Nulty.Which is why 200 of Sri Swamiji's students will meet at the retreat center beginning June 19 to be in the presence of their guru, as well as learning from other guest speakers and teachers.

The Jesus Datta Retreat Center, 147 Moniteau Road, Cherry Township, is hosting two events the final two weekends in June.<B>WHAT: </B>2014 International Datta Kriya Yoga Conference<B>WHEN: </B>June 19 to 22<B>INFO: </B>Instructors will teach Kriya Yoga in the presence of Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji. Register by visiting www.dkyconference.org<B>WHAT:</B> Maha Rudra Yajnam<B>WHEN: </B>June 27 to 29<B>INFO: </B>Center director John Laird said the event is a Hindu ritual religious ceremony involving three days of Vedic chanting from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. along with music sessions performed by 12 visiting Vedic scholars. Open to the public.

Above, one of the rocks seen in a vision by Sri Ganapathy Sachchidananda Swamiji is partially enclosed by the Universal Datta Sanctuary at the Jesus Datta Retreat Center in Cherry Township. Left, the Shiva Lingam Crystal is a 42-inch crystal that members mediate in front of at the retreat.

A big crystal that they mediate at Jesus Padda Retreat Center in West Sunbury.