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When was the last time you took a break from the routine of work and responsibilities to focus on your inner self? Life these days can be very busy, and we tend to lose connection with ourselves. After reading Eat, Pray, Love or watching Julia Robert in the movie, we all have that bucket list activity of spending some time in an ashram in India.
Well, why not? But with so many options, it can get overwhelming when you don’t know where to start or how to find something that suits your requirements. So, we have compiled a list of the top meditation retreats in India, covering everything from guided breath work to sitting in silence to chanting and dancing. So give yourself the much-needed break that you deserve.
1. Tushita Meditation Center, Dharamshala
The entrance to Tushita Meditation Centre at Dharamshala. Photo by Jagriti Yadav
If you have always been intrigued by the philosophy of Buddhism, the lives of monks, or a silent retreat in the Himalayas cut off from the outside world, then this could be your place. This Buddhist retreat center is in Dharamshala, which is the seat in exile of His Highness The Dalai Lama. The center is perched up on a hilltop, offering 360 degree view of the Himalayan range.
Participants will get a chance to pray at the stupas and gompas, attend Buddhist ceremonies, and live one day like a monk if desired. You can also access their library, which has a nice collection of all genres, and enjoy the weekly movie shows with fellow residential monks.
Course: The recommended course for beginners is ‘Introduction to Buddhism,’ a 10-day silent course based on the principles of Tibetan Buddhism. This program is advisable for those new to meditation and involves theoretical classes, presentations, guided meditations , and group discussions.
No gadgets are allowed, and cell phones are even deposited before the start of the course. Noble silence is to be maintained till the very end. The sessions are conducted by a senior residential monk. One hour daily is dedicated to volunteering activities related to the retreat. The intermediate and advanced courses can only be pursued by those who have already finished the beginner course.
Fee: Around $120 for ten days.
Pro Tip: May and June are the best summer months to visit and if you are lucky enough, you could also get a chance to have an audience with His Holiness The Dalai Lama at his temple as he visits at this time every year.
Before and after the course, you can take a few days to explore other Buddhist attractions in the city, like The Temple of Dalai Lama and the Namgyal Monastery, visit the tourist Mcleodganj, relax in the hippie village Dharamkot or go on a trek to Triund.
2. Isha Foundation, Coimbatore
Adiyogi statue at Isha Centre in Coimbatore. Photo by Isha Foundation.
This multi-religious sacred space was established by the spiritual teacher Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. Sadhguru is a modern-day guru who is also very popular amongst the youth, which is also reflected on his Instagram page, where he has over 10 million followers.
The main highlight of Isha center is the Dhyanalinga, a profound meditative space consecrated by Sadhguru himself after three years of intense meditative practices, where he harnessed the highest of energies. Just sitting quietly and meditating here can be a great spiritual experience in itself.
Course: Their flagship program is the 3-day Inner Engineering Retreat. The highlight of the course is the initiation into ‘Shambhavi Mahamudra kriya,’ a deeply transformative breathing and meditation technique that has a direct impact on life energies or prana. The prerequisite for enrolling in this course is to first finish Inner Engineering Online, which has seven 90-minute sessions.
Another life-changing course is the seven-month residential ‘Sadhanapada’. This all-encompassing course includes yoga, breath work, meditation, and volunteering. It has limited seats and an intense selection procedure but is completely free of cost once selected.
Fee: Around $120 for Inner Engineering Retreat and $45 for Inner Engineering Online.
Pro Tip: Before enrolling for the course, spend a few days at Dhyanalinga meditating and practicing the principles learnt in Inner Engineering Online. The center is run almost entirely by volunteers, so if you want to experience the place and contribute, then enrol as a volunteer while enjoying all the benefits that the programs offer.
Read More: Varanasi: A Journey to the Spiritual Heart of India
3. Osho International Meditation Resort, Pune
Practitioners in the signature maroon robe at Osho Ashram, Pune. Photo by Jagriti Yadav
This was founded by the philosopher and mystic Osho, who had and still has a cult-like following. His spiritual teachings were along the lines of expression, freedom, and movement, ultimately leading to ecstasy and joy.
His whole idea of meditation was to celebrate life in its full glory, so if you think sitting quietly in meditative poses might not be your thing, give Osho retreats a try. The center also has a multiversity with a daily schedule of active and passive meditations, so you can visit by taking a daily pass or choose to stay for the 7-day, 15-day, or 30-day ‘Meditation Plus’ retreats.
