Happy Guru Pūrṇimā

Hello friends!

Today is the full moon known as Guru Pūrṇimā, where we honor our spiritual teachers. I’m writing to you from Sydney, Australia where I have had the chance to see my “home” Ashtanga teacher Eileen Hall. Eileen was certified in by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in 1998, but is also certified in the Iyengar Method by BKS Iyengar. She is in mid sixties and still teaching every day. She’s a huge inspiration to me, and while I only see her every one or two years, for a short period, I always greatly value these times.

Today is a good day to reflect and give thanks for the teachers and mentors who have guided us in our spiritual growth. Dedicate your sadhana to them.

This is my “holiday” edition newsletter – so it’s a little shorter than usual. Instead of the usual format, I’m included some of my top “spiritual journey” book recommendations. Happy summer (or in my case winter) reading!

With Love
Nea Ferrier
nea@neaferrieryoga.com
neaferrieryoga.com

This book is the autobiographical account of Sri M, a modern Indian spiritual teacher who, as a young boy driven by deep inner yearning, leaves home in search of truth. It chronicles his extraordinary spiritual journey, including his apprenticeship under a mysterious Himalayan yogi named Babaji, encounters with sages and mystics, and eventual transformation into a realized teacher himself.

This book blew my mind! He sometimes comes to speak in Dubai. Would love to meet Sri M one day.

LINK TO BOOK
This book is the the life story of Tenzin Palmo, (Vicki Mckenzie) one of the first Western women to become a Tibetan Buddhist nun—and her extraordinary 12-year solitary meditation retreat in a remote Himalayan cave.

This genre is quite dominated by men, so I loved reading this biography, particularly as it was a Western woman. She’s also one of my favorites to follow on instagram.

LINK TO BOOK

“In Search of Secret India” is Paul Brunton’s spiritual travelogue and philosophical memoir, chronicling his journey across India in the 1930s in search of authentic yogis, sages, and mystical wisdom. 

It became a spiritual classic and played a major role in introducing Sri Ramana Maharshi and Indian mysticism to Western readers. 

I highly recommend looking into the teachings of Ramana Maharshi to learn more about non-dualism. His ashram in Tamil Nadu is on my must visit list!

LINK TO BOOK
“Hollywood to the Himalayas” is the remarkable spiritual memoir of Sadhvi Bhagawati Saraswati, born Bonnie Greenberg in Los Angeles, who left behind a life of privilege, trauma, and academic success to become a Hindu renunciant and spiritual leader in Rishikesh, India.

I attended a satsang with Sadhvi when I was last in Rishikesh and loved her way of speaking. We might get a chance to meet her on the Rishikesh retreat coming up. I recommend following her on instagram too.

LINK TO BOOK
“Living with the Himalayan Masters” is a spiritual autobiography of Swami Rama, who was born in India and trained from childhood by yogis in the Himalayan tradition.

The book recounts his personal encounters with saints, sages, and spiritual masters across India, Tibet, and the Himalayas, offering deep insights into yogic philosophy, meditation, and the path to self-realization.

It is part memoir, part teaching text, revealing that spiritual enlightenment is real, attainable, and grounded in disciplined inner practice.

Swami Rama’s Himalayan Yoga Institute offers excellent teachings in Pranayama and Yoga Nidra.

LINK TO BOOK
“If Truth Be Told” is the powerful and deeply honest memoir of Om Swami, a highly educated, successful tech entrepreneur who left behind wealth, status, and luxury to pursue a life of solitude, austerity, and spiritual realization in the Himalayas.

I loved this book as it’s contemporary ( we are around the same age! ) and in fact he worked on the same street in Sydney as I did, before he renounced everything. He has some great talks on YouTube, particularly about the power of mantra.

LINK TO BOOK

STILLNESS & MOVEMENT
SHIVA-SHAKTI ASHTANGA YOGA & MEDITATION RETREAT
RISHIKESH OCTOBER 7 – 12, 2025

Join me for a 7-day/5-night yoga retreat, to India’s yoga heartland, Rishikesh. We’ll be staying at a boutique hotel nestled right on the banks of the Ganges river, surrounded by the serene Himalayan foothills. The retreat will include daily yoga, meditation and philosophy talks by the majestic Ganga, along with excursions to nearby temples and spiritual sites, expertly curated for the perfect balance of stillness and movement.

Retreat Highlights

  • Daily yoga, meditation & chanting
  • Daily talks and satsangs
  • Visits to nearby Shiva & Devi temples, ashrams and spiritual landmarks
  • VIP experience of the famous Ganga Aarti
  • Shopping and exploring in Laxman & Ram Jhula
  • Gentle hiking and time in nature

Package Includes

  • Five-nights’ accommodation in boutique hotel
  • All yoga classes
  • All meals
  • All day trips and entrance fees
  • Local expert guide
  • Airport transfers and transport in comfortable vehicles

*Airfares and visa costs are additional

Pricing
Sharing Room (two people ) – AED 6500 per person
Single Room – AED 8950

BookingsFor bookings email sophia@sugarcaneelephants.com. As this is a small boutique hotel spaces are limited. Bookings will close by September 15.

Thank you for reading! I welcome your feedback.
Please feel free to email me with any topics or suggestions for future newsletters.