'Meetings with the Masters'
India Pilgrimage, Feb 1-9, 2023
You are invited to join me in the mystical land of India for meditation, mantras, movement - and healing. If you feel the urge to come, then for sure India is calling you home.
These past years have challenged us to navigate uncharted waters. So much has been revealed, so much has changed, now it is time to give back to yourself. A sacred pilgrimage to Northern India allows us to to soak in the teachings of the Yogi Masters, and integrate this into our personal journey of life. This is a safe space to deepen your spiritual practices and open to the clarity and peace that oozes from this sacred land.
This retreat experience will take us to the sacred lands of Vrindavan, Rishikesh and Haridwar, to sit with the energy of the Masters.
Let the palpable energy draw you in..
Dive deep and nurture your inner self.
'MEETINGS WITH THE MASTERS'
India is a land of revered Saints.
The gifts of the subcontinent are many and varied, but none greater than the sacred Rishis, Seers and Saints that leave the legacy of their life's teachings for us to follow. This retreat is all about meeting the energy of the Masters... we will sit and steep at the Ashrams of
- Neem Karoli Baba
- Ananda Mayi Ma
- Bhakti Vedanta Swami Prabhupada,
... and the living Master Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji at Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh.
The knowledge of the Masters transcends time and space; this is your opportunity to tap into the wisdom. As my beloved teacher Pujya Swami says, "the knowledge of the Masters is in the air, just sit and it will become part of you".
Visit Vrindavan, the home of Krishna.
Turn your attention inward as we visit the Iskon Temple, and Ashrams of revered Saints Neem Karoli Baba and Ananda Mayi Ma. We'll meditate on the essence of these Masters and chant / meditate our way to bliss. Ask your internal questions, and they will sure to be answered.
Rishikesh, the Land of the Rishis.
Known as the 'birthplace of Yoga', Rishikesh lies on the foothills of the Himalayas on the banks of the Ganges River, and is our home for a majority of the retreat. Here we'll meditate by the Ganges,'Ganga Ma', enjoy morning asana, evening Aarti & programs at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, (where my teachers Pujya Swamiji & Sadhviji reside). You'll have free time to wander the banks of the river, drink chai, shop, and generally let the magic unfold!
Meditate at the Sri Yantra temple in Haridwar.
We'll sit at the only Sri Yantra temple, whose geometry is a representation of Shakti, and houses the energy of the Goddess Tripura Sundari, the beauty of the three worlds. Haridwar is also home to the resting place of Ananda Mayi Ma, a Saint whose love touches the very core of our being...all yours to experience. We'll have lunch with Seema and Anushree at the beloved Johari House, home to the energy of Seema's masterful father Harish Johari... Google him and you'll see his incredible legacy!
Vashistha's Cave
We'll take a trip up the mountains to sit at the Sage Vashistha' s meditation cave. Being one of the Saptarishis, (the seven sages Shiva passed on the teachings of Yoga to), this area is deep and miraculous; as a dear friend (pictured) said on her first visit, "I feel like I've been hit with a tranquilizer dart"... Now it's your turn.
Wander the sacred land of the Rishi's, visiting Maharishi's Ashram (where the Beetles wrote the White Album).
Known to many as the Beetle's Ashram, this non-functioning ashram still has the teachings of Mahesh Maharishi in the air. This ashram is a short stroll along the river from where we stay in Rishikesh. Spend the afternoon wandering around, and maybe even take time for some photos, the backdrops are breathtaking.
Experience the heeling waters of the Sacred Ganges River
Immersion in her waters is believed to 'relieve you of your karma'. This experience will move you like no other. 'Ganga Ma' is the Goddess that lays her body over the landscape of India. As a local lady expressed to me one day as I sat in tears by the river, 'Give it all to Ganga. She will give you everything in return'.
Our Schedule
Wednesday Feb 1 - Arrive in Delhi before or after midnight! Enjoy your night at the Lemon Tree hotel tab Delhi's Aerocity. *This is your only night in twin-share accommodation, you will have your own room as we venture on retreat!
Thursday Feb 2 - Group breakfast, travel to Vrindavan.
Friday Feb 3 - Vrindavan Ashram Visits, Meditation, Shopping!
