is conducted in South India from Jan 12 to 30, 2013.
This will be followed by a specially guided retreat and
a mini-pilgrimage focussed on transformative silence.
About this life-changing experience: For thousands of years, India has studied consciousness, developing myriad ways of expressing it: through her art, her philosophy, her architecture, and most insightfully through her monumental tradition of sacred sound, that comes to us in a continuous stream of energy that even today effortlessly links us to her most profound spiritual experiences. India is, and always has been, a powerful spiritual vortex on our planet, a magnet that has attracted some of the most influential minds that have shaped human consciousness.
India's spiritual depth and power has had a profound influence on luminaries such as Joseph Campbell, Carl Jung, Ken Wilber, Mircea Eliade, Alfred Toynbee, and many other key figures who have directed the course of western consciousness through the last centuries. You too can enhance your vision of life by going on a pilgrimage, a journey that is significantly different from going on tour.
View videos below for glimpses of this experience.
Travel and study with a renowned author, musician and teacher:During this life-changing and mind-altering experience, you get to travel with author, musician and teacher, Russill Paul; be introduced to India through his encompassing cross-cultural perspective, and be led into profound spiritual experience through daily retreat sessions led by him. On each step of this carefully planned journey, you are personally guided to draw the best out of India, and, from within a spiritual mind-set, be given the tools to assimilate the most valuable realizations.
For the past twelve years, Russill Paul has guided a dedicated group of western spiritual seekers from the west on this sacred pilgrimage, designed to expand the mind and open the heart to new horizons in consciousness. A native of Southern India, spiritually trained in an Indian Benedictine monastery, as a Christian monk and as a yogi, Russill Paul is now widely respected across North America for his understanding of India's yogic tradition of sacred sound. He offers this chanting pilgrimage and meditation retreat as one of the most intimate opportunities to study with him for more than two complete weeks, inspiring many participants to return again, and again, and again.
PRAISE FROM OUR PILGRIMS
"From your sixth timer ... I felt I was coming home when I arrived Shantivanam- a deep soul connection to this spiritual oasis in the midst of the vibrant, exciting, colorful, manic energy which is India. I would not keep returning if it were not for Russill & Asha & Shantivanam. In fact I cannot stay away."
Becky M., Graduate of Naropa University (among our six timers)
I want to thank both of you again for the extraordinary experience. It would not be an exaggeration to say that it changed my life. I can’t imagine the amount of planning, preparation, and coordination to facilitate that magical, mystical joining of a group of strangers!
Rev. Linda George, Army Chaplain, Retired.
My heart continues to ring with the depth of the Presence that opened within my soul during this thoughtful and inspiring pilgrimage.
Ruth N. from Portland, OR (one of our many three-timers)
The Pilgrimage was one of the very few programs I have experienced that fully lived up to its billing as a spiritual retreat. I felt totally acknowledged as a spiritual participant (as opposed to a client or patient or buyer). This retreat is one of a kind and my colleagues and I felt fortunate to be under the tutelage of Russill’s consummate experience and teaching skill. I truly felt that each component of the Pilgrimage was crafted with each participant’s spiritual journey in mind.
Terry L. Williams – Oakland, CA
COST AND REGISTRATION
COST: The cost of the package is $3299 + $399registration and reservation fee is required.
SERVICES: A list of services including your international roundtrip airfare, your accommodations, tuition costs, ground transportation in India, porter fees, tips, entry tickets, and almost all your meals are provided in the package. The facilitator remains available for on going support and assistance until close to departure. A complete list of these details will be provided when you register.
PRE-REGISTRATION:Early registration is recommended as this retreat fills up in the summer months. The first step is pre-registration after which we follow up with the registration process. It is in your advantage to complete the whole registration process in the early summer as this will give you sufficient time to prepare adequately for this life-transforming journey with depth and clarity.
ABOUT THE FACILITATORS
This pilgrimage is facilitated by Asha and Russill Paul, who grew up in India and were students of the late Dom Bede Griffiths, one of the most influential cross-cultural figures of the last century. Dom Griffiths directed Shantivanam, a Hindu-Christian Ashram in the south of India, that gained world recognition in the mid 80's, around the time that Russill became a monk. After almost five years as a Benedictine monk at the ashram, Russill discerned his calling as a householder monk and consecrated his marriage to Asha, a devoted spiritual seeker who had also discovered meaning and purpose through the ashram's way of life.
Soon after their marriage, and six months of personal preparation by Bede Griffiths, they came to North America with his blessing and support, and in view of starting a spiritual foundation that Bede would supervise and visit part of the year. Over a three year period of exploration, Bede came and lived with them for almost four months each year, during which they avidly explored this possibility together. Regretfully Fr.Griffiths had a major stroke in 1989, the year of Asha and Russill's departure to the west. It is remarkable that he even travelled for three consecutive years to explore this foundation with them after such a major health set back, a testament to how passionate he felt about their ministry.
