A Traditional Enlightenment Intensive Retreat!
About Us
What is an Enlightenment Intensive?
This is a traditional Enlightenment Intensive; we hold to the original traditions, teachings integrity of this very specific Work. There will be a very safe and sacred container held for the participants to dive into the Absolute Truth of who and what they are.
In form, the Enlightenment Intensive (EI) is a container, a vessel, a safe and sacred space. There are agreements we all make... to follow rules, a schedule, and a common aim: the truth. This is a silent retreat. Except for communicating to the listening partners in the dyads, participants do not speak to each other. But the staff are always available to talk to. We are formally trained and deeply devoted to supporting you through your struggles and in the direction of your truth and the Truth Itself. We are there for you 24/7, no-matter-what.
Participants begin to sense this safety, this sacred space created. They start to let down their guard, to speak their mind and pour their heart out... to release what weighs them down. They simply tell the truth. Though it is not therapy, it is highly therapeutic. At some point, often about half way through the intensive, the sincere and hard-working participant will put all their story behind them, and in the face of fear or whatever else arises, they dig into to this thing right here and now: reality itself. Things often start to get quite interesting at this point. Communicating one rising experience after another, letting nothing (including nothing) stop them from the business at hand, this participant stays steadily poised in pure self-awareness... noticing what's true, communicating that, noticing... communicating... all the while opening and intending to Directly Experience the Absolute Truth.
In essence, the EI is a journey... an adventurous, exciting, challenging, and wonderfully rewarding journey within. We are all in it together, set out for this heralded realm called Truth. And yet, the journey is our very own.
There is no doctrine or teaching to believe in. The only thing taught is a technique that points the participant directly at the truth of who or what they are, and also how to get through the barriers along the way... because in that process - that pursuit - beliefs, baggage, and the entire array programming picked up throughout our lives is confronted. It is literally "run into" as a result of going directly for the truth of you. It's in the way, like a fallen timber across a path. It is a barrier between who and what you believe yourself to be, and Who and What You really Are. By inquiring deep into what it is, allowing it to surface and be known to us, and expressing it to another so they too know what it's like for you, we get through it, overcome it, even dissolve it. Time and again, we express what we become aware of to another, in a dyad.
Dyads
When considering the many modalities of spiritual seeking created by humankind over millennia, The Enlightenment Intensive has broken new ground. It is on the cutting edge of seeker technology. It's effectiveness at fostering "breakthroughs", Direct Experiences of Absolute Truth, is such that you could call it a modern wonder. The "dyad" format - two practitioners sitting directly across from one another, amplifies the consciousness at work exponentially. The principle of "the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts" transpires.
In the dyad, two seekers team up against one mind. Two together, have the sum power of 3 or 4 working apart. In solo meditation, one simply watches the thoughts, feelings, sensations, etc, rise up and pass on, often to return. In the dyad, the contemplator expresses what comes up to the very attentive listening partner, who simply watches, listens, and tries to understand, without responding or making gestures, and without judgment. When true understanding between two individuals occurs, mind is released, and is much more likely to stay away.
For most of us, our stories, our thoughts, feelings, hurts, frustrations, beliefs, perceptions (and on and on) run through our minds in perpetual patterns or even keep us stuck in a "state" of some sort (state of worry, state of lethargy, state of irritation, etc.), keeping us from being present to our life here and now. These bits of information, like mail on an office desk, just sit there, either never opened, never replied to, never understood, or just simply never tossed in the garbage. Our "inbox" is stuffed and overflowing with incomplete communications, leaving a burdensome feeling about the unfinished business that awaits us.
It is the power of two conscious beings working together, the inquiry into truth, and the clearing of old baggage through conscious communication and understanding, that sets this practice apart. It is our experience, that in the gamut of modalities aimed at break through, transformative experiences, nothing comes close in speed and depth, as this arduous pursuit of truth inside the safety and profundity of an Enlightenment Intensive. Yoga Masters, Zen monastics, psycho-therapists, disciples who have spent years with a guru in an ashram (all valuable experiences for sure) have agreed that nothing else quite measures up. Many masters, teachers and healers of such various backgrounds have found the EI so effective they have added it as a regular part of their programs. If you're looking for what you might call "the real deal" in the realm of spiritual seeking, you owe it to yourself to try and Enlightenment Intensive.
