The Beatles’ trip to India in 1968 was meant to be a spiritual journey, but it didn’t go as smoothly as planned. The group joined Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s ashram to delve into Transcendental Meditation, but their time there revealed growing tensions among the band members. For Paul McCartney and George Harrison, it was a chance to connect with the teachings, though they approached the experience in strikingly different ways.
While Paul channeled his time into songwriting, George immersed himself in the spiritual practices. This contrast in focus sparked frustration between the two. George, deeply invested in the meditative retreat, became annoyed with Paul for treating the experience as a creative outlet rather than a spiritual journey.
Their disagreement was a glimpse into the growing divide within the band. What was meant to be a peaceful retreat highlighted the clashing priorities of two iconic members of The Beatles.
Clashing Priorities at the Ashram
The peaceful surroundings of the ashram were perfect for songwriting, but not for George. He felt the trip was about self-reflection, not crafting the next Beatles album. Frustrated, George reminded Paul they weren’t there to work on music.
For Paul, songwriting was as natural as breathing, and stopping wasn’t an option. During their stay, The Beatles wrote an impressive 48 songs, many of which shaped The White Album later that year. This productivity showcased Paul’s unwavering dedication to music.
Photographer Paul Saltzman, who was also at the retreat, described the ashram as a serene escape. It offered meditation, vegetarian meals, and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Yet, even in such a tranquil setting, creative and personal tensions couldn’t be avoided.
A Creative Capsule of Time
The ashram retreat offered The Beatles a rare escape from the chaos of fame. Without fans, press, or packed schedules, they found an unmatched period of freedom. In this calm environment, their creativity flourished, leading to some of their most iconic work.
Songwriting came naturally for Paul, who was rarely seen without his guitar. Donovan, who attended the retreat, later wrote how Paul encouraged others to contribute as well. The results were remarkable, influencing The White Album and Donovan’s The Hurdy Gurdy Man.
For George, though, the retreat wasn’t about music. Unlike Paul, George used the time for spiritual growth, reflecting his deeper focus on the purpose of the ashram experience.
Tension Over Songwriting
During their time in India, McCartney revealed that Harrison scolded him for focusing too much on songwriting. The two had different ideas about how to spend their retreat at the ashram.
Unlike George, Paul wasn’t deeply invested in meditation. Finding it unappealing, he decided to use the time creatively, crafting several songs. For Paul, it felt wasteful to let the trip pass without doing something productive.
George, however, didn’t see it that way. As Paul later shared in Barry Miles’ Many Years From Now, George grew irritated with his songwriting. For George, the retreat was about spiritual growth, not preparing material for the next Beatles album.
“We’re Here to Meditate!”
Harrison felt McCartney was missing the point of their time in India. While the retreat at Maharishi’s ashram was meant for meditation, Paul spent much of his time focused on writing music for the new Beatles album.
Paul later recalled how George got frustrated with him for this. “We’re not here to do the next album, we’re here to meditate!” George told him. For Paul, this felt like an overreaction, as he was simply doing what came naturally—creating music.
Paul didn’t appreciate George’s strict approach. He believed he was entitled to his own perspective, even if it didn’t align with George’s more focused view on the retreat. It was just another example of the growing tensions within the band.