Siddhayatan Tirth & Spiritual Retreat Center — Attraction in Bonham

Energy: The energy commands attention upon entering. Without any people distractions you can walk around knowing greatness is within. Spiritual: If you're going a few days you will likely get what you came for. If you stay longer than a week BEWARE. Food: IF you're trying to stay away from white carbs-BEWARE. Cheap WHITE RICE is served at lunch & dinner almost daily. Wal-Mart red-top milk is used in chai for guests though organic is used for monk & nuns at the main house. Organic is not the norm. If you're lactose intolerant, have allergies, are vegan, or just know that cheap starch and cheap dairy is not healthy BEWARE. If you're planning to be there over a week, drive/ or AND take food. The food is good but the portions are small. On occasion there are seconds offered. Ashram Experience Volunteers: Prepare a budget for food and other small things to make your stay comfortable. Prepare to be hungry if you didn't bring food or don't have money for food. Stores are at least 15 mins away. Prepare to be cold. The monk is a lack thinker and is constantly detailing the extent of bills at the ashram. Prepare to not be spiritually guided once a week as the website claims. There were only 2 weekly sessions offered for my 4 week stay though 4 were suppose to occur. Be prepared to through all you know about whatever skills you have out of the window. You will be told what to do whether it makes since it not. (I asked on several cold nights in order to not have frozen pipes if I could go through the buildings and leave a drop of water dripping -as I have managed several properties- I was told no. On the mornings afterward, the pipes would be frozen. This type of scenario occurred frequently. In the housing dorm there are approximately 10 rooms that hold approximately 20 guests (still under construction). You would think that having a backup role of toilet paper under each of the sinks of the two shared bathrooms would be acceptable. I was asked questions like..."what are they doing with the toilet paper", "why do you need extra"? And told "don't they know that they wouldnt get toilet paper in India". Water consumption: They are in the rural area and don't use regular water system. Showers are limited as to time because of cost for heat and quantity of water. Seems contradictory considering when washing dishes you must let the water run at very low flow as you wash and rinse instead of utilizing the commercial 3 sink set-up properly (wash, rinse, sanitize). Communication: Direct communication is rarely used but the monk. The nuns do it most of the time. Many times you are asked about others' whereabouts and actions in order to deliver a message to yet someone else. The monk uses Monday to find out things that he can be straight forward about. Be prepared for no concrete to-dos or not to-dos. It is very unorganized. Common sense is not used. The monk's house is 10 minutes away by foot. When sent to rack leaves you would think that bathroom access would be granted. Nope. Though I thought it was done jokingly, a nun suggested taking toilet paper in case I had to go outside somewhere. I found out it wasn't a joke, though there's a barn used a housing area for guests with pets that has a toilet and the monk's house has at least 1 toilet. One more for the road....though washing of bedding before two/three usages, toilet tissue, shower use, and food consumption were all minimal due to lack of funds how about the undisclosed future lecture hall is infested with termites and holds about $100k worth of statutes. The monk says have no desires during spiritual teaching...thermostat can't be above 67 when its 2 degrees outside; no extra roll of toilet paper as a back up; no healthier types or quantities of food; AND your water bottle better not rest on the future hall's mantle BECAUSE...the money for a warm blooded, working, breathing, thinking, paying living person is scarce. Yet $100k is spent on dead, hard, and cold statutes in a termite infested future hall.

The guests made ALL the difference in my 30...

October - 2024 I thought I would write an update to the review below because so much has happened in the world (COVID) and I am at this point of making a tremendous transition in my life. I would not be making this positive transition had I not visited the Siddhayatan Tirth and met Acharya Shree Yogeesh over 8 years ago.

As I wrote below, I went to the ashram for an experience and to connect with myself. I am writing to tell you that it's happening, like REALLY HAPPENING. Over the past 8 years, I have actively implemented the "Spiritual Tools," (that's what I call them - meditation, sound, yoga, lifestyle) and they have transformed how I see life and my future. You can not find these teachings anywhere else because they are primarily practiced in India. Acharya Shree is the monk who brought them to the United States in the 1970's. FYI - it is extremely rare for a Jain monk to travel outside of India because many monks live exclusively in ashrams. Siddhayatan is a Spiritual Oasis for people of all religions; there are lakes, walking paths, incredible hand carved statues, organic food and nature, everything you need to connect to you.

