Looking for spiritual places advice

vasilevitsky · Jul 26th, 2009, 05:57

Hi. I wan o go to India within the month of August for at least 3 months and would like to spend time in spiritual locations - ashrams are the ones i have heard off but perhaps there are other types of places. I am looking for strongest quality of teachings and practice spirituality and beauty (of the places and locations) and not so much about comfort as I am traveling on a budget. I have not booked the flight yet as the destination city will depend on the closest location to the spiritual destination that I decide to get to, so please advise!
Thank you very much!

Eastern Mind · Jul 26th, 2009, 06:08

Welcome.
Ashrams, temples, and natural wonders are all spiritual places, depending on who you ask. I think you are interested in ashrams, but not sure. Even ashrams vary with their focus. So if you can be a bit more specific, IM members will be more likely to help.

vasilevitsky · Jul 26th, 2009, 06:19

Basically I am looking to practice spiritual methods meditation, yoga or otherwise for myself. So I assume ashrams would be the best. I would prefer to go to a local one rather than to a commercialised western place as long as that is more effective. Please let me know

THnak you!

livinhimalayas · Jul 26th, 2009, 10:20

You could try Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh.

machadinha · Jul 26th, 2009, 11:31

I know I'm way too cynical on this, but to ask for some generic "yoga" or "ashram" I find somewhat akin to asking what church shall I visit in all of Europe.

But, well; don't let me bother you, and like you see others will be ready to answer you.

(I really can't help but think though, what if I wanted to visit say a synagogue in Israel, let alone actually engage and learn something there: Shouldn't I at least know something about what denomination I were after, and so on?)

kamal.nandan · Jul 26th, 2009, 11:37

Yes..I second that..Rishikesh is the best place to go where you can search and explore so many Ashrams. And also. Rishikesh lies at the foothills of Himalayas and at the bank of Ganges. So you can also explore the beauty of the nature in higher Himalayas too...I go to Rishikesh almost every year and love to be there every time...

kamal.nandan · Jul 26th, 2009, 11:41

machadinha is very correct...its better to explore on your own rather than go to one specific Ashram...Himalayas is full of Yogis and its better if you explore in the Higher Himalayas too, if you have patience and time and urge to do so..Can also have a look at this thread:
Going to Himalayas. Does anyone know of a REAL Guru/Sadhu/Saint near Hardwar/Rishike

machadinha · Jul 26th, 2009, 12:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by kamal.nandan

machadinha is very correct...its better to explore on your own rather than go to one specific Ashram...

Er, sorry, but that is in fact not what I was saying.

What I was saying is in order to find something it usually pays to know what one is after.

Paleface · Jul 26th, 2009, 15:13

The mere fact that the young man is actively seeking to discover, shows that he is already taken steps along a path, that we don't know the route is irrelevant, but we do have a firm notion of the destination - there's no need to label it and going anywhere is integral to the process. Neti, neti, not this not this..

sanju baba · Jul 26th, 2009, 16:04

Hi Friend, For ur spiritual quest u can check this site www.vethathiri.org or www.vethathirifoundation.org or can see on google pages- vethathirianscience.googlepage s.com,vethathiriacademy.google pages.com.

First check all this & if u have any other query mail me at sily2029@yahoo.co.in .Hope & wish that u will get what ur looking for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasilevitsky

Hi. I wan o go to India within the month of August for at least 3 months and would like to spend time in spiritual locations - ashrams are the ones i have heard off but perhaps there are other types of places. I am looking for strongest quality of teachings and practice spirituality and beauty (of the places and locations) and not so much about comfort as I am traveling on a budget. I have not booked the flight yet as the destination city will depend on the closest location to the spiritual destination that I decide to get to, so please advise!
Thank you very much!

theyyamdancer · Jul 26th, 2009, 16:15

Moderator Note:

SMS speak is not tolerated on IndiaMike. Please take the time and the trouble to spell out your words in full English for the benefit of all of us since not everyone here has English as their mother tongue and it is hard enough to understand that language without coping with "u" and "ur" and other abbreviations.

Thanks in advance for your help with this.

kullukid · Jul 28th, 2009, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by machadinha

Er, sorry, but that is in fact not what I was saying.

What I was saying is in order to find something it usually pays to know what one is after.

The Unknowable!!!!!!

neha.priy · Jul 29th, 2009, 14:09

If you're looking purely into Yoga ONLY, then you should try Bihar School of Yoga, Munger (www.yogavision.net). Its the best place with the most experienced people like, Swamu Niranjanananda to learn yoga in India. A lot of foreigners come and stay here in order to learn Yoga. Infact, it's the only University for Yoga in world and majority of it's publications are used world wide for teaching and learning Yoga.

