The Road to Paradise

Queensland couple Mara Staffieri and Janardhan McIntosh are living in paradise, doing what they love and enriching people’s lives. Like with all big dreams, it started by having the courage to try something new, knowing that in life there are no mistakes, only opportunities.

WORDS by sara lettieri (2018)   |   IMAGES BY Dean jewels, Damon Wilder & Mara Staffieri 

For 29-year-old Mara Staffieri, life in Melbourne Australia was ticking along nicely. She was living in the hip, inner city suburb of Fitzroy, teaching yoga and managing local Brunswick Street hotspot, the Black Cat Café. Life was good but Mara felt something stirring inside - she was ready for a big change.

Three thousand kilometres away in Queensland’s far north, Janardhan McIntosh had moved to Cape Tribulation in pursuit of a warmer climate and to help his mother renovate her dream home. During his visit he fell in love with the rainforest and when his mother decided to move back to New Zealand, he seized the opportunity to stay and care-take the property.

A spiritual seeker whose life experiences led him to greater self-awareness, Janardhan had a vision.

Looking around, he realised the one-hectare property he was living on – set between the world heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest – was the perfect place for it.

When Mara and Janardhan crossed paths in Melbourne at a communal retreat known as a rainbow gathering, they connected over shared interests and it wasn’t long before Mara made her way north to spend more time with Janardhan.

By the time of Mara’s visit, Janardhan’s place had become a well-etched stop on the Australian hippie trail. With renovations still a work in progress, travellers from near and far set up their swag on the upper deck surrounding a temple that Janardhan had built. The festive and laid back vibe made for the perfect setting to capture Mara’s heart.

Enticed by the prospect of an exciting new lifestyle, Mara returned to Melbourne with a choice to make. She knew the only way she would continue seeing Janardhan was through a committed relationship, but that meant moving her life to Cape Tribulation. Was this the big change she was looking for?

“In the past I would never have considered leaving my great life in Melbourne for a man, but I was really at a point of moving forward. So I had to let go of my past and what I knew, and just make a choice,” reflects Mara. 

That choice was more than 20 years ago and it turns out it was a good one. Today Mara and Janardhan are happily married and own the Cape Tribulation property, now known as Prema Shanti. Each week the couple host up to 10 guests at their eco-friendly retreat and personally run daily meditation and yoga classes in the property’s purpose-built temple. Having both experienced firsthand the transformational power of yoga and meditation, Mara and Janardhan are passionate about sharing their experiences and expertise with their guests.

Prema Shanti – prema meaning divine love and shanti meaning peace – was officially opened to the public by His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Gyuto Monks in a blessing ceremony in 1997. On getting the retreat centre up and running, Janardhan says, “It required a lot of thinking outside the box and a willingness to do whatever it took to make it happen.”

The property has certainly evolved from its humble drop-in centre days, with a number of boutique, outdoor-facing rooms built underneath the temple; and quiet little nooks set up around the place, with relaxation at the heart. In their spare time, Prema Shanti guests can stretch out in a hammock, quieten their mind on the meditation rock, or curl up with a book in the hanging pod chair.

Mara says they also encourage guests to explore everything the Daintree has to offer, adding that it isn’t hard to see why she and Janardhan fell in love with the area.

"We’re surrounded by some of the most stunning beaches in Australia and amazing freshwater swimming lagoons. We also have the world’s oldest tropical rainforest at our doorstep, brimming with native Australian wildlife and scenic walking tracks."

When describing the type of people who typically come to stay at Prema Shanti, Janardhan reveals they see a complete cross section of society.

“We have tried to create an environment that allows people to change and grow through self-enquiry, and the surrounding rainforest supports that. Returning to nature and simplicity helps create clarity and we often see a big transformation in people by the time they leave Prema Shanti.”

For Mara and Janardhan creating this environment, particularly always living with guests in their home, has meant leading by example.

“It’s about demonstrating integrity in everything we do; being determined and committed without being attached to an outcome,” Janardhan explains. “Things always work out if you let go and trust the process, knowing that whatever happens you have done your best, and accepting that your plan isn’t always the divine plan.”

Looking back on how their plan has unfolded, Mara admits there were challenges.

“But I never considered going home; it was such a powerful, transforming and challenging time for me. I went from a totally indulgent life that was all about me to suddenly sharing my life 24/7 with Janardhan, running the business in its embryonic stages and always dealing with guests in our home.

“Every day, all day long, was like peeling back the onion skins, stripping the ego and truly being challenged. I had to put all my yogic principals into play; I had to walk my talk. The first year was a powerful learning time of personal growth for both of us.”

Janardhan agrees, adding: “It was a big adjustment for me too, opening not only my life and my home, but also my heart. 

With all that now but a distant memory, Janardhan knows that he and his wife have created something special.

“We know we are living the dream, and are thankful for all the blessings every day. The dream feels so normal to us - this is what we do and who we are; we are doing what we were destined to do. If we can make a difference and help others, what more could we want? There is no greater reward; it’s a privilege and blessing.”

Pearls of wisdom from Mara & Janardhan

on taking a risk

"Don’t let fear stop you - follow your heart. That doesn’t mean have your head in the clouds with some romantic notion, instead be prepared to give up lots of things in your life to make room for your dreams. There will be challenges along the way to the sweet nectar. Base your choices on considered judgments not whimsical choices, once your decision is made, don’t let doubt enter and weaken your will, go for it."

On creating a lasting relationship

"You need: mutual respect, creating goals together, communication, starting the day with love, filling the day with love, ending the day with love, individually taking 100% responsibility for the relationship, and above all never getting complacent. It takes a huge commitment, it just doesn’t happen on its own which many people forget after a while, thinking the relationship will take care of itself while they lead their life."

On navigating through a busy life

"Life is not busy or hectic, it just is. It’s your mind that creates the havoc that you experience in modern day living. Your mind is so busy, full of its own self-importance, never present, always racing to the future, which never happens, or reliving the past, which is gone. In the present moment you have all the time you need to deal with all the challenges that come your way. Your breath is the tool you use to control the mind. Learn to breathe deeply always; automatically you will relax the body and calm the mind."

On being spiritual while still earning a living

"Do not confuse what you do with who you are. When you operate in your integrity in every aspect of life, then there is never a conflict of interest between what you do for a living and who you are as a person. Being on a spiritual path means total integrity in your words, thoughts and actions – when all three are in harmony, there are no conflicts."