What can I expect at an Eyes Wide Open Retreat?
A unique and vital confrontation of the limitations you place on yourself that prevent you from feeling your natural, full sexuality and inherent pleasure. With this, a clearer understanding of why you have not felt this in the past and therefore why you have protected or withdrawn yourself from full sexual empowerment.
Is there any physical sexual contact?
No. However a safe and secure environment will be presented and maintained so that you may explore and confront your feelings of bodily suppression or sexual energy.
How safe is the environment?
Very safe. The Retreat is held at Tushita Ashram Hermitage in the Peria Valley. It is private and can be visited by invitation only. The only participants there will be those that have paid to be there for the retreat weekend and the staff who will be dealing with food preparation and facility maintenance.
Are meals included in the retreat?
Yes. You receive 3 vegetarian meals a day and there will be tea/coffee/facilities available at all times along with filtered water. Also there will be a steady supply of fresh fruit available for in between meals.
What do I need to bring with me?
What do I need to bring with me?
Well besides the toothbrush stuff etc….bring your self just as you are. Whether or not you have ever attended any kind of retreat or life orientated workshop, do not be afraid or feel you are not prepared enough.
My work and way is inclusive and compassionate to all levels of human experience or knowledge.
Are the retreats residential?
The retreats are fully residential and you stay onsite in accommodation at the Tushita Ashram Hermitage. Accommodation, modern shower, bathroom and toilet facilities are shared with other participants. Your retreat fee covers your accommodation. Bedding is provided.
How do I register and pay for a retreat?
Payment is made online via credit card. If you don’t have a credit card or would like to make payment via internet banking, please contact us.
100% refund if you feel you don’t get value from the retreat
If you do attend a retreat and are not satisfied a full refund will be issued to you, should you wish.
What is included with the retreat fee?
- All meals
- Accommodation and bedding
- All workshops
Are retreats open to men and women?
Yes. There are retreats for men and women as well as women only. This will be stated when each workshop is offered.
Can I attend the retreat with my partner or spouse?
Yes. If it is a women only workshop and you have a same-sex partner, then both of you can attend together. I would ask that each couple come with the attitude that this is for their independent personal exploration and on this basis consider whether they will be able to open up fully, with their partner in the same group.
How confidential is the retreat?
What goes down within the workshops, stays within the workshops. I would also ask that each participant respect the rights and privacy of others while they attend.
If I have any questions before the retreat, who can I speak to?
You are able to contact Arohananda Ma, if you have any questions prior to the retreat.
What is the Ashram Hermitage?
It is a peaceful and vital place set apart for a human being to discover and empower and live the One they really are.
It is a place where you are helped and un-conditionally encouraged to be the One you are without judgment.
Are these retreats Tantric?
To answer this one must firstly understand the misconception and misuse of Tantra in the modern world of sexuality.
Tantra is most commonly associated with tantric sex or sexuality. This is an incomplete rendering of the Great Tradition of Tantra.
Tantra Yoga is a Yoga primarily involved in the process of releasing Life-Force (within the psycho/physical body more commonly called sexual energy) from the knot or cramp of self-consciousness. It is not, in the first place, simply or merely a yoga to enhance or stimulate sexual energy for the sake of bodily sex with another.
Yes, these retreats are Tantric in the Great and Ultimate sense in that my purpose with you is primarily the Work of assisting you to release sexual energy from the self-conscious knot.
It is not about being stimulated by another or learning how to stimulate another. Not in the first place anyway. It is about awakening to your own bodily pleasurable self whether or not you have a current sexual partner.
I Work within the Great Tradition of Tantra. Therefore I Work with your complete psycho/physical form; the emotional sexual, mental sexual, physical sexual and altogether Spiritual Sexual.
Motiveless sexuality is Your Real sexual freedom.
Just as motiveless celibacy is your Real sexual freedom.
Finally. Yes, these retreats, and the Tantric element within them, will help and enhance and stimulate your bodily sexual giving and receiving within the sex play communion with another.
Where is the Ashram Hermitage and How do I get there?
The Ashram Hermitage is located about a 40 minutes drive from Kaitaia or Kaitaia airport. The exact address will be provided to you upon registration. The easiest ways to reach the Ashram to attend a retreat are:
Motor vehicle (parking is provided)
Airplane. Air New Zealand are stopping flights to Kaitaia from April 2015. They will still fly to Kerikeri, and there may be other providers offering flights to Kaitaia once Air New Zealand stop.
Bus. Intercity offer a regular bus service from Auckland to Taipa.
Transport may be provided from Taipa and Kaitaia Airport from and to the Ashram. Please contact us if you are interested in this and to see if it may be available for your visit.
What sort of accommodation is offered?
Basic, yet comfortable accommodation is provided within the Ashram Hermitage for all retreat participants. Accommodation is shared between retreat participants.