Enlightenment Intensive Retreat (The Land of Yemaya, NL)
“Who am I? What is my true nature?” … these are fundamental questions.
The Enlightenment Intensive is a unique process which facilitates a state of Being completely present and free from a relentless stream of thoughts. You will experience how it feels to be deeply connected to your Essential Self, free from social conditioning, restraints and masks. Such a state facilitates a deep sense of satisfaction, inner peace, a joyful aliveness and knowing your true purpose (self realization).
“ The most fantastic, mysterious and the most rewarding journey any of us will ever take – the journey of our True Self. “
About the Enlightenment Intensive
Enlightenment Intensive is a group retreat designed to enable a spiritual enlightenment experience (satori) within a relatively short time. It is a ‘stand-alone’ process outside any organisation or religion, yet it uses a combination of the most efficient tools from traditions such as zen, mindfulness and modern communication techniques. The founder of the Enlightenment Intensive process was Charles Berner, who developed its structure during his research of more effective ways to accelerate spiritual development and personal growth.
“I have tested this technique and I have compared it to other methods of enlightenment. This technique is about 50-100 times more rapid in producing enlightenment experiences than the classical techniques.” Charles Berner
How Does it Work
The primary aim of this process is to crack open the challenges, such as thinking and emotional patterns, that mask your true Self and to allow your authentic (essential) nature to flow and bloom. Experiencing directly your Essential Self facilitates a deep sense of inner peace, a joyful aliveness and flowing energy.
The Process
During the intensive process, you will be placed in a completely secure and safe environment with no distractions (social silence). The core of the work will be self enquiry sessions called Dyads: a profound zen contemplation of the question (koan) ‘Who am I?’. The program also includes numerous holistic techniques, such as guided meditations, conscious movement, working/walking contemplation and holistic detox. After three days of the intensive process, you will have an opportunity to integrate and enjoy the afterglow of your experience through relaxation, movement sessions and/or to simply enjoy the stunning nature around. All practical aspects are taken care by the staff of facilitators, so that you have the full support to totally pursue your personal self enquiry.
What is a Dyad?
The core of the process are enquiry sessions called Dyads that facilitate a physical, mental and spiritual detox. Dyads are enquiry sessions that are held with two people. One listening in stillness, the other communicating their direct experience of this moment in response to the question ‘Who am I?’ After five minutes the roles change.
This is repeated for thirty or forty minutes and is followed by a break. You will start the next Dyad with a new partner. Each Dyad clears the mind of mundane chit-chat and gives space for your authentic Self to be revealed. After a while the grip of the mind loosens as you move deeper into the direct experience of your Essence. Eventually, there is a moment where the mind becomes completely still. This creates a profound shift in your state of being – in the traditional practice of Zen, this is known as a Satori … A glimpse of enlightenment.
More Resources
Read more about the process: click here
Additional Info
This retreat will be held in English.
The maximum recommended number of participants for this retreat is 20.
It is recommended to refrain from caffeine, tobacco and sugar for a few days prior to the retreat.
After your reservation, you will receive a preparation brochure (via email) to support you in preparing yourself for your Enlightenment intensive experience.
Please read the Practicalities and Agenda Section below to understand the commitment required to participate in this amazing and powerful process.
Practicalities
Below you will find essential information about the practical elements of the retreat.
Practicalities
Smoking: It is recommend stopping to smoke during the process. If you do smoke, cutting down to 3 a day would make it easier to spend a few days without tobacco. If you feel that you cannot manage this then we can find a balance that you are comfortable with.
Mobile Phones: You will be asked to surrender your mobile phone for the three days of the Intensive. During the process, unless in an emergency, there will be no contact to the outside world so please make sure your affairs are in order before we start.
Silence: The three day Intensive process part will be held in social silence. You will be talking during the Dyads and open sessions but will be in silence when outside the group space. Being in silence also means you will not have access to the Internet, phones, TV, radio or any distractions that take you away from your contemplation.
Open heart and mind: This process is intense and has been carefully structured to work deeply and with lasting changes. It is challenging yet the rewards are reflected in the changes that may occur with a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you.
Agenda
The Schedule is here as a guide and is subject to modifications.
Agenda
Guests are welcome to arrive from Monday afternoon from 14.00. 1-2-1 Meetings will start at 16:00hrs. After meetings there will be dinner at 19.00. The introduction session will start at 20.30.
