Ashram or Guesthouse in India?

After have spent a few days in Delhi I’m going to take the sleeper bus to Rishikesh which is a 6-8 hour drive away (haven’t booked yet) and I will arrive around 6 AM in Rishikesh, which is great; better to arrive early than at night or late in the evening, plus I save money on accommodation since it’s a night bus.

So the past few days I have been looking for places to stay in Rishikesh and have decided that I’m not going to book a room or bed in any Ashram there before I arrive.

There are way too many rules – and since I don’t worship any imaginary deities or other human beings (Guru’s) I choose to get a room in a guesthouse instead.

I will at some point have an Ashram experience just to have done it (“try everything once”:) but there’s no way I’ll book anything that is “spiritual” without having seen the place first and met the people who work there because of the different rules and worshiping that is going on.

There’s a lot of different Ashrams all over India so I’m not disregarding them all as being alike (some of them are just off-putting to me personally) but I feel it’s better to visit them first to get a feel of their rigidity of rules and regulations and how the overall vibe is.

I’ve just got an email reply with information that I had requested from an Ashram and if I want a single room it actually cost a lot more than a  nice hotel room and in addition to that I am expected to “speak softly”, not wear this and ‘don’t do this and don’t do that’, I have to be quiet after ten, and there was a bunch of other rules as well that you’re suppose to follow.

(Always read what their rules and requirements are so you know at least some of the things you can expect before you choose to stay at a place that is “spiritual”).

If I would choose the cheapest option I would pay approximately the same as a room in a guesthouse would cost and the bed in a shared room in the Ashram would be a non-AC room and it’s cold in Rishikesh at this time of the year at night, it’s similar to the weather here in Spain, so no thank you.

There’s nothing worse than being cold, that’s one of the main reasons I will never again live in Scandinavia – it’s just too cold for me – brr..!

And some of the places they seem to be using the word “humble” alarmingly often (this is a huge red-flag signal from my intuition); what does that even mean to them?

No, this is not resonating with me at all.

I’m just not into that sort of things, I prefer to be free so it’s going to be a room in a guesthouse for me and not an Ashram when I arrive in Rishikesh! 🙂

Have you ever had an Ashram experience? How was it, and where were you?

Did you book ahead or did you just turn up and were you able to get a room (or bed) right away?

And have you ever left an Ashram in the middle of your stay, and if so, what happened, why did you choose to leave? 

Please share below, I’d love to hear about your experiences!

(And if you have a guesthouse to recommend, please do share).

Vaccinations, Ashrams, Guesthouses in India: A personal choice.
Vaccinations, Ashrams and Guesthouses in India: All a matter of personal choice.

♥♥♥

Someone asked me about what vaccinations I took for my India trip so here they are (in Spanish):

Hepatitis A (shot).

Hepatitis B (three shots in total; one when I was at the vaccination center in Malaga, second one to be taken around Christmas (about a month after the first) and then the last one when I get back to Spain in July (about 6 months after the second one).

Fiebre Tifoidea (oral).

Tetanos-Difteria (shot).

Colera (oral).

That’s it and it came to about 135 Euros in total.

You need to begin the vaccination process around 4-6 weeks before you travel but look it up yourself in case I remember it wrong, but I know that some of the vaccinations take time to start working.

I did not take any Malaria vaccinations (because of the side effects) and I didn’t take the Japanese Encephalitis vaccination nor the Polio vaccine. (I can buy the Japanese vaccination in India if I change my mind).

No vaccinations are required for India travel (except if you have been in Africa I think it was before you come to India, then you need a yellow fever vaccination) but some are recommended so do some research on it (I know, it’s so boring but it is necessary to educate yourself a little before making any decisions).

It’s always helpful to read what other people have done and not done so please share your own choices and experiences below so others can benefit from them as well.