I encourage everyone to go, even if you do not take one single class, just experiencing what it is like to live at a working ashram without having to travel to India is so worth it. Oh - and if Acharya Shree happens to be available for a 1:1, DO IT. It is a once in a lifetime type of thing to meet with a Jain Master.

Heather Badal Written before Covid (can't recall)

I have traveled to Siddhayatan about 8 times over the course of the past 2 years. When I first visited, my intention was for it to be a “one-time experience” and I never thought I would ever return—let alone 8 times. However, being at this very special place helped me awaken a voice inside of me and as crazy as this may sound, I reconnected with myself—something I had not really done in decades.

With each visit, I have taken classes and given myself space to reflect. I have water fasted a couple of times (it is tough but not as hard as it seems and let me tell you....I love food!). In fact, if you have ever thought about fasting, this is the perfect place as you have the support and space to let your body process the toxins and emotional memories stored over the years. I have taken all the classes and my favorites are the chakra, awakening the soul and the purnam yoga.

If you have time to meet with Acharya Shree—do it. Acharya Shree is the visionary/founder and his teachings are rooted in the principles of Jainism and shamanic traditions. He lives a most simple life that is centered around non-violence. I find it inspirational and uplifting to be in his presence and he has helped me sort through some difficult times.

I know this is a long review, but if you are still reading then I encourage you to go. I guarantee that you will learn something new about yourself and be inspired by your...

Very disappointed and sad. This "retreat" was my Christmas present from my husband, I left the 2nd morning (out of 4 I paid for). No one has called me to ask if Im ok or why I left, I should have paid more attention to the reviews here and on yelp.

I planned doing a juice fast, the morning after I woke up feeling so sick and shaking, it was 9am and no one care to knock at my door see if I was ok. I called my husband, he met me right away and we left to urgent care without saying anything, part of it because if its not a schedule time you dont really see the staff or guide. (aka nuns and/or yogi). Its been a week since.

The place is cold, the rooms are cold, the shower rooms are cold, I had fuzzy socks on and warm clothes, didnt help much specially when you are doing a fast. I attended a "meditation class" I learned 2 things, "you must bring a notebook and a pen to write or the "master" will ridiculized you in front of the class. and 2nd that the "master" went for 6 days on a lotus flower position without moving, no food, no water, no bathroom breaks. After that "class" I found no reason to attend a second class.

Some guests there seemed to like the place, I guess they live in a crowded city or live very busy lives, we are talking about empty acres, no trees, not wild plants, nothing. I asked one of the guest what has he been doing, "watching netflix" he said. "went to walmart" said the other one, the one that was doing a "silent" fast had a notebook and pen and/or her phone with her so she can still chit chat with the rest of the people by writting. There are 2 classes that come with the program and if you dont pay for extras you are left to do nothing for the rest of the day, unless you count a cup of chai at 3pm (a cup, that is you can have 1). Food is very limited for the people that are eating and is not balanced, never saw a bowl with salad or greens, the juices on my fast were a carrot one and a beet one. No greens. Not sure a tamale with cheese inside counts as a healthy vegetarian choice for a spiritual retreat.

As I didnt want to waste my time on social media I got a bunch of books and audiobooks and spent my day reading/listening and falling asleep in betweens. Installation's are very poor built, there is junk everywhere, and Im pretty sure this would not pass a single city buiding code, Im not kidding, safety is not their primary task.

There is a nun there and a girl/helper who are so good and have so much energy to make it a good place but sadly it is not enough. Dont bother coming here, instead, rent a cottage in the middle of no where, bring a juicer and food along with books and audiobooks, and save a bunch of money. I am not a city girl with lots of commodities, I live in a farm, with farm animals and the basics and I do not recommend this...