Varanasi Retreats

"Why do you hold on to this cloak of life that’s already stained and torn, don’t you know that the sun squanders millions of lives every second? God decreed that you should have life, and another... and another... and another...."

Rumi (13th Century poet & mystic)

Varanasi, sometimes called Banares or ‘The City of Light,’ is situated by the banks of the Ganges and is claimed to be the oldest city in the world. Throughout India’s history it has been regarded as the most auspicious gathering place to debate the eternal cycles of birth and death, as well as the true nature of reality. Its captivating character and ceaseless flow of pilgrims, holy men and linen-bound corpses ensures a perfect environment to study spiritual maps of the most awesome journey we undertake.

We will be staying in a secluded and peaceful ashram where our accompanying team will personally take care of all your needs and hygienically prepare your food (see page 2 of ‘Facilities, Health Factors & Practicalities.’)

We will also be visiting specially chosen sections of Varanasi’s 90+ ghats and 700+ temples, as well as paying homage to its burning grounds where you can observe and/or participate in indigenous rituals.(In such a spontaneous environment, it’s best to explore in a relaxed way with the understanding that India is full of surprises and chance encounters.)

Focus of the Retreat

No matter how much wealth, intellectual knowledge or power a person acquires, at some point in time it will all vanish within the space of a nano second. There is absolutely no one who ever has – or ever will - escape the only certainty that we have in this world; that of our own physical death.

With this profound fact imminent at any given second of the day, it’s incredulous that so many people don’t spend at least a short period of their lives contemplating the nature of this inevitable truth. Generally death is still seen as a fearful and morbid subject rather than a fascinating mystery, or a grief-ridden failure rather than a successful completion.

This is an invitation to anyone who wishes to share their insights into what happens to us at the point of death and also where our journey lies thereafter. It’s an opportunity to explore the greatest of all mysteries, as well as chance to acknowledge and honour just how many times we die metaphorically throughout our lives. Every single experience we pass through, and each thing we have to let go of, can either be interpreted as a death/loss or heralded as the beginning of a new passage and opportunity.

This retreat is also aimed at those who are either working or researching in related fields or for those who are in the process of physically dying, provided they are well enough to make the journey.