A Reading Retreat
“A room without books is like a body without a soul.”
― Marcus Tullius Cicero
This is a unique online retreat with Nithya Shanti where he shares the books that have most impacted his life. It's a spacious, relaxed and "read-elicious" experience.
Here you will find over eight hours of stories, book readings, micro-meditations, contemplative inquiries and reflections. With each book, Nithya will also share background context, anecdotes, and important insights gained.
You'll also receive a downloadable PDF with a comprehensive list of Nithya's most cherished books. These books span a variety of themes, genres and topics such as conscious living, spirituality, psychology, philosophy, leadership, relationships, abundance, communication, story-telling, poetry, power of intention and more.
Additionally there is also an option to join a WhatsApp Group called "Book Readers Club" where Nithya and others in the community share what they are currently reading and their insights from it. We may also read certain books together.
So get cosy, get a nice notebook and pen, fix your favorite beverage and get ready for this retreat and all the joy of reading tothat will follow!
Curriculum
- Day 1: On the liberation of defeat
- Day 2: On actually doing the thing
- Day 3: On paying the price
- Day 4: On the power of a 'done list'
- Day 5: On the art of reading and not reading
- Day 6: On staying sane when the world is a mess
- Day 7: On crossing bridges when you come to them
- Day 8: On choosing a path through the woods
- Day 9: On the magic of completion
- Day 10: On what reality wants
- Day 11: On befriending what you fear
- Day 12: On doing things 'dailyish'
- Day 13: On finding focus in the chaos
- Day 14: On never reaching the trouble-free phase
- Day 15: On the false allure of effort
- Day 16: On not being your own worst enemy
- Day 17: On the futility of 'becoming a better person'
- Day 18: On minding your own business
- Day 19: On the upsides of unpredictability
- Day 20: On firing your inner quality controller
- Day 21: On the importance of staying distractable
- Day 22: On entering time and space completely
- Day 23: On paying yourself first
- Day 24: On finding connection in the flaws
- Day 25: On letting the moments pass
- Day 26: On the solace of doubt
- Day 27: On giving it a shot
- Day 28: On finding your way
- Epilogue
Experiences of those who attended...
Thank you Nithya for the insightful retreat. The books shared, rich in spiritual wisdom, were both inspiring and transformative. I’m grateful for the opportunity to reflect and grow in such a peaceful space. Looking forward to more!
-Payal
The Jolly bookworm session felt like a relaxed day at the park or sitting by a cozy fireside, with books all around me, yet no pressure to finish all of them. Thank you for helping us savour every moment of all the books you read. It felt like rotating a spinning wheel and getting lucky with every spin! We got short glimpses into some lovely books, just enough to make us want to read it sometime in the future. I feel so grateful to have come in touch with you. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
-DR
The Jolly Bookworm Retreat carried a mystical, magical quality. Although the various books presented had different themes, one of which was poetry - which I am not naturally drawn to, it had a profound impact on me. The interesting part was that despite being so different all the themes connected deeply to our shared human experience. I'm deeply grateful to Nithya for going a miles deep in his quest and sharing these books and teachings with us.Thank you
-PB
The Jolly bookworm online retreat was very enjoyable. It was like speed dating with books. I got to know enough to decide which books I want to read fully and which books I would like to watch videos on or refer to their summaries. The way Nithya facilitated the retreat led to real learnings and reflection, and not just accumulating knowledge.
-Ananta
Thank you Nithya for this unique day-long workshop! It was a Sunday well spent on acquiring the essence of these books! The sequence of reading fitted into what I needed to hear!
Your explanations made it easier for me to internalise the learning - some books have piqued my interest and I intend to go back to read them in depth!
-LR
I wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for sharing your treasure of knowledge with us. Didn't even realise how the day flew by. Your introduction to various books, paired with reflection, provided me with valuable insights. The final part of the retreat went very deep for me, and the sharing by everyone was truly enriching.
-SP
With a heart full of gratitude and a soul wrapped in bliss, I extend my deepest appreciation for the Jolly Bookworm Reading Retreat. The experience was more than just reading—it was a meditative immersion into the world of words, a space where stories and souls intertwined effortlessly. Your guidance with soulful reading with the right tone and the timely pause created an atmosphere of presence, joy, and mindfulness, allowing us to not only explore books but also reflect, connect, and transcend beyond the pages. The warmth of the session lingered long after it ended, reminding me that true wisdom is not just in what we read but in how we absorb, share, and live the words. Thank you for curating such a soul-nourishing experience, where the mind expands, the heart opens, and the spirit feels at home. With gratitude and light,
-Ram
Thank you dear Nithya for this beautiful opportunity. It was a wonderful day. Lots to reflect on and you are such a wonderful catalyst. Arigato.
-SK
Jolly bookworm was a great experience. I thought it should continue for many days. I felt like I am in a company of so many wise people. I felt so much burden lift from my head 😕. It didn't feel like the books are putting some thoughts in my mind, rather I felt like some of my wrong ways of thinking were being taken out... dismantled from the root...it felt so light.... so good.
-Dr Suwarna Tambade