But on the other hands, Munger (Bihar, India) is not much into sceninc beauty, even though this place is also located on the banks of river Ganges. It's a regular town of India, which is world renowned for it's Yoga School.

If you're looking for a combo of scenic beauty and yoga then maybe you should try the advices mentioned above.

Goran · Jul 29th, 2009, 20:18

If you are going to Rishikes I would take into consideration the Shivananda ashram (Divine Life Society) there. It gives me the impression (an the locals were telling mi similar things) of being the most serious, if not even the only serious ashram there in all the yoga business going around in Rishikesh. Shivananda himself was not narrow minded in the sense of propagating a very specific sect so in his books and teachings you will find a lot of different elements of various Hindu sects so that to might make it a good starting point if you do not feel particularly attracted to a specific tradition within Hinduism.

The fact that yoga practice and teachings are free and that accommodation is payed on donation basis make that ashram different from the surrounding "business-cum-spirituality" ones, sometimes called ashrams just to avoid paying the taxes that a hotel or someone renting rooms has to. They also maintain a hospital and maybe other humanitarian projects.

However I only visited shortly and never lived there so my impression might be wrong. You would also have to contact them and make your arrangements in advance.

Another interesting place in Rishikesh not that much for the quality of instruction but for the scenery could be the Pool Chatti Ashram as it is situated out of the main ashram area along the Ganga, near the river and surrounded by the forest. But for general spiritual purposes I would personally probably go for the Shivananda ashram. Bihar school of yoga is very famous and structured, they probably have a level of quality, but they do charge for everything and I have "a thing" about transforming spirituality into business. Besides they are much more focused on tantra/hatha yoga though historically connected to Shivananda as Swami Satyananda, the founder and teacher of the present head of the institution and main teacher (Swami Niranjananda) was his disciple. But Sivananda in his "mixture" has more elements of other approaches to spirituality so it might be a better place to start though I would like to hear from someone who has stayed there.

Edit: Pool Chati was Rs 250/day if I remember correctly the last time in Rishikesh which is very cheap. Shivananda as I said is on donation, without fixed rates. I would presume a brand like the Bihar School of Yoga might be more expensive and you are on budget...
Rishikesh is also easily accessible from Delhi and full of westerners

links:
Shivananda: http://www.sivanandaonline.org/
Pool Chatti Ashram: http://www.phoolchattiyoga.com/
Bihar: http://www.yogavision.net/home.htm

of course there are much more options all around India

mysoulstillwandering · Aug 6th, 2009, 15:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasilevitsky

Basically I am looking to practice spiritual methods meditation, yoga or otherwise for myself. So I assume ashrams would be the best. I would prefer to go to a local one rather than to a commercialised western place as long as that is more effective. Please let me know

THnak you!

Try Vrindavan,
you might also find what many others have found.
no i will not name any ashram. that search is upto you. also, if i will name any, moderators will be here like FBI...

Jul 26th, 2009, 05:57	#1
vasilevitsky Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Israel Posts: 6	Looking for spiritual places advice Hi. I wan o go to India within the month of August for at least 3 months and would like to spend time in spiritual locations - ashrams are the ones i have heard off but perhaps there are other types of places. I am looking for strongest quality of teachings and practice spirituality and beauty (of the places and locations) and not so much about comfort as I am traveling on a budget. I have not booked the flight yet as the destination city will depend on the closest location to the spiritual destination that I decide to get to, so please advise! Thank you very much!

Jul 26th, 2009, 10:20	#4
livinhimalayas still learning Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: The Abode of Snow Posts: 3,334	You could try Parmarth Niketan in Rishikesh. __________________ He that would live in peace and at ease must not speak all he knows or all he sees. - Benjamin Franklin

Jul 26th, 2009, 11:31	#5
machadinha brother my cup is empty member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: yörp Posts: 14,367	I know I'm way too cynical on this, but to ask for some generic "yoga" or "ashram" I find somewhat akin to asking what church shall I visit in all of Europe. But, well; don't let me bother you, and like you see others will be ready to answer you. (I really can't help but think though, what if I wanted to visit say a synagogue in Israel, let alone actually engage and learn something there: Shouldn't I at least know something about what denomination I were after, and so on?) __________________ Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

Jul 26th, 2009, 15:13	#9
Paleface Maha Guru Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Garhwal Himalaya Posts: 1,785	The mere fact that the young man is actively seeking to discover, shows that he is already taken steps along a path, that we don't know the route is irrelevant, but we do have a firm notion of the destination - there's no need to label it and going anywhere is integral to the process. Neti, neti, not this not this.. __________________ Only a mediocre person is always at his best. Somerset Maugham.

