Good for the soul

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With only a few days to go before the start of the Global Spa and Wellness Summit, I am taking the opportunity to experience seeing this wonderful country. India is the home of the ashram and a country that has inspired many a spiritual journey for people in search of contemplation and some alternative to the western way of thinking. The Beatles famously travelled to Rishikesh in the foothills of the Himalayas in 1968 and joined a stellar group of celebrated musicians to learn the art of Transcendental Meditation in an ashram. Of all the Fab Four, George Harrison was the one that maintained the strongest lifelong relationship with the teaching and credited it with bringing him peace.

Of course Harrison ultimately returned to his life with the biggest band in the world, but one person who made that journey from the west to Rishikesh and never returned is Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati PHD. Born and raised in America, she was studying for a PHD when she decided to live permanently at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, and in 2000 she took her vows of renunciation from her guru His Holiness Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji Maharaj.  Both now devote much of their energies on humanitarian projects.  At the Global Spa and Wellness Summit they will be discussing the path from illness to wellness.  Expect a very spiritual approach – will it change my perspective on life?

George Harrison:  “I remember thinking I just want more. This isn’t it. Fame is not the goal. Money is not the goal. To be able to know how to get peace of mind, how to be happy, is something you don’t just stumble across. You’ve got to search for it.” 

TOMORROW: The face of the future

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