ITINERARY (JUNE – JULY 2014) • Optional Arrival Plan: 18-20 June: Arrival in Delhi and Transfer to Dharamsala (McLeod Ganj) • 21-23: McLeod Ganj (local exploration and immersion in Tibetan culture) • 24: Travel to Tso Pema, sacred lake and pilgrimage place of PadmaSambhava • 25-26: Manali: Stay in Vashist with hot springs, temples, waterfall and forest walks • 27-30: Travel overland through the Himalayas to Leh, Ladakh camping along the way in luxury tent camps. • 1 July: Rest day in Leh, walking and exploring the old town and the many great eating options. • 2: Transfer from Leh to Likir, stay at the Lukhir Guesthouse • 3-5: No Mind Festival in Likir • 6-onwards: Kalachakra / stay at Likir guesthouse / transfer to Leh / departures (see other options below) NOTE: Due to the popularity of the teachings with HHDL, it will be a busy time in Ladakh and transfers out of Leh may be difficult to arrange at short notice (particularly flights). Please give plenty of notice about your preferred departures if flying. TRANSFERS OPTIONS OF OF LEH: Flights to Jammu (Kashmir) or Delhi Overland Bus or Taxi to Srinigar (Kashmir) or Manali Investment $2108 USD 21st June - 6th July Days,
CONTACT www.spirit-journey.com facebook.com/thespiritjourney spiritjourney@yaktrak.com
OVERVIEW The Spirit Journey is a moving meditation through the most sacred mountains in the world. Travelling as an intentional group supported in heart-song by Kevin James Carroll, we will share our time with each other, connecting through music, chant and heart-centred practices. This is a journey both inwards and outwards. There will be time and space for inward inquiry with daily practices of yoga, pranayama, meditation, music and dance available for those who chose. Outwardly, we will explore mystic temples, ancient caves, majestic mountains, traditional hot springs and magnificent waterfalls. There will be opportunity to explore our unique and individual connection to the divine as we travel together with a sense of pilgrimage to places long held sacred by those who have gone before. We gather in Dharamsala on the 21st of June at 4:21pm, the time of the (northern hemisphere) Summer Solstice for a ceremony and dedication to begin our journey together. Over the following 15 days, we will travel in community up to Ladakh, a land of ancient temples and joyous people. In Ladakh, we will celebrate with a 3-day yoga, meditation and dance festival in Likir village overlooking the Indus Valley. Then we will have the option to attend the Kalachakra teachings of HH the Dalai Lama in Leh or to spend more time exploring the region with a number of sightseeing or meditative options. HIGHLIGHTS • Visit Dharamsala and explore Tibetan culture and Tibetan Buddhism • Travel overland to a Sacred Lake, Cave Retreats, Waterfalls, Hot Springs, High Mountain Passes and Luxury Camps in the Himalayas • Explore the ancient capital of Leh, a meeting place of cultures for millennia • 3-Day ‘No Mind’ Festival at Likir, Yoga, Meditation and Dance • Optional Extras: Royal Enfield Riding, Sightseeing, Trekking, Kalachakra Teachings with HH Dalai Lama • Daily group Yoga, Meditation, Pranayama with Alex Grant and Singing Heart songs with Kevin James Carroll
NO-MIND FESTIVAL (included) 3-5 JULY, 2014 People from different countries will join us to share their teachings. Yoga, meditation, music, painting, dance, juggling, jam sessions, creating a song, cinema, sharings, party in the night…and lots of laughter.
Festival
It is an opportunity, to come together in the heart of the Himalayas, embedded in immense natural beauty, uniting our energies to practice to Live in Celebration and Totality. From inner silent space, to share with us in activities that are helping to open our heart, to free our mind and body…in laughter and joy.
We will do active and passive meditations. To sit in silence and watch the flow of thoughts and sensations, without intervening. Allowing us to recognize that “I” does not move, and thoughts and sensations are coming and going. Experiencing a quiet mind and seeing that whenever this is happening, I live the moment in fulfillment. Very easy. With active meditations, we are helping the body and the mind to open, to let go and liberate…recognizing that part of me that never moves, that simply Is. There is an activity we call “Silence is Dancing”. An invitation to discover the movement that just comes spontaneously, without you intervening. Movement without goal, just life happening at this very moment. OPTIONAL: KALACHAKRA INITIATION WITH HH The DALAI LAMA 6-14 JULY The word kalachakra means cycles of time, and the Kalachakra system presents three such cycles - external, internal and alternative. The external and internal cycles deal with time as we normally know it, while the alternative cycles are practices for gaining liberation from these two. During the first three days of the Kalachakra, from July 3 to 5, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, along with the monks of Namgyal Monastery and senior lamas, will conduct rituals which prepare and consecrate the venue. These include chanting of prayers, creation of the sand mandala and other rituals. From July 6 to 8, His Holiness will give preliminary teachings. On July 9, the Kalachakra Ritual Dance will be performed by the monks of Namgyal Monastery. His Holiness will confer the Kalachakra Initiation from July 10 to 13. On July 14, a long life empowerment (tsewang) and a ceremony offering prayers for the long life of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will be performed.