The schedule includes contemplation periods outside of dyads where one can be silent with themselves. They include a silent sitting contemplation, two 1 hour walking contemplations, tea contemplation, and an afternoon rest contemplation (and a few others).
Benefits
- a calm clear mind
- a soft and open heart
- more energy and reduced stress
- improved focus
- physical healing
- leave feeling years younger & pounds lighter
- improved communication & listening skills
- improved harmony and enhanced intimacy in relationship
- enrich your current practice be it professional, athletic, artistic, or spiritual
- discover or enhance paranormal abilities
- find deeper meaning in life and insights into your life purpose
- increased self love and compassion
- uncommonly therapeutic
- release the fear of living authentically, as who you really are
- have a Direct Experience of Absolute Truth, and Realize your Self to be beyond life and death, without beginning or end, thus liberate yourself from fear and suffering, and find everlasting peace in this life and beyond
Retreat
NEXT INTENSIVE
November 5th- 11 2021 Dependant on provincial COVID restrictions. Connect for more information
Answers do come in the form of insights. Healings occur. Hearts burst open as masks are finally dropped. Conscious connection with others is experienced, often for the first time. Ecstatic energetic experiences, uncontrollable laughter, deep emotional release...the vast array of experiences is uncanny.
As wonderful as they all may be, the one and only purpose of an Enlightenment Intensive is to give the participant the best possible opportunity to have a Direct Experience of Absolute Truth.
We have every intention of holding this retreat live and continuing our devotion to a safe and sacred container.
We will be doing everything we can to keep our participants safe in these unprecedented time. Due to this retreat being in the municipality of Clear Water, we are not mandated to wear masks simply because we are indoors but rather wear masks if we are inside the 2 meter rage. Physical Distancing will be practiced and staff will wear masks when required. Temperatures will be taken upon arrival and pre COViD testing will be expected before arrival. Food preparation staff will also wear masks and gloves. Consistent and thorough sanitization will be done!
Contact us for more information.
Energy Exchange
We are not here to sell, but to serve. We are most interested in those individuals with a sincere desire to know the truth. If you are feeling drawn to gain deep clarity, strengthen your relationships, become a profound listener and walk in life anchored in the absolute Truth of who and what you are... but something is in the way from making it happen, please reach out and contact us. Let's see if we can resolve it together, and get you on your rightful journey home to your true self.
Your investment is $800
A $200 non-refundable deposit is required to register, (refundable only in an emergency;
COViD refunds considered where applicable).
*4 nights accommodation, wholesome homemade meals (send food allergy info upon registration), pre and post intensive support , and this profoundly beautiful experience.
Registration
To find out if the Enlightenment Intensive retreat is right for you, email:
info@theenlightenmentintensive.com with Subject Line Contact.
Include in the email:
- your full name
- city of residence
- preferred email address
- cell number
- suggested times for a phone call
*Note: A conversation with Trevor is a routine requirement. It is important we ensure that an Enlightenment Intensive is right for you.
Call us.
We're happy to discuss any questions, concerns or barriers regarding your Enlightenment Intensive.
Trevor 1-587-229-0770
retreat Team
Trevor Michael Thibodeau - Facilitator
Trevor Michael Thibodeau - Facilitator
Trevor Michael Thibodeau - Facilitator
"I'm a 50 year old man, Joe Canadian in many ways. I find that what it is to be 'spiritual' is often misunderstood and misrepresented. To me it's really nothing special. It simply means being aware, authentic, honest with oneself and others, and in service to the greater good."
Trevor trained as an Enlightenment Master and Level 1 Clearer under the powerful tutelage of Lawrence Noyes, the world's foremost teacher of the work of Charles Berner, founder of the Enlightenment Intensive. On his second intensive, Trevor directly experienced "how things happen"; the unfolding nature of reality, which the Tao Te Ching describes quite well. He is honoured to have been appointed Tribe Shaman of Head Smashed In Division of MDI, a community of men committed to helping each other become positive & powerful masculine influences in their families, communities, and in the world. While being a contemporary and free-thinker, Trevor feels a deep connection to ancient wisdom traditions. He lived and practiced in Plum Village during a six month sabbatical, under the guidance of beloved and world renowned Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Trevor participated on his first Enlightenment Intensive 18 years ago, and knew then as he does now, that this profound Awakening retreat will always be a part of his life. He has been facilitating Enlightenment Intensives since 2012. This is not his passion, but his calling. He will stand in the fire with you, face your demons along side you, and he will certainly sing and dance with you when the occasion calls for it.
