Diary of a Pilgrim

My favorite yoga retreat center in Thailand

I’m just back from leading a 2 week retreat at Jungle yoga in Khao Sok National Forest, Southern Thailand. It is my new favorite retreat center in Thailand!

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All of the buildings, including the yoga shala, are on floating rafts on the Ratchaprabha Dam. The retreat season is from November to April, with various teachers coming in from all over the world to share a wide array of offerings.

Gorgeous scenery surrounds a man-made reservoir that is home to an incredible variety of nearly extinct wildlife. Every morning we woke up to the sound of gibbons and hornbills.

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It is one of the most peaceful environments I know. I will definitely return here to host another retreat. Click here and leave your email address to stay updated on when that will happen.

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Jungle yoga

Nepal Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage, March 2015

Nepal Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage, March 2015

Practice or learn yoga and meditation while visiting sacred sites throughought the Kathmandu Valley with masters of yoga and meditation.

Join us for a magical 10 days of practice and pilgrimage through the Kathmandu Valley. We will visit sacred Buddhist sites throughout the Kathmandu Valley and practice daily yoga asana, meditation and teachings from Tibetan Buddhist masters. This is an incredible and rare opportunity to study both yoga and Buddhist philosophy and go deeply into both practices with teacher experienced in both traditions while immersed in the culture that spawned the Buddha.

Click here for more information and a detailed itinerary.

Send me a message if you are interested to learn more about this amazing retreat. There are very few spaces available. This is an incredible opportunity to experience the sacred sites of this mysterious land with experienced guides. If you have ever wanted to visit Nepal but didn’t know how or where to start, this is your chance! Don’t miss this unique opportunity! Write to me if you have questions.

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The epic battle of good and evil at Suvarnabhumi airport

No, this is not about airport closures and political stand-offs. This is a much more fundamental conflict.

On your way out of Bangkok next time, check out this massive installation at Suvarnabhumi airport. This is a classic Indian story about how we process the experience of life and turn it into nectar. The god Vishnu transforms himself into a turtle to allow the gods and demons to battle it out. As expected, there is no clear winner between good and evil, but simply experience, and character, that results from engaging in the battle.

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Lunch in Varanasi

After all that pilgriming, sometimes it’s nice to sit down to a good wholesome vegetarian meal. Aum Cafe on Assi Ghat is a little haven of fresh salads, juices and creative vegetarian food. My preferred lunch spot on the Ganga!

Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 2

Continuing on last week’s theme of places to stay and eat in Sarnath, here is my personal favorite: Namo Buddha guesthouse. This is where I stay when I am here.

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Run by German born Chris Teich and her husband Nehru, this is a little oasis of calm in dusty Sarnath. she only has 3 proper guest rooms, plus a grass hut on the roof and 2 tents if necessary. Don’t look for luxury here: think cold water bucket baths. But if you plan ahead you can use one of her solar heated hot water bags for a warm bucket bath, and if you wait til the midday sun is blazing, it actually works out well.

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She bakes brown bread in a solar powered oven on the roof, and serves it up each morning with home-made jam from local fruits, fresh local peanut butter, and nice hot porridge. Occasionally she also serves a fabulous vegetarian lunch, so stop by to ask if that’s happening. It’s a great place to meet fellow pilgrims–I’ve made some life-long friends at this breakfast table.

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Namo Buddha Paying Guest House

SA 10/81 Baraipur, Sarnath, Varanasi 221007

Mobile: 09 935 529 619

email: chrisnehrulal@yahoo.com

Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 1

I’ll give this to you straight: don’t come to Sarnath looking for creature comforts. This is a sacred power spot, the place where the historical Buddha first turned the wheel of the Dharma, giving his first talk here at Deer Park. You come here for Dharma teachings, or pilgrimage.

My teacher Thrangu Rinpoche has a monastery here, and comes to give teachings every year. So, comfort or not, I come. Out of necessity, I’ve discovered a few secret spots– guesthouses and eateries–to nourish the body while absorbing the highest Vajrayana teachings to nourish the mind.

Here is the first installment in a series I’ll continue next week.

Shiva Guest House serves a nice thali if you let lovely Kalpana Sharma know a day beforehand. She also has several spacious guest rooms in her massive home that she rents for very reasonable fees. Don’t forget to check out her shop on the roof, where she sells handicrafts made by the disadvantaged girls she helps through her NGO. It’s also located a mere 4 minute walk from Vajra Vidya, so it’s very close to Rinpoche’s teachings, in case his guesthouse is full.

Contact details below.

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Shiva Guest House

Sa.13/46 M-# Khajuhi, Sarnath, Varanasi 221007

Phone: +91 542 259 5760,

Mobile: 09 454 732 691

email: mohilay@rediffmail.com

Thrangu Rinpoche in Sarnath

Blessed to be with a great being in this sacred place where the Buddha first taught the Dharma.

May all beings benefit

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Old meets new in Hong Kong

Just back from a short visit to my old neighborhood, Sheung Wan, in Hong Kong. Nothing like trying to maintain mindfulness in the midst of busyness and chaos. It’s a great place to practice.