Our Philosophy
What Sets Gypsy Atman Apart?
Authenticity
Athithi devo bhava
- Guest is God.
Our founder Riri Patel has traveled to India countless times throughout her life and has a deep connection to the country. Her goal with Gypsy Ātman is to give her guests a true Indian experience so they can fully enjoy what this amazing country has to offer. We are not just a tour or travel agency; we’ll personally be on each trip with you, guiding the journey, and ensuring quality service.
Connection
Vasudaiva Kutumbakam
- The world is my family.
We want you to come with an open heart and leave with your soul filled with peace and bliss, by building bridges and connections with yourself and the people around you. The world is a big place, but we all share common truths, values, and experiences. We believe that traveling to new places can also help you travel within yourself.
Karma Yoga & Community
Karmanye Vadhikaraste, Ma phaleshou kada chana, Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurmatey Sangostva Akarmani
- You have the right to perform your actions, but you are not entitled to the fruits of the actions. Do not let the fruit be the purpose of your actions, and therefore you wont be attached to not doing your duty. – Bhagwat Gita
We believe in practicing the principle of Karma Yoga and becoming positive agents of change. We partner with local communities in the regions we travel to ensure that they are compensated fairly for their time, hospitality, and generosity. Traveling with us means fully immersing yourself in the culture of India, exploring the unexplored regions, and making connections with the people from this unique region of the world.
Wellness
Lokah samastah sukhino bhavatu
- May all beings everywhere be happy and free, and may the thoughts, words, and actions of my own life contribute in some way to that happiness and to that freedom for all.
We believe in promoting positive good health of all kinds: mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical, because only when we are well can we contribute to the wellbeing of the world. We believe that balance is key, so we have designed our retreats to focus holistically on all forms of wellness, from taking care of your mind and spirit with yoga and guided meditation, to nourishing your body with freshly grown, locally sourced food. You’ll learn simple, self-healing techniques to take with you beyond your journey and into your day-to-day life.
Sustainability
Prakruteh kriyanamani gunaih karmani sarvasah Ahamkara vimudhatma kartham iti manyate
- The bewildered spirit soul, under the influence of the three modes of material nature, thinks himself to be the doer of activities, which are in actuality carried out by nature.
We are not the owners of nature, but a part of it. We need to learn how to respect all that it offers to us. We exist because of nature. Sustainable living and helping to preserve the natural beauty of India is paramount to Gypsy Ātman. We kept this pillar top-of-mind when designing our retreats, and we focus on being as eco-friendly as possible and creating sustainable social change through our community partnerships. Our idea is to leave behind a minimal footprint by leaving the place as we found it, if not better.
