Preparing for a Spiritual Retreat in India

Preparing for India is not like preparing for general travel because it is a spiritual retreat.

There are a few things I start to do a few months before:

• I spend time on the floor stretching daily so I can be comfortable for hours at a time sitting in meditation.
• I stop eating meat and drinking alcohol (to allow my body some time to purify and detox).

Although it’s spiritual — there is always lots of fun and laughter… trying to get the bindi in the right place on my forehead, trying to get my sari on so it doesn’t look like I wrapped a bath towel around me — 😂😅 and so much more.

Things I Look Forward To

• Seeing Sri Shakti Narayani Amma (my teacher)
• Slipping into the deep peace that pervades the space
• The people — so many familiar faces, smiles and laughter
• Time to do Seva (service projects) — my favourite is planting trees and feeding people
• The inner world opening that happens
• The insights and blessings that come
• THE FOOD! I just LOVE Indian food (and they make special ‘no spicy’ dishes for the Westerners)
• The insects — they are so vibrant and colourful and different to the UK and Australia

There is something truly transformative about stepping out of everyday life and into a space dedicated entirely to stillness, service, and spiritual connection. If you’ve ever felt the pull toward something like this, I encourage you to listen to that inner knowing.

---

Keep Learning — Listen to the Podcast

The Psychotherapy Central Podcast brings you honest conversations about relationships, healing, and personal growth — hosted by Jenny Nurick. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube and take the insights with you wherever you go.