Course: The most popular course is the ‘Osho No-Mind’ retreat. Its main element is gibberish, uttering sounds that make no sense to give the idea of no mind. This, in turn, frees the mind of its thought patterns and conditioning. Other meditations are dancing, shaking, stillness, silence, and kundalini meditations.
Another recommended course is the 21-day ‘Mystic Rose’, which is a 3-week residential course consisting of 3 hours of laughing daily for week 1, followed by 3 hours of crying daily for week 2 and then sitting in silence for 3 hours daily for week 3.
Fee: Depending on your lodging, food, and meditation course choices, you can expect to pay between $700 and $2200 for a month. The one-day entry sticker costs $25.
Pro Tip: If you have a lot of pent-up emotions, unexpressed feelings, or heavy energies in your system that you need to get rid of, then try one of the Osho retreats. Participants tend to feel light, rejuvenated, vibrant, and more alive after these programs. You can also grab one of the many books written by Osho to understand his ideology and work.
4. Vipassana, Multiple Centers, SN Goenka School
One of the fenced walking lanes at the Vipassana Centre at Mcleodganj. Photo by Jagriti Yadav
This is one of the most ancient techniques of meditation based on the doctrine of impermanence. The practice is to silently, carefully, and impartially observe the realities within our selves. This, in turn, leads to the knowledge about the ever-changing nature of body and mind.
This intense retreat is recommended for those who want a complete break from the outside world and want to go deep within. The courses are conducted in full silence, without gadgets, and without any interaction with the outside world. Interaction with other participants during the course is not permitted.
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The first course that a beginner can join is the signature 10-day course. Each day consists of waking up at 4 am, meditating in complete silence for almost 11 hours daily, and going to bed at 10 pm. No reading or writing material is allowed, and no physical exercise is permitted except walking around the campus during breaks.
The main principle of meditation is watching the breath and the different vibrations in the body and ultimately learning the ephemeral nature of life. Vipassana meditation is said to bring up hidden emotions and past traumas stored deep within the physical body, and you are advised to observe them, too, without any judgment or attachment.
Instructions are given once daily, and there is no guidance for the rest of the day as participants are expected to carry on in silence on their own in the group meditation hall.
Fee: All courses are free of cost, and the centers are run solely on a donation basis.
Pro tip: This course can be very challenging, but completing it can feel equally rewarding. Before coming for the course, form a habit of waking up and going to bed a little early, meditating at least one hour daily, and working on your posture by sitting with your back straight and no support so that you are physically and mentally prepared for this intense meditative retreat.
5. Art of Living, Bangalore
Founded by Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, it is a humanitarian organization aimed at promoting holistic wellness, creativity, and mindfulness. The institute offers educational and self-development programs using age-old practices.
The ultimate goal is to increase happiness and lead a peaceful, content, and grateful life by doing inner work. The programs are targeted at adults as well as children of different age groups. They also keep offering many different free online sessions that are open to all.
Course: The signature course is the 3-day Happiness Program. The main theme is learning and implementing the powerful breathing technique called Sudarshan Kriya, which helps manage stress, release good hormones, build immunity, and promote overall wellness.
The course consists of different breathing techniques and guided meditations mixed with some high-vibration mantras and chants.
Fee: Between $30-$40 for three days.
Pro Tip: On completion of the course, practitioners are advised to meet once every week at any of the designated centers near you or join the online community for practice of guided meditation in the recorded voice of Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. These sessions are managed and coordinated by Art of Living certified teachers. To keep up with the practice, join these weekly sessions that are lifetime free of cost on the completion of The Happiness Program.
These courses will surely make you realize that replenishing from within is way more refreshing and sustainable than getting refreshed from without. Whichever retreat or course you pick, be assured that these practices will make you more time efficient, increase productivity, help deal with suppressed emotions, and heal you from within, ultimately leading to a profound inner transformation. The peacefulness that you experience will stay with you even after the retreat is over and wherever you go.
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Author Bio: Jagriti is pursuing her biggest dreams of writing from beautiful locations, travelling full-time and leading a mindful life. In the last two years, Jagriti has travelled solo to more than 30 countries across 4 continents. And very soon, Jagriti is also getting her debut novel published.
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