Itinerary and Information for North India 'Ramparts of Heaven'
19-Day Ashram Journey.

2008 - 2009 dates to be advised.

This Ashram Journey seeks to offer participants a deep and enriching experience of the diverse culture of North India as lived in the ancient countryside and several towns, as well as in several ashrams representing the Hindu and Christian traditions in North India.

Our journey will include:
- A residential visit to Swami Dayananda’s beautiful ashram on the banks of the River Ganges at Rishikesh, where we join the celebration of ‘waving of the lights’ (arati) over the waters of the Ganges at sundown.

- Another highlight shall be our ascent to Jeevan Dhara ashram, near Lansdowne, a point from which we witness the breathtaking views of the High Himalayas.

- For those who wish to stay on, we will take the comfortable overnight train on to the world’s most ancient, still occupied city – Varanasi – one of the principle seats of Hindu learning and culture. Included in this leg of the journey will be a visit to Sarnath, one of Buddhism’s most important pilgrimage sites. A day’s excursion to the beautiful Taj Mahal will also be included in this tour.

Meditation and Quiet Reflection
On most days, I provide opportunities for Deep Relaxation (yoga nidra) exercises, and Meditation (Dhyana).

Sacred Spaces and Friendships
In India every day is special and potentially exciting, providing terrific opportunities to build lasting friendships.

As participants on my journeys are mostly adults, I provide opportunities for general sharing so that individuals may grow in new knowledge and integration.

Should you wish to read any of the Testimonials, you may do so here.

Itinerary and Information for South India 'Return to the Centre' 19 Days Ashram Journey.

These Ashram Journeys seek to offer participants a deep and enriching experience of the diverse culture of South India as lived in a number of ashrams, several villages and towns, and the lush tropical South Indian countryside.

Our journey will include visits and stays to some remarkable sites:

- The late Bede Griffiths' Saccidananda ashram at Shantivanam near Trichy takes us in with a friendly embrace. Here, on the banks of the Sacred River Cauvery, set amid tall coconut palms, banana plantations, bougainvillea and eucalypts we discover and live the typical life style of this famous spiritual centre.

- At Bodhi Zendo, situated high in the magnificent Southern Ghats (mountains) at the beautiful and temperate hill-station of Kodaikanal, we experience a spiritual retreat in a living ashram where only India's only Zen Master Ama Samy guides Zen Meditation.

- For those tours in which it is included, the Sangam ‘Art' ashram near Bangalore our journey brings us to an important centre of interreligious dialogue and contemplative spirituality. Jyothi Sahi, one of India 's foremost artists, leads retreats in the mythology and traditional symbolism of ancient India . His wife Jane, son Kieran and daughter-in-law Imogen ably support him: a wonderful and gentle introduction to the spiritual-cultural riches of India .

- Wonderful visits to Sri Ramana Maharshi's ashram in Tiruvannamalai at Mount Arunachala-Siva are some of the moving highlights of our tour. We can, if we choose, experience climbing the sacred mountain to the cave in which the sage resided for many years, and meditate in the ‘dharshan' hall in the centre of this extraordinary ashram.

Meditation and Quiet Reflection

Diverse Journeys offers a unique combination of cultural and spiritual experiences in one of the friendliest and most relaxed regions of the world. Yes, there'll be time for shopping among the colourful bazaars and markets throughout the journey. But there will also be plenty of time for solo and group meditation as well as quiet reflection.

For most days, I provide opportunities for interreligious learning as well as Deep Relaxation (yoga nidra), and Meditation (Dhyana).

Sacred Spaces and Friendships

In India every day is special and potentially exciting. The ordinary, everyday colours, sounds, tastes and smells of Tamil Nadu, when experienced with a few others, provide terrific opportunities for building lasting friendships.

Talks and Discussion

As participants on my journeys are mostly adults, I provide opportunities for general sharing so that individuals may grow in new knowledge and integration.

Should you wish to read any of the Testimonials, you may do so here.

'Return to the Centre’
(1) An overview of the itinerary. (Download PDF)