"I will do my absolute best to never sell you out. Knowing the utter fulfillment Truth brings, I want nothing less for you." ~TMT
Rovena Sky Senior Monitor
Trevor Michael Thibodeau - Facilitator
Trevor Michael Thibodeau - Facilitator
Rovena is a Relationship and Intimacy Coach, Tantra Teacher, Mindfulness coach and the founder of the Calgary Tantric Community. She leads Women's Circles and teaches workshops on Thriving Relationships, Compassionate Communication, Sacred Sexuality and Spirituality. Rovena has studied with Master Tantra teachers around the world. She has formal training as a Senior Monitor and Level 3 Clearer, and is devoted to this retreat and to her own spiritual awakening practices. She is proud to support people in creating the life and relationships they love. She helps couples and singles create and keep the magic in their relationships. She teaches Tantra as a path of Love and Joy and Freedom; living with an Open Heart, Awareness and Presence. She is the mother of 2 and step mother of one more; family is an important part of her life path. She is committed to bringing more love and joy to everyone around her and thus a part of the heart of this team.
Rovena has taken her Enlightenment Intensive Masters training with Lawrence Noyes July 2019. We are deeply grateful to have her as a member of our team.
Paul Graham Senior Monitor
Mira Black Chief Monitor/Facilitator
Mira Black Chief Monitor/Facilitator
“Of all the valuable resources out there, I believe that the Enlightenment Intensive is the most effective for emptying the contents of the mind and dramatically increasing the chances of participants having a direct experience of their true nature, or what Eckhart Tolle call an Awakening. Because this retreat has been so instrumental and supportive of me in my own life and inner journey I want others to also experience the benefits that I have received.”
Paul has been an important part of The Enlightenment Intensive team as a Senior Monitor since the spring of 2015, and big brother to this team. Paul has been involved in this work for 13 years. He has also completed his EI Master's training with Lawrence Noyes. A humble soul and an unsung hero, Paul gives of himself freely in service to those who seek to Know the Truth of Who and What they are. He is a solid, and sincere presence, gently guiding the participants, and holding space on Enlightenment Intensives, which is no small endeavour. Of particular interest to Paul, is the sanctity of the dyad: a sacred space within the sacred space of the Enlightenment Intensive.
Paul also comes with a background in conventional healing modalities, including a Master's Degree in Social Work, and more than 18 years as a clinical therapist working with traumatized children and families. His own spiritual awakening and mindfulness practice is still a daily devotion. This man is our brother and a solid support for this work and these intensives. We are privileged to have his experience, skill and heart on retreat.
Mira Black Chief Monitor/Facilitator
Mira Black Chief Monitor/Facilitator
Mira Black Chief Monitor/Facilitator
Mira has been a Calgary Enlightenment Intensive Senior Monitor since the Spring of 2015 and has been involved in Enlightenment Intensives for over 10 years. Her devotion to this work has taken her to train at the Masters level with Lawrence Noyes.
One need not spend much time with Mira to recognize that she radiates love and compassion added to her powerful nature. Because of her willingness to be deeply vulnerable her heart bursts open almost as a matter of course while receiving others in their expressions of self. Innately nurturing, she’s fulfilled by giving comfort and care to others. She brings with her a Degree in Psychology, as well as Certification in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Crisis Intervention, and Yoga, with 20 years experience as a counsellor and care worker for the vulnerable sector of society. As a student of Nada and Bhakti Yoga, Mira is a gifted poet, spoken word, and recording artist with the voice of the Goddess.
tuition & angel donations
Please speak with us to ensure this retreat is right for you before making any payments. We look forward to speaking with you soon.
Those formally trained to be an EI Monitor seeking experience and further training may request a lower fee for the opportunity to experience the sacred role of "Silent Monitor". Call to discuss.
If you are donating to our retreat scholarship please feel free to send away and be sure to add a note that this is an angel fund! We are always happy to subsidize tuition for those in need.
