A Sacred Journey to Varanasi
An Immersive Retreat in the Spiritual Heart of India
Step into the embrace of Kashi—Varanasi, where life and death meet in an eternal dance upon the banks of the Ganges.
This is your invitation to journey with an small, intimate group of seekers to explore the mysteries of living and dying.
Our home for the week is the Taj Ganges, a five-star sanctuary of serenity and refined Indian hospitality. Here, luxury meets soul care—lush gardens, quiet courtyards, and exquisite cuisine nourish while our days unfold in rhythm with ancient ritual and timeless beauty.
Along the way, surprise teachings and spontaneous moments of reflection will arise—woven into the rhythm of the journey, guided by spirit and the living pulse of Varanasi itself. Between sacred experiences, there will also be time to wander Varanasi’s vibrant markets, discovering exquisite Banarasi silks, hand-woven treasures, and devotional offerings—each piece a story of artistry, lineage, and love.
Bathe Your Spirit in Beauty, Wisdom, Ritual, and Culture.
Witness sunrise over the Ganges and the mesmerizing evening aarti ceremony—flames rising in devotion to the divine.
Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple, the radiant abode of Lord Shiva, for a guided darshan within its sacred inner sanctum.
Visit the funerary ghats, where ancient rites of cremation unfold along the river’s edge. In quiet witness, we’ll behold the profound intimacy of life’s ending—an experience that invites reverence, reflection, and awe before the mystery of impermanence.
Journey to Sarnath, where the Buddha first shared his teachings.
Meet the master weavers of Banarasi silk, keepers of artistry spun from gold, silver, and devotion.
Rest and renew with Ayurvedic spa treatments
Walking with you every step of the way, offering daily teachings, facilitation, meditations, and reflections
Your Retreat Includes
This retreat weaves luxurious comfort, soulful exploration, and profound spiritual immersion - a pilgrimage for body, heart, and spirit.
5-Star Hotel Stay for 5 Nights
Enjoy the finest hospitality India has to offer, the 5 star Taj Ganges.
Insights from Local Guides
We have carefully selected local guides who are able to give our group the subtleties we seek.
Nourishing Meals
Enjoy world class dining at the Taj, while exploring the unique cuisine of India.
Teacher Facilitators
Walk the path immersed in teachings, practices, reflections curated by our death midwives.
Local Transportation
We have taken the hassle out of sightseeing by arranging transportation for the group.
Curated Experiences
Our itinerary is curated for an exploration of the sacred; all that's needed is presence.
Your Guides
Throughout the journey, you will be lovingly guided by Birgitta and Cheserae, death midwives and teachers who walk with deep presence and devotion. With daily teachings, wisdom, tenderness, and grace, they will hold space for reflection, inner work, and heartfelt inquiry—creating a sanctuary of trust for both individual and collective transformation. You will be invited to explore the sacred thresholds of life and death with courage, compassion, and wonder.
BIRGITTA
KASTENBAUM
Birgitta is a Holistic Life Coach, Women’s Community Leader, and a modern medicine woman: merging the sacred with the practical in day to day life. Helping people reconnect the human heart and spirit back to nature is a central thread in her work.
As an End of Life Guide and Doula, Birgitta educates and supports individuals, families, health care providers, and organizations in reimagining death and dying.
The sacred privilege of walking people home has shaped Birgitta’s perspective of life as precious and love as invaluable. This perspective fuels her desire to support others in finding meaning and joy in their life.
CHESERAE
SCALA
Cheserae has spent the last 8 years studying the process of mystical death through transpersonal psychology, and learning about how to support and facilitate end of life care. Since her youth, Cheserae found herself drawn to the subtle, the sacred, and the extraordinary.
Inspired with a new vision of what is possible in death and dying, and having forged new alliances with Hospice, community leaders, and colleagues, Cheserae has committed to sharing this work with families, groups, and individuals. She currently works as a death doula, and offers end of life support, bringing the sacred and beauty into the end of life.
Her newest project involves sharing the sacred use of essential oils in tending for the dying, and focuses both on the oils for the dying as well as those for supporting the caregivers.
With Special Guest Teacher...
DR. ERIC BAUMGARTNER
Dr. Eric Baumgartner is a father, pilgrim, and clinician who has spent 27 years studying and practicing medical traditions worldwide. From a lineage of physicians, he ultimately found his path in Eastern and natural medicine. He holds a Master’s in Traditional Eastern Medicine from Emperor's College and a Doctorate in Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine with a Family Medicine focus from Pacific College of Health and Science, with subspecialties in Women’s Health, Pediatrics, Mental Health, Neurology, and Orthopedics. He practices functional medicine, acupuncture, herbalism, and nutrition at Alquimia Wellness in Ojai and also teaches and works with patients globally.
He has trained with respected clinicians including Dr. Yvonne Farrell, Dr. Will Morris, Dr. Jeffrey Yuen, Dr. Daniel Kalish, Dr. Jill Blakeway, Giovanni Maciocia, and Chris Kresser. Since 2009 he has studied under Juan Ruiz Naupari of the Pneuma Institute and is an active facilitator of Pneuma Transpersonal Psychology and Pneuma Breathwork.
Called into service as chief formulator for Essential Medicina, Dr. Baumgartner maintains a deep, ongoing relationship with the plant world and many of the super-herbs featured in the products.
In his spare time he is an organic tree gardener, wildcrafter, kitchen alchemist, and backcountry naturalist.
Your Invitation to Be in Devotion
If you feel the call and know in your heart that this is for you, please read through these logistics. This is the practical that must be in place before we can embark on this adventure together.
First and foremost, we are trying to create a sacred circle of shared respect, reciprocity, and wisdom. All of us have our own unique medicine and teachings to offer. If you have something you would like to share to assist us in creating a beautiful experience for the group, such as a talk, an activity, etc., please let us know.
This is a fully curated, all-inclusive immersion. Lodging, meals, ceremonies, guides, transportation, and itinerary are taken care of to allow you to be in devotion. The total investment is $3,600.
Welcome: Check-in is January 22nd after 2pm. We start our shared journey the evening of the 22nd in presence, harmonizing our group.
Check out & Goodbye: We end our time together on 29th at 11am after sharing breakfast, a communal gratitude practice, and a closing circle.
Optional spa and wellness treatments will be available throughout the trip.
Before securing your spot, please note the following:
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If we do not fill a minimum group size, the immersion will be cancelled and all deposits will be returned.
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To indicate your desire & commitment to joining, please make a $500 deposit by December 26th. The deposit is non-refundable, unless the organizers cancel the immersion.
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You may cancel your participation for a refund minus the non-refundable deposit until January 9th.
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Please note that airfare to and from Varanasi is not included.
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Travel to and from the airport is included with advance notice of your travel itinerary.