Tushita Meditation Centre: My Experience With 10 Days of Silence In Himalaya
This article is about my experience with a 10 days silent meditation retreat at Tushita meditation Centre.
Sometimes when we are not feeling good in life, we just keep dragging ourselves into the same situations day by day.
But just taking a break and doing what you love, can change a lot inside you and give you a new vision.
It was my long term desire to go for a meditation retreat. After searching on google I found about the Tushita Meditation Center in the lap of Himalaya.
As I was changing my job and I had three months to roam freely.
So I decided to spend a month in this beautiful place in October of 2018, including 10 days of silent meditation retreat.
“People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they’re not on your road doesn’t mean they’ve gotten lost.”
— Dalai Lama
Tushita Meditation Centre is in Dharamkot village of McLeod Ganj. Dharamkot village is just 3 km away from McLeod Ganj main market. McLeod Ganj is a Part of Dharamshala which is situated in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh, India.
There are three ways to reach McLeod Ganj:
1-: You can take a flight from Delhi to Gaggal airport which is about 20 km away from McLeod Ganj. You can take a taxi from the airport to McLeod Ganj or Dharamkot directly
2. You can reach Pathankot by train. Which is the nearest railway station to McLeod Ganj. It is about 90 km away from McLeod Ganj. And you need to take a taxi to cover this distance
3. Reaching McLeod Ganj by bus is the best way I found. you can take a VOLVO bus from the Delhi ISBT bus stand. You can find buses directly to McLeod Ganj or you can find them for Dharamshala. McLeod Ganj is just 10 km away from Dharamshala market and you can find a private taxi or public transport here. You can book VOLVO bushes online using any online application like Goibibo.
Or you can use the Himanchal roadways website or application to book a bus.
About 10 Days Course at Tushita Meditation Centre
Before going to McLeod Ganj we need to register online for the course in advance. It’s good to register as early as possible so that you can find a seat in the batch.
After reaching there you will be assigned accommodation. There are dormitories and a few separate rooms. Separate rooms are given to aged people, if you are young most probably you will get a bed in the dormitory.
I attended 10 days “Introduction to Buddhism” course. The course is a beautiful combination of Buddhist teachings, meditations, discussions, and some spiritual activities.
Every morning day starts with a 45-minute meditation. After that, you will go for breakfast. The food is very delicious and healthy at Tushita.
After breakfast, there is a teaching session for 2 hours.
At noon after lunch, you need to do some work as Karma yoga, which feels good.
Afternoon there is a discussion group for one hour where the entire batch is divided into small groups of 6-7 persons.
Only in this hour, you can speak with the people apart from this we need to maintain noble silence for all 10 days. Only on the last day after the course is officially completed then we can speak to one another.
In the evening after a tea break, there is the 2nd session of teaching. Finally, the day ends with another 45-minute meditation. This process goes on for 7 days.
The last two days are completely focused on meditations.
Apart from this, there is a forest walk, walking meditation, and a candle-lighting ceremony.
I loved the candle lighting ceremony on the last night of course. In this ceremony, everyone is given a candle and we walk around a stupa holding this candle in our hands while chanting a sacred mantra.
In the darkness of night, this scenario with burning candles and chanting looks so beautiful and mesmerizing.
My Experience and What I Took Back Home With Me
I can say these were some of the best 10 days of my life. We are always busy and stressed with our work, city life, and a lot of digital media.
When we come here and leave everything for 10 days then you find your true friend to talk with that is you.
When you sit in the sun with yourself in this beautiful place surrounded by mountains, you will surely feel connected to the divine.
I was not good at meditation, whenever I tried meditation before, the anxiety of the outer world and circumstances didn’t allow me to sit quietly.
I can not say I became perfect at meditation at Tushita meditation Centre but whenever I sat for meditation I was sensing a calmness inside me. I felt the joy of sitting in science.
Sometimes it felt like home to me because you are sitting with all like-minded people, searching for the wisdom in beautiful nature.
Here I got to know how powerful the silence is. Most of us only focus on the material part of life which leads to stress and unhappiness.
We need to create a balance between our physical and spiritual life so that we can live this life fully with joy and happiness.
If you spend 10 days at Tushita you will surely get to connect with the other part of life which most of us are missing. And believe me, It’s Beautiful
Conclusion
10 Days at Tushita have been truly life-changing for me.
I will surely recommend it if someone is planning to visit Tushita. Doesn’t matter in which situation you are, if you spend 10 days here you will surely see some difference. The beauty of this place will help you connect to your inner self.
We all know about the benefits of meditation and we do that. But doing it in the lap of nature with all like minded people will shift your mindset into a new dimension.
Do share your experiences with this divine place.
