jazz
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Posts: 197
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Post by jazz on Jan 31, 2011 13:59:41 GMT -5
Hey guys and gals!  I'm going to make a trip to India in september/october. Does anyone know of any good retreats one should go and stay at ? Or perhaps a teacher to go and see? Thank you in advance! ;D love, jazz |
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Post by michaelsees on Jan 31, 2011 14:38:10 GMT -5
Hi Jazz, Wow that is quite a question. It depends what you want India has everything. If I was going I would check Mooji schelde. He goes around that time to Tiruvannamala which is where ramana maharshi lived. I would google to see what is happening during the time you will go. My first trip to India was only for 3 weeks and I ended up staying more than a year traveling around with my backpack and sleeping and eating in temples. In India all of the good size temples will put youi up and feed you. For myself my first trip was by far my best as I had no agenda and really lived in the now as I had no money only a open ended ticket back to the US. Also you might want to visit Puttaparthi it's around a 2 hour trip by car from Bangalore. This place was made famous because it's where Satya Sai Baba lives and his huge ashram. But the thing is there are a few excellent nonduality teachers that live outside the ashram which will make a nice visit. Peace Michael Pic of the Ashram gate leaving the Ashram into the town of Puttaparthi  pic of Sai Baba Hospital which is the best hospital for heart conditions in all of India  |
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jazz
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Posts: 197
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Post by jazz on Jan 31, 2011 15:02:45 GMT -5
Thanks so much Michael! I know it's quite a question, but I'm interested in hearing from people who come on these boards and have been in India. This will be my first trip over there and I want to go to the good, perhaps not too popular places ? I don't really know what I'm going for. I'm going with a friend who wants to become a yoga instructor and I'm not sure we're gonna travel together the whole time. I think i just want a good experience, and by asking here I'm probably trying to control the outcome somewhat, hehe. I appreciate your answers, Michael Visting Ramana Maharshi's place sounds awesome! love, Jazz |
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Post by m on Jan 31, 2011 16:10:03 GMT -5
Hari om ! I was there quite a lot since 1970. Michelsees said everything useful (except puttarpatti  : I've been stolen everything there, pass port, flight ticket, money.... and so I had a new passport made in India just to show off  and discovered an incredible inner peace  ... nothing to do with the Saï-baba circus)... well so.. .. Oh yes Michelsees said everything you need "everything is in India, just like everywhere else in the world but as if you were on acid 24h/24H ;D.. so.. Oh yes Michael said every thing, just go and India will take over... Jay Maha Maya ki! Hey guys and gals! I'm going to make a trip to India in september/october. Does anyone know of any good retreats one should go and stay at ? Or perhaps a teacher to go and see? Thank you in advance! ;D love, jazz |
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Post by michaelsees on Jan 31, 2011 17:08:36 GMT -5
Oh yes Michael said every thing, just go and India will take over... Jay Maha Maya ki! Excellent advice and so true Michael Om Sri Ram Jai Ram Jai Jai Ram |
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Post by frankshank on Jan 31, 2011 17:14:17 GMT -5
I travelled around southern India for 3 odd months. It's a mad place but you'll come away from the experience glad that you did it I'm sure. Not all good but an unforgettable experience. Bear in mind these views are based on my experiences and perceptions: Mumbai: Only stayed for a few days and there was an initial feeling of shock - poverty, grime, begging, large rats LOL. I was on my own so I was like 'what have I done?'. Large place so plenty of scope for adventure. The touristy areas have a LOT of beggars. Goa: Partyville. My favourite place was Pallolem. Long Beach with lots of eating places (not the best curries though) and bars. There are lots other places in Goa to visit. Too many to mention. Very touristy, not just travellers. Hampi: Historical place. Lots of tours. Some lovely views. I was a bit bored after the Goa experience but an interesting place. Kerala: Superb. I spent most of my time in Kochi. Very quaint, chilled, lovely people, art scene, wonderful eating places, tours. One negative was that alcohol was not allowed to be sold in restaurants. They just put the booze in teapots though (don't tell)! Recommended. Pune: You'll find Oshos ashram there. All seemed a bit commercial and serious to me so I drank lots of booze in between the days I was in