Preparation for HDB - Higher... Deeper... Beyond...

Disclaimer: This blog is written by me (the one who experienced HDB for several years) with an intention of sharing my preparations for HDB. Hence, this is purely from the seeker's perspective and not the official communication from infinitheism. This blog could be useful for those who wants to know what is HDB, the benefits of HDB and the preparation required to get the best from HDB.
_________________________________________________________________________________________

HDB infinitheists say this about their HDB experience:

“The purest of all experiences”

“My annual pilgrimage, where I live with the Divine, and dance amongst the angels”

 “I live my 8 days with God in HDB, and then I take Him along with me after HDB”

“To laugh, to cry, to dance & to be a child in the spiritual womb of HDB is worth my life”

“You need His grace even to have His grace. HDB after HDB, I am grateful to have HIS grace”

“Ironically, I owe all my extroverted materialistic growth to my introverted HDB silence”

“I live my remaining 357 days, waiting for these 8 days”

What is HDB?

HDB - the short-form for "Higher... Deeper... Beyond..." is an annual residential spiritual retreat conducted by Mahatria Ra, founder of the path infinitheism. 'Spiritual retreat' - these two words are a very narrow description of what an HDB is. The expressions of some of the infinitheists (those who follow the teachings of infinitheism) as above would be a bit closer to what an HDB is.

HDB is conducted over a period of 8 days by Mahatria himself usually in four batches each during the months of November to February every year in India. Each batch would have around 200 seekers and they will be in the residential retreat for the entire 8 days at a stretch. HDB will be a very deep holistic experience which covers pretty much every aspect of life. The depths of silence experienced in HDB is the deepest not comparable to anything on earth. It will be a heaven on earth experience.
It will be 8 days of silence, pure bliss, being in devotion, laughter, tears of gratitude, divine love...

To know the the latest update about HDB, you could find on the infinitheism website: https://www.infinitheism.com/experience#hdb-spiritual

Some of the very unique practices followed in HDB:

1. There will be absolutely no talking for the entire 8 days whatsoever. Even the resort staff will not be talking. Except nature, music and Mahatria's voice, there will not be any other sound. Intent is to maintain the silence and to stay introverted to deepen the experience;
2. No technology / gadgets for the entire 8 days. We need to keep them switched off. This is to avoid any kind of external stimuli. Completely disconnected from the outside world - no contact with relatives and friends, no newspapers, no television,  no radio, etc. This is to stay away from the outside world to experience the silence within. It is a strong belief that when the HDB is on, everything goes well even in the outer world;
3. No eye-contact for the eight days. During the entire 8 days, we are expected to keep our eyes half open only for minimum movement within the resort. We are expected to keep ours eyes open to see the floor or the sky and not the others. Intent is to avoid stimuli from seeing others instead get dissolved in experiencing the nature. The longer we keep the eyes closed, the better for us;
4. No mirrors. There will be no mirrors in the entire resort campus. It is believed that it is time for introspection to reflect on the inside world rather than the external looks. Hence, we need not comb our hair or do any makeup;
5. We need to walk slower than we think. Preferably walk one step at a time during those 8 days. This is to avoid any jerky movements in the body and the resulting noise. It also helps to keep the mind where the body is;
6. No exchange of letters / gestures / things with the other seekers. Intent is to avoid any thought that causes disturbance to the fellow seekers who may be in completely different plane of silence. We cannot afford to cause a disturbance to the silence of others;
7. There will be a lot of dance for all the 8 days. We need not know dance. We simply need to flow with the flow of Mahatria. He will guide us. We simply need to surrender and follow His instructions;
8. Be yourself and not bothered by what is happening to others. Each one of us will be in our own space and therefore there is no need to pay attention to others. If at all any required, Mahatria will take care of them. He is there for each one of us;
9. There will be multi-cuisine vegetarian food available at the retreat. We don't need to pay for any of them. Simply enjoy them responsibly;
10. We will be experiencing the nature like never before;
11. There will be several occasions of belly laughter, tears of gratitude, state of bliss, flowering of heart experiences like never before. 

In order to experience all of the above and more of HDB, we need to prepare ourselves well.

