Presents

Enlightenment Intensives

"The miracle is not that someone achieves enlightenment, the miracle is that someone begins. That someone with all his fears, all his distortions, all his madnesses, all his blindnesses begins. When a Buddha achieves, when a Christ achieves, it is not a miracle. They are capable. But when someone with all his incapabilities takes the first step, begins the journey, it is the greatest miracle possible." Osho

What is Enlightenment?

In our 'normal' states of consciousness we experience the world through our senses. Our minds then interpret these perceptions to make meaning. On the basis of these conclusions, we make decisions about ourselves, others and life. As a result, we experience and live our lives indirectly through our senses, our thoughts and our feelings. There is always a process separating us from our experience.

In the enlightened state of consciousness there is no process by which one is aware - one is in direct union with the Truth of what is. Enlightenment is simply recognizing your actual Self and the true relationship between yourself, others and life.

Enlightenment only begins, it never ends.

Why seek Enlightenment?

Most people are born, they live and they die without consciously experiencing the Truth of themselves, other people or life. They have come to believe certain ideas about themselves, for example, that are false, or only partly true and they carry these beliefs their whole lives. They do not know these ideas are not them; that the ideas are only a shadow. So they live a shadow life which can never be fulfilled. As a result, many people have the sense that their everyday life is superficial; that their real life remains, for the most part, untouched. Perhaps you are one of these individuals.

Even the beliefs people have about themselves that are true, are not particularly useful and have little impact in their lives unless the truth is experienced by the person directly. Truth can only be known through your own experience-you cannot borrow it. A person who wants the Truth is ready to drop falseness, drop borrowed knowledge and go into their own wisdom, their own understanding. This is the first step toward enlightenment.

An enlightenment experience has enormous potential for transforming an individual and their life because they are eternal and independent of time. The potential to apply it in your life is always there. Indirect experiences, be they powerful, ecstatic or profound do not last, since they depend either upon a particular state of feeling, on some set of beliefs or on a context of some sort. In contrast, a direct experience can never be lost since it is a moment of direct consciousness; it does not depend upon any feeling, thought or context.

Once you have directly experienced who you are then you have the ability to act from who you actually are without confusing it with who you think you are, who you think you should be or who others would like you to be. Doing anything, or nothing, can be a source of great joy if it is you, the real you, who is doing it.

There is no doubt associated with a direct experience of the Truth, because in that state there is no separation between the Truth and the self. For many people, knowing for certain who they are, for example, brings a deep sense of relief and peace. It is not uncommon for people to recognize that this is what they have always wanted, yet they did not realize it until they experienced it. Other people are surprised at the obviousness of it all and are either amazed or laugh heartily at the cosmic joke involved. Some people experience feelings of bliss or a release of joy and energy that had been held back for years. Exactly what is experienced and how it affects the individual concerned is unique to each person. Nevertheless there is a strong theme running through many reports of direct experiences-contentment, deep satisfaction, peace, fulfillment, quiet certainty and love. And they all say "it was worth it" - no matter what it took, it was worth it.

What is required for Enlightenment?

Enlightenment requires the seemingly contradictory combinations of discipline and openness; of commitment and surrender; of 'doing' and 'not doing'. Enlightenment and the process of becoming enlightened cannot be easily understood by the mind, it must be experienced. Still, many attempts have been made to describe how one becomes enlightened. Here is one of them:

"Enlightenment has been likened to an accident. It happens only to those who (are willing to do) much for it, but it never happens because of their doing-and it never happens without their doing. All your efforts will just create an accident-proneness, an invitation, that is all. Be ready for the accident, for the unknown-ready, waiting, receptive. Without the invitation the guest will never come. Be authentic in your search; do everything for it. It is the thirst to know the original behind the reflection that makes you worthy of the ultimate accident." Osho

What can a person 'do' to invite enlightenment?

Many traditions have evolved over the history of humankind to assist people to reach a state of enlightenment. Most of them require a lifetime commitment by the seeker or disciple involving the sacrifice of physical, mental and emotional comforts and attachments and a complete withdrawal from personal relationships and society. In these traditions, much of the search for enlightenment takes place under severe conditions and in isolation from other people.

As an alternative, an Enlightenment Intensive incorporates some aspects of traditional Zen enlightenment practice with the immediate and constant support of other people who are also interested in direct experiences of the Truth. This powerful combination has the effect of speeding up the process of enlightenment. It also allows individuals to experience union with the Truth without a total purification of the self (which can take a very long time) and without an absolute renunciation of the world (which is not very appealing to most people).

The EI format was conceived and developed by a man named Charles Berner in 1968. Since that time thousands of people have had direct experiences while participating in Enlightenment Intensives.

