Devotees of Yogoda Satsanga Society of India (YSS) residing in and around Noida (NCR) received a wonderful opportunity to attend a 26-hour-long meditation at YSS Noida Ashram on October 13 and 14, 2018.

The long meditation began at 5 pm on October 13, 2018 with Energization  Exercises conducted by Swami Lalitanandaji.

Following this, Swamiji shared with the devotees seated in the meditation hall detailed instructions regarding various aspects of long meditation such as the posture, timings of entering and leaving the meditation hall and other considerations to be observed for fellow devotees.

An hourly schedule was followed for the entire 26-hour duration of the long meditation which included chanting, playing of the audio of Gurudeva Sri Sri Paramahansa Yogananda, Rajarsi Janakananda, Daya Mata, Mrinalini Mata and Swami Chidananda Giri followed by meditation. Several meditation leaders led the group meditation, alternating every couple of hours, ensuring a smooth conduct of the long meditation so that devotees could continue to meditate in an unbroken manner. There were about 150 participants in this long meditation.

Arrangements were also made to accommodate the devotees who were joining the long meditation in the Ashram, and more than 60 devotees opted to stay. During the night hours, the participation was sizable and many devotees were able to clock nearly 15 hours during the 26-hour meditation period.

On the morning of October 14, 2018, Swami Lalitanandaji conducted Energization Exercises at 7 am. At 10 am, Brahmachari Sheelanandaji guided the meditation group through the Hong Sau technique. Another session of Energization Exercises was conducted by Swami Sadanandaji. 

The special long meditation continued till seven in the evening when Swami Sadanandaji concluded the same after performing arati. All the devotees present at closing time were served Guru Langar.

Throughout the long meditation, the kitchen was kept open, as tea and refreshments were made available to devotees throughout this period.

Many devotees expressed their gratitude to have been able to join such a sacred meditation and wished for the same to be repeated in the future as well.