Enlightenment Intensive New Year Retreat

Enlightenment Intensive Retreat

A three-day immersion into the truth of who you are

Have you spent years meditating, reading spiritual books, or attending workshops — yet still feel that the deeper breakthrough you sense is possible hasn’t quite arrived?

Do you understand the teachings intellectually, but long for a direct, lived experience of what they point to?

If so, an Enlightenment Intensive Retreat may be exactly what you have been looking for.

What is an Enlightenment Intensive?

The Enlightenment Intensive is a powerful three-day retreat developed by Charles Berner in the 1960s and refined over decades through the experience of hundreds of thousands of participants worldwide.

Its purpose is simple and direct: to support you in discovering for yourself — beyond beliefs, concepts, or philosophy — the truth of who you are.

Through a structured yet deeply human process of self-enquiry, we return again and again to the timeless question:

Who am I?

This is not about adopting a new worldview or striving for a special state. It is about seeing clearly what is already here, beneath the layers of thought, identity, and habit.

The search for enlightenment appears in many cultures and spiritual traditions throughout history because it speaks to something universal — our longing to know ourselves and to live from that knowing. Over the three days of the Intensive, participants are given the rare opportunity to immerse fully in this enquiry, supported by a clear structure, experienced guidance, and a strong container of silence and focus.

Even a brief glimpse of truth can have profound and lasting effects, quietly transforming the way we relate to ourselves, to others, and to life itself.

“If one’s mind has peace, the whole world will appear peaceful.”
— Ramana Maharshi

The Core Practice: The Enlightenment Exercise (Dyads)

At the heart of the retreat is a simple yet powerful practice known as the Enlightenment Exercise, or Dyad.

In a dyad, two people sit facing each other. One person contemplates the enquiry question — most often “Who am I?” — and then speaks whatever is true for them in that moment. The other person listens attentively, without commenting, analysing, or responding.

After a set time, the roles are reversed.

This may sound simple, yet its effect is often profound. Being deeply listened to — without judgment, advice, or interruption — creates a rare sense of safety. This allows thoughts, emotions, insights, and realisations to arise and pass naturally, clearing the way for deeper seeing.

The dyad format also has a cumulative effect. As insights are spoken and heard, clarity tends to deepen. When one person has a breakthrough, it can resonate throughout the group, quietly supporting others in their own enquiry.

To approach the deepest truths of our lives, we often need a space where we can be fully honest — not only with others, but with ourselves. The dyad provides a safe and respectful container in which this honesty can unfold.

The precise technique for self-enquiry will be explained clearly at the beginning of the retreat, and fully qualified, experienced staff will be present at all times to support the process.

The Retreat Rhythm

The dyad sessions are interspersed with periods of:

Walking contemplation

Silent meditation

Short talks and instructions

Meal and rest breaks (held largely in silence)

This rhythm helps sustain focus while allowing time for integration and rest. Silence is maintained for most of the retreat to support depth and continuity of enquiry.

Possible Benefits

Each participant’s experience is unique, and no particular outcome is promised or required. However, many people report lasting shifts such as:

A clearer, more stable sense of self

Greater inner peace and emotional resilience

A feeling of being more present and alive

Increased authenticity and ease in relationships

A renewed sense of meaning, direction, and flow in daily life

Profound change does not need to be dramatic. Often it is quiet, grounded, and deeply real — something that continues to unfold long after the retreat has ended.

‘I have done several Enlightenment Intensives over the last few years and have experienced firsthand its efficacy, as well as seeing time and again the profound effect it has on others. I have consistently experienced moments of real magic, as well as facing things I had long tried to bury.’ ~  Edward, previous E.I participant

Schedule

Arrival:
Please arrive by 7:00pm on Thursday 8 January 2026. A meal will be available, with time to settle into the accommodation.

The retreat begins at approximately 9:00pm with an opening talk.

Daily Schedule:
For the following three days, we begin at 6:00am and continue until around 10:45pm, maintaining a strong and supportive focus on self-enquiry throughout the day.

Completion:
The retreat concludes at 9:00pm on Sunday.

For a small additional fee, you may stay on Sunday night and join a light, optional schedule of exercises and time together, concluding at 12 noon on Monday.

Who is this retreat for?

This retreat is especially suited to you if:

You feel a genuine curiosity about the nature of Self

You have experience with meditation, therapy, or personal development and wish to go deeper

You feel stuck in some area of life and sense that the root lies at a deeper level

You value direct experience over spiritual theory

Participants must be 18 or over. There will be seated periods of approximately 40 minutes, using chairs or cushions, with regular opportunities to stretch and rest.

Please note:
If you have a history of serious mental illness or psychosis, this retreat is not recommended. If you are unsure whether it is suitable for you, please contact me to discuss this confidentially.

Location & Accommodation

The retreat will be held at the beautiful Quadrangle Retreat Centre, near Sevenoaks, Kent.

Accommodation options include:

Men’s or women’s dormitories

A limited number of twin rooms (same gender), available on a first-come, first-served basis for an additional £50 per person

Please email me if you would like to discuss accommodation options.

The centre is approximately 40 minutes from central London, with easy access via the M25 and direct rail links to London Bridge, Victoria, and Charing Cross.

Meals

Meals will be simple, nourishing vegetarian food.
Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free options are available.

Please contact me in advance if you have specific dietary requirements.

About Me

I first attended an Enlightenment Intensive in 2006 with Shivam O’Brien at Spirit Horse Valley in Wales. I was deeply moved by the experience and had a breakthrough that has remained alive and meaningful ever since.

Feeling called to continue and deepen this work, I went on to train and assist on Enlightenment Intensives, participating in over 30 retreats as a participant and assistant (known as a Monitor).

In 2014, I completed my Senior Monitor training with Lawrence Noyes in the USA, and over the past decade I have served many times as Senior Monitor alongside Shivam O’Brien and Claire Heron.

In August 2025, I completed the Enlightenment Intensive Masters training with Shivam and Claire and now feel ready to offer this work and lead retreats myself.

I remain deeply devoted to the pursuit of truth through this method and wholeheartedly recommend it as a powerful and grounded way to come to the heart of the human condition.

“I have worked with Steve on Enlightenment Intensive Retreats for nearly twenty years, and I am delighted he is now sharing his wealth of experience and leading them himself. Steve has the heart of a saint and the mind of a mathematician. This rare combination enables him to meet people with empathy, compassion, and love, alongside precision, clarity, and attention to detail. His dedication to this work shines bright. I whole-heartedly recommend him as a trusted and inspirational guide on your journey of self-discovery.”
— Claire Heron, Enlightenment Intensive Master

‘’Steve has been a critical part of nearly half the EIs I have attended, both as a monitor and as a space holder, and brings a calmness and clarity that I have always greatly appreciated. His passion and commitment for sharing the value of this process with others is clear and inspiring.'' 

— Ed Ryland, E.I Participant

Contact

If you would like to speak with me about any aspect of this retreat, please email me at:

stevecoomber52@gmail.com

I am very happy to answer questions or arrange a Zoom call to see whether this retreat feels right for you.