I certainly did not expect this

I certainly did not expect this, l have had periods of such intense joy and bliss, Love with an underlying peace that’s been consistent. l don’t understand it intellectually but my heart see’s it clearly. It’s been wonderful, I feel a true sense of connection and being rooted with in and there is just an openness and trust, and a sense of wonder and amazement. I am truly grateful, Thank you. Sincerely.

Mark Neely, Allentown, Pennsylvania, USA

Maria helped me recreate my life

Maria is amazing. She is a gift to this world with an incredible intuitive ability. She has helped me to refocus my energy and recreate my life.

C. Málaga, Spain

I have never felt more aligned to my true self

Maria’s awareness of energies and the conditions of the mind are truly impressive. She knows exactly what’s going on. She is so attuned to other peoples’ energy that she just knows where you’re at. After working with her I have never felt more alive and aligned to my true self.

Andrew B, San Diego, CA, USA

Thank you, Maria!

I couldn’t be more grateful to have Maria in my life. Her guidance and energy is profound!

– Robert, CA, USA

Something happened within me that I cannot explain

After our session, something happened within me that I cannot explain nor would it even make sense to anyone. There was a part of me that felt my being been taken over by a real peacefulness that I’ve never encountered before. Sounds odd but it’s the truth.

– A.

Connecting with you is magical

Maria THANK YOU. Sometimes just by connecting with you even briefly gives me instant clarity, it’s really magical, thank you so much. I trust your guidance so much, I’m just so grateful!

A calm came over me

I could feel the tension leaving my body and a calm came over me by just being in her presence. Everything flows so naturally with her and my life is more beautiful and I feel at peace knowing I have her by my side. I feel blessed to have her in my life.

Cecilia, Stockholm, Sweden

You are truly a gift to us all!

I can’t even begin to express how much I have gained internally after my session with you. You have been an instrument of peace in my life. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

– Owen, USA

I experienced a PROFOUND shift 

I can’t put into words how much you have helped me. I couldn’t have kept it all together had I not experienced a PROFOUND shift during and after my session with you.

 I am so glad that I reached out to you

Maria, you are truly godsend. I cannot describe how happy I am. I have no idea what you did and how you did, but I am truly grateful to you. My words in this email cannot thank you enough. Today is the first day that I woke up feeling as if I am ready to take on the world. I am so glad that I reached out to you. I am truly grateful to you. I will definitely recommend you to my friends and family!

J, USA

My life has radically changed for the better

I finally know my worth. I feel so different now, I feel lighter, happier and more self confident and it’s easy to let go of people and situations that don’t serve me. I treasure the time I spend talking with Maria and look forward to my sessions with her. There has been big changes in my life, synchronicities showing up like magic and I’m constantly blown away at the business and opportunities that I’m attracting. My life has radically changed for the better after I met Maria.

— Robin, New York, USA

I cannot believe what you were able to achieve in one session

I don’t really know where to start. I find myself at a loss for words. All I can say to you is Thank You. This was unlike any healing session that I have ever been in and I say that from the bottom of my skeptical, over analytical heart who had literally tried everything one could think of. I cannot recommend you enough to other people, you are a gift. I also cannot believe what you were able to achieve in one session, to me it is groundbreaking. Thank you!!!

Rosie Bebawi, Marbella, Spain

The whole session felt as if it was operating on another level

If you can trust one thing in your life right now, trust Maria. You can trust her with your heart and soul. It’s hard to explain, the whole session felt as if it was operating on another level. I’ve never had that kind of experience before. It just felt so much bigger than I anticipated. I can tell you with absolute honesty and conviction that having a session with Maria is life-changing!

– Lisa, USA

Can’t recommend her enough!

Working with Maria was one of the best investments I ever made in myself. I’ve seen immediate shifts in my energy as well as learned to work with my own energy and mind. It has been one of the single most transformational experiences of my life. Can’t recommend her enough!

– Chris, USA

Could not more highly recommend

Maria is the real deal. You will sense it the moment you lay eyes on her. She offered much, much more than I’ve derived from other teachers; highly specific and personal recommendations. It is as though I got a crash graduate course from spirit. Could not more highly recommend!

