7 Day Online “IAM” Retreat
New Date Announced!
Next live retreat (June 9th-15th, 2024)
Our first ever live online IAM retreat on Dec. 27, 2023 was a huge success! You can now get access to all of the materials and recordings from this retreat to create a retreat in your own home any time.
The online “IAM” retreat has been designed to create the conditions of no escape for the egoic mind, so that its illusions and the veil of the false self drops away. We can’t make awakening happen using the conditioned mind, but through deep surrender, continuous presence and a willingness to enter into a “don’t know mind”, we make awakening more likely. The ATW team has put together the insights and integration tools essential for the deep rewiring and purification of the self structure of samskaras so that Samadhi becomes a permanent stage of development.
Create your own retreat in your home any time using the complete playlist and recordings from the Dec. 27th online retreat*
* Please note that if you are using the pre-recorded retreat you will have to find your own dyad partner to do the evening self inquiry dyads sessions. You can connect with a dyad partner here.
The 7 Day Online”IAM” Retreat
This is a retreat for those who are called to awaken to their true nature. The perennial wisdom is learning to die before you die by letting go of the preferences of the ego and entering into a “don’t know mind”. After 15 years of doing meditation retreats and experimentation we have put together the best tools we have available for awakening and the realization of Samadhi as an evolutionary stage in human development.
This retreat requires a total commitment to engage in continuous practice for 7 days, and a single pointed intention for that period of time. It is not something to fit in around your daily life, but an invitation to put aside everything in order to find out the truth of who you are.
A natural part of awakening involves freeing oneself of samskaras (conditioned patterns) which can be understood as energetic knots that bind identification with the false sense of “I”. The repressed emotions, traumas and incomplete experiences that are hidden in the unconscious will naturally come to the surface to be “purified” or experienced in equanimity so they can be cleared. It is important that participants are willing to move beyond their patterns of seeking comfort and avoidance of pain to allow this process to unfold. The pointers and practices used during the retreat are not intended to add any more doing to the conditioned mind, to achieve anything or to create some experience, but as part of a revealing and stripping away of illusion so that we awaken to the primordial awareness that is always already ever-present.
• Cost: Recommended donation: $200.00
Pay it forward (cover another person’s retreat cost): $400.00
Financial Difficulty: $100.00
• Scholarships: In the spirit of the ancient traditions, in order to preserve the purity of the dharma, The Samadhi Center does not operate to make a profit. We endeavor to make the dharma available and accessible to all and will never turn away someone who sincerely wants to realize their true nature. If you feel a genuine call to this retreat but have no money for an exchange, we have full scholarship options available (in addition to the ‘financial difficulty’ price above for those who can’t afford the whole cost). Please email contact@samadhi.ca for details.
• Time Zone: The live retreats begin at 1PM EST (Eastern Standard Time, or New York Time) UTC -5. After the retreat we will be making the recordings available in a playlist so that people in other time zones can create their own retreat at a later time (or any time). Please do not email us with questions about your time zone, but instead find out the time difference here.
• Refund policy: Once the retreat has begun we are unable to provide a refund. We are happy to provide a full refund any time before the retreat has started.
• Languages: The Zoom meeting system that we are using offers live translated captions which enables users to have the live English teachings and questions and answers in the group process automatically translated in real-time to captions in another language. For example, if a meeting participant is speaking in English, other participants can view captions in German, Italian, Japanese, etc. Click here for the instructions on how to enable captions for your language. We are gradually translating the recorded videos into many languages.
Supported languages for translation currently include:
Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), Chinese (Simplified), Czech, Dutch, Estonian, Finnish, French, German, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese.
Supported languages for translation from English only (you will not be able to ask questions or converse, but you will be able to see translation from English) currently include: Bengali, Hebrew, Hindi, Norwegian, Romanian, Swedish, Tamil
• Replays (recordings): After a live retreat we will be putting together all of the recordings into a playlist so that you can re-create the retreat any time on your own. You will have access to the recordings indefinitely and without restriction.
• Recordings and Privacy: Please note that the Q&A sessions and question periods during self inquiry will be recorded and video replays will be available. These videos will not be made public, but will be posted for other participants in the retreat to benefit from. Zoom will automatically announce any session that is being recorded. If you have concerns about being in a video, then please connect with us privately, or turn off your video and/or change your name during the recorded sessions.