Preparation for HDB:

A good preparation for HDB is almost half the job done to experience the best of HDB. Let us learn on how to prepare in each of the 8 stages of preparation for HDB.

Stage 1: Announcement of HDB:

Mahatria would be announcing the beginning of HDB somewhere in the month of July / August every year. This is considered as the beginning of miracle period. He would be announcing the dates for all the four batches and soon the registration will be open at the infinitheism website.

Once the announcement is done, as a seeker we need to surrender in faith that this miracle period is going to do all the good to all the people irrespective of they will get a seat in HDB or not. The number of seats in HDB are limited and the number of people who wants to experience are more, therefore HDB will choose its seekers for the year.

Stage 2: Application for HDB:

Who can apply?
Anyone who follows the infinitheism way of living life can apply. Usually applied from the age of 15 years and there is no upper limit of age. Those who want to apply should have complete faith in the path of infinitheism and willing to surrender to the process of HDB. They should be comfortable in following the above-mentioned unique practices of HDB. The best criteria for those who have done HDB earlier is that they should have grown holistically from the previous HDB.

How to apply?
The application can be filled online at infinitheism website. There will be usually a form with a set of questions asked in it. We need to fill them honestly and openly as each of our responses are personally read by Mahatria. This form will help Mahatria to understand us better and also in the selection process.

What after applying?
Wait. As mentioned earlier, HDB chooses its seekers. There is no other explanation to it. If we are destined, we will get the confirmation. There are several instances of people who did not plan but they got their seat. There are also instances where people had applied for many years and yet they haven't got their seat. All we can do is be in the state of bliss and gratitude for being able to apply for HDB. Get purer internally to qualify a seat in HDB. While waiting for confirmation, the following things could be started:

• Start practicing sitting on the floor, as we need to sit on the floor for long hours in HDB;
• Sit in silence (non-doing) every day for at least 30 minutes. We need to learn to be in the state of keeping our eyes closed;
• Practice infiniminute everyday at 11.11 am. This is the time several of us practice non-doing on a daily basis. It is believed that when we pray together at the same time, we contribute to and magnetize abundance;
• Get fit. Practice an hour of fitness activities every day. This could be walking, running, gym, yoga, zumba, dance, badminton or anything that keeps us active and fit. We got to be healthy and fit to be in HDB effortlessly;
• Practice voice rest for an hour everyday. This helps to be quiet and avoid the temptation to speak in HDB;
• Listen to Mahatria audio / video every day for at least 30 minutes. This is to get purified and tune into the voice of Mahatria. Remember, at the retreat, it is His voice is the only source that is going to guide us in to the entire process. Hence, it is important we are tuned to it;
• There will be a lot of music in HDB. Start listening to music on a daily basis. Here is the link to a sample playlist of music played in HDB;
• Start writing down what you want to achieve in HDB. We can also start writing down the questions and expressions to be shared with Mahatria in HDB;
• Stay away from technology gadgets for an hour a day. This helps us to learn to abstain the temptation to it;
• Be in the nature as often as possible to get accustomed to the natural weather and fresh air;
• Read infinithoughts and other books of Mahatria.

Stage 3: Confirmation of seat in HDB:

This is the moment you have been waiting for. A confirmation of your seat in HDB will arrive by SMS / email / Whatsapp / call to you. This means that spiritual calling has happened to you. Accept it gracefully. Not everyone get this opportunity. Once you got it, make the best use of it. As you read the confirmation of your seat, sit in silence to express your gratitude to the divine force which made it happen to you.

Following some of the things to be followed:

