An Enlightenment Residential
Greg Branson and Trevor Iszatt
Evening of Thursday, May 17 to evening of Sunday, May 20, 2001
The ocean has only one taste, the taste of salt.
Truth has only one taste, the taste of liberation.
- Buddha
The Direct Experience of Truth
In times of crisis or loss we may feel a deep desire to know the absolute
truth of who we really are and why we are here. Mystics, saints and sages
of all cultures have devoted their lives to seeking such truths. And many
have found that we can all realize the ultimate truth itself - not through
any process of thinking, feeling or perceiving, but by experiencing the
surrender to an absolute state of consciousness known as ENLIGHTENMENT.
It is the awareness of reality as it truly is.
While few attain a permanent state of enlightenment, anyone can experience
that asame state for a timeless moment. And with each direct expeience,
we come to accept more and more Truth. This arises out of the simplicity
of that moment, and resonates into the dark corners of our being.
Enlightenment Residentials
Enlightenment Residentials are 3-day events with the sole aim to provide
every participant with a real opportunity to have a direct experience of
Truth. By combining inner contemplation on a basic question such as "Who
am I?" with truthful presentation to a partner we can greatly accelerate
the process of inner discovery. There is no religious doctrine, and no
ideas are given directly as to what the Truth is; the point is to find
out purely for oneself through one's own inner experience.
The result is remarkably successful: on average, around a third of participants
have a direct experience, and most benefit from the enormous amount of
self-awareness and insight that the process provides. This powerful synthesis
of East and West, ancient and modern, has worked for thousands of people.
Many describe the direct experience as evoking joy, fulfillment, peace,
deep satisfaction, quiet certainty and love. At the same time, the result
is always unique to the individual. And no matter what it took to get there,
they all say: "It was worth it."
The Technique
The technique used primarily involves moving towards the core of one's
being while contemplating a question. After "Who am I?" you can work on
questions that extend to experiencing the truth of what appears to be outside
or separate to yourself such as "What is life?" and "What is another?"
or perhaps a question such as "What is love?" may be appropriate.
Questions such as "What is man?" or "What is woman?" or "What is God?"
take one deeper into a reality that does not allow separation. The ways
that we 'take sides' in this duality are revealed so that we can live from
a perspective of wholeness.
By sincerely contemplating your own question and communicating honestly
to your partner whatever comes up as a result, without having to fear any
consequences, you are able to move through the mind without getting lost
in particular thoughts, feelings or memories. This is central to the power
of the technique.
It takes two to speak the truth - one to speak and another to hear.
- Thoreau
Structure
The structure of an Enlightenment Residential is similar to a zen retreat.
Apart from communicating in the dyads, all participants contemplate their
question in virtual silence throughout the 3-day schedule. There are also
physical exercise and rest periods and, most important, six deepening sessions
where you are encouraged to leap into the unknown. In addition, all participants
are required to follow a set of rules. These include no alcohol, caffeine,
smoking or drugs; no make-up, no shaving, no jewelry or watches; no reading,
writing or other distractions; and no unnecessary talking. To help maintain
the high level of safety in the group, no-one may involve or refer to annoy
other participant in any way, either positively or negatively, when communicating.
The sole purpose of the schedule and rules is to help all participants
become fully immersed in the process of contemplation and seeking Truth,
with the minimum of distraction and interference.
The Process
Although this technique is much faster than other methods, you must go
through all the layers of resistance that stand in the way of pure truth.
It is a short cut only in so far as you don't stop to deal with the life
implications of your discoveries. Unlike psychoanalysis which unravels
the ball of your resistances, here you bore a hole through them stopping
only to present to your partner what you have found. Once you have liberated
the truth you can dissolve the ego barriers to living that truth from the
inside. A much more productive process.
Typical barriers include fear of failure or of being wrong, feeling
unworthy, maintaining an image, and holding onto beliefs or preconceived
ideas. You could go through any variety of physical, emotional and mental
states; fear, frustration, boredom, anger, laughter, tiredness, and love.
