Welcome to Presence & Being 2.0
This sacred retreat is a pilgrimage of all things reverent, resonant and resounding. It’s all about being in the abode of Self.
This retreat is a holy, rich and precious offering by Dipika Delmenico in the pristine environs of Himālayan rural village life on the banks of the sacred Ganges River in Northern India.
11 days of communion, connection and being through sound based meditation, Ayurvedic living, nāda yoga, Sanskrit mantra, devotional kīrtan, gentle yogāsana and movement, powerful creative development based on intuitive methodology, nature walks and exploration, sacred site and temple visits, pure organic and delicious vegetarian food.
Join Dipika and an intimate group of magnificent humans, like you, in the holy hub of Presence and Being.
We’ll be assimilating the stillness and sanctity of Himālayas and the sacred Ganges River journeying to the inner realm and abode of the Self.
Beginning in the foothills, you will experience ritual, worship, the colours, fragrances and sounds of Rishikesh. Visiting sacred cave temple, forest walks, Ganga arati worship, walking the steps of The Beatles in aśram days spent with Maharishi.
And, then winding up to the deep silence and traditional rural pace of village life in the mountains of Uttarkashi region. Hiking, visiting local temples and meandering the network of local trails, enjoying slow, relaxed, rhythmical days and exploring the depths of our being with sound based practices, meditations, ceremony and nature observation. We will be staying in a beautiful guest house on the banks of Ganga, eating fresh, pure, organic meals and interacting in rich local family life.
** For the intrepid pilgrim, there is an optional 4 day pilgrimage to Gangotri, source of The Ganges, to explore and trek this stunning environment. Literally at the end of the road, it’s the beginning of a whole new inner road and vista.
We stay in simple, twin accommodation, eat in clean, delicious and generous local cafes. We are guided and accompanied by experienced local guides (sherpas). Transportation, accommodation, meals and guide fees are included.
Why Ayurveda in our retreat?
This is more than a retreat. This is an intensive in BEING. That means you will actively dive deep into the vastness of your own presence to have the most expansive experience and saturation of coming home to rest in the very abode of Self. While relaxing, you’ll also be a striving participant!
The environment is conducive for this having been meticulously selected to support your full experience.Weaving the filaments of Ayurveda throughout the entire retreat planning, preparation, daily schedule and post retreat this is created to maximize your experience, resonance and transforming potential.
This begins with our pre retreat preparation. You will be expertly led through this process by Dipika, who has created an easy optional program to prepare you to travel well, be spacious, bolster your digestive capacity, clearing away accumulated metabolic sludge and junk that impedes your presence and flow.
There will be recommended reading to give you a simple, succinct and practical insight into yourself from an Ayurvedic philosophical perspective including Ayurvedic psychology and principals of the Hermetic alchemists. Don’t worry, it’s optional reading!
How does that work? Upon registering for the retreat you will have access to written and video materials to prepare yourself for the retreat. We will also have a live video call with Dipika to answer your questions and support your retreat preparation.
We wish you to be well when you arrive. Of course illness can, and does often, occur while on retreat. However, arriving prepared, rested and robust will support your fullest experience of this precious opportunity of a lifetime (it really is!). The experience will not only nourish and expand you but that means by it’s very nature, it may also activate, wiggle and jiggle, potentially mobilising things that may be hidden, known and unknown to you. That’s a lot to digest!
We wish you to be present, and as well as you can be. That means pre-digesting, bolstering, recalibrating and creating spaciousness before you arrive to ensure you have the best possible retreat journey.
The daily schedule of the retreat is planned around Ayurvedic principles to support you in the most holistic way, being rhythmical and nourishing. And, of course, that includes what we eat. Of course the food will be local, seasonal and grown as close to nature as possible, vegetarian and delicious.
Silence will be, and is, encouraged and embraced throughout periods most conducive to this during our retreat, as will quietude and quality rest time. Recently wifi has become available at our retreat venue. An added opportunity to refrain from distraction and be inwardly quiet for elongated moments!
Embracing the practical healing wisdom of Ayurvedic philosophy, the retreat is designed to optimise your vibrancy and presence.
Creative development based upon and orientated to intuitive methodology is passively woven through the practices of the day including the nāda yoga exploration of inner sound and yoga nidra.
YOUR ACCOMODATION
In Rishikesh your accommodation is a comfortable international Hotel with all the modern services and conveniences to ensure your wellbeing is humming! You can take all your meals at our hotel or eat in the vast variety and options of delicious offerings available in the immediate environs.
In Netala your accomodation is a beautiful guest house situate on the banks of Ganges River, in a pristine valley, surrounded by forest and the rich melodies of bird song and traditional rural village life. All rooms open onto a wide verandah with a truly stunning view. It’s a great space and way to simply collapse time and BE!
Netala is described by journalists as God’s Best Kept Secret in the Heart of the Himālayas. I agree completely. Can you keep a secret?
YOUR RETREAT INVESTMENT
EARLY BIRD PRICING
Payment options include full payment or installment payment plan (20 days apart). There is a a non-refundable upfront payment or deposit of $500 already included in your payment to secure your spot.
