“I have a total new life! I’m totally out of the dark and dingy prison that I lived throughout all my life. I’ve broken the shackles that I created and I feel totally free! Love and Compassion have a total different meaning and feeling to me. I truly feel that I’ve got a second chance in Life, and it couldn’t be any greater and better. I feel so excited that I could burst!"

—Elaine Priese, Accounting, Holland Centre, Ontario

“Russell’s commitment to help people surmount their limitations, contact their real concerns and aspirations and make them a reality is very strong. And because he can pursue this not with an overly zealous heavy hand but with great patience, acceptance, humour and adroitness, he is extremely successful."

—Elliott Rosenbloom - Human Resource Consultant

“Russell had just given his afternoon talk - encouraging us all to continue to pursue the truth and to accept what ever was arising. To begin the contemplation, he said "take a deep breath, and hold your breath for a moment, then when you feel ready, exhale slowly". As I exhaled, and held my question, (what am I?) in my awareness, I had another direct experience. I knew and felt the answer I am life.”

—Beth Clark, Yoga/Meditation Instructor, Kingston, Ontario

Not only did I have this huge boost to myself, but also I met other participants and you and the other staff members who I now can truly call my friends. I will definitely be taking another Retreat. Thanks so much."

—Andrew

“I KNOW WHO I AM and no matter what they say, this is ME and I’m totally happy with myself and who I am! This is such a break through for me. I’ve had my ‘downs’ as well since I left the retreat but the ‘downs’ don’t even come close to the highs that I used to have.

Elaine Priese, Accounting, Holland Centre, Ontario

“I laugh more and then more deeply. I am irritated less and then less often. I feel joy more profoundly and I know that there’s no obstacle of any kind that I will not find someway of overcoming."

—John Penturn, Recruiting Rep.

“I’ve learned that the greatest gift I can give to others is myself, to give from who I am and not from some false personality or ego” 

—Steven Kovacs - Lighting Sales, Toronto, Ontario

“The intensive gave me a deep experience of my Self, so that now I have a kind of internal gyroscope that lets me know when something is true to me or not”

—David Warburton - Landscape designer, Orangeville, Ontario

“I feel a greater sense of confidence, equanimity and, surprisingly… wonder. The methodology combines a form of Zen koan practice with Western relational psychology, though it is not aligned with any theoretical or philosophical school. The format is simple and demanding”

—Sandy Feigehen, PhD Psychologist, Sudbury, Ontario

“Within one year of the intensive I left my business and took a chance on a new career...money is not important, nor is status. What is important is the feeling that I am now doing what I was originally meant to do with my life!”

—Mel Steiner, Artist

“I now have a strength that comes from a different source, an inner strength. It just is. Coming from that source, life is easier and when things get difficult. I have the power and deep knowledge to deal with it.”

—Suzie Wasitis, Homemaker, Mississauga, Ontario

“I have met the Real me and he an amazing person, strong and powerful yet delicate and vulnerable”

—Ralph Granz, Mechanical Engineer, Toronto, Ontario

“I know now that I just happen to have a mind, just like I have a leg or own a dog. I am not the content of my mind. For so long I’ve believed I was my thoughts. How hilarious! I’ve just been me all along. This is tremendously freeing!”

—Ross Allen –Sales Rep, Thunder Bay, Ontario,

“I discovered a bond linking myself with others, that we are all beings trapped within our minds trying to communicate our fears and need for love. I am becoming more loving, more real, more open, truthful and trustworthy”

—Doug Tyler- Real Estate Rep, Toronto, Ontario

“To discover the truth of ourselves and of existence, we must necessarily move beyond the numerous and ingenious devices we employ to avoid its raw reality.  For some people, the search for that truth is the only really meaningful activity of life.  I would recommend the practice to anyone who falls into that category.” 

—Sandy Feigehen, PhD Psychologist,
Sudbury, Ontario

“I had this feeling in my chest - my chest was very big and spacious and wide and open. Everyone and everything was beautiful. It was a wonderful feeling, and I felt so me, like I was residing in my own groove, that I was home, and that everything was just as it was supposed to be, comfortable, warm, safe”

—Beth Clark,Yoga/Meditation Instructor,
Kingston, Ontario

"It happened just like Russell said, I was eating breakfast on Saturday morning, and like the snap of the finger, I was awake, the light came on, I knew who I was. Every thing was new, like I had never seen it before, and it was exquisite. I was born again, free to experience life with the knowing that I would never die. The body might go but I would live on." 

—Roger Groulx - Procurement Officer for DND,
Ottawa, Ontario

“Since the retreat, I now know that there is no obstacle of any kind that I will not find some way of overcoming"

—John Penturn - Recruiting Rep

“Our shared experience a few weeks back was something I will forever remember. I cannot stress how much you all challenged, shook and humbled me in your own special ways (to my very core). Some moments were indescribable. The intimate oneness I often felt, the smiles of knowing, the beatific breakthroughs, and, most of all, the laughter! It was, indubitably, 4 of the most profound few days of life."

—Will MacDonald-Kramer, Student,
Newmarket, Ontario

“I have taken half dozen True Awakening retreats, which, for me, could well be described as years of therapy. Once you have a "direct experience" of who you are (or of anything else), you never forget it - it stays with you like a reassuring comfort blanket that lets you walk in the world with trust."

—Frances Raymond,
Toronto, Ontario