Saturday Feb 4 - Transfer to Rishikesh, an Indian driving adventure!
Sunday Feb 5 - Rishikesh Program includes area orientation.
Monday Feb 6 - Rishikesh Program includes meditation & asana.
Tuesday Feb 7 - Haridwar Pilgrimage to temples and Johari House.
Wednesday Feb 8 - Rishikesh Program includes meditation & asana.
Thursday Feb 9 - Final breakfast, transfers to Delhi.
YOUR SUPPORT TEAM.
You probably know me, Deborah Langley, lover of all things Yoga & India! I am your humble retreat leader, sharing the experiences of the Motherland that have changed my life in unexplainable ways. My dear Goddess & friend Uschi, (pic of us in her home of Varanasi), and her partner Rakesh are our India guides. Rakesh is a Varanasi native, and Uschi has lived in her soul home for over ten years, together they have their son Varun, who is pure Spirit. Together we have supported over 10 international retreat experiences, and I am proud to say we are a well-oiled machine! With their deep love and reverence for India, we appropriately and respectfully experience these lands. As Uschi says, 'we come to India as guests to observe and experience the culture, rather than being observed'.
Uschi & Rakesh handle all our logistics with love, and will contact each of you with pre-trip information, and to coordinate your personal arrival times. They offer a Taj Mahal experience to add on to your journey, and I highly recommend taking this option! You will be blown away...
The smallest details of our trip are taken care of, and you will be held in such a caring embrace so you can drop in for the experience of a lifetime.
"What I know is, that one trip to India undertaken with the pure intention to seek the truth, can change the trajectory of your life. There is so much magic in these sacred lands, and every single time I am there, a mystery unfolds, and some sort of 'download' happens.. It's like living out experiences that on a souls level I have lined up for myself; experiences that answer prayers and activate my heart. A teacher once said to me, you only get to India when you are ready. If you are reading this and your heart rate increases just at the thought of going, then you are ready. Dive in and trust. This is the only way. There is an experience waiting for you that will be a gift that keeps on giving, long after the retreat is over..."
Deborah Langley
The logistics.
Once you book, the journey begins!
The Meetings with the Masters Retreat Full Fee includes:
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Transfer from Delhi Airport to Lemon Tree Premier
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Double occupancy accommodation on first night at Lemon Tree Premier, Delhi Aerocity.
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Single occupancy at Ananda Krishna Van Guesthouse Vrindavan
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Breakfast & Tuk Tuks in Vrindavan
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Transfer from Vrindavan to Rishikesh
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Single Occupancy at Green View Hotel in Rishikesh
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2 daily hotel meals in Rishikesh
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Safe drinking water through retreat
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Transfer from Rishikesh to Delhi Airport
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Guidance with trip planning, and daily support during retreat
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All yoga program, and workshop sessions with Deborah Langley throughout journey.
Exclusions:
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International airfare to and from India
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Indian eVisa
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Optional Travel insurance (recommended)
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Optional Taj Mahal addition with Uschi and Rakesh,
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Most meals. Each day for one meal you are free to explore the surrounds and wonderful authentic Indian restaurants & cafes.
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'Prasad' - offerings at Temples ** Hosts Deb, Uschi and Rakesh will explain & simplify this process. We'll recommend how much rupee to have with you for incidentals.
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Taxi or Tuk Tuks once in Rishikesh (should you wish to go exploring during free time)
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Vedic astrology reading / Massage / Ayurvedic treatments available to us in Rishikesh.
You will receive emails from myself and Uschi assisting your planning. The next step is book your flights and organize your online India tourist eVisa. The good news is, we will help you! Uschi will provide clear instruction (video and .pdf) on how to complete the online visa application, and will also provide guidance with flight bookings.
We'll give you guidelines as to what to bring with you, and answer any other questions you may have!
BOOK YOUR PILGRIMAGE
CANCELLATION POLICY
Payment is refundable on or before August 31, 2022 minus a $100AUD admin fee. Cancellation between September 1 2022 and November 1 2022 incur a $1000AUD fee; Full retreat payment forfeited if cancellation occurs after November 1, 2022.