8 Day Self-Inquiry Meditation Retreat in the Himalayas in India
Self-inquiry Retreat in India: The Direct Path to Freedom
Atma Vichar: Self-Inquiry or understanding who you really are beyond the body and mind. Learn how to experience your own greatness as the unchanging being, the immortal and blissful self. Through Self-Inquiry or Atma Vichar and meditation, it is possible to directly experience your own true nature as pure consciousness, the Seer within, which is free from the dualities and delusions of the mind. Learn how to see clearly. Learn how to live happily, the simple and balanced life of a yogi, purifying the mind to let the light of your own self shine through your whole being. Learn how to strengthen your asana or meditation posture through daily Hatha yoga sessions with the experienced yogi Rashmi, who will also teach pranayama every morning.
Meet the instructors
Highlights
- 7 days of guidance and satsang with Vishuddha Nath and Rashmi
- All meditation sessions, Gita classes, satsangs, Q&As
- Personal guidance as needed
- 7 nights accommodation + breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- Retreat handbook with Gita verses and practices
- Access to the recommended reading list
- Travel to/from Naggar
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Yoga styles
7 days with instruction in English
Average daily hours of activity: 7
Accommodation
Facilities
- Yoga shala
There are a variety of shared or private rooms in the retreat center.
- Private room
- Double room
- Dormitory with 4 beds
- Private room in a nearby guesthouse
Facilities
- Simple, clean accommodations (shared and private options)
- Shala overlooking the valley
- Traditional Indian architecture honors the space's sacredness
- Basic amenities provided
Program
Schedule may vary slightly.
- 07:00 - 08:30 Pranayama, asana, and meditation (practice)
- 08:30 - 09:15 Breakfast
- 09:30 - 10:30 Bhagavad Gita class
- 10:30 - 11:00 Tea break
- 11:00 - 13:00 Self-Inquiry session
- 13:00 - 14:00 Lunch
- 14:00 - 16:30 Rest / personal time
- 16:30 - 18:00 Meditation
- 18:00 - 18:30 Tea break
- 18:30 - 19:30 Dinner
- 19:30 - 20:30 Satsang
What to expect
- 3 hours of meditation daily (guided and self-practice)
- Daily Gita study with verse-by-verse exploration and chanting practice
- Open Q&A sessions to address your personal practice and understanding
- Individual guidance when needed
- Simple, sattvic vegetarian meals
This is a retreat in the ancient Upanishadic tradition of Gyan Yoga or the path of knowledge, where the absolute unity of man, God, and the world is directly realized, which creates the state of liberation, also known as Yoga or Oneness.
During the retreat, there will be an introduction to the wisdom of the Bhagavad Gita, and the participants will learn how to chant some essential verses in Sanskrit.
This retreat is for sincere seekers who are genuinely interested in taking their practice to a deeper level of realization, those who want to have a clear idea of their spiritual goal and what the obstacles may be. There will be Q&A sessions daily, where the participants are welcome to share their experiences and receive advice regarding their own practice and understanding.
Learn to experience your own greatness as the unchanging being, the immortal and blissful Self. Through Atma Vichar (Self-inquiry) and meditation, directly experience your true nature as pure consciousness, the Seer within, free from the dualities and delusions of the mind. Learn how to see clearly. Learn how to live happily. Learn the simple, balanced life of a yogi, purifying the mind to let the light of your own Self shine through your whole being. This is not philosophy. This is direct experience.
The approach
Discrimination (viveka) - Learning to distinguish between:
- Self and mind
- Awareness and its contents
- The Seer and the seen
- Knowledge (gyan) and ignorance (agyan)
- Truth (satya) and illusion (maya)
Meditation as Witness (sakshi): Resting as the inner witness - the source of the mind and the world itself, and having a direct experience of your unchanging nature.
The Foundation: Bhagavad Gita
Daily teachings from the Gita, the essential text for understanding dharma, self-knowledge, and the paths of yoga. You'll learn to chant key verses in Sanskrit, allowing the vibration and meaning of these ancient words to fill your being.
Included excursions
There is one half-day excursion in the middle of the retreat, exploring the local area, visiting temples, enjoying the deep Deodhar forests, etc.