Catherine Rondeau, Westport, Connecticut, USA

My life has changed dramatically

Since plugging in to your words of wisdom my life has changed dramatically. You pointed me in the right direction and that gave me courage to continue moving through whatever process I may find myself in and the ability to take refuge in the truth within me.

I had a complete turnaround to my situation

The distance healing was amazing. I had a complete turnaround to my situation so many thanks for helping me transform something I had lost hope about. It’s a miracle and the outcome could not have turned out better! If you want to see a real shift not just psychological but spiritual shift, then Maria is the lady to see. I am so glad I found you!

– Sophie P

I’ve never had a conversation like that before

I just wanted to say thank you so much again for our session yesterday, I’ve never had a conversation like that before and it was truly amazing. I could feel weight lifted as we were talking and for the first time my mind did not try to make sense of things, it was all truly felt in the heart space.

Val, Melbourne, Australia

Maria is leading people to a new way of being

Maria is changing the world by her presence. She’s leading people to a new way of being. She’s rare because she’s able to see where you are at in your journey and can show you the way forward. I feel so incredibly grateful that she has been a companion during this time of change. If you feel drawn to connect with Maria I encourage you to move forward with confidence.

– Carolyn W. Asheville, NC, USA

Profound shift

I can’t put into words how much you have helped me. I couldn’t have kept it all together had I not experienced a PROFOUND shift during and after my session with you.

You have really made a difference in how my mind works

I don’t know if I make sense, but all I can say is that I feel blissful. And I can’t thank you enough for that. I don’t know exactly how you managed this, but you have really made a difference in how my mind works.

– Silvia, Marbella, Spain

It was more than I could ever hoped for or expected

My experience with Maria was more than I could ever hoped for or expected. I had such a positive experience working with her. I feel like a huge weight have been lifted and I have so much more perspective on what I have been struggling with. She cleared up my energy and I feel more myself, more at peace and all around better mentally and emotionally since my sessions with her.

Miriam, Espoo, Finland

I needed help in getting my life back

From the first sentence you spoke directly related to what I was going through, I felt so uplifted and light. It still blows me away when I think about it now! Never once did I feel judged, or uncomfortable in any way. I feel like this heavy weight of negativity has fallen away from me and I couldn’t get those awful feelings back if I tried. I can’t stress enough what a gift it is to be able to work with somebody like Maria. Talk about amazing grace!

The feeling of peace and freedom is priceless

With only that one session and the healing she carried out, I’ve been without grudges, feelings of being hurt or anything on those lines. This feeling of peace and freedom is priceless. Maria is beyond amazing. Had I not experienced it myself, I would probably not believe it. I recommend anyone who is trying hard to be truly free and really start walking down the path of self fulfillment and happiness to book a session with her.

More transformational than any other thing that I’ve tried

I highly recommend Maria! I don’t even recognize the person who started working with her a few months ago. Maria clearly sees what is blocking, stopping or limiting you. Working with her has been more transformational than any other thing that I’ve tried. There have been profound shifts in the way I see myself and the world, so many shifts in my energy and life. I find myself so much lighter and freer. Thank you Maria!

Britt, Marbella, Spain

Her unique ability to read your state helped me to breakthrough

Maria’s intuitive abilities have been instrumental to the personal growth I’ve experienced as a result of working together. I’ve had HUGE shifts in my beliefs. Her undivided attention, presence and unique ability to read your state helped me to breakthrough and release old patterns and replace them with new self-empowering practices that have truly shifted my life. I would highly recommend Maria to anyone. I am forever changed and forever grateful!

Joanna, USA

I was taken over by a peacefulness

After our session, something happened within me that I cannot explain nor would it even make sense to anyone. There was a part of me that felt my being been taken over by a real peacefulness that I’ve never encountered before. Sounds odd but it’s the truth.

 

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