Your advice very welcome!

trenino

Hello all. This looks like an amazing forum, please do not get upset as I will ask for some things but will do a search for them at the same time in the past threads.

I am leaving in 20 days for a 2 moth trip to the north and south. This trip is somehting I wanted to do for the last 10-15 years. Since i realised that planning it (timing, budget and circumstances) would not ever permit it in an ideal way, I booked the tickets without thinking and planning ahead.

With the years the main reason for going, which was a persuit of self-discovery, has fainted I guess, as people who want to "find themselves" try to do that wherever they are. Like that I have been interested in spirituality, Gurdjeff, Krisnamurti, practicing Zazen and Reiki and followed other paths as well.
So it is a mixture of finding out what is there, in this country that people either hate or love.

In combination with seeing the country, and maybe the not so touristic places( e.g. i don't really care about taj mahal, and big monuments so much), I am interested in learning Pranayama, in a centre or maybe an Ashram.

From the little research i did, there is a plethora of millionaires gurus that I would really like to stay away from. Similarly I would not like to learn pranayama with 500 other people in a big square or whatever. I beileve in intimate learning and personal relations.

As I said I know that there are other posts perhaps similar to mine and I will be looking around, just for time saving i would grately help me if you could give me an idea of what places you think I should avoid, that are "alternative" and full of "spiritual" tourists that would pay several hundred dollars for a meditation session.

I don't mind the tough rules, would prefer silence (even if obligatory) that some Ashrams require. The problem is finding an authentic quality in people, teaching, atmosphere.
Also, any towns that you would recommend, away from the mass and packaged holidays groups?
Ok, I admit I would like to go to Jaipur to buy some textile for home, but even if I don't make it, it won't be the end of the world.

many thanks to all
p.s. anyone has experience with bodhizendo?
p.s.2. for good or for bad the cheapest flight I found arrives at Delhi. It also arrives after midnight so some info on how to find a place to sleep the first night would also be greatly appreciated.
thanks again

karuna

Oooh a fellow Cardiffian! Hello!

It sounds like this is your first India trip; is that right? I have a Rough Guide you can have if you like, PM me if you're interested.

'fraid I won't be much use on the guru front, but for your first night in Delhi check out the hotel reviews section and the Delhi section - it's difficult to make recommendations without knowing your budget. Take a pre-paid taxi from the airport or arrange a transfer beforehand.

machadinha

<cross-posting>

Hm. Authenticity doesn't usually come in the phone book.

I take it you're into Japanese traditions; be aware that while Buddhism originated in India, it's far less of a living tradition there than in some other parts of Asia. I think most of what you'll find will be of the Tibetan Buddhist variety, which is quite a ballgame of its own. Zazen for instance may be hard to come by.

Your other and more specific queries, answers will pour in no doubt. I'm no expert on the matter. For starters, I'm not at all clear is Pranayama (apparently a Hindu yogic concept, referring to breath control) a school of itself, or a technique taught under varying schools. From what I can find it's more likely the latter, it's a central concept.

__________________
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

trenino

Hi all. Thanks for the replies. Karuna, Cardiff is sooo small!! I could not find the PM thing. Thanks for the tips about Delhi. Have the rough guide and the map...which is more than daunting. I am not sure that I did well to arrive at Delhi.. since want to go all the way down...

Machadinha, you are absolutely right about the phone book, but all I need is directions to the phone booth!

Maybe this is not the right place to post but I realised, that I need to give some more details to get help.

My budget is around £600 for a bit less than 2 months.I do not have even a rough itenary but as will be arriving in Delhi, it makes sense to stay 3-4 days(?) to see it. Wanted to grab the opportunity and visit places in the north like Rishikesh or Dharamsala, where i thought i can find a good Ashram or individuals, but recenlty read that it might be too crowded with tourists and business oriented spirituality.

A friend lives in Mumbai so will go there for another 3-4 days , would like to see parts of Rajastan and then on the South visit a Zen centre. Karnataka and Tamil Nadu look interesting. I know this covers a big area... but is there a place on the way that you think I should definetely stop and have a look around? Ashram-wise?

Would you recommend a very rough itenary to visit some ashrams from norht to south and not so touristy places?


Sorry if all this do not make much sense, I am a bit behind schedule in the planning and all looks a bit daunting. I know I will get there eventually. Will have to make a rough plan I guess based on previous Ashram/guru reccomendations. Anyway, thanks. Will try to make a rough itenary and then post it to see if it is feasible. I definetely though want to go to the South.