I was undecided on what to expect from a 7 day Meditation retreat. I was hesitant to go, because after all I came to India to spend time with my family.

I decided to quit my high paying US job in early April to prioritize my health. I pursued my gap year, sabbatical, career break, soul searching. Whatever you want to call it. I call it the greatest gift to self – The gift of time & self reflection. I realized I have been seeking something. Peace of mind, relaxation, a fresh perspective, brilliant ideas? All great things that I had wished for. What I ended up receiving from the retreat proved far more valuable. More on why I quit my 6 figure job, later.

I am going to outline my experience at the 7 day Meditation Retreat located in the Yoga capital of the world, Rishikesh.

Day 1

I arrived into Dehradun airport at noon on a Sunday. The temperature in Dehradun was 76 degree Fahrenheit (24 degree Celsius). The meditation retreat’s staff offered to pick me up at the airport. Driving up to the meditation retreat, I noticed the wildlife around me. I saw Langur monkeys, Peacocks, Woodpeckers & Squirrels.

Dehradun city street view from my cab

When I arrived at the retreat, I was greeted by the friendly staff who showed me to my room. I was also greeted by the fluffiest of Golden Retrievers named Olly. My room was modest with basic amenities and had a spectacular view of the foothills of Himalayas. I ventured into town to get Aloo Paratha (naan stuffed with mashed potatoes & onions). Aloo Parathas in North India are mouth-watering.

Picture of Aloo Paratha (stuffed bread with potatoes), famous breakfast dish in North India

View from my room at the retreat. Himalayan foothills seen in the distance

Sunday was a day of rest at the retreat. So I returned to my room, rested and prepared for the week long retreat. I was feeling home sick at this point & maybe isolated? The owner & the staff made me feel at home, offered me a delicious Masala Chai & good conversation.

Day 2

My day started with a wake up call at 5 am by a Langur monkey outside my door. I had a quick shower & put on my yoga clothes for the day. The Yoga hall was a minute walk away from my room. The weather was cold, so I bundled up to head to the Yoga class, climbing 4 set of stairs. That was “warm-up” enough for me.

The yoga teacher was personable & knowledgeable. He helped me learn yoga asanas that cured my lower back pain. The yoga and pranayama class was from 6 am to 8 am. Here, I saw my fellow cohort of approximately 7 people join me. We were served breakfast at 9 am, in a communal fashion. Everyone sat down on floor level chairs & tables, enjoying fresh sattvic food. A sattvic diet is very healthy & consists of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

At 10 am, we had a meditation class that lasted until 11:30 am. Here, the meditation teacher taught us Vedic & Buddhist philosophy, along with practical meditation & mindfulness. The teacher also shared some tips & techniques on effective meditation.

From 11:30 am until 1 pm, we had time for some fun activities. Activities included walking, painting, hiking. On the first day, we walked very far to a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva called Bhootnath temple. We passed the very famous Lakshman Jhula, a historic suspension bridge over the holy river Ganga (Ganges) in Rishikesh. We walked through the market streets of Lakshman Jhula. We were greeted by occasional cows & their calves, busy people walking the street, street vendors, homeless, hawkers, traffic.

Near the famous Lakshman Jhula bridge. Picture depicting Lord Hanuman with Lord Rama and Sita in his heart.

At Bhootnath temple, Rishikesh. Famous temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

At 2 pm, we returned to the retreat. The road to the retreat is a steep climb. The retreat is tucked away from other retreats of its kind in Rishikesh. It is surrounded by the forest to one side, and on the other sides there’s a garden and a field. The Himalayan mountains drape the backdrop.

At 4 pm, we had our second meditation session. This session focused on practical meditation, sometimes sitting for 45 minutes without moving. The meditation session ended at 5 pm.

We had a coffee, tea relaxation break from 5 pm to 6 pm.

At 6pm, we had mantra meditation. Mantra is chanting something so you can prevent your mind from wandering. This session was very special to me. At first, it seemed weird since we shut down lights before meditating. Later, I had a spiritual breakthrough of loving, forgiving & respecting myself. We concluded the mantra meditation at 7pm.

At 7:30pm, dinner was served. Delicious sattvic food again. Sitting together and eating together with my fellow cohort was special. This was a great bonding time.

During breaks, I had the opportunity to get to know my fellow cohort members at the meditation retreat. Most of them came for a similar reason, to de-stress, to disconnect & relax. Like me, few had quit their jobs to travel the world.

I returned to my room at 9 pm. Lights out at 9:30 pm. And it was time for a fresh start the next morning at 5 am.

Day 3, Day 4, Day 5 & Day 6 had the same format with different activities & self-relaxation.

My Learning & Verdict

Here is what I learned from my 7 day meditation retreat in Rishikesh, India

I made friends who were in the same boat as I was – seeking something.

Friends that told me to not be in a hurry to find a job. To enjoy my break.

Friends who I advised to find a life partner who aligns with their core values.

A moment in mantra meditation where I realized that I had to love myself, respect myself more.

A challenging situation when someone got in my space during the retreat & I addressed it. And learned from it.

Friends who felt very easy to talk to.

Real happiness feeling from within that calmed my mind.

Early morning yoga by the Ganges (Holy Ganga River)

My painting art on a stone at the meditation retreat

I totally recommend the 7 day meditation retreat for anyone who is looking to get away and relax.

Who knows you might learn a thing or two about yourself.

If you are interested in learning more about this meditation retreat & my experience, feel free to reach out.

Remember to seek your adventure – Alisha out!