• Once you receive the confirmation, follow the instructions given in the confirmation to ensure you complete them accurately and on time;
• Getting a HDB seat is not an accomplishment rather it is a blessing. There is no need to publicize about your HDB to everyone in your world. Let your life speak a lot about you to your world instead of you talking about it. Getting a HDB seat is the beginning of living a responsible life;
• After the confirmation email, you will also get an email with instructions to be followed in HDB. This will be slightly a long email. Please ensure you personally read each of the instructions and make sure you start following them immediately;
• Ensure you book your travel tickets to HDB well ahead of time. Ensure you checked the dates of travel are accurate both onward and return;
• You would need to get warm clothes for HDB as the weather in that season of the year is usually cold. Go prepared for it;
• Make sure you carry sufficient set of comfortable clothes with you so that you don't have to worry about them in HDB;
• Start slowing down. Practice slow walking and avoid rushing things. This is important for you to ensure you slip in to HDB sooner than later;
• Make sure you complete all your important tasks (Business as well as personal) well ahead of your scheduled date of HDB. Avoid postponing any critical decisions till HDB. If something can wait, take them after you come back from HDB as the person you will come back from HDB will be very different with higher levels of maturity;
• Educate all your people about the fact that you will be away for HDB during which you will not be contactable. Give them the comfort that you are going for something to make you better and bigger. Assure them that you will come back and resume your duties;
• Write down your goals for the next year and the vision for the next 3 years. Make sure you carry this with you to HDB so that you can read them and redraft if necessary in HDB;
• Write a letter to Mahatria expressing your feelings and carry it to HDB and handover at the resort.

Stage 4: Departure to HDB:

• Ensure you packed your bags at least one day in advance of the travel. Carry adequate clothes but not too much;
• Make sure on the day of travel, you do not keep any important things incomplete. You either complete them previous day of travel or plan for them after your return;
• Ensure you invest quality time with your family on the day of travel;
• As you travel to the city of HDB, start withdrawing yourself. Avoid speaking and gift yourself a lot of time with eyes closed;
• Once you reach the pickup point at the city of HDB, as you step in to the bus for travelling to HDB location make sure you stop talking; 
• Your HDB starts as you step in to the bus for going to HDB location.

Stage 5: Arrival at HDB:

• The bus will take you to the HDB resort and as it stops at the venue make sure you step out of the bus in silence with half eyes closed. Take one step at a time in a slowest possible manner to pick your room keys and proceed; 
• Rooms are on twin-sharing basis. Hence, be courteous to your fellow seeker. The best thing you can do to your fellow seeker is by not causing any disturbance to him/her. Zero eye-contact with the fellow seeker and you make sure there is no noise created by you at all in the room or outside;
• There will be a personalized notebook readily waiting for your from Mahatria in your room. Make sure you take it and read the welcome note from Him;
• There will be plenty of time before the first session starts. Hence, make sure you settle down by ensuring you unpack your bag and also spend some alone time in the room or at the lawns outside. Use this opportunity to put your thoughts or write down your expressions;
• Stay in silence; slow walk; eyes closed - these are the only 3 things to be practiced all the time on all the 8 days in HDB.

Stage 6: During HDB:

• Once you arrive at HDB, Mahatria will take over. You don't need to worry about anything. All instructions will be clearly mentioned in all the visible places - just look for them. If at all, anything you want to ask, you can write it on a piece of paper at the reception. The reception team will act on them promptly;
• You will receive one key for the room with you. Make sure you keep it with you when you are outside your room. When you are going into a session, make sure you keep the keys at the designated place outside the hall / reception / lawn as the case may be. Just look for the instructions for placing the keys. After the end of each session, make sure you pick your room key and proceed to your room;
• You need to wear your sneakers only for sessions at the lawns. For rest of the sessions, you can wear your comfortable footwear;
• Always carry the HDB notebook, a small pad and some pens with you. This helps to capture your thoughts / learning all the time. You never know when that idea will flash which will be life transforming;
• At the convention hall, there will be provision of floor-level chair with backrest available. If required, make use of it. Ensure you are very careful in handling them to make sure they don't make any noise; 
• Make sure you are at the venue much before Mahatria arrives. Maintain absolute silence when you are inside. At the end of every session, stay in silence for some time after Mahatria leaves. This is very important to absorb the silence / energy around before you start leaving the place. When leaving, make sure there is no noise produced whatsoever;
• If you are choosing to write, avoid clicking your pen as that might produce noise. Choose a pen with a cap instead so that it would not make noise;
• During HDB, you can submit letters to Mahatria with your expressions and / or questions seeking His clarifications.  Always write questions separately in a letter and submit on the designated tray. Make sure you use personalized stationery for writing to Him. This is required as this our way of expressing gratitude to Him and it needs to be unique and special. Avoid using resorts stationery or any sub-standard material;
• Between the session breaks, invest maximum time in silence either at the hall or at the Ratria pillars or in the lawns;
• During breakfast / lunch / dinner, you will be usually served in buffet. Therefore, please be mindful of choosing the right food for you. Remember you are here for spiritual experience and therefore avoid over-eating. While eating, make sure there is no noise produced by the cutlery that you use;
• When you are at the lawns, it might be a bit cold. Endure it. There is bounty waiting for those who are willing to sustain. Stay in the laws as long as possible. When you feel it is time to leave for room, stay for some more time and only then leave;
• All sessions in HDB are mandatory. Therefore you cannot skip any of them;
• Make sure when you get a chance, experience Mahatria and then only proceed. This is the only and rare opportunity to experience Him. Don't miss it;
• Do no make any special orders at the resort like extra milk, turmeric, hot water, etc. Use what is provided. Again remember we are in HDB for our transformation and not for living in our comfort zone;
• There is no need to keep track of number of days in HDB. Mahatria will take care of us. Leave it to Him. Just get dissolved in the flood of experiences in HDB - this is what we need. We should reach a stage where we will not know which will be the last session. Experience every session as the last session and get the maximum out of it;

