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Arunachala Pilgrimage
India Retreat

with John David • 1 - 20 January 2027

Join John David for a Pilgrimage to one of India’s most powerful spiritual sanctuaries at the feet of Arunachala Mountain in Hommage to the great saint Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi.

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Click to watch a 5min Film about the Retreat 

26th Retreat of John David

At Arunachala Mountain

Deep Dive into Spiritual India

With a Loving Group

Exploring Non Duality

John David

John David’s deep connection to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi led him to travel to Tiruvannamalai for more than 30 years, already offering 25 Retreats at the foot of the holy mountain. John David’s Master was Papaji, with whom he spent 5 years grounding his moment of awakening which occurred in an early meeting with Papaji.

John David has published many important books on Sri Ramana’s Life, Teachings and Disciples:

  • Sharanagati – Surrender,  Letting go
  • Vichara – Self Enquiry, Who am I?
  • Aham Sphurana – A Selection of Teachings on Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Life and Teachings
  • Nan Yar – Who am I? 
  • Arunachala Shiva – Commentaries on Sri Ramana Maharshi’s Life and Teachings 
  • Blueprints for Awakening: Indian Masters and their Teachings in the context of Sri Ramana’s Teachings
  • Blueprints for Awakening: European Masters and their Teachings in the context of Sri Ramana’s Teachings

These books have been translated into several European and Indian languages and are available on www.openskypress.com

 John David spend years interviewing and filming many of India’s greatest living spiritual masters for his famous Blueprints for Awakening project, in the context of Sri Ramana’s Teachings. 

He has also produced a film about Sri Ramana “Arunachala Shiva” with commentaries of John David, David Godman and James Swartz 

John David has a special gift for taking deep, ancient wisdom and explaining it in a way that feels simple, clear, and easy to use in your daily life. 

John David has many years of experience working with people in both an open and very close way through his international communities in Spain and Germany where his closest disciples get the benefit of his guidance in every day life and therefore can truly integrate the teachings of Non-Duality. The result is a vibrant and loving community which unfolds silently and creatively in service to Bhagavan’s teachings and sharing this essence with others. 

Because of long-standing friendships, John David has the unique ability to introduce you to local spiritual masters and teachers you might never find on your own. 

John David’s Connection
to Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi

“Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi came into my life quietly, imperceptibly, through a photograph twenty years ago, and has become a central inspiration in my life.

Thank you for the exemplary life you led and for the simplicity and clarity with which you guide us. The question “Who am I?” has provided a golden key to all who wish to know their essential nature.”

– John David

Experiences of Transformation

John David has a huge heart and shares a boundless love in a deeply intuitive passionate and profoundly supportive way. I have been so deeply nurtured and nourished by your devotion to the truth of being as you are. I am beginning to realise that this time has been very healing and ways that I would not have imagined that were possible. People in the community around him have clearly unlocked their brilliance and it shines forth.
Yogi
YogiIrland
The atmosphere of the community invited me to open up and experience completely new, lively, and fresh ways of connecting with others. John David, in a very simple and human way, met the structures and obstacles we encountered — always fresh, present, and remarkably clear. This gave me a deep sense of trust within myself. What stood out was that there was no separation between the team and the participants. The team was incredibly supportive, approachable, and open, making it easy to contribute and get involved in daily tasks. A truly enriching and transformative experience!
Divya
DivyaGermany
I loved the retreat. John David is very heartful, humorous, wise and engaged, provocating in a supportive way. I really enjoyed the high energy level, the inspiring program, the beautiful location and the interesting and diverse people.
Chris
ChrisGermany
The special ambience and energy in the retreat allowed me to recognize the paradise in myself. I love John David`s ability to pick people up where they are and bring them to silence. He clearly is a deeply caring and loving human being.
Aditi
AditiGermany
Being with John David feels like coming home, through clear and powerful presence, I found a deeper connection to life.. I had deep insights and the power, joy and openness of the community helped me a lot to open up.
Jaya
JayaGermany
I have a lot of respect for John David. His presence and energy were a mixture of sweet-humoured and approachable and other times stern. I appreciate his dedication to learn and teach and share. The community around him shares a beautiful energy and it was lovely to be included.
Leonie
LeonieUK
I got to know John David in his special depth, honesty, generosity, seriousness and lightness. Deep gratitude for what is happening in me and all the things he could show me.
Hannah
HannahGermany

Arunachala is the silent teacher
who removes the ego
and reveals the Heart.