There can be profound insights, intense energy and incredible honesty.
But at some point there may be real resistance to going further. Whatever
you come up against is what stands between you and the Truth - and only
you can go through whatever barriers arise for you. However, persistence
with the technique and a willingness to go through any internal resistance
keeps you moving forward. Trust and openness develop through real contact
and seeing that others are just like you. You are encouraged and guided
and sometimes gently challenged by the facilitators, yet at the point of
Enlightenment only you can take the step. Your sincere willingness to experience
the Truth, plus the remarkable openness and contact that build up within
the group over the 3 days, go to create the circumstances for direct experiences
to occur.
Having a direct experience doesn't in itself solve your problems. It
shows you how things actually are, and knowing this can be the decisive
factor in your life enabling you to live from your Self, from truth, rather
from other's ideas, opinions and judgments.
You will only reveal what you are willing to face and will only experience
the truth that you are ready to take responsibility for your life. The
release of that power and purpose tat is at the source of life has kept
many people with life-threatening illness ahead of th game. It has led
many people into new avenues of life, new relationships, and new hope.
Taken at a turning point in one's life it can bring everything into focus,
and out of the stillness that this allows all things to become possible.
Support
The Enlightenment Residential is run by two experienced spiritual travelers
who teach the technique and who have the knowledge and skills to provide
all participants with the necessary guidance and support. They are assisted
by an experienced and enlightened staff who take care of the environment
and look after the participants' physical needs. Doing an enlightenment
residential can profoundly affect your personal and spiritual growth. It
may not gratify your ego, but it will give you exactly what you need at
this time to take you the next step along your pathway. It deals with essentials
not the transient flux of daily living. It deals with qualities, not image.
It responds to needs, not desires, and reveals hidden abilities. Whatever
you go through, you will be supported every step of the way. All the staff
are there to serve you in your endeavour to directly experience Truth,
and afterwards will be there to help you bring this into your life.
Experience who you are.
The vast majority of people go through life without directly experiencing
who they are. We relate to ourselves and the world via our senses. We think,
we reason, we feel but we do not know. This three-day process gives the
participants the best possible chance to attain enlightenment. It is rigorous;
it requires 100% effort for 17 hours each day.
"It took me from being unsure about tomorrow to being able to create
tomorrow..." - Richard, Spring 1996
Your truth.
It does not require any belief structure, indeed preconceived ideas are
a barrier to enlightenment. All you have to do is be willing to open up
to the truth, to experience yourself without all the mental and emotional
baggage that you usually carry around with you. The experience is clear
and powerful. It is a journey well worth taking.
"It was a sensation in my body, a clarity in the mind, and an energy
in my spirit...it manifests itself in my whole life and continues." Charmain,
Fall 1997
Let go.
Greg Branson is founder and director of the Helios Centre for Illumined
Living and the London Healing Circle for people with HIV. He has facilitated
over 60 Enlightenment Residentials.
With co-facilitator Trevor Iszatt, an experienced healer, group leader
and masseur at London's Helios, the Enlightenment Residential takes place
five times a year in London and twice a year in the United States. It is
a powerful breakthrough experience for those on a creative-spiritual journey,
as well as a potent spiritual remedy for those challenged with HIV and
other life-diminishing illnesses.
"I am." Keith, Spring 1997
Take the Step
You can register for this workshop online,
or contact Rowe Camp & Conference Center by phone at 413-339-4954 or
email at retreat@rowecenter.org.
The residential lasts a day-and-a-half longer than a normal Rowe program
and costs an additional $120. It is a journey well worth taking and the
experienced workshop leaders will support you fully as you plumb the depths
on your path of inner discovery.
"The enlightenment helped me go deeper as a choreographer/teacher
and as a care-giver. But better yet, I found my voice singing out from
a depth I had never experienced before." Laura, Spring 1997