About Sameeksha

Sameeksha is an initiative of the Kerala Province of the Jesuit Society. Jesuit Society – Society of Jesus, SJ – is an international Religious Order within the Catholic Church. One of the basic orientations of the services of the Jesuit Society is the promotion of a culture of inter-religious harmony. With this orientation the Jesuits of Kerala started Sameeksha in 1987.

Sameeksha is conceived in the life-form of the traditional ashram set up of India. As an ashram it welcomes spiritual seekers of all religions and cultures, from any part of the world, and offers an atmosphere suitable for retreat, study and life orientation. The accommodation facilities are simple, clean and very close to nature. Food is strictly vegetarian of the Kerala cuisine. Sameeksha is situated on the banks of the Poorna River which has clean water throughout the year.

There is a small Jesuit community with eight members at Sameeksha. Guests and retreatants can be accommodated in 30 single rooms, some of which could be turned to double-bed rooms. The Library with over 40.000 volumes has a good collection of books on spirituality and World Religions. The inter-faith Meditation Hall embodies the openness of Sameeksha to seekers of different religions and cultures. There is a Labyrinth that symbolizes the life-journey and facilitates walking-meditation.