• December Ojai Retreat •


Our December retreat in Ojai was a tremendous success. Several brand new meditators attended and they, along with other first-time retreat attendees, learned the principles and the process of rounding from Thom and then proceeded to meditate throughout the weekend, with time off for Thom's lectures and wonderful vegetarian meals from our new caterer, Matt.

 

Our group at the end of the weekend

 

Ojai Group

 

 

and Thom

Thom

 

 

 

We have compiled some images from the weekend
and some commentary by those in attendance.
Enjoy.

 

 

 

Lecture

 Thom lecturing

 

 

 

Our Chef, Matt

Our chef, Matt

 

 

 

Porch lamp

porch lamp

 

 

 

Lunch

Lunch

 

 

In the Kitchen

in the kitchen

 

 

 

Lecture

thom lecturing

 

 

 

In the Yoga Studio

yoga studio

 

 

 

Meditators
and their comments

 

meredith

Meredith Semplice, Filmmaker

"This retreat verified the beauty, joys and surprises that come from
surrendering. Meditation has changed and continues to change my life
not only in a grand way, but also in continual subtle daily ways as
well. Stories and words of wisdom from Thom and friendly followers
continue to aid my practice toward enlightenment. Thank you all for an
amazing weekend and sharing such wonderful gifts.
"

 

 

 

meghan

Meghan Telpner, Student of Holistic Nutrition

"The weekend was truly magical. It was amazing to me how
all of our lives, following such different paths, brought us out to
Ojai together. I felt blessed to have shared in this experience
with such a wonderfully supportive and diverse group of people..

I had no idea what to expect of 'rounding'. I am new to my meditation
practice. The process truly was the outcome. I found the postures,
the breathing, the meditations and the rest so pleasant, so charming
as I was experiencing them that, had we more time, I could have just kept going.

I woke up this morning feeling light and happy. I went for a walk
and everything looked a little more beautiful than it did when I left.
I feel calm and well. Rarely in my life have I felt either of those.
And for that, I am truly thankful to all of you, Thom, Jeff, Adele,
and Will, for this practice you are teaching and the knowledge
you are sharing.
"

 

 

 

 

Om

Om Chang, Entreprenuer / IT Consultant

"The rounding weekend retreat was magical. Under Thom's specific
instruction and guidance, the level of clarity I attained over the weekend
is abolutely exceeding my expectations. I have so much freedom being
with my employees and inspire them to take on bigger things in their life.
I highly recommend this to all meditators who are committed to an
extraordinary and stress free life, and I look forward to the next retreat.
(I also love the vegetarian meals prepared with lots love and passion;
and they're nourishing and delicious.)"

 

 

 

 

Rich Y.

Rich Y.

"The rounding retreat is a great experience. It is great to release stress
in such a pleasant friendly environment. And the friendships made on
the retreat are another amazing benefit."

 

 

 

 

Christian

Christian

"I want to thank you for a wonderful weekend in beautiful Ojai
I heartily recommend it to meditators of all levels. The benefits
of rounding helped bring my meditation practice to a new level,
and combined with the teachings i left feeling more rested and
connected than ever. The choice of venue and food, and the
overall camaraderie of the group, were exceptional."

 

 

 

 

 

Kate

Kate, Actor/Singer/Writer

"The weekend retreat was absolutely without a doubt the most
positively life changing experience for me. I had only learned
to meditate four days before, so I was a real newbie and completely
taken by the newfound bliss of serenity I was experiencing.
I also had never participated in a retreat of any kind so the
experience was really a lot for me. Everyone was fabulous,
the quiet time and silent evenings were exactly what I needed.
I thought it would be weird to sleep in a communal situation but
it was actually extremely liberating to maintain such serenity in
the company of many others.

I feel as though the people with whom I naturally connected will
be friends for a very, very long time.

I continue to meditate twice a day and have no intention of ever
straying from it. I have not achieved the same 'depth' in meditations
since the retreat, although I'm putting into action many of the
inspirations that were 'brought' to me during meditations on the retreat.

I absolutely look forward to another weekend retreat.
"

 

 

 

 

Alissa

Alissa, Musician

"The rounding retreats are exceptional. I've had a variety of
experiences, from healing sickness, to completely unstressing
car accident trauma, to past drug and alcohol abuse detox of sorts.
It's really amazing and Thom takes the utmost care with us, never
once was I the least bit concerned - just free to purify and unstress.
I highly reccomend trying a rounding retreat."

 

 

 

 

 

Gere

Jere Burns Actor

The weekend was an AMAZING EXPERIENCE, the effects of which
I felt most strongly starting the following Wed. as Thom mentioned
we might. Jeff and Adele thank you so much for all your help and
kindness along the way. It would not have been the same without
you. Best wishes to all.

 

 

 

 

 

Mark & Andy

Andy Traines, Executive Producer of TV Commercial
Production Company
(on the right),
and
Mark

The experience of the rounding retreat was profound on many levels.
On a simply physical level, the Casa Barranca estate was an absolutely
beautiful setting.....so restful. Matt, the chef, prepared wonderful
vegetarian meals that delighted us every time. On a social level, it was
a great opportunity to be and to bond with other meditators who seek
the same thing I do. It was a great group and I look forward to seeing
everyone in the knowledge meetings.

But, of course, one of the best rewards was having more time with Thom.
I never get tired of listening to his thoughts and stories. What a fountain
of knowledge!!

On a spiritual level, the weekend blew me away! The rounding took my
meditation to new and much deeper places than I had ever gone before.
And, doing all the repetitions allowed me to experiment (as Thom suggested)
in ways of making adjustments that would make my daily meditation more
satisfying. Though somewhat diminished, the effects of the weekend have
stayed with me. For that, I am truly thankful.

 

 

 

 



Katrina

Katrina

 

 

 

 

 

Sandi & Abbe

Sandi Gardiner, Writer/Actress (on the left),
and Abbe

The retreat was an absolutely enlightening experience. Was great to
chat and hang out with people where you feel you are completely
accepted and understood, and also to listen to Thom's lectures.
There are a couple of stories Thom told which really dropped a few
pennies for me. The rounding itself was also priceless whether it felt
like nothing was happening or whether there were a few unxpected
tears rolling down my face. I will definitely be on the next one.

 

 

 

 

 

Rolphe

Rolphe

 

 

 

 

 

Ramin Aminian, CEO - Merchant Resources International,
LLC / Hard money business loans


Great weekend to spend with a bunch of peaceful meditators who
understand what you are trying to achieve. Very inspiring- - I had a
great connection with my God this weekend and truly enjoyed the experience.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heidi

Heidi Yudis, Linklater Voice Teacher

This was my second meditation retreat in Ojai, and each time has been
an amazing experience for me. Ojai and Casa Barranca and its grounds
in particular are just so beautiful--a truly peaceful and stunning get-away.
Meditating and rounding in that environment with the support of other
meditators and with Thom's guidance is a safe and wonderful way to deepen
my practice and release a lot of unwanted stress. Thom's teachings are
very rich and multi-faceted--and being on retreat in this way is a great
setting in which to take in his teachings.

The process of rounding has been challenging and productive in helping
me to let go of all kinds of stresses--it is pretty intense and powerful.

I am grateful for the experience--thanks!

 

 

 

(continued
on next page)

Back to the top
Back to the Homepage

© 2007 Thom Knoles. All Rights Reserved. Contact us: info@introtomeditation.com