White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

NAMASTE! Mother India awaits with open arms anyone who wishes to experience her pulsating life. Just spending a while with her often times has a profound impact. Some have said that she is the best teacher — for oh a myriad of reasons. She is there. All you have to do is say YES and surrender yourself to an experience that you will long remember.

"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out of the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms toward perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by Thee into ever widening thought and action;
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake!"*

RABINDRANATH TAGORE

* Gitanjali (Macmillan Co.).

NO-TOUR® creates a supportive context (at no cost) for you to experience India. Design your own itinerary. Or follow the No-Guide's general itinerary. Join up with others, travel alone.

In preparation, the NO-TOUR® staff recommends:

1. India: A Travel Survival Kit. Geof Crowther, et al. London: Lonely Planet Publications.
2. India: The Rough Guide, David Abram, et al. London: Forthcoming, 1994. (This book has more historical info.)
3. Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life, Jon Kabat-Zinn (author of Full Catastrophe Living) New York: Hyperion, 1994. (ISBN 0-7868-8099-6)

The NO-GUIDE® for the India experience is the Independent Catholic Bishop-Abbot of the White Robed Monks. His Titular See is Bodhgaya, India, where the historical Buhhda entered into enlightenment. He has traveled to India often and has brought others along with him. These folks traveled as they wanted. The Bishop-Abbot is an experienced traveler. He is only a general guide, not a tour leader. You design and follow your own schedule, doing what you choose. He is around just to assist you if and when you so choose. No pressure. What is unique about NO-TOUR® is that you are able to contact the Bishop-Abbot, the NO-GUIDE®, from generally wherever you are in India. (India's communication system is great!) You will have his itinerary. In the meantime, you will be enjoying one of the most invigorating experiences of a lifetime — dancing with Mother India.

The NO-TOUR® is about 35 days. Spend all or part. NO-TOUR® recommends that you schedule in your journey at least the Holy City of Varanasi. Varanasi — a definite must to experience the heart of Mother India in all her general compassionate presence to humanity. Some have said that it's all in a simple River Ganges row boat ride at dawn along the bathing ghats. Awesome.

NO-TOUR® can assist you in booking your plane and (some of your) train tickets through Third Eye Travel (c/o Usha Lama) in Fremont, CA USA (800-456-3393, FAX 510-487-9090), usha@thirdeye.com. Approximate costs: $1250 RT SFO/Delhi; $175 Varanasi/Kathmandu/Delhi; $350-$500 trains/food/lodging.

If you wish to take a side trip to Tibet, please indicate early. Auto and/or air transportation to Tibet from Kathmandu can be arranged, as you might wish, through Unique Path Trekking & Expedition, Ltd. in Kathmandu, Nepal. Third Eye Travel can also assist you in this regard. Plan on an extra 12-14 days, leaving/returning to Kathmandu, Nepal. A fantastic journey in itself.

If you wish specific culturally or spiritually related experiences in India and its environs, you might contact Mosaic India Tours.

For more information (the next event, etc.), please contact Father Abbot:
by phone at: 415-292-3228 or
by email at: abbot@whiterobedmonks.org or
or write him at: POB 27536, San Francisco CA 94127-0536 USA

Namaste.