The Enlightenment Intensive Technique

Contemplation
As with traditional Zen practice, participants in an EI have a question or koan, which they contemplate throughout the Intensive. Basically, a koan is a puzzle that cannot be solved. It is a strategy to tire the active mind to the point where it finally gives up. In those moments, because the mind has failed, the person can move toward no-mind. This state of no-mind allows for the possibility of enlightenment.

The koans used in an EI focus the person's attention on one of three areas-the self, others or life. The four possible questions are "Who am I?", "What am I?", What is another?" and "What is life?". The intention is not to find the 'right' answer to these questions, but to have a direct experience of the Truth of the self, another or life. Along with having this intention, each person is to be open to what arises in consciousness when the question is contemplated.

During the course of the EI, participants are taught how to contemplate while walking, eating, working, exercising and sitting silently. The aim is to enable each person to contemplate no matter what they are doing.

Communication
In contrast to traditional enlightenment practices, participants then communicate the results of their contemplation to another person. This communication has two distinct benefits.

First, it helps to clear the mind. If you have spent any time meditating you are probably aware of how easily the mind can attach to an idea and become tangled up and involved in thought. Communicating what arises during contemplation helps the mind to let go and this assists the contemplation to go deeper. The whole process allows you to expose thoughts, worries, memories, beliefs and feelings and to be in the present moment. As this happens, you become more and more capable of having no-mind. Then enlightenment can come of its own accord. The moment you are totally in the present, enlightenment is the by-product.
Second, communicating directly to another human being helps to ensure that the enlightenment process in grounded in life. This means that much of the progress that is made in the EI can be carried over into everyday life.

The EI Technique
In an EI the contemplation/communication technique is used primarily during periods called Enlightenment Exercises, each of which lasts for approximately 40 minutes. Working in pairs, each participant spends half this time contemplating their question and communicating whatever occurs as a result to their partner. The other half of the time they listen, without responding in any way, to their partner's communication. By alternating back and forth during the Enlightenment Exercise and working with new partners every time, each person's contemplation can deepen and the partners can greatly support each other. It is this combination of deep contemplation and prolonged, open contact with others that is responsible for the success of the EI technique.

Obstacles to Enlightenment

Although the EI technique is much faster than traditional methods of seeking enlightenment, it is not without difficulties. All of the obstacles that prevent an individual from being in contact with the Truth still have to be faced, be they physical (fatigue, physical discomfort, headaches), mental (preconceived ideas, attachments, beliefs) or emotional (fear, anger, sorrow, bliss).

For many people the most powerful barrier to having a direct experience of the Truth is that they think they are unworthy or that they do not deserve it. Another version of this belief is that they have to be perfect, to have worked through all their neuroses, before they can experience enlightenment. That this is not the case is demonstrated by the thousands of ordinary people, young and old, rich and poor, from all walks of life, who have experienced the Truth without solving all their personality 'defects' and life problems.

The structure an Enlightenment Intensive

The Enlightenment Intensive is a three-day, fully residential group. The structure and format of the EI is designed to maximize the opportunity for having a direct experience for each participant, which includes assisting each person to face their own obstacles as they arise. In support of this primary intention, all participants are required to abide by certain rules that fall into the following general categories:Total immersion in the pursuit of enlightenment using the EI technique

Only the technique taught on the EI is to be used. Although there are other techniques, methods and exercises that can assist people to become enlightened, for the three days of the EI, participants are required to use only the contemplation/communication technique presented in the Intensive.
Every moment is dedicated to the pursuit of enlightenment. The daily schedule is rigorous, beginning at 6:00 am and ending after 11 pm. Participants agree to abide by this schedule. In order to allow each person to focus only on enlightenment, the staff of the EI keeps track of time. Participants neither wear watches nor use alarm clocks.

Purification of the physical mind and body

This requirement is part of virtually every enlightenment tradition and an EI is no exception. To this end...

Only the food provided by the staff of the Intensive is to be consumed. The food served is light, vegetarian and delicious. The aim is to ensure that everyone is adequately nourished without being weighed down with food. Vitamins are offered to replace those used in the process of concentrating for long periods.

Participants agree to refrain from smoking, drinking alcohol or caffeine coffee or tea and using illegal drugs.

Anyone taking prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs or vitamin supplements must discuss this with the Master of the Intensive. Some of these substances can effect a person's ability to concentrate for extended periods. Also, certain medical conditions make participation in an Intensive very difficult. Before registering, discuss your medical situation with the Master. In some cases, it may be best to postpone your attendance in an Intensive until your medical issues have been resolved.

Limitation of distractions
The pursuit of enlightenment is difficult at times and participants often look for ways to distract themselves. In order limit distractions, participants agree to the following:

No reading, writing, listening to radios, tape players or CDs or watching television.
No unnecessary talking and no gossiping.
No sex of any kind.
No touching except by mutual agreement.
No shaving, cosmetics, perfumes or jewelry.

