Meditation & Self-Exploration

Experience the pure awareness that is already waiting within you.

Self-Inquiry in the Spirit of Sri Ramana Maharshi

13–15 November

The deepest question you can ever ask is: “Who am I?”
When this question is not answered through direct experience, the longing for truth remains unmet.
– John David –

What to Expect in This Retreat

During this retreat, we will journey together into the depths of consciousness. Through meditation, silence, and focused self-inquiry, we gradually release conditioned thought patterns, emotional burdens, and fixed identities layer by layer.
This path leads us straight to the essence of our being: pure awareness.
The workshop opens the door to deep love, complete stillness, and a transformed understanding of the nature of life.

The Tool of Self-Inquiry

Self-inquiry is a powerful method for examining the “I” that often turns out to be only an illusion and the root of our suffering.
Through a simple yet transformative practice, explored together with different partners, we come to see that every mental answer moves us further away from our true nature.
After some time, we naturally allow ourselves to be carried by this inner search and discover what the question “Who am I?” can reveal within us.

Who Is This Retreat For?

Do you long for a deeper connection to your own love and an open heart?
Would you like to let go of the masks you wear in daily life?
Do you want to deepen your meditation practice?
Are you seeking absolute inner freedom?
This retreat is for anyone ready to rediscover themselves.

“Happiness is your nature. There is nothing wrong in desiring it.
What is wrong is seeking it outside when it is inside.”
– Sri Ramana Maharshi –

The Story of Indira

Indira began her spiritual journey through authentic theater, where she first recognized the false layers of the self that we so easily become entangled in.
Through her encounter with the spiritual teacher John David, she came to understand that the true nature of the self lies hidden beneath these layers and must be uncovered for real freedom to emerge.

FAQ: Important Questions and Answers

What does self-discovery mean?

Self-discovery means looking inward and recognizing what is truly real beyond thoughts, social roles, and identifications. It is not about creating a new personality, but about discovering your own true nature.

What is self-inquiry?

Self-inquiry is a quiet and direct path of inner knowing. Instead of searching outside, attention turns inward to the question: Who am I really? This practice leads from pure thinking into the immediate experience of being.

What is Vichara?

Vichara is the Sanskrit word for inner investigation or self-questioning. Spiritually, it refers to the practice of self-inquiry, in which one repeatedly returns to the source of the sense of “I.” Vichara is one of the central paths of self-discovery.

What is meant by “Who am I?”

The question “Who am I?” is not an intellectual exercise, but a gateway to direct experience of the self. In self-inquiry, the aim is not a mental answer, but the source of the “I” itself.

What is Advaita Vedanta?

Advaita Vedanta is a non-dual wisdom tradition from India. Advaita means “not two” and points to the truth that the real self is not separate from the whole. Many people use Advaita Vedanta as a foundation for meditation and self-realization.

What role does Ramana Maharshi play?

Ramana Maharshi is considered one of the most important masters of self-inquiry. He brought the practice of Vichara to worldwide attention and showed the direct path to self-discovery through the question “Who am I?”

When is this path suitable?

This path is suitable for anyone longing for inner clarity and genuine self-discovery. Prior experience is helpful, but not required.

Is self-inquiry the same as meditation?

Self-inquiry and meditation overlap, but they are not identical. Meditation calms the mind; self-inquiry goes directly to the question of the true self. The two practices complement each other beautifully.

Can Vichara be practiced in daily life?

Yes, Vichara can be practiced right in the middle of everyday life. Whenever thoughts or emotions arise, attention can be brought back to the question: Who is experiencing this right now?

What is the goal of self-discovery?

The goal is not self-optimization, but self-realization. In self-inquiry, it becomes clear that peace, spaciousness, and presence are already within your own being.

Bhagavan Sri Ramana Maharshi

Ramana Maharshi is a central source of inspiration. His clear teaching is rooted in Advaita Vedanta and points to the practice of Vichara — the inner question “Who am I?” For many people, he remains a guide to stillness and direct self-realization.

Program

Self-inquiry • Meditations • Mantra Singing • Yoga

Arrival: Friday 6:00 pm
Start: Friday 7:00 pm
End: Sunday 6:00 pm
(those who wish may stay for dinner)

Prices

280€