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It’s an overused phrase, but my time in India was life-changing. It gave me a new perspective on the world and the chance to process and come to terms with what has happened. Though it’s not always easy to, the trip taught me the importance of living in the moment and accepting life as it is, not how you hope it to be. With profound loss comes profound learning and being in India made me appreciate the value of letting life take you where it wants to take you, and leaning into that uncertainty rather than resisting change.
While I’ll always be sad about losing my girls, and I’ll miss them every day of my life, I feel changed for the better. The experience encouraged me to prioritize the things that are worth my time and energy and let go of the things that aren’t. As well as an unforgettable adventure around Rajasthan that surpassed my expectations, India also took me on an inward journey that has helped me to find peace. I returned wanting to run towards life, not away from it. And while the future remains uncertain, I feel hopeful again.
Sacred spaces for holistic healing
The following places offer a safe space to start the healing process, from sanctuaries to guide you towards inner peace, to spiritual sites that will help to restore your faith in the world.
Temple Blessing at the Leela Palace Udaipur, India
In Rajasthan’s ethereal “white city” you’ll find this tranquil palace hotel floating on the banks of Lake Pichola. The setting alone is healing in itself—you can spend hours watching the birds swoop and sun set over the lake—but it also offers traditional blessing ceremonies at the 16th century Shiva temple within its grounds.
Water Purification Ceremony at COMO Shambhala, Bali
Guests staying at this hilltop retreat in the middle of the Balinese jungle can experience a water purification ceremony at the sacred spring within the Tirta Empul temple. Begin by making an offering under an ancient banyan tree then take part in a series of cleansing rituals in the temple’s holy waters designed to rid the body of negative energy.
Meditate with Monks at Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, Bhutan
Bhutan’s only five-star luxury wellness resort offers an array of healing experiences, from transformation rituals to herbal treatments rooted in traditional Bhutanese medicine. After a hike to the Eutok Goenpa monastery, you can meditate with Buddhist monks then talk to some of the senior monks during a tea ceremony, which can be arranged upon request.
Moon Temazcal Ceremony at Yäan Healing Sanctuary, Mexico
Symbolizing rebirth, this cleansing ritual in Tulum is led by a Mayan mystic during the monthly moon cycles. Designed to help participants heal, you’ll be guided into a dome-shaped hut and taken through the four doors of a pre-Hispanic sweat lodge ceremony, which involves being engulfed in herb-infused steam created by hot volcanic stones.
Salt House Breathwork at Dwarika’s Sanctuary, Nepal
Set within 25 acres of natural forest amid the Himalayan peaks, this Nepalese sanctuary is the perfect place to find inner peace. Head to its Himalayan rock salt house for a pranayama breath work session designed to restore balance. Crafted from 20 tons of rock salt crystals, the saline air is beneficial for the respiratory system, helping you to breathe easy.
This article was originally published on Condé Nast Traveller UK.
