South India

Welcome to my South India Spiritual Journeys Page. For the Winter (dry) Season of October, November, December, January and February, Diverse Journeys offers various opportunities for experiencing the culture and spirituality of South India. This coming Season we are excited to present a number of unique spiritual journeys:

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Meath Conlan and Herb Elliott

“Your desire to make this trip to India successful for the Elliott Family was reflected in the time you devoted to organizing all the details in this very foreign land. We felt cocooned and protected from all the inefficiencies and small disasters that can be part of the Indian experience. It all went like clock-work. The whole experience more than met my expectations, and this is because of all the work and effort you put into our trip Meath. I will be talking widely about the experience . . .  I will be recommending you as the master of ceremonies. Thanks again mate.”

Herb Elliott, AC., MBE.  Olympic Athlete, Australia

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“Return to the Centre – Ashram Journey in South India”

This journey seeks to offer participants deep and enriching experiences of the diverse culture of South India as lived in a number of significant and historic ashrams (Saccidananda ashram at Shantivanam, Bodhi Zendo and Ramana Maharshi ashram), several villages and towns, centres of Hindu pilgrimage, and the lush, tropical South Indian countryside.

” Following Saint Thomas – Photographic Journey in Kerala.”

Come with us on a journey of discovery of the land that the Apostle Thomas trod in 52 AD. From coastal pilgrimage shrines we climb through misty mountaintops, tea-tree clad hillsides, and wooded valleys; glide up serene backwaters in a houseboat; contemplate the diversity of village and spiritual India – on the coast and plains, and through hill stations of beautiful Kerala, South India.

“The Resplendent Centre.”

This is a spiritual journey that seeks to honour the individual search for truth and beauty. Our journey will take us to two ashrams in Tamil Nadu (at Shantivanam and Bodhi Zendo), and a number of spiritual sites in Sri Lanka: the world’s oldest continuously Buddhist society. A feature of this tour will be the chance to deepen our understanding of Buddhist vipassana (’Insight’) meditation and Centering Contemplation in the Western Tradition.

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Exclusions include expenses of a personal nature, tipping at restaurants, laundry, telecommunications, alcohol and non/alcoholic beverages, meals other than those scheduled, camera fees at monuments, medical expenses, insurance.

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Diverse Journeys offers various opportunities for experiencing the culture and spirituality of South India. In the coming year we are excited to present a number of spiritual journeys. Dr Meath Conlan invites you to peruse our spiritual journey offerings and see if you or your friends may like to join us for one of these special opportunities.

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Meditation and Quiet Reflection

Diverse Journeys has a unique combination of cultural and spiritual experiences in one of the friendliest and most relaxed regions of the world. Yes, there’ll be time for shopping among the colourful bazaars and markets throughout the journey. But there will also be plenty of time for solo and group meditation as well as quiet reflection.

For most days, there will be opportunities for interreligious learning as well as Deep Relaxation (yoga nidra), and Meditation (Dhyana).

Sacred Spaces and Friendships

In India every day is special and potentially exciting. The ordinary, everyday colours, sounds, tastes and smells of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala, or the Northern regions of Uttar Pradesh, Uttaranchal and Himachal Pradesh, when experienced with a few others, provide terrific opportunities for building lasting friendships.

Talks and Discussion

As participants on Diverse Journeys are mostly adults, there will be opportunities for general sharing (on a completely voluntary basis) so that individuals may grow in new knowledge and integration.

Forthcoming Spiritual Journey Dates

28 Sept – 8 Oct, 2010: Bali: Island of the Gods – Yoga and Centering Prayer

25 October – 8 November 2010: ‘Light from the East,’ Tamil Nadu & Kerala, South India

10 – 22 November 2010: ‘In The Steps of St Thomas,’ Kerala, South India

3 – 17 December 2010: ‘Return to The Centre’ Ashram Journey in Tamil Nadu, S India

31 Dec – 16 January 2011: ‘Return to The Centre: Ashram Journey,’ Tamil Nadu, South India

22 January – 3 February 2011: ‘Return to The Centre: Ashram Journey,’ Tamil Nadu, South India

5 – 14 February 2011: ‘In the Steps of The Buddha,’ North India