In 1993 Bede passed to the further shore. Since then, Asha and Russill have developed their ministry of yoga, health and spirituality, and have dedicated their lives to the pursuit and teaching of spirituality and holistic living in the west. They have worked with thousands of westerners through their events and products that have been well received worldwide. You may read more about Russill here ...
Asha Paul has studied holistic health extensively and was blessed to study spirituality and comparative religion directly under the expert guidance of Bede Griffiths. She is also a Hatha Yoga practitioner trained in the gentle and subtle style of the Vivekananda Kendra. She collaborates with her husband Russill Paul in presenting workshops and retreats internationally and furthering their vision of cross-cultural exchange through this pilgrimage.
MORE PRAISE FROM OUR PILGRIMS AFTER THE VIDEO BELOW
The retreat was exceptional, and I have been recommending the pilgrimage to everyone that has expressed interest in a spiritual trip to India. Russill and Asha were/are amazing, thoughtful, caring, loving, compassionate and extremely knowledgeable. I am deeply grateful for all of the effort that they put into making the pilgrimage everything that it was. It was both deep and fun at the same time! Laura D. from New Hampshire
"I am especially grateful for the intuitive sense of God as espoused by the East and the sacredness of all in the cosmos. Are there are more beautiful people in the whole world than in India? They do radiate goodness."A Spiritual Seeker from St. Paul, MN
Everything was clearly explained and it felt like a lot of effort was made to see that our travels were smooth and worry-free. I loved the talks and the temple tours, but I can't put into words why: I only know that I felt different when I got back home and I have no idea what the difference is. I can say this: That there were several times in India I felt like I was "breaking open" and when I did, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Not gratitude for any particular thing or person, but a strong feeling of gratitude to the universe, whatever that is. Lynrae from California
This time was truly transformative for me. Russill's instruction, teaching of techniques, and modeling the extended meditation time was incredibly helpful. And I continue to grow and change now that I am home. I had no idea how different I was when I got on the plane to come home, but day by day I saw (and continue to see) major shifts in myself. Mary Anne Brundage from Annandale, Virginia
"I felt that the way Russill & Asha eased our group into (and out of) India was psychologically brilliant. I felt so utterly safe and protected that I was always up for any new experience and adventure. Also, the scheduling of the trips alternating with ashram quite days was very restful. I can't imagine a better way to encounter the sensory delight that is India." A Science Teacher from Southern California
While on the retreat, I learned so much about India, its people, its culture, and Hinduism. The most amazing part was the temple rituals and the homa. What happened in those cannot begin to be adequately described in words. In fact, what makes the retreat what it is is totally beyond the power of words to describe. Yet part of what makes these parts so special is the preparation that we had prior to participating in them through our readings, lectures, chanting, and meditation. Russill’s intelligence, musical talent, and ability to connect with people combined with his humility also have a profound effect on the entire experience. With a less capable leader, the experience would not have been what it was. Peggy D. from California
This pilgrimage was so rich and full. It is clear that you are very experienced at bringing groups through a process such as this. The pacing and consideration of our needs at every step were superlative. We did so much, learned so much, experienced so much. The ceremonies and rituals that we experienced in the temples were extraordinary and so meaningful, even though I didn’t know what was being said in Sanskrit. I just know that I received many gifts that continue to open in the weeks/months since. Hope H. from North Carolina
"The days of my pilgrimage in January, 2004, were, very simply put, the best days of my life. They were a life-changing experience, and I relished every second. The Divine Presence was so powerful in every moment, in every place, in every event. I am eternally grateful." A Dominican Nun from Wisconsin
I have both organized, led and taken many international Yoga pilgrimages and, to my amazement, our India pilgrimage surpassed all expectations. I was surprised and awed on a daily basis. Katherine B. from St. Paul, Minnesota
"It has been 3 yrs. since my pilgrimage to India. I always tell people that other than the birth of my son the pilgrimage was the most moving experience of my life! My thoughts go there often and I am so grateful for my time there. I have such a longing to return and Russill and Asha make the experience so meaningful. The pilgrimage for me reinforced my belief that we are spiritual beings having a human experience." A Mother from Los Angeles, CA
"I find prayer life at the Ashram to be very peaceful. I felt surrounded by the Presence of God" A Grandmother from Illinois
"How much I appreciate the enormous effort you both expended on giving us a perfect Pilgrimage. From my point of view it was flawless. Everything was taken care of so well that "life" could just happen. And it did! I will always hold our Pilgrimage experience as the example of how life can be when lived to the fullest of our capacities. Thank you for the finest, most meaningful travel experience I have ever had." An American College Professor teaching in Japan
"This pilgrimage provided the right contemplative atmosphere to look for inner awareness. It was a way to learn to see with the inner eye." A Catholic nun from California
"No matter what obstacle was set before us, it was set aside with calmness, care & love. It got to the point in a short while, that I simply knew that the issue would be taken care of without any fuss. As pilgrimage leaders you were wonderful. As friends you were wonderful." A Doctor of Ministry student at University of Creation Spirituality from Washington D.C.
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