This retreat was right on the mark – a perfect blend of focused inner work along with space for reflection in a trusting and comfortable setting. The teachers were wonderful, insightful, humorous, and extremely attentive to our individual needs for understanding. This unique experience cultivated a bond within the group and fostered an energy that amplified each lesson.

The teachings always speak directly to me. It is uncanny. It is like hearing a language that I spoke in some other life form and suddenly it rings a bell. And bell after bell. Like a universal language that we all used to speak but have forgotten. It is as if new pathways in the brain open up – directly from the cosmos via Qapel and Sensei.

Studying the hero’s journey with master Dharma teachers Qapel and Sensei, I discovered my own journey of transformation and the unknown. While walking on this path with the quest to awaken in this lifetime, I learned to bring the gift of wisdom and service to others. This retreat has impacted my artistic statements and performances since. It has allowed me to bring other artists and collaborators on this journey. It is a brilliant course both for artists and those who want to experience life as art.

The retreat provided me with the intensive experience of finding and maintaining energy in the central channel of my being. We worked on loosening and letting go of the pervasive thoughts that one may describe as our deep attachments and aversions. This work deepened my practice toward awakening. I have more tools and deeper experience toward that end. These are invaluable benefits.

These are ancient teachings that I feel are important to understand if someone is serious about meditation. I appreciate Qapel and Sensei’s unrelenting perseverance to teach about the roots and traditions of these life changing practices. They explore the rich history with us and also deliver the material in a very understandable and relevant way.

During this week in retreat, I have been recognizing how often I’m actually in bliss while at work! It’s so easy for me to burn up a lot of energy resisting work (not wanting to get up in the morning, not wanting to be there, etc) but then… if I’m actually there and present then I’m in the “zone” most of the time, which is bliss!