I finally decided to try a silent retreat and could not have been more pleased with the Samadhi Retreat & Meditation Center.
HIGHLIGHTS:
* The content was meaty and very well delivered. Explanations were consistently clear.
* There was a good variety of activities: Yoga, breathing exercises, chanting, silent meditations, etc.
* The structured activities were regularly interspersed with free time.
* The facility was well suited for retreats. It was clean and highly functional.
* The property was gorgeous. There are lots of trails, as well as a small lake with a dock.
* The vegetarian meals were extraordinary - without exception.
* Participants were respectful of one another, as well as of the "silence rule."
* All participants were encouraged to be as comfortable as possible throughout the retreat - and we were.
* The supplementary reading materials, videos and website are all excellent.
SUMMARY: I am 70 years old - approximately twice as old as the other participants. This was not a problem. While I don't subscribe to all the Samadhi principles (not yet, anyway), there is definitely something to be said for this spiritual practice. I plan to return next spring. Highly recommended.
C.Boyd10/10/2022, 02:32 PM
Here is my heartfelt gratitude to you and David for hosting us for the last 3 days and taking care of us and showering us with multitude of yogic postures and meditation. It was indeed a godsend gift to listen to David and his guidance, techniques, and his efforts to put us to through the divine experience. Thanks once again to you and David for everything you did. Look forward to come again in future. Thanks to you and David for the lovely farewell lunch as well.
Aravinda 05/16/2021, 11:57 PM
David and Dawn, what a wonderful experience! I’d so needed to find some peace and quiet in my brain and the various meditations and activities we did helped me achieve moments of samadhi. I LOVED being disconnected for 3 days - no phone, TV, email, text messages, social media....
I particularly appreciated how you worked to ensure the retreat was inclusive to all of us and our various beliefs. And, I enjoyed the timing of events and personal time. The yoga, the chanting (us or recorded), the resin ceremony, the chakra ceremony, and your discourses were fun, fascinating, and impactful. The food was extraordinary and I quite enjoyed “indoor camping” (yes, I’d worried about that a bit). I look forward to continued practice and growing. Thank you for a great experience.
LeeP03/14/2021, 08:20 PM
I want to thank you from bottom of my heart for providing the silent retreat. I am really thankful for you and Dawn for showing much simple ways of having direct experience of One-Self or Samadhi as you call it. The mantra chanting for me was very profound, I sometimes play it as if its pretty normal thing. I don't like to share too much about my experience as its another experience and the Reality is beyond all experiences. Even while driving back I can feel the effect of the silent retreat! Once again I want to thank you for providing the space and opportunity for being in the silent retreat. I want to thank Dawn and you for making the delicious food. Thanks again. Love Siva
Siva03/16/2020, 07:36 PM
I would recommend your retreat to others who are interested in learning more about their reality or just unplugging and relaxing for a weekend. As far as the experience, I feel like my “ mojo” has come back! I had the best day ever since my surgery and went to a gentle yoga class today. The food was delicious. I get tremendous benefit from quieting the mind with meditation and my perception of the world is much better with it. I feel like I’m where I need to be at the moment and I am grateful for the time to unplug and for the experiences I had. I told my son you didn’t have to worry about when, where or what you were going to eat or any routine chores. It was awesome!
Sharon B.01/20/2020, 07:50 PM
This was the most amazing retreat I have ever been on. David and Dawn went out of their way to make sure I was comfortable every step of the way. David shares his practices that he has learned traveling all over the world for many years. His vast knowledge and straight forward approach is beyond anything that anyone has ever showed me. It excelled my spiritual growth beyond what I thought was possible. That combined with Lalla Dawn’s incredible yoga in the morning was a complete balance of mind and body I needed. Everything from the peaceful location, teachings, yoga, food, rooms, books, breathing techniques, mantras, and incense brings you back to what was meant to be in the first place. They have really made a change in my life. I did not want to leave and will be returning very shortly.
Houri H.09/01/2019, 04:09 PM
The Resin Ceremony was amazing and stopped my mind from wandering and brought it back to Samadhi. The mantras took me to a different place and time. I felt the energy shifting into a magical bliss like state. The yoga was relaxing, intimate, and effortless. The breathing techniques were the most uncomfortable out of my comfort zone and therefore because I disliked them it was one of my favorites.
Layla08/26/2019, 08:53 PM
I really enjoyed the peace and quiet of this place. The whole practice did feel very good and I was very relaxed the whole weekend. The food was really good!
Sid B.04/28/2019, 09:29 PM
I love the place & the environment & the homey - cozy feel of the place. I loved the food. I loved the introduction to new mantras & chanting and the musical vibrations involved & the fragrances & tantra (sense) experience.
R. Bapat04/28/2019, 09:25 PM
Hospitality above & beyond! The food was fantastic. The meditation was just what I needed, I learned a lot about myself and what I need to be doing. I will definitely recommend this to my friends.