Event Details

Journey to South India, January 28 to February 15, 2009.

Join us on a journey to the ancient land of India at this time of global shift and transformation. This is a special opportunity for Circle members to meet other circle members. As we travel we will share in conversation, pondering the larger questions of life and the universe, and open ourselves to the archetypes of Hinduism in order to address our own deep consciousness and spirituality.

Our Indian guide is Shantum Seth, charismatic scholar and well known guide, who will bridge the cultures and arrange for us to meet with at least one living master, and other teachers along the way. We will be guests in traditional ashrams, holy sites and extraordinary ancient temples including the Mahabalipuram temples along the sea shore near Chennai with 7th century temples carved from monoliths, the Shore temple surrounded by water and 6th century cave temples.

We will visit several contemporary spiritual sites such as Auroville, the Pondicherry ashram of Aurobindo and the planned utopian city of Auroville. At Sri Ramana Maharshi’s ashram we take a full moon meditation walk around holy Mount Arranchaul with local pilgrims.

On our way, we explore the question, “What is our work in the world” as we visit service initiatives like Dr. Venkataswany’s (“Dr. V”) eye hospital in Aaravind, founded in 1976. This was one of the first hospitals to provide groundbreaking, affordable and free eye surgeries, for poor people in India.

Rest at the historic places of gentle natural beauty in the South of India and experience ayurvedic healing practices that originated in India thousands of years ago. The South of India is known for its ayurvedic spas.Ayurvedic is considered “the mother of all medicines”. We will explore Indian astrology, and take a relaxed boat ride along the backwaters of Kerala, viewing the village life of rural India along the waters edge.

We are planning many experiences for our travelers that are not yet finalized and cannot be announced. However, you will see Southern India that few tourists have the opportunity to experience…a journey you will never forget! (limited to 15 persons)

Call 1-800-353-2276 to register, for more information, or to request a day to day itinerary

SHANTUM SETH, our in-country leader, has been leading highly acclaimed, deeply inspiring pilgrimages in India for more than 15 years. He is highly knowledgeable in the many spiritual traditions of India. After studying at the University of East Anglia in England and writing his thesis on Gandhian economics, he has been working in the fields of environmental sustainability and social justice. Presently an advisor to the United Nations Development Program, Shantum coordinates an international program for artisan support. Shantum has lived in England, France and the US and now lives in his home country of India, with his wife and daughters.