Instructors
Vishuddha Nath
Vishuddha is an Advaita Vedanta teacher, Sanskritist, and Satsang Leader. Drawing on a lifetime of studies with his guru, Swami Shyam, Vishuddha Nath shares his extensive experience with sadhana, or the practice of self-realization. He first met his guru at the age of 12. He joined his guru after high school and spent the following 12 years as a full-time resident. Daily, the Guru held satsangs where he helped his students find their true identities behind the myriad illusions of the mind, and Vishuddha Nath will share what he learned. Vishuddha Nath is also a pandit or sanskrit scholar.
Rashmi Sinha
Rashmi bridges ancient yogic practices with modern life, offering expertise in yoga, pranayama, and meditation that creates stability for deeper spiritual inquiry. She holds space with both warmth and firmness, supporting students through the challenges that arise as attachments dissolve.
Retreat location
The retreat takes place in the serene Yoga Dham Ashram, nestled above the picturesque village of Naggar in the Kullu Valley. Built next to the ancient Murlidhar Krishna Temple on a hill covered with deodar trees, the retreat offers a unique opportunity to focus on your own inner journey of self-realization under the guidance of the teachers Rashmi and Vishuddha Nath.
During the retreat, you will delve together into the space of awareness in which all thoughts and emotions appear, and learn how to discriminate between the self and the mind, knowledge and ignorance, truth and illusion. Every day, you will meditate as sakshi, the inner witness, the source of the mind and the world, and have a direct experience of who you are.
The setting
- Built beside the ancient Murlidhar Krishna Temple.
- Surrounded by fragrant deodar forests and Himalayan peaks.
- 2,000 meters above sea level, the air itself aids meditation.
- Away from tourist areas, holding the energy of centuries of spiritual practice.
Kullu Valley is full of ancient legends. This land is blessed by many rishis and munis, gurus and sadhus. Padmasambhava travelled through the Kullu Valley bringing Buddhism to Tibet, and the Pandav brothers built the Krishna temple located at the retreat center.
The great rishi Vashishth meditated in the area after a conflict with sage Vishwamitra. According to the legend, the great sage Ved Vyas, the compiler of the Mahabharata, created the Beas river running through Kullu Valley. It is believed that Sage Ved Vyas took daily baths in the Beas kund.
Why the Himalayas?
The rishis chose these mountains for a reason. The elevation, the purity of air, the proximity to the source, everything here supports turning inward. The Himalayas have been the laboratory for self-realization for millennia. You'll know why.
This is where the God of Meditation himself, Shiva, made his home. Known as Adiyogi or the first yogi, he sits absorbed in meditation on Mount Kailash.
This Yoga Retreat is vegetarian-friendly
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Food
Three daily Indian vegetarian meals included. Tea and snacks between meals are included, and drinking water is also included.
Please contact Atma Institute if you have special dietary requirements/allergies.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Tea
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
Things to do (optional)
The Kullu Valley is renowned for its woollen shawls, clothes, and various handicrafts. There are also seasonal fruits and berries, and local cuisine such as momo and siddu.
What's included
- 7 days of guidance and satsang with Vishuddha Nath and Rashmi
- All meditation sessions, Gita classes, satsangs, Q&As
- Personal guidance as needed
- 7 nights accommodation
- All vegetarian meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) - Sattvic food prepared with awareness
- Herbal teas and filtered water
- Retreat handbook with Gita verses and practices
- Access to the recommended reading list
- Travel to/from Naggar will be provided
What's not included
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
- Flights
- Airport transfers
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Transfer available for additional US$ 40 per person
Bhuntar Airport (Kullu Manali Airport)
25 km away from your destination
Transfer available for additional US$ 125 per person
Chandigarh Airport
163 km away from your destination
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Bhuntar Airport (Kullu Manali Airport) (KUU). The airport is around 30 km from Naggar (1-hour drive). Public transport is available, or Atma Institute can arrange pickup for a small fee.
Arrival by road
- From Delhi: 520 km (10-12 hours by bus/car)
- From Chandigarh: 280 km (6-7 hours)
Local transport:
- Regular buses are available from Manali to Naggar.
- Taxis are available from Bhuntar.
- There is a bus to Naggar village, and then a short hike to the center
Detailed directions will be sent upon registration confirmation.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 5 days before arrival.
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