Twin Share Room
Upfront payment of $US500
(non-refundable)
Installment after 30 days - $1210
Installment after 14 days - $1210
Single Room
Upfront payment of $US500
(non-refundable)
Installment after 30 days - $1410
Installment after 14 days - $1410
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN RETREAT PRICE?
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Travel costs including flights and airport transfers
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Travel insurance (we highly recommend you have it)
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Additional accommodation or room upgrade from twin to single.
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Optional Gangotri trek.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Getting there.
Arriving in India from abroad, you will fly to Delhi where you can either take a connecting domestic flight to Dehradun and taxi to Rishikesh. You may also travel by taxi from Delhi to Rishikesh (travel time approx 5 hours).
You will be given details of our Rishikesh hotel accommodation address which is where we will meet.
PLEASE NOTE: Travel costs and transportation to and from the airport are not included in retreat price, you will need to organize this on your own.
Getting home again. Your departure:
Check-in on the 14th is from 2pm. Our first gathering will be at 4pm for opening circle, followed by a group dinner together at 6 pm. Feel free to arrive early, check-in, and orientate yourself. If you wish to arrive and stay at Hotel before retreat this is encouraged depending on availability. Contact details will be sent to you upon registration.
Check-out is 10am on the 24th.. Extra nights' accommodation can be booked depending on availability. Departure time will be dependant upon your ongoing travel and transportation will be organised for you and shared with other participants to Dehradun, Rishikesh or your destination.
PLEASE NOTE: Travel costs and transportation to and from the airport are not included in retreat price. You will be responsible for the transportation cost from guest house to your destination.
Travel Requirements:
You will require a tourist visa to travel to India from abroad. E-visa tourist visa’s are straightforward to apply for online. Contact your local Indian Consulate service to see what requirements are needed.
In Australia: https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html
Food and Diet Requirements:
All meals are vegetarian and made with seasonal, organic (where available) ingredients and produce. We will follow Ayurvedic principles where possible to support your digestion and wellbeing at all times through out our time together. When you register, you are encouraged to share and specific dietary requirements you may have.
Health and Medical:
Please bring any prescribed medications with you to the retreat. While medical services are available it is recommended you bring any prescribed medications with you.
You are also encouraged to bring any vitamins or supplements you presently take with you including those in case of acute cough, cold, flu, digestive upsets, constipation, diarrhea, headache etc.
What to bring with you?
Full details of what to bring and how to prepare yourself with be provided upon your registration. This includes what to bring if you choose the optional Gangotri pilgrimage..
Retreat Experiences, Outings and Activities:
This will be a fully immersive experience of presence and being focused on the. All retreat activities, including excursions and daily schedule are meticulously planned to enable this to be your lived experience.
The retreat will be led by Dipika Delmenico. You will receive an immense and interactive amount of in-person, quality time with her.
A full itinerary and schedule of the retreat will be provided at a later date; and may be subject to change at Dipika’s discretion for the wellbeing of the group. However, to get an idea of what you’ll experience, and what your day may look like here are some examples of a typical day:
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Morning sound based meditation group practice, nāda yoga vocal practice.
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Daily gentle movement and restorative yogāsana
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Outdoor group and individual Meditation
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Nature walks and nature observation.
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Journalling
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Sanskrit Mantra and Kīrtan.
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Ganga dips.
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Spontaneous dance and movement!
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Open mic where the impulse and calling create.
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Time & space for relaxation, reflection, connection and communion with Self and others.
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Community shared meals
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Temple and sacred site excursions.
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Satsang.
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Exercises in creative development based upon intuitive methodology.
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Options to book 1-1 Session Experiences with Dipika
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And MORE ....
Yogāsana and Gentle Movement
The yogasana and gentle movement as a group will be restorative to support your presence and being. You can do your own stronger, more physical practice at any time you feel called and there are plenty of indoor and outdoor spaces conducive to do so.
Retreat preparation:
This is an experience that begins from the moment you say YES. We will meet via zoom in the weeks before the retreat to run through your preparation, wellbeing and answer any questions you may have. We will also meet a few weeks after the retreat to debrief and support your reassimilation after such an EPIC experience. You will be well cared for!
Payments and Refunds:
There is a non-refundable deposit of $US500 included in your payment to secure your spot. Please note that this payment is non refundable and that means it won't be returned upon cancellation.
Payment options include full payment or a two-part payment plan with payments 15 days apart. If you have other payment requirements, please email Dipika so we can address your specific requirements.
Contact: dipika@dipikadelmenico.com
Full payment is required no later than 30 days before the retreat. A 50% refund is available until 30 days before the retreat March 14, 2025. No refunds are available after this date.
Consideration Planning
If you snore then, with great love and respect, we request for the comfort and wellbeing of all that you choose a single room accomodation option.
Combine this retreat with the Heart of Sound online teacher training in mantra, nada yoga & sound healing. Count your retreat hours towards your teacher training requirements PLUS save 10% on the teacher training with the coupon code DIPIKA.
Enter code upon checkout to adjust the price.
Curious? Book a 15min call to chat with a HoS team member about your options.