A personal, direct experience of the truth
People come to Intensives to have a direct experience of the Truth. No one is told what to think, feel or experience. That is up to each individual. The freer everyone is to follow their own process by using the technique, the faster and smoother the path to enlightenment. To support this, participants agree not to evaluate or make comments about each other.

The rigorous schedule and the EI rules are not arbitrary measures. They effectively direct each participant's full attention and energy toward their goal of enlightenment and they provide the environment in which direct experiences can and do happen.

Support of the master and the EI staff
A Master, who has the responsibility of ensuring that every participant has the best chance of having a direct experience, runs each Intensive. The Master has the knowledge and confidence that he or she can provide the necessary environment and guide all the participants through whatever they must face in order to have a direct experience. The Master is assisted by one or more Monitors, who help with the physical environment and provide assistance to participants to perfect the technique. There is also a Cook. The purpose and function of all staff members is to serve the participants in their endeavors to experience the Truth.

Doing an Intensive with a spouse, partner,
relative or close friend
Participating in an Intensive with someone you are close to has advantages and disadvantages. The obvious advantage is that you both share time in a process directed toward experiencing the Truth and this can result in a deepening sense of connection. The major disadvantage is that many people do not feel free to be totally who they are when they are with people they know or care about.

Also, you must not involve any other participant in your communications in any way whatsoever. This means if something arises in your contemplation about your spouse, for example, you cannot make references to 'your spouse' or 'the person you live with' or anything like that. This can put quite a strain on your ability to communicate fully.

In order for each individual to have the maximum opportunity for a direct experience, both people must agree to put their relationship aside for the duration of the Intensive. This means they must agree to not work together, talk together or to relate to each other in any way. They also agree to do their best to ignore the fact that one of the other participants is in a close relationship to them. It is crucial that each person is there for their own reason and that both people are willing go for the Truth no matter what.

If you feel in your hearts you cannot go along with these requirements it is best to attend different Intensives. If, however, you would still like to attend an Intensive together, discuss this decision with the Master of the Intensive before registering.

Preparation for an Intensive
The most important preparation you can do before an Intensive is to make an unbending commitment to seek the Truth, no matter what it takes. In addition, consider the following suggestions as they apply to you and your situation:

Do your best to arrive at the Intensive fit, healthy and rested. Contemplating and communicating 18 hours a day for three days is arduous and you will find it an advantage to be physically prepared.
If you smoke or normally consume a lot of alcohol, coffee, tea, sugar or any other drug or stimulant, wean yourself from these substances prior to coming on the Intensive. In this way you can reduce the level of withdrawal symptoms you will experience during the three days of the Intensive.
You can also begin to contemplate your question before you arrive at the EI. If you have not participated in an EI before, your question will be "Who am I?". Ask yourself this question when you wake up in the morning, periodically over the course of the day and before you go to sleep at night, intend to directly experience you you are, and then just be open. Simply notice what arises in your consciousness during the following 1-2 minutes as a result of your contemplation.

After the Intensive

The benefits of an EI are not limited to what occurs during the three days of the program. Most people find that for several days after the Intensive, material continues to arise, more insights are gained and it becomes clearer how to make further progress. For this reason we advise people to allow one day of complete rest after an Intensive and one week of relatively light activity after that if at all possible.

For people who are interested in incorporating their direct experiences of the Truth into their everyday lives, Sammasati Seminars offers other types of workshops and sessions that are devoted to assisting people to live more truthfully, openly and lovingly. If you would like further information on these programs contact us and we will be happy to talk with you or to send you additional material.

You should know that an Enlightenment Intensive is not.....

therapy or analysis. "Just as one who wants to throw away garbage has no need to analyse it and see what it is, so one who wants to know the Self has no need to count the number of categories or inquire into their characteristics; what he has to do is to reject altogether the categories that hide the Self." Ramana Maharshi Issues that arise or are uncovered during the course of an Intensive are not addressed or resolved by the Master or any of the EI staff.
designed to resolve personal life problems. Although clarity or resolution is sometimes reached as a result of using the technique, that is a side effect of the process, not the primary aim of an Intensive.
likely to result in a permanent state of enlightenment. In fact, participation in an EI does not guarantee that a person will have a direct experience of the Truth. It does, however, provide an optimum environment and a great opportunity for all participants.

The next three day Enlightenment Intensives:

October 7-10, 2005
Victoria, B.C.

Cost: (Canadian) includes tuition, 4 nights accommodation & meals - $375.00

Location: 4124 San Miguel Close
Victoria, B.C.

To register for an Intensive, or for more information contact:

Sammasati Seminars
819 Fort St. #3,
Victoria, B.C. V8W 1H6
Canada
Telephone: 250-217-6679
Email: sammasati@sammasati.com

If you are interested in serving others by being on the staff of an Intensive let us know. We provide training and supervision for Monitors and Cooks and we greatly appreciate the support and assistance.