there. Met lots of people who came from outside of India and settled there. Good crowd. Bangalore: Seemed even busier than the rest of India. Very nice central shopping area. Very western like. Bars, tours etc.. Hyderabad: Not many travellers. Not much fun. Pondicherry: Lovely beaches, lots of history (french architectural influence), pizza hut (hip hip hooray), very cultured, nice places to stay. Chennai: OK As for spirituality there are ashrams all over the place if you're into that sort of thing. Going to India will help you to appreciate how lucky you are as most people over there live a very simple life in awful conditions by western standards. P.S. Just realised I've prattled on when you asked a specific question about retreats. Oh well, whatever!  |
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Post by michaelsees on Jan 31, 2011 17:29:11 GMT -5
Nice one Frank. I never been to Goa but most of the others I know. I loved Kerala but do not go during the hard rains. I spent a lot of time just east of Kerala in Tamil a placed called Kodaikanal. It's a beautiful place on top of a inactive Volcano. You would never think your in India there it looks more like Switzerland with the animals all well fed no skinny dogs or cats. A perfect place to hang out and finish that book you were writing. Michael Kodaikanal  |
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Post by stepvhen on Jan 31, 2011 20:42:18 GMT -5
Hey guys and gals! I'm going to make a trip to India in september/october. Does anyone know of any good retreats one should go and stay at ? Or perhaps a teacher to go and see? Thank you in advance! ;D love, jazz I'm pretty sure that buckling down and looking at the endurance of reality in the absence of self would save you the need to worry about spiritual well being and free you to enjoy your trip.  |
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jazz
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Posts: 197
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Post by jazz on Feb 1, 2011 12:48:11 GMT -5
Thank you stepvhen, but really, I'm not on a mission to become enlightened, I'm just going on a journey |
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Post by michaelsees on Feb 1, 2011 19:27:09 GMT -5
Thank you stepvhen, but really, I'm not on a mission to become enlightened, I'm just going on a journey perfect attitude go with no exceptions and live each day as it comes Michael |
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Post by stepvhen on Feb 1, 2011 20:33:41 GMT -5
Thank you stepvhen, but really, I'm not on a mission to become enlightened, I'm just going on a journey In that case be sure to see the Taj Mahl of course and if you could a street children orphanage. That will profoundly effect you in a positive way and the strength of the human spirit in the most desperate of circumstances will stay with you |
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Post by frankshank on Feb 2, 2011 11:07:19 GMT -5
Looks lovely Michael. If I head back there I'll try to check it out.
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Post by michaelsees on Feb 2, 2011 14:42:27 GMT -5
Ahh it's a lovely place it sits on top of a mountain. In India they do not use switchbacks as you have here in the US to get to the top. The roads keep on a spiral around the whole mountain till
you reach the top. I can cause some to get carsick as your going around and around which seems like hours. But it's well worth it when you reach the top.
One thing you will not find in any guide books. There is a guy up there that makes the best veggie stew in the world. It's located actually in the mountain itself no kidding. You hike up to where you will see 2 large boulders with like a split between them. Once your at the split you are at a opening of a large cave where he does the cooking with a natural chimmy on another split higher above. In his place there are tables made out of slices of rock and old tree stumps as the foundation and chairs. You put your order in and come back in a hour or so.
The only way to find this is to ask some locals where is the restaurant in the mountain where they make stew.
Michael
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Post by frankshank on Feb 2, 2011 21:36:35 GMT -5
Well I'm a vegetarian so it's tempting just for the stew. Thanks for breaking it down for me. I'm not sure I'll head back to India but I have unfinished business there for sure. I'd be happy to go back. Japan and Africa are two places I want to check out before I clock off though so they may come first!
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Post by frankshank on Feb 15, 2011 9:25:13 GMT -5
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: I've been stolen everything there, pass port, flight ticket, money.... and so I had a new passport made in India just to show off 
and discovered an incredible inner peace 
... nothing to do with the Saï-baba circus)... well so.. 
