Jung in India 2025: Divining The Thar Desert – The Search For Creative Wellspring

A Jungian Roadmap into the Soul of Ancient Indian Civilization

The C.G. Jung Foundation of New York and C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago are proud to sponsor the 18th educational tour of India in February 2025. This trip is an opportunity to see India through the lens of analytical psychology. Join us in this Jungian passage to the dream like, archetypal landscape of India, including a luxury tented retreat in the Thar Desert, Jaisalmer, a World Heritage site and part of the Silk Road. Jodhpur with its majestic Mehrangarh Fort was a flourishing trading town in its heyday. At the end we gather with Dr. Bedi at the beautiful Chhatrasagar retreat, a magical hideaway in the Rajasthani countryside, exploring rural life and the amazing bird sanctuary. Individuation implies becoming whole and the personal best version of ourselves. It is a journey around the world and in the deepest recesses of our Psyche, it is about wandering without getting lost. At some point in this soul journey, one must encounter the desert, both literally and in our psychic landscape. Jung encountered the desert in
his dark night of the soul as chronicled in his Red Book. The wisdom of our depths speaks to us in the desert. The soul of a culture is archived in the myths, stories, songs, folklore and customs of its desert. The wellspring of the desert holds the memories of a civilization’s triumphs and tragedies. The Indian desert of Rajasthan is one such vessel of the archetypal soul of India with its guidance and cautions. We hope to engage its spirit in our journey through the several cultural oasis in this timeless desert. Together, we will explore India and its timeless desert spirit with the unique Jungian lens of Analytical psychology under the guidance of the quaternity of
Ashok Bedi, M.D., Jungian analyst, Ami Bedi, LPC NCC, trauma specialist and psychotherapist, Usha Bedi retired chef of Dancing Ganesha and cultural guide, and Regine Oesch-Aiyer, head navigator and Indophile with her unique blend of her Swiss precision amid the perpetual Indianchaos.

Itinerary

February 13 - 14, 2025 U.S to New Delhi

We arrive in New Delhi late evening of the second day where we are met by our VIP representative at the aerobridge to navigate us through immigration and customs, handing us over to Travel Scope, our tour operator, to be transferred to Roseate House.

February 15, 2025 Delhi - Jodhpur - Manvar
After breakfast we take a mid morning flight from Delhi to Jodhpur, from where we drive to Manvar to stay at our luxury tented camp, the Manvar Kumat, Manvar Camp located in the Thar Desert. After resting from the journey we meet for dinner at the camp.

February 16, 2025 Manvar
This morning we meet for our introductory lecture with Dr. Bedi.Late afternoon we leave for a thrilling sand dune safari exploring the desert with experienced guides. A mesmerizing experience as the sun casts a golden hue across the landscape. We return to the camp for dinner

February 17, 2025 Manvar - Jaisalmer
We drive to Jaisalmer after breakfast and settle into the Taj Gorbandh Palace After lunch we meet with Dr. Bedi for a lecture and talks. Dinner together at the hotel.

February 18, 2025 Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer was a bustling caravanserai along the Silk Route. The royal Rajput clan grew wealthy collecting taxes from merchants enroute from India to Afghanistan. Today the town is preserved as a World Heritage site, its pale-yellow sandstone structures resemble a shimmering mirage in the desert, and it has the whimsical exoticism of a by-gone fairytale era. This morning we discover the historic quarter and havelis in the old city, exquisitely carved lattice work and sand stone architecture where rich merchants who traded on the Silk Road lived. We explore the lovely lanes
with small shops. In the late afternoon we meet for talks with Dr. Bedi. Dinner at the hotel

February 19, 2025 Jaisalmer
This morning we drive to Kuldhara – a haunted, abandoned 13th century deserted village west of Jaisalmer. A myth tells an intriguing story where everyone left town, never to return. We will find out why. Afternoon enjoy a swim or reflect on our journey before meeting for a late afternoon lecture and talks. Dinner at our hotel

February 20, 2025 Jaisalmer - Jodhpur
Jodhpur epitomizes the romance and feudal splendor of Rajasthan with the majestic Mehrangarh Fort. The town was a flourishing trade center for opium, silk, and copper.Painted a brilliant shade of blue, Jodhpur is the last bastion of fort ramparts, colorful bazaars and animated people with their storytelling traditions. Our drive to Jodhpur takes us through the Thar Desert, a four hour drive. Our home is the Raas hotel overlooking Mehrangarh Fort. Dinner at our hotel.

February 21, 2025 Jodhpur
This morning we visit Mehrangarh Fort – one of the most majestic of Rajasthan's forts, described by the author Rudyard Kipling as "the creation of angels, fairies, and giants.” Its forbidding ramparts are in sharp contrast to the flamboyantly decorated palaces within. Later we walk down the narrow alleys leading to the Old City with its exquisite havelis with pale indigo walls. Many believe that indigo was mixed in the lime to provide a cooling effect against the harshness of the desert sun. In the afternoon we meet for a lecture, and before dinner have an opportunity to explore some of the wonderful shops in town. Dinner at our hotel.

February 22, 2025 Jodhpur - Chhatrasagar
Chhatrasagar was built as a hunting lodge of the Nimaj Estate, surrounded by lush green fields and a 100-year-old reservoir, built by Thakur Chhatra Singh, a powerful noble of Marwar in the 19th century to create a water source for his kingdom. After breakfast we drive to Nimaj where we settle into our private estate, the luxury Raas Chhatrasagar camp in time for lunch. A very diverse bird life comprises over 200 species. We can watch the birds from close
quarters, and take a guided nature walk in the wilderness around the camp, early morning or early evening. Dinner at the camp.

February 23, 2025 Chhatrasagar
Early morning bird walk or yoga class, followed by breakfast. Mid morning we meet for talks and discussions, followed by a late afternoon boat ride on Lake Chhatra Sagar to discover the rich mangroves and the inhabiting birdlife. Dinner at the camp and drinks around the camp fire under a star studded dark sky.

February 24, 2025 Chhatrasagar
Early morning birdwatching or yoga class. After breakfast we meet for our closing talk, sharing and reflecting on our journey. After lunch we explore the surrounding farms and villages near the camp, meeting the farmer and shepherds, some inviting us into their homes. Farewell dinner at our camp.

February 25, 2025 Chhatrasagar - Jodhpur - Delhi
We drive to Jodhpur airport, a 3 hour drive, to fly to Delhi. We arrive at Delhi airport early evening. International flights leave late night/early morning February 26. Our representative will meet and transfer us to the airport with VIP assistance to check infor our international flights home. Arrival in the US next day February 26, 2025