Looking for peace. Points of the globe created for meditation

Any adult has probably heard of meditation, but if we begin to survey and ask what it is, to our surprise we will hear completely different answers. Some will say that meditation is something from India, others will express it as a quiet activity, and still others will give the example of a yogi sitting in the lotus position. Oddly enough, but all of them will be right, because the term came to us from India, and meditation can be called both concentration on the image and occupation, and immersion in yourself with an in-depth reflection on the truth.

Meditation itself has a wide variety of practices, depending on the teaching, method and purpose. Therefore, it is not surprising that there are places on Earth where it is easy and pleasant to meditate.

Rishikesh, northern India, Uttarakhand state

Almost at the very origins, sacred to the Hindus of the Ganges River, in the foothills of the Himalayas, is the city of Rishikesh. It is considered the starting point to the ancient, mountainous settlements of Gangotri, Yamunotri and Badrinath. This city is the undisputed world capital of yoga and meditation. Rishikesh is inhabited mainly by Sadhu Hindus, various hermits and practicing yoga Europeans. The official language of the city is Hindi. This city symbolizes enlightenment and wisdom, calm and spirituality. This is where the legendary Beatles once came. The picturesque place has a large number of ashrams and Hindu temples, as well as pristine nature and purity, which will not leave anyone indifferent - whether it is a seeker of truth, a practicing yogi, or just a curious tourist.

Mayapur, west Bengal

The town is located 130 km north of the Western capital of Bengal, Calcutta. It is an amazingly beautiful place, combining picturesque tropical nature and a delightful architectural ensemble. Hindus believe that Meru passes through the city – the cosmic axis of the universe, so Mayapur, according to Vedic legends, is destined to become the capital of the world. The permanent population here is not much more than 2000 people. It is also a holy place for many people from around the world and every year Mayapur is visited by more than a million pilgrims. It should be noted that since 2009, the construction of the Vedic planetarium began in Mayapur, a huge complex in which everyone can see the structure of the universe, as it is seen by followers of Hinduism. For those who want to meditate and just enjoy the ancient culture of India, a trip to Mayapur will be a real discovery.

Pokhara, Nepal

Another great place to meditate is Pokhara, a city in central Nepal located 200 km west of Kathmandu (seven to eight hours drive). This second most popular city of the country attracts tourists with picturesque landscapes and the proximity of the main peaks of Nepal - Daulagiri, Annapurna, Manaslu and others. Pokhara is one of the most popular resorts in the country, located on the shores of the magnificent lake Feva Tal, the city is perfectly adapted for receiving guests. Along the coast of the lake there are many hotels, restaurants and shops. Also in the vicinity of the city there are many monasteries, the “sacred” caves of Mahendra Rupa, Lake Venas and the unique Davis Falls. But the main thing for which tourists come to Pokhara is the opportunity to meditate quietly, sitting in the garden of the hotel overlooking the majestic Himalayas.

Suan Mokkh, Thailand

For those who want solitude, and for their meditation is looking for peace and quiet, the Suan Mokh forest monastery, which is located in the province of Thailand, not far from the small town of Chhaia, is perfect. This monastery offers visitors not just a place to relax, but a full course of meditation that lasts 10 days and includes all the rules of life of a local monk. Arriving in this remote place, you will need to give up mobile phones, sleep on wooden mattresses and wake up at 4 a.m. – not the easiest task for a city dweller. In the Forest Monastery of Suan Mokh there are no temples, only three statues of Buddhas sitting modestly in the glades, and a little further away are a simple enclosure for guests, stone carving workshops and small, modest houses of monks. Tourists rarely come here, so the monks are relaxed and natural, in their environment.

COMO Shambhala Retreat, Maldives

The most experienced in the service and comfort of meditation lovers is welcome to visit the resort COMO Shambhala Estate located in a secluded corner of the village of Begawan, a 15-minute drive from the center of Ubud. This luxurious resort in the Maldives, with a relaxing view of the azure sea, provides for meditators an open pavilion for yoga: here you can sit silently without thinking about anything and feel only the fresh breath of the ocean. Each room in the hotel is furnished with wooden furniture, the windows overlook lush greenery, and the bathroom is partially outdoors. Within the framework of individually developed programs, yoga and Pilates instructors, an Ayurvedic doctor, a nutritionist and an acupuncturist provide their services in the resort hotel. Guests can relax on an outdoor terrace with a relaxing area, visit various spa treatments or go on a tour of local attractions.

Text by Anton Kutz