• Important Considerations: Although meditation/ self inquiry is of great benefit for most people, it can bring up previous trauma from the past and is not a substitute for medical or psychiatric treatment. If you have unresolved trauma, depression, anxiety, loss (either a significant death, job, home, income…) or are on any mind-affecting drugs we recommend that you address those things before embarking on the “IAM” retreat. Most importantly, if you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline or narcissistic personality disorder or similar diagnoses, or you are on antipsychotic, neuroleptic or psychotropic drugs, we do not have the capability to support you at this online retreat. In general the psyche should be relatively healthy and stable before engaging in deep sadhana. If you are unsure whether a meditation retreat is right for you please contact us at contact@samadhi.ca.
“One must seek awakening like one with their hair on fire seeks a pond to jump into.”
~ Ramakrishna
Some elements in the schedule include:
- Continuous inquiry: For seven days we enter into continuous, unbroken practice no matter what we are doing during the day. Even between meditation periods, while you are resting or eating lunch there is an intention to directly experience your true nature.
- Noble Silence: The container of silence is a time tested way to orient towards the inner worlds and to avoid activating the conditioned thinking mind.
- Group Process: There is much value in sharing and learning what others are experiencing on the path, and there is a specific time in the retreat where you will be able to receive clarification and guidance in any areas.
- Meditation: Every day we have five hours of meditation. This is the foundational practice for realizing your true nature. Meditation and self inquiry are eventually realized to be a singular process of stripping away of illusion.
- Self inquiry Dyads: This self inquiry method creates true conditions of no escape for the ego structure. Participants alternate roles in dyads (groups of two), where one person is a witness and the other engages in deep inner investigation to realize their true nature. More about dyads. Please note that if you are using the pre-recorded retreat you will have to find your own dyad partner to do the evening self inquiry dyads sessions. You can connect with a dyad partner here.
- Sound healing: Receive healing vibrations during a period of lying down meditation. Headphones or a high quality sound source is recommended.
- Yoga Nidra: Sleeping yoga or meditation to take you into the sleep cycle.
- Breath Work: Consciously working with the breath to release deep samskaras.
Retreat Schedule
Get access to the recordings
* Please note that if you are using the pre-recorded retreat you will have to find your own dyad partner to do the evening self inquiry dyads sessions. You can connect with a dyad partner here.
UJ Ramdas2024-02-15If you're serious about inner work, the Samadhi Center can change your life. I've been meditating since before I was a teen and have been to a bunch of ashrams and meditation retreats. And yet, I've done some of the best spiritual work of my life at the retreats here. Here's the thing: this place isn't for the merely curious. It's for the truly sincere seeker. I've known Dan (the founder) for over ten years and I feel very thankful to call him a friend. I've done multiple retreats here and the major thing that that's different here? They really care. And that shows up in all the details: the structure of the retreats, the way Dan screens folks that wouldn't be a good fit, the reasonable pricing and the scholarships and frequent Q&A's with the participants. I'm deeply thankful this place exists. I'd be a different person if it didn't. It’s a real gift to the world.
Matthew Starkey2024-01-28Words will never be able to describe the mystical experience I had while in retreat at the Samadhi Center. I will try my best to capture this magic in a bottle… From the sacred grounds within an old growth forest to the most professional staff, my life will be forever changed. I basked for 9 days in pure presence and discovered Truth. It was here that I lost everything and was completely unborn into a limitless being of pure awareness. My world was absolutely shattered and I was left knowing nothing at all except a direct experience of my True Self. A feeling of absolute bliss.
