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3-DAY ENLIGHTENMENT INTENSIVE
Mastered by Shivam O'Brien, assisted by
Anthony Johnston.
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See calendar for event dates.
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 These Enlightenment Intensives
are aimed at breaking through to a profound
state of awareness often called
"enlightenment." There are many more
correct, traditional and poetic ways of
referring to this most precious and
essential understanding. This naturally
occurring state is read and talked about,
usually, as if it lives at the end of a
mystical rainbow and will never happen.
That is a shame - it is the key to life and
happiness and can be experienced by anyone
who takes two to three days to look deeply
within, earnestly and honestly, with
complete attention. You need skilfull
support to do this. Going it alone is life
wastingly slow.
On Enlightenment Intensives "ordinary"
people achieve the most profound states of
consciousness. These states are not the
property of monks or saints or robed lamas
or holy men of the east or west. They are
completely natural - but easily lost to
view - unless you are deeply questioning,
observing and open. You will be
carefully guided in a simple technique of
enquiry that produces astonishing and deeply
satisfying life changing results in
days.
These ecstatic, primordial experiences go
to the core of life's deepest issues.
Authentic prescence satisfies - totally -
where nothing else does. These experiencs
are life itself - without them there is
always some sense of failure, no matter how
much money, praise, fame or love you
receive.
A few words on the process:
Shivam O'Brien follows the same techniques and format which were developed by Charles Berner in the 1960s. The Enlightnment Intensive provides a supportive framework within which participants are able to put all other concerns aside and focus deeply on their contemplation. The days start early and end late. The majority of the day is taken up with dyad exercises and interspersed with silent walks, lectures, rest, work and exercise periods. The participants are expected to contemplate through all the activities to aid in the process.
The Enlightenment Intensive requires participants to work on one specific question throughout the retreat. Those who are taking an Enlightenment Intensive for the first time work on "Who am I?" More experienced participants can choose from "Who am I?", "What am I?", "What is Life?" or "What is Another?" Using one of these questions as a focus for the whole three days, participants are taught a simple yet powerful contemplation technique designed to increase their chances of having a breakthrough shift of consciousness.
Enlightenment Intensives make use of partnered communication exercises called "dyads". Dyads introduce open communication and contact with others into the traditionally silent process of deep inner contemplation. Dyads are 40 minute structured exercises between participants working in pairs. During a dyad exercise, one person contemplates their question and then communicates to their partner what has arisen for them whilst the other person silently listens. The roles swap round every five minutes until the exercise ends, giving each person equal time in the two roles. Dyad communication exercises are seen to have speeded up the contemplation process and contributed to people having enlightenment experiences on Intensives.
There are also basic ground rules, which are designed to minimise any distractions from contemplating. The rules include no smoking, alcohol, cafeine or any other drugs, no sex and no gossiping. Food on the intensives is simple and vegetarian.
"Sceptical of the proclaimed results,
I packed my bags with an open mind
heading for the country manor in deepest
Wales. What followed a thoroughly warm
recption was 3 days of the most advanced
personal development I have EVER
attended. Having been involved with the
enlightenment path and personal
development for over 20 years, the 3 day
claim seemed beyond belief. Well let me
tell you this course delivers."
Nick Lewis,NLP trainer provider
Practical Information:
The venues are beautiful, secluded and
ideally suited to this form of retreat, and
consist of:
- A 15th century Welsh farmhouse, which
is one of our regular UK venues. Ideally placed
in secluded countryside and cosy in all
seasons.
- Summer Intensives in the UK are
accommodated in palatial
Mongolian Gers pitched at our mountain retreat. If
you do not like camping (even in luxury!)
book into one of our Intensives at the
farm house.
- In January 2010, we held an Enlightenment Intensive at the holy mountain of Arunachala in India!
These intensives usually start on the evening of the
first day shown on the schedule. You
should aim to get there by 7:30 pm.
There is a welcoming meal and tea. The
Intensive will formally start at
9.30 pm
Intensives finish at 10:30 pm on the last
day shown. We recommend that you do not
rush off but take up our welcome to
stay the night and leave slowly after
breakfast the following day. There is a
short talk on the Monday morning.
Finish by 10:30 am. If possible do not
schedule too busy a time immediately
afterwards – there is a delicious
period of profound reflection to
enjoy.
Shivam O'Brien and Anthony Johnston
have both worked with this and related
techniques and brought them together
into their own lives, teaching and
working with them for over twenty years.
Shivam is one of the most experienced
masters of this format, who trained
with Jake Chapman in 1988 after
completing many long intensives.
It is truth that sets you free, not
your effort to be free..." -
Krishnamurti
For more information on Enligtenment Intensives please
visit Shivam's Authentic Self website.
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