[himanshu]

I have under 2 months to go in India, and I have spent the majority of my time in Rishikesh. I have done the Ashrams, the Yoga, and the walks along the Ganga, as well as the shopping for books(They are all starting to sound the same) I have also taken brief breaks from Rishikesh and gone to Uttarkashi and Delhi and visited and stayed in ashrams there. Now life here is becoming routine: same old same old.

I originally came here to look for spiritual masters and yogis, like Paul Bruton(secret India) but I have not found any. I have found many charlatans, many businessmen posing as gurus, many religious men full of dogmas, and occasionally the sincere and nice monk – but no enlightened masters and yogis. Now I need to seriously start asking myself some questions, as it looks like I will probably draw a blank on finding an enlightened master this time around. How important is it to have a master? What exactly do they do for you?

I have done most of my spirituality on my own. I read books by myself and I experiment with yoga and meditation techniques by myself. I have recently upped the ante as I have so much free time here in Rishikesh(and I don’t really have friends here, so I am a loner) I meditate more, I practice a solitary, simple, and humble living, and read loads of books. Of course, I could have done the same in the UK.

I cannot say I do not feel lonely at times and in want of things to do. Although, I recognize that I need to embrace this to develop greater detachment. I am not going to leave India, because I have committed my full 6 months there and I will not break this commitment. I have now under 2 months to go: I still am hopeful that my paths will cross with an enlightened master. But it does not seem this will happen if I stay put in Rishikesh. Thus I am writing to fellow IMers to give me some pointers and clues on where I can find realized yogis and enlightened masters. Like Mr. Brunton, I will explore any avenue that can take me closer to a master’s.

[Author]

Posts