[Speaking of a direct experience]: I was in a state of bliss. But, oh, I wasn’t the same I. I saw the illusion of my former self, with my name on it. It had served me well, but it wasn’t real.
During the [next] dyad, when it was my turn to speak, all I could say to [my partner's] instruction, “Tell me who you are” was, “I am.” I said it over and over. "I am. That’s all. I am." I couldn’t stop smiling. I felt radiant....
Whenever I spoke with John, he was completely open and present. There was total trust, so much so, that it was never even a question. It just was. I never, ever, wondered if I was safe. It never entered my mind to even consider it. I only realized this after the EI. This was a new experience for me.
Janeane W., Chicago
On the second day, I bundled up and headed out doors for walking contemplation. The weather was cool and breezy, and I was doing my best to hold my question. I meandered up a gentle hill near our building and as I did so I began to feel a gentle mist landing on my face. Suddenly I had the sense that this mist was God's hands reaching out and touching me, and that they were encouraging me to raise my head and look around. It should be noted that my general view of God does not involve anthropomorphizing him/her as a human like being who might have hands and such. As I looked up I saw the whole world in absolute clarity, with nothing left out and nothing added, and everything was exquisite and perfect. What little remained of "me" as a separate being disappeared at that moment. Everything was in harmony. Everything was so precious and exquisitely beautiful. Everything was exactly as it should be, from the smallest blade of grass to the largest galaxy in the cosmos. I was no longer having an experience of the world. The world just was, and I was completely engulfed in it with no sense of distinction.
I don't know how long this experience lasted. There was no sense of time, as there was no time keeper. My mind was completely overwhelmed.
- Neil W., Chicago
The intensive was top notch. I was very impressed with John’s level of excellence. He is a skilled facilitator, and he seems to care very much about people. His presence was powerful and appropriate. He approaches the event with the craft and care of a true master. I found nothing lacking in his approach and was moved by his spirit.
- Dan M., St. Louis
I left the intensive open-hearted and tender, filled with grace and ease. I left with a renewed vigor for the work of coming to know myself and wishing to be able to see the beauty and love in all beings, no matter what I happen to be facing. And I left with an appreciation for contemplative practice. I also left with a real sense of dedication and love for this work on the part of the master and monitor for others to see the truth. I was touched and moved by this because I really value presence and compassion in the world.
- Margarita M., Minneapolis
These were the three most powerful days I’ve spent. I got a direct experience of myself, a sense of being connected with nature, all people, and consciousness itself.
The EI technique helped me get a deep, intimate sense of who and what I am, and by having to present this realization to my partner, it helped ground it. The deep, real sense of presence, content-free, empty, spacious awareness that I am, settled in and became more and more real over the three days. It is with me still.
As a person who does corporate and public workshops, I must design how they will be presented and facilitated. I was in awe of how well the design worked, and how well the technique itself worked. Who would think that something so “simple” could be so effective?
- Bob T., St. Louis