22:30 – 06:15 Sleeping Contemplation
21:15 Relaxation
Integration day. Relaxation, conscious movement, bodywork, additional dyad sessions (optional), sharing circles, walks in the nature, sauna. A precious time to enjoy the sweet flowing moments. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tea break & Dinner
Guided meditation, Breakfast, Closing Circle and departure
The Team
During this retreat, you will be supported by Peter, Vero, and their team of experienced facilitators and counsellors to ensure a smooth and nourishing experience. Hayku, our lovely therapy dog, will be ready to cuddle anyone who might need it.
About Peter Harper (Main Guide)
Peter is the main guide (master) of our Enlightenment Intensive retreats. With over 40 years of experience in self-discovery and spiritual guidance, he brings deep presence and clarity to the process. He divides his time between leading Meditation and Self-Awareness Retreats and Workshops across Europe, and creating Guided Meditation and Conscious Music recordings. You can read more about Peter [HERE].
About Veronika Kremenova (Senior Monitor)
Vero is the space-holding heart of our retreats. She works as a counsellor and senior monitor of the EI process, and she also facilitates conscious movement and breathwork sessions. In daily life, she works as an integrative counsellor and co-creates the program of our courses. More about Vero [HERE].
The Venue
Tucked away in the peaceful countryside of East Groningen, Land van Yemaya is a retreat center where meaning, connection, and transformation naturally unfold. Surrounded by magical ponds, powerful trees, and open fields, the estate offers a perfect balance of intimacy and space—an ideal setting for the Enlightenment Intensive Whether swimming in the natural pond or walking quiet forest paths, guests are invited into a deeper sense of homecoming.
Despite its secluded tranquility feel, Land van Yemaya is surprisingly accessible—with direct bus service, excellent motorway access (A7 and German Autobahn), and a simple train connection from Schiphol Airport. It’s a place where people from all over the world gather to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with themselves and with life.
How to get there: download pdf
Booking & Price
Price
This retreat offers a range of accommodation options, including single rooms, shared rooms, and premium units.
Prices start at €1,190 per person for the most affordable option.
To view all available accommodations and pricing, YEMAYA ACCOMMODATION EI 03_2026. Once you’ve selected your preferred option, contact us via email info@eiassociation.org to make a reservation.
Your booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit. The remaining balance is due by January 23rd, 2026. The full cancellation policy will be sent to you once we receive your reservation request by email.
The retreat prices you see are final – no additional VAT will be added.
Exclusive
You can register for the retreat using the email button below. In addition to your name, surname and selected accommodation, we also invite you to share a few words about your motivation for joining this retreat.
EMAIL US FOR BOOKING
Health & Safety
Please, note, that if you are following any form of mental health therapy / using any medication / have a recent history of any substance addiction (in the last 6 months) / you are in any kind of a recovery process, before you book your spot, kindly reach out to the retreat provider via info@eiassociation.org, so you can find out together, if this retreat is suitable for you. This precaution serves to secure the maximum safety for you as well as the whole group dynamic and it ensures the quality delivery of the retreat effect. Please note, that in the case of not following this precaution, the retreat provider reserves the right to remove the participant from the retreat process. Thank you for your understanding.
Please note, that this retreat is a very profound individual journey of self discovery. In case you wish to experience this program with your relatives, partners or friends, we highly recommend to book different dates or at least don’t share a room together. You can also contact us before you book, so we can find together an arrangement, which won’t interfere into your EI process.
GDPR
By confirming your participation you are agreeing that we can send you a welcome email and occasional inspirations. You can always unsubscribe at the bottom of our emails. These emails are compliant with GDPR rules and your privacy will be respected and protected. We will not share your details with anyone in any way.
Safety & Privacy Disclaimer
By attending the sessions and courses (in-person and online programs) provided by The Drunken Monk & EI Association (the organiser), you agree to take full responsibility for your safety and all consequences of participating.
Our courses are for educational purposes only. The organiser is not responsible and cannot be held liable for legal claims or losses. If you have any concerns or are on medication for mental health or physical reasons, please inform us by emailing info@eiassociation.org.
Everything shared in the courses provided by the organiser or shared by other participants within the sessions remains confidential and private. This includes the taking or sharing of any pictures of other participants within the course or sharing any personal details about the other participants.
All right reserved. Any information/study materials provided by the organiser are the subject of the copyright of their respective owners. All materials are not transferable and cannot be distributed without written permission.
