Retreat in Tepoztlán, Mexico
with Hareesh Wallis and Bindu De La Parra

-----SOLD OUT------

November 1-4th, 2018
During Dia De Muertos Celebrations!

Intimacy with and acceptance of our mortality is key to the practice of Tantrik Yoga, and for very good reason: there is no single breakthrough more liberating than to truly face and befriend your death. 

When you befriend death, life has more meaning and beauty, and fear can never control you again.  When you are intimate with the impending reality of death, you drop all your pettiness. When you remember death, you love more fiercely.  If you find contemplating death morbid or uncomfortable, then you know you have not yet befriended death, and a profound liberation awaits you.

Furthermore, we all experience many 'little deaths' in our lives ~ endings of relationships, of careers, dissolving of old identities. Each of these little deaths, when encountered with the wisdom of nondual philosophy, opens the way to a rebirth.

When this truth is deeply internalized, we learn to honor each little death and honor the fallow period that often follows it; and then something extraordinary reveals itself. We discover that the degree of wonder and joy in the rebirth that inevitably follows is in direct proportion to how much we were able to honor the death and the fallow period that preceded it.

For the first time ever, I'm offering a residential retreat on these teachings, and even deeper teachings on death, rebirth, and the afterlife that can't be mentioned here. This retreat will be held in Mexico, in the perfect little town of Tepoztlan, and will be centered on the Day of the Dead festivities there.

On this Retreat...

We will encounter some of the most impactful nondual teachings, and do powerful Tantrik practices as well as a traditional temazcal or Native American 'sweat lodge', which is a death and rebirth experience. We will also seek to get close to the veil between worlds, sense how much more there is to reality than our senses can perceive, learn practices to resolve ancestral karma, and have the opportunity to heal our relationship with death.

About Tepoztlán

Tepoztlán is a Mexican town south of Mexico City. It’s known as the reputed birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god, and for its weekly craft market. The town is located at the foot of Tepozteco Mountain and is the result of the combination of the unique ancient traditions and wisdom that enrich its many cultural expressions, such as esotericism, pre-Hispanic and vice-regal treasures, the counterculture, ecotourism or the simplicity of its everyday life are all appeals of Tepoztlán. Tepozteco Mountain is so mystical that it is almost purifying. This "Magical Town" is home to numerous celebrations, such as its dances, which with its Chinelos, the name of its music, and their vibrant colors will make you feel the life of the traditions.  

This Retreat is SOLD OUT
please join is in INDIA

Freqently Asked Questions

After you register, we will send additional information about weather, what to pack, suggestions for travel arrangements, a food allergy survey, and what to expect during the retreat.

Do I have to speak Spanish to attend the retreat? No, all teachings will be in English and Spanish. Because the retreat is bilingual, you will have an opportunity to learn and practice alongside a diverse global community.

How do I get to the retreat center? The retreat center is located in Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico about one and a half hours from the Mexico City Airport, Benito Juarez International Airport (MEX). Taxis and shuttles are available, but not included in the cost of the retreat. We will provide additional information about travel options after registration.

How will I be paired with a roommate? We will assign you a roommate based on a quick compatibility survey we will send to all participants after registration. Of course, you can come with a partner or buddy and request to share a room with them. We also have a limited number of single rooms available.

Will there be Wi-Fi available? Yes, but we strongly encourage you to unplug from technology for the duration of the retreat. 

What's included in the cost of the retreat? After making your room selection, the total cost includes a spacious room with traditional amenities, healthy and delicious meals and snacks, daily yoga asana with Bindu, daily teachings with Hareesh, an excursion into Tepoztlán to experience the Day of the Dead festival, and an optional temazcal (see description below). Note that your travel to Tepoztlán, Mexico and from/to the airport to the retreat center is not included. We will be offering information and resources to safely and easefully travel to and from the retreat center.

What is a temazcal? A temazcal ([temasˈkal]) is a type of sweat lodge which originated with pre-Hispanic Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. In ancient Mesoamerica it was used as part of a curative ceremony thought to purify the body. It was also used for healing the sick, improving health, and for women to give birth. It continues to be used today in Indigenous cultures of Mexico and Central America that were part of the ancient Mesoamerican region for spiritual and health reasons. 

Will there be vegan and gluten-free food options? Yes, and we will send a survey after registration to take note of any allergies.

What level of yoga asana will be taught? Bindu will teach all-levels yoga and restorative yoga, but will ultimately tailor the class to the participants.

What is the Day of the Dead (dia de los Muertos) festival? We are incredibly fortunate that the retreat aligns with the festival. Day of the dead is a profound and beautiful tradition that expresses the merging of European religion with native spirituality. In pre-European religions death was not the end, but a different stage of that which is undying, hence this celebration is just as colorful and vibrant as life itself, for it is the time of the year when our ancestors come to visit their loved ones from the different realms of existence (based on the circumstances each person’s death). 

To guide the beloved ancestors back, families all over Mexico set an altar that may be as simple or elaborated as the family’s resources allow, but all of them share some fundamental elements like a picture of the relative, candles, cempasúchil flowers to guide their souls, amaranth skulls, copal incense, and some of the deceased’s favorite food and drinks like atole or mezcal, for it is believed that they will nurture from their essence through the night.  During the main celebration day, graveyards are full of music, colors, and remembrance, as it is traditional to visit the tombs and spend a meal in the company of their souls with cheerful music.

It is a time to celebrate their presence and in the middle of all this sensations, colors, flavors and music death becomes part of that that we call life.

What is Tepoztlan, Mexico like? Tepoztlán is a Mexican town south of Mexico City. It’s known as the reputed birthplace of Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec feathered serpent god, and for its weekly craft market. The town is located at the foot of Tepozteco Mountain and is the result of the combination of the unique ancient traditions and wisdom that enrich its many cultural expressions, such as esotericism, pre-Hispanic and vice-regal treasures, the counterculture, ecotourism or the simplicity of its everyday life are all appeals of Tepotztlán. Tepozteco Mountain is so mystical that it is almost purifying. This "Magical Town" is home to numerous celebrations, such as its dances, which with its Chinelos, the name of its music, and their vibrant colors will make you feel the life of the traditions.  

Is this area of Mexico safe? The vast majority of destinations that tourists and travelers visit in Mexico are safe. Like in the rest of the world, unsafe areas have more to do with local petty crime or if visitors engage in unsafe activities or visit unsafe establishments. There is no reason to do more than to be aware and to exercise the normal degree of caution that should be done while traveling anywhere. When traveling, have an authorized taxi ready, don't wear flashy jewelry, and drink bottled or purified water. Please note that you will be asked to sign a liability waiver, as the retreat center and retreat hosts cannot be held responsible for any injuries, theft, or other loss.