Experience of the Himalayan silent meditation retreat by the Paroksh Yogi community

The best part is, it is very less crowded!

I got attracted towards this spiritual community because they do not sell meditation courses like others and help people with authentic yogic practices. I applied for their beginners meditation program called - Fragrance of Himalayas, because it was difficult to get entry for advanced programs. I decided to cover Munsiyari first which is a long and most beautiful drive from Pithoragarh main town. For beginners program, there is no meditation teacher needed and they simply send recorded guided meditations along with arranging accommodation and food at reasonable rates. This was exactly what I needed, because I could choose my own peaceful time for meditation and rest of the time for exploring the area. When I reached there, what I saw is something which cannot be expressed in words.

Vast green grasslands, beautiful horses playing among themselves, fresh mountain air and huge Himalayan snow capped peaks. It was indeed heaven on earth. Manali used to have the similar kind of feeling years ago when it was not badly crowded by urban tourists. Once, I was there, I was supposed to search for a meditation rock on Google map : ‘Paroksh Yogi Dhyan Shila'. I was told that a realised yogi used to meditate there, hence it had certain high energy vibes which helps in going deep in meditative states without much effort. It was a very easy walk to that beautiful place near forest. While sitting on that rock and listening to that voice of guided meditation, I experienced something which I can never explain to anyone, because I will be declared insane. (I felt the presence of the person whose voice I was listening to in the guided meditation) . The only thing I can say is, try it yourself and you will know. After, that I returned to Pithoragarh town and then I went to a nearby village where Paroksh yogi community conducts meditation camps.

That was again a beautiful village full of greenery all around and the meditation room had a strong peaceful vibe which could be felt immediately.Again, I listened to some guided meditations and I felt all my stress, anxiety was long forgotten. Impressed by what I had experienced, I decided to apply for their other advanced programs which are conducted by their teachers. Paroksh yogi community is a group of anonymous yogis who have a strange policy of not sharing their names or any identity. (They simply help committed spiritual seekers and do not even want any credit for it)

I got to know that there are many anonymous yogis ( gumnaam yogis) in Himalayan region. To apply I was supposed to answer their questionnaire which is available online, after which I was selected. I went there again after a month to attend level 1 and level 2 meditation programs simultaneously. The best part is, the meditation center is surrounded by farms where fresh organic vegetables are grown and served for meals.

It is not allowed to click pictures inside the center, hence I have only posted the surrounding areas. I cannot share specific details about the program but our meditation teacher helped me explore my inner dimensions and I got a glimpse of my true self. This spiritual community does not own this place and they don't have any ashram.

They do not charge anything for the meditation courses, but you can donate as per your wish. Local village organisers charge a nominal fee for arranging accommodation and meals in this remote village. Those who are interested, should listen to all their guided meditations first (at least those which are available for free), because it becomes easy to get selected when you will answer their questionnaire. They make sure that only sincere spiritual seekers are selected.

These pictures cannot do justice to what I actually felt there.

Thank you