Eckhart Tolle Retreat in Hawaii – Review

I’ve written the Eckhart Tolle Retreat in Hawaii – Review because I believe it will be useful for those people considering attending The Depths of Being: A Retreat in Hawaii with Eckhart Tolle and Kim Eng.

It’s certainly different to most retreats out there but in a very good way. I haven’t included costs here because they are easily determined by clicking the link, my objective is to provide an overview of what you can expect particularly if you are new to Eckhart Tolle.

Read on!

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A Few Nuts & Bolts

 

Cost:  Check it out here.

Accommodation:  Accommodation costs are paid separately and include the private daily group lunch.  Group lodging rates are available until 4 September, so make sure you take advantage of the reduced rates.   You can also look at finding a roommate through the Meetup forum so you can reduce your costs even more.  Click the costs links to check it out.

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My Experience of Eckhart Tolle

Anyone who knows me knows that I am an advocate of Eckhart Tolle but that also doesn’t mean I can’t be objective or impartial. I don’t take advocating anyone lightly and I don’t recommend just anyone.

I am cautious.  Credibility and authenticity are key components when it comes to my decision making process.

I have spent many years working on my own personal / spiritual development and growth and I’ve been through my share of hardship and so when I find someone that I believe speaks the truth, is coming from a place of sincerity and purity and is genuinely interested in helping others to live a much more peaceful life and to experience the joy of life at their depths then yes I will share this with others.

And, I share this through my own experience of the teachings of Eckhart Tolle and the profound effects it has had on my life both internally and externally and my understanding of life and who we really are.

I have undertaken his courses, read his books and attended his talks in person.  I can wholeheartedly say that no-one has impacted my life as much as this man. 

He comes from a place of great insight, calm, gentleness, ease and humour.

I think that when we have pushed and pushed, forced and forced and still somehow end up unhappy, dissatisfied (regardless of what we have acquired or achieved) or with a feeling that something is missing or a sense of meaninglessness despite what we have acquired or achieved, that what we don’t need is more of the stuff that got us there in the first place.

Instead we need the calm, the ease, the gentleness and the insights he shares that are available within us now.  We just need to know how to access that and when we do, we will be transformed in ways unexpected.

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Who is Eckhart Tolle?

To read more about Eckhart Tolle’s spiritual awakening (which is possible for all of us) go to The Power of Now Book Review – When the Student is Ready! and read the section entitled ‘Introduction”.

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What’s the retreat about?

I think the excerpt above gives a pretty clear snapshot of what Eckhart Tolle is about and his intent. 

Essentially, whatever the forum or method, the message or intent is the same – to transform our consciousness and to spiritually awaken so that we can live more peaceful, joyful and fulfilling lives.

The idea is to connect to the stillness that underlies all life.  Over six days, Eckhart and Kim will share insights into the “Deep I” through intensive dialogue, movement practices, teaching sessions and guided meditations.

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Location Location Location

I can’t think of a better environment to go on retreat than Hawaii with its beautiful and idyllic combination of hills, forests, beach and ocean.  In whatever way you want to connect with nature, it’s there.

It’s no Ashram

Not that there’s anything wrong with an Ashram (whatever you need at the time), but I think the beauty of this retreat is that you get all the benefits of a traditional retreat such as:

• insightful talks from the enlightened one Eckhart Tolle,
• guided meditations
• question and answer sessions,
• a daily community lunch included (gluten free and vegetarian options available)
• opportunity to connect with others if you want this, and
• the important structural component you would also expect within a retreat environment.

But you will also have the opportunity to partake in the wonderful amenities available within the Wailea Beach Resort – Marriott.  No bare basics ashram here.  You have:

• Stylish and comfortable rooms with plush bedding (you can hear the waves lapping in some)
• the beach and ocean at your doorstep with beautiful views (you may even see a whale)
• access to outdoor swimming pools,
• diverse restaurants and cafes (check them out here)
• other resort facilities e.g. spa, fitness center, golf

What you participate in outside of the retreat is up to you.  You may wish to cloister yourself away as per more traditional retreats or partake in other options like the private floating cabanas.

Whichever way you want to go you will have the choice.  I’m sure Eckhart will provide some guidance around this though to maximise your experience.

Information regarding travel (airport, shuttles, parking) is available here.

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Schedule

The full schedule is not available yet, but I wouldn’t get too hung up on that to be honest. This is where we need to learn to let go of a little bit of control.

There is no doubt in my mind that you will get value for money.  To help you out though because I know it can be scary for some to take the plunge with limited information, I’ve inserted some reviews from attendees of previous retreats below.

Generally though there will be:

• Afternoon and evening sessions which will include talks, meditations and Q&A sessions with Eckhart and Kim Eng
• Movement workshops with Kim Eng.  To learn more read the next section.
• There will be time to relax, reflect and explore.

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Who is Kim Eng?

Kim Eng is Eckhart Tolle’s partner of some years.  They speak very little about this which I believe is related to it being largely irrelevant to them in relation to their teachings unless they can draw analogies when it comes to the world of form.  Remember, the teachings are essentially about presence, the formless i.e. going beyond the ego mind.

Kim like the majority of us is on her own spiritual journey and runs sessions within this retreat.  Specifically, these sessions are in a question and answer format.

Unlike Eckhart, Kim Eckhart also leads the Presence through Movement workshops.  Generally, this is a yoga-based movement activity.

I have written about how different activities can be meditative and yoga is one such activity.  It helps us get in tune with our bodies, become present and transcend our thoughts.

So, this is a great option to have on the retreat.  Participants are able to choose their preferred time.

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Don’t just take my word for it

I’ve provided some links below to what others are saying or have said about their retreat experience with Eckhart.

https://www.reddit.com/r/EckhartTolle/comments/d9zia8/eckhart_tolle_omega_retreat_review/

https://mrsmindfulness.com/3-insights-from-my-retreat-with-eckhart-tolle/

http://eckhart-tolle-forum.inner-growth.info/viewtopic.php?t=14104

http://eckhart-tolle-forum.inner-growth.info/viewtopic.php?t=4022

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What a dream retreat!

Overall, I think as far as “in person” retreats go this is a wonderful combination of environment, meditation, yoga and insightful teaching from someone who has actually awakened.

To be in the company of someone who has actually awakened is truly rare.  Some may proclaim to be awakened but you can usually tell that they aren’t or they may have the knowledge but it’s at an intellectual level not a knowing level (nothing wrong with this, but you can feel the difference).

Don’t miss the opportunity and explore the depths of YOUR being now!

Plus, you will have all the creature comforts not generally experienced on a traditional retreat or a retreat of this nature.

I know from personal experience that Eckhart Tolle’s retreats, talks and online courses sell out quickly so I wouldn’t hesitate.

Register for the Depths of Being Retreat with Eckhart here.

Your feedback is always welcome.  If you’ve attended one of Eckhart’s retreats or accessed his teachings in some way, I’d love to hear about it.

Go forth with ease and just be!

Martine