Dmitry Grishchenko2023-12-26Я благодарен за то, что мне дали возможность быть частью команды! За то, что я могу нести свет и знания русскоязычному населению планеты! Я обязательно к вам приеду ребята. Я это чувствую! Намасте 🕊️✨🙏
Mitch Moss2023-12-10During the Nov ‘23 IAM retreat at the Samadhi Center, I experienced for myself what I had spent 10 years conceptually learning about. For me, the Center became the perfect place to let go. Words simply cannot do justice of this 9 day journey; I can only say that it was life changing in the best possible way and if you feel called, then I couldn’t recommend it any higher 🙏🏻💚
Martin Pelletier2023-12-09There's is no words that can describe how grateful I am to have visited this meditation center. Dan and Lila are amazing human beings as well as all the staff. this experience has forever change my life. If you are looking to alter the direction of your life in a positive way, this is the place to go.
kmegahey2023-12-05My adventure into my inner being, after watching the series of films and interviews with Dan, led me to the Samadhi Centre. So much of the depictions and words rang true and I felt this to be a natural step forward on my spiritual journey. I wasn’t disappointed, the immediate handing over of all digital devices and the adoption of silence for the next nine days was challenging to say the least. The daily schedule of five hours meditation beginning at 5.30am was daunting, the vigorous self-enquiry Dyads thrust you relentlessly into self introspection, all carefully guided and choreographed by Dan and Lilla. My initial micro-dosing of Iboga didn’t appear to have the desired affect, but on day three while lying in my cosy little cabin, it revealed itself to me in waves of effortless clarity. The Dyads became more illuminating as I was able to delve deeper into the ‘self’ and move ever closer to my true nature. The frequent transition from one person to another meant we got to know each others’ most intimate inner details, at the same time we helped each other, on our journey on the ’pathless path’. There was no escape. Timely interventions from Dan and Lilla continued until finally awakening revealed itself. Change was immediate and there would be no going back. This was all interspersed with Gong/sound bathes, daily group discussions on how each one was progressing, hindrances to progress, how one could overcome obstacles and again insightful sound bites of wisdom from both Dan and Lilla were always welcome and helpful. Of course, I must also mention the daily, delicious food served to us and consumed in silence, by Andrew and Liz. It didn’t end there. On day five Chad joined the group, to led us through what was loosely called ‘breath work’. It comprised of a three part breath of inhalation, followed by a strong exhalation, lasting approximately one hour without interruption. During which time, there was a slow gradual build up of energy throughout the entire body until suddenly and without warning, I felt transported into a place of stillness, silence and serenity. Without going into too much detail I’ll just say, a place where Love was in abundance. It didn’t end there. The following day Chad introduced us to the option of experiencing, different amounts 5meo or not at all, it was a personal choice. I chose the middle path and decided to deepen even further this spiritual path which I had knowingly undertaken. Again, without going into too much detail I will simply say that it was/is the most enriching, life changing, mind altering, experience of my life and for which, I will be eternally grateful to Dan, Lilla and Chad.
Daniel White2023-11-22The Samadhi Center's IAM retreat is spectacular from start to finish. This place has all the elements required for Awakening. I loved all the unique and creative aspects the course exhibited from day to day. There is nothing else quite like this anywhere in the world. The Zendo is of the highest quality, as they spared at no expense. I am especially greatful for the compassionate support I was provided with during my trip. If you're looking for a game changing meditation course that will help you break free from the Matrix, this is it.
InnerCreations LiveNow2023-11-21This place is the ordinary to extraordinary there is no retreat on the Earth that holds a container as tightly as Lilla and Dan. The team was absolutely amazing in every way. It literally was the answer to every riddle I could never find the answer too and it changed my life in ways that words could never describe. If you are called to the Samadhi Center all you thought you knew wont help you it is best to drop all you know, so that the not knowing mind can show up on the first day. Plus Lilla and Dan and their team give a whole new meaning to All is welcome :) No one left behind. Come and find out don't take my word for it. Experience the direct experience for yourself and then start living the aliveness that comes from within where it has always been. Sign up for the online retreat and set aside the 7 days that will be all you ever need to open yourself to the truth and the searching will be over. Love Tayama
Bhavna Kasturia2023-11-10The 3 days at the self inquiry retreat have been deeply transformative. There was no doing it seems from my part but the Dyad process is able to go deep into the subconscious mind and cleanse it. What remains, which is the simplicity of being, that shines through and is felt. I have never felt this before, just to be! For those who wish to go deeper beyond practices, words, books and oneself, this is it!
Bill Heilmann2023-11-08Just wonderful! Come with an open mind and an open heart. The staff are so loving and so kind beings. If you're ready to begin to know who you really are, I highly recommend Dan and his wonderful support team. With much love and respect. Bill 🙏❤️
