To get started, you will need:
- A Gyan Chaupar game board or poster
- A single six sided dice (or equivalent)
- A small object to represent each player in the game
- A comfortable space to play
- If playing with others, a group with whom you feel psychologically safe
See the FAQ’s at the end of this page if you don’t have a dice or player pieces.
How do you play Gyan Chaupar?
The first thing to note about Gyan Chaupar is that there are no rules!
Therefore, all instructions are simply guidelines or recommendations to help you get the most out of the game, but you are free to be as creative as you like in adapting the game to your needs.
Quick start instructions
- Place a player piece in the Mandala of Unity at the top. Then roll a 3 or 6 to move through the portal to birth your journey.
- Each turn, roll once to move forward. Reflect and share how each position relates to you and your life. If you need help, try our online prompt collection.
- Climb up ladders and slide down snakes, taking two turns to reflect on both the start and end positions.
- If you roll a 6 on any chakra, it unlocks to move you directly upward to the next chakra.
- To complete your journey, roll the exact number needed to arrive at Enlightenment (moving back any excess spaces).
- Try not to hurry. You have all the time you need.
Other modes of play
Single player mode
Gyan Chaupar can be played individually and provides an excellent structure for personal meditation as you allow the wisdom of the dice to guide you to aspects of life that need your attention and self-enquiry.
You could journal your reflections on each turn and come back to it daily, weekly, or whenever works for you.
Infinite play mode
Gyan Chaupar doesn’t have to be a competition. After all, can you really win the game of life?
In that spirit, you can embrace the “Infinite Play Mode” in which the game does not end when you reach Enlightenment, but in fact continues through the cycle of reincarnation back into the next life. In doing so, the first player to reach Enlightenment would rejoin other players on the board as they begin their next journey through life.
This can also be used to invite new players into the game without existing players needing to start at the beginning again. Try it out and see how it works for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do I win Gyan Chaupar?
The layout of Gyan Chaupar is similar to typical ‘race games’ in which you have to get to the finish line first, but Gyan Chaupar is not like other board games. You can absolutely play to win if you want to, but once you start playing you will quickly find that like life itself, the value is in the journey. If you find yourself trying to race to the finish line in a hurry, you may want to reflect on why this.
How long does a game take to play?
A game of Gyan Chaupar can take as long as you like but it is best to allow time to relax into it.
If you’re playing as a group, it’s best to allow at least one to two hours to play. It’s unlikely that any player will reach Enlightenment in a single sitting, so we recommend making a note or taking a photo of your player positions so that next time you play, you can begin from where you left off.
If you’re using it as a meditation tool then you can simply play a single turn and spend a few minutes reflecting on it.
Can I skip a turn?
Of course. If for any reason you feel unable or uncomfortable to talk on your turn, you can simply pass and await your next turn.
What should I say on my turn?
Each turn in the game, you are encouraged to share your own reflections on what your position on the board means to you and how it might relate to your life.
Share as much as you feel comfortable with, but don’t feel pressured to share anything that you don’t want to. You should judge what is right for you and trust your own gut regarding how vulnerable you want to be.
If you are unsure what a concept in the game means or you need some direction on how to think about it, check out our collection of online player prompts.
What if I don’t have a dice?
If you don’t have a six sided dice to hand, you can go old school and use six coins even six seashells as they did in ancient India. If you don’t have either of those, get creative and find any six items that you could use, such as bits of paper marked on one side, bottle caps or if you are playing in a cafe, ketchup or sugar sachets. Simply throw the six items in the air and use the number that land the right way up as your dice roll number.
What should I use as my player piece?
We don’t supply Gyan Chaupar with the typical plastic player pieces that you get with most board games. Instead, we encourage you to choose a small object that represents you. This makes it more personal and helps you feel more invested in the journey of life that you make through the game.
Any small object can do although it’s best if it fits comfortably within the game board squares and doesn’t roll around too much. Typical examples include stones or crystals, buttons, coins, seeds, shells, and jewellery but be creative and see what you can find that feels special to you.
What if I don’t manage to roll a 3 or 6 to enter the game?
Our standard instructions state that you start in the Mandala of Unity and must roll a 3 or 6 to birth your journey in the game. Occasionally a player finds that despite all odds, they fail to roll a 3 or a 6 for an extended number of turns.
In such cases, you face a choice as to whether you ask your fellow players to make an exception for you, or you accept the fate of the dice and wait. Our recommendation is to use your time in unity to contemplate why you might still be there and how it makes you feel.
Can I invent my own rules?
Absolutely. The game exists to help you on your journey through life and you should feel empowered to adapt it in whatever way works best for you. If you develop new ways to play that you think might be of service to other people, please do drop us an email to connect@gyanchaupar.co.uk to let us know.