Jul 26th, 2009, 16:15	#11
theyyamdancer lost in Mechuka member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Crete Posts: 4,423	Moderator Note: SMS speak is not tolerated on IndiaMike. Please take the time and the trouble to spell out your words in full English for the benefit of all of us since not everyone here has English as their mother tongue and it is hard enough to understand that language without coping with "u" and "ur" and other abbreviations. Thanks in advance for your help with this. __________________ "Wandering seemed no more than the happiness of an anxious man." - Albert Camus

Jul 26th, 2009, 06:08	#2
Eastern Mind Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 431	Welcome. Ashrams, temples, and natural wonders are all spiritual places, depending on who you ask. I think you are interested in ashrams, but not sure. Even ashrams vary with their focus. So if you can be a bit more specific, IM members will be more likely to help.

Jul 26th, 2009, 06:19	#3
vasilevitsky Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Israel Posts: 6	Basically I am looking to practice spiritual methods meditation, yoga or otherwise for myself. So I assume ashrams would be the best. I would prefer to go to a local one rather than to a commercialised western place as long as that is more effective. Please let me know THnak you!

Jul 26th, 2009, 11:37	#6
kamal.nandan Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 28	Yes..I second that..Rishikesh is the best place to go where you can search and explore so many Ashrams. And also. Rishikesh lies at the foothills of Himalayas and at the bank of Ganges. So you can also explore the beauty of the nature in higher Himalayas too...I go to Rishikesh almost every year and love to be there every time...

Jul 26th, 2009, 11:41	#7
kamal.nandan Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 28	machadinha is very correct...its better to explore on your own rather than go to one specific Ashram...Himalayas is full of Yogis and its better if you explore in the Higher Himalayas too, if you have patience and time and urge to do so..Can also have a look at this thread: Going to Himalayas. Does anyone know of a REAL Guru/Sadhu/Saint near Hardwar/Rishike

Jul 29th, 2009, 14:09	#13
neha.priy Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: hyderabad Posts: 7	Bihar School of Yoga If you're looking purely into Yoga ONLY, then you should try Bihar School of Yoga, Munger (www.yogavision.net). Its the best place with the most experienced people like, Swamu Niranjanananda to learn yoga in India. A lot of foreigners come and stay here in order to learn Yoga. Infact, it's the only University for Yoga in world and majority of it's publications are used world wide for teaching and learning Yoga. But on the other hands, Munger (Bihar, India) is not much into sceninc beauty, even though this place is also located on the banks of river Ganges. It's a regular town of India, which is world renowned for it's Yoga School. If you're looking for a combo of scenic beauty and yoga then maybe you should try the advices mentioned above.

Jul 29th, 2009, 20:18	#14
Goran Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Croatia Posts: 144	If you are going to Rishikes I would take into consideration the Shivananda ashram (Divine Life Society) there. It gives me the impression (an the locals were telling mi similar things) of being the most serious, if not even the only serious ashram there in all the yoga business going around in Rishikesh. Shivananda himself was not narrow minded in the sense of propagating a very specific sect so in his books and teachings you will find a lot of different elements of various Hindu sects so that to might make it a good starting point if you do not feel particularly attracted to a specific tradition within Hinduism. The fact that yoga practice and teachings are free and that accommodation is payed on donation basis make that ashram different from the surrounding "business-cum-spirituality" ones, sometimes called ashrams just to avoid paying the taxes that a hotel or someone renting rooms has to. They also maintain a hospital and maybe other humanitarian projects. However I only visited shortly and never lived there so my impression might be wrong. You would also have to contact them and make your arrangements in advance. Another interesting place in Rishikesh not that much for the quality of instruction but for the scenery could be the Pool Chatti Ashram as it is situated out of the main ashram area along the Ganga, near the river and surrounded by the forest. But for general spiritual purposes I would personally probably go for the Shivananda ashram. Bihar school of yoga is very famous and structured, they probably have a level of quality, but they do charge for everything and I have "a thing" about transforming spirituality into business. Besides they are much more focused on tantra/hatha yoga though historically connected to Shivananda as Swami Satyananda, the founder and teacher of the present head of the institution and main teacher (Swami Niranjananda) was his disciple. But Sivananda in his "mixture" has more elements of other approaches to spirituality so it might be a better place to start though I would like to hear from someone who has stayed there. Edit: Pool Chati was Rs 250/day if I remember correctly the last time in Rishikesh which is very cheap. Shivananda as I said is on donation, without fixed rates. I would presume a brand like the Bihar School of Yoga might be more expensive and you are on budget... Rishikesh is also easily accessible from Delhi and full of westerners links: Shivananda: http://www.sivanandaonline.org/ Pool Chatti Ashram: http://www.phoolchattiyoga.com/ Bihar: http://www.yogavision.net/home.htm of course there are much more options all around India Last edited by Goran : Jul 29th, 2009 at 22:29.

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