Sri Ramana Maharshi

For thousands of years, the holy mountain Arunachala has stood as a beacon for those seeking the truth of their existence. It is said that merely thinking of Arunachala can lead to liberation. But what is this “mystery” we seek? It is the realization that the peace, love, and fulfillment you have been searching for in the outside world have always been sitting quietly within you.

This retreat is a three-week immersion into your true nature. In the stillness of the mountain and the presence of a living tradition, the “Mystery of Life” begins to unravel, revealing a state of bliss that is the core of all beings.

Ready to be touched?

The Retreat

3 Weeks of intensive Spiritual Exploration

1.

The Daily Rythmn

Every morning is designed to bring you back to yourself, creating a stable foundation of inner silence and dialogue with John David.

  • Yoga & Meditation –  8am: We start each day with gentle movements and stillness to align the body and mind on the Ashram Rooftop.
  • Mantra Singing– 10:30am: After Breakfast we open the heart through the power of Indian devotional Mantras – Live Music with our Band. 
  • Satsang with John David – 11:30 am: The heart of the day—direct dialogue and shared presence with John David with a focus on Sri Ramana Maharshi’s main Teachings of Self Enquiry and Surrender. 

2.

Regular Practices

Beyond the daily routine, we use various tools to help peel back the layers of the ego.

  • Self-Enquiry – The core practice of looking inward to discover “Who am I?”. We start the Retreat with a full day of Self Enquiry.

  • Active Meditation & Heart Dance – Moving meditations that release tension and invite joy.

  • Awareness Evenings – Sessions with Indira on Authentic Expression, Body Awareness and Sensitivity. 

  • Spiritual Films –  including the Blueprints for Awakening series .

  • Pooja at the Ashram – The local Poojari ( Priest ) will offer two special Poojas for the group. You can also join his daily morning Pooja

3.

Outside Activities

  • Arunachala Walk – A silent pilgrimage (Pradakshina) around the holy mountain.
  • Bullock Cart Tour – Visiting spiritual hotspots around the mountain
  • Ancient Caves – Meditating in the high-energy caves where Ramana Maharshi lived.
  • Temple Tours – Exploring the grand Arunachalesvara Temple and its history.
  • Ramana Ashram – Spending time in the powerful presence of the Master’s Samadhi.
  • Meeting Masters – Rare opportunities to sit with local spiritual teachers and sages.

Does this Resonate with you?

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Free Films to Tune In with

More Films and Interviews by John David

Every time a thought arises, ask yourself, 'To whom has this thought arisen?' and then take the mind back to its origin, which is the primordial state of subjective awareness.

Sri Ramana Maharshi

Booking & Information

Prices

2900€   Standard
2500€  Early Bird
2300€  Concession  
1300€ Young Helpers

We are especially looking for young helpers to support with childcare. 
The cost includes all Program, meals and accommodation in  twin rooms. 
 
Single rooms are available at an additional cost of 300€.
So the total retreat cost with single room is 3200€. 

Contact: Indira

Mobile and Whatsapp: +49 (0)178 289 0814
Email: office@johndavidsatsang.international

Travel

Cheap Plane Tickets can be found here: 
www.skyscanner.com
Select your country or city as departure and CHENNAI airport as destination. From some countries BANGALORE is easier to find an airplane to.
From Chennai Airport you can take a taxi to the Ashram in Tiruvannamalai 〜 40-50€. From Bangalore 〜 60€.

India Retreat
with John David

1st – 20th January 2027

Arrival: 31.12.2026
Retreat Start: 01.01.2027
Retreat Start: 20.01.2027
Departure: 21.01.2027

Registration

If you have any questions about the retreat or registration you can contact Indira. 

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