Stage 7: End of HDB:

• End of HDB is a spiritual birth for each one of us. In a way, this is our rebirth. Let us embrace it with a lot of grace and gratitude;
• Mahatria will be announcing the end of session in HDB. Express your gratitude and celebrate the moment as you are ready to go to the world as a new person;
• Before you leave, make sure you have reviewed all your notes and summed up your learning and takeaways from HDB. The best way to sum up is to set your goals for the next one year and the vision for the next 3 / 5 years. Be accountable to your goals by submitting them to Mahatria in HDB itself and following by reporting your progress to Him on a periodical basis after HDB;
• There will be series of instructions for departure from HDB by Mahatria. Please pay attention and make sure you follow them for a smooth departure from the venue;
• Be on-time for your departure and do not delay. Make sure you packed your bags properly tagged them accurately so that your baggage will arrive at the right departure venue;
• Begin your departure by expressing gratitude to the resort as you carry fond memories of bliss and spiritual rebirth;
• Your HDB is complete only after the bus in which you travel reaches the departure airport / railway station / drop point. Therefore follow all the disciplines of HDB until then; 
• You can start talking only after you step out of the bus.

Stage 8: After HDB:

• This the most important stage of HDB i.e. after HDB. If HDB was the spiritual womb, then this world is the life that we have got to live. We need to live this life worthy of the HDB that was gifted to us. Let us live responsibly;
• Once we come back from HDB, make it a point to be with the family and share your learning;
• Follow all the practices that we followed when we applied for HDB. This will deepen our transformation;
• Do ensure to meet as many people as possible and share your experiences as everyone needs the energy and wisdom of HDB;
• Make it a practice to read the notes of HDB on a daily basis. This helps reinforce our learning and make corrections on a daily basis;
• Be accountable to the actions you decided in HDB by reporting your progress to Mahatria on a regular basis (minimum every month). This is our return gift to Him.

Concluding thoughts:

1. 'Attitude to prepare to win' is more important than the 'attitude to win'. Let us put our 111% efforts to prepare for HDB;
2. Long enough - this should be the mindset we need to keep in mind in anything we do whether it is for being in silence or dancing or keeping our eyes closed or anything that we do in HDB;
3. We need to have one source that is beyond judgement for our own transformation. Therefore if we want to get the best of HDB, we need to be non-judgmental of Mahatria or the practices followed in HDB. Get dissolved in gratitude, love and devotion to the Path of infinitheism by living the infiniprayer:

Feeling Thy presence

Feeling Thy grace

Feeling Thy radiance

You are my source of faith and strength

You are my path and destination

And i am always connected to You

Nothing of me and everything of You

Lead me higher...

Lead me deeper...

Lead me beyond...

Lead me to You.

As Mahatria says, journey to the holiday should be as enjoyable as the holiday itself. Similarly preparation for HDB should be as deeper as HDB itself.

Come prepared to get soaked in the love of Mahatria...