Who am I?

Working in pairs over the three-day, four-night residential retreat, participants reflect on this essential question. Taking turns, one inquires into the question and communicates what occurs in their contemplation, while the other listens. The daily schedule is modeled on that of a structured Zen meditation retreat, with a similar aim of deepening concentration that leads to a direct breakthrough experience of the truth. First developed in 1968, these retreats are capable of producing transformative spiritual experiences and insights, leading people to better connect with themselves, life, and others. The retreats are secular in nature, and people from all different religious and non-religious backgrounds attend.

The next retreat is October 23-27, 2025 at Rainbow Lodge in North Bend, WA, near Seattle. We begin with an introductory evening and conclude with an integration morning.

Cost is on a sliding scale from $1,050-875 USD and includes all meals and lodging in shared doubles. Single rooms are available for an additional cost.

Meet Zarina

Zarina began practicing meditation almost twenty years ago. Since then she has spent about a year, cumulatively, in silent retreat, and has practiced in Thailand, Myanmar, and India. She began taking Enlightenment Intensives in 2017, after which she trained and studied to become a teacher and guide. She facilitated her first Enlightenment Intensive in 2023.

  • I was so impressed with how Zarina led us through the intensive, gently, one step at the time. All along, I felt Zarina's caring and support unconditionally. Also want to comment on the rest of the staff - they were always there for us, and their support was invaluable. I am very grateful for all the behind-the-scenes logistics that they managed.

  • I realized during the intensive, how little of myself I am willing to share in daily life, until I feel safe that others are not going to reject me. I got to experience in the dyads how the circumstances around early programming have contributed to this habit. I have been more aware of the nature of my mind, how much it influences my moods and how it feeds my thoughts.

  • I learned so much from Zarina’s teachings, including the dyad technique, poems, and quotes. I also appreciated her sense of humour.

  • I had the honor of joining Zarina as a staff member on her first Enlightenment Intensive, and superlatives fail to do her justice. She had worked out logistics in advance so that event preparation flowed easily. She held the space like a wise elder and articulated difficult concepts with clarity and reverence, to offer the kind of welcoming environment that a human heart needs to open.

  • I had started a healing journey six months ago relating to old trauma. Not only did this Enlightenment Intensive provide a lot of much needed emotional release, but also a safe place to begin to experience what's next in my healing.

  • Zarina makes the process accessible and explains complex concepts in a manner that is clear and positive.

  • I highly recommend everyone attend an enlightenment intensive mastered by Zarina. The experience will grow you and free you. I found her guidance and teachings filled with Truth, compassion and humour. She has studied extensively and has a talent for offering up ancient wisdom with loving kindness and compassion at just the right moment. I am so grateful; thank you Zarina for your work.

  • Zarina is a natural at this. Yes, she has a nurturing personality, and it's true that her presence is disarming. But more to the point, Zarina has put in the time and energy to become intimately acquainted with her own true nature, so that she can offer that gift to others seeking the same thing.

  • I've done Enlightenment Intensives with several different teachers now and I was so impressed with Zarina's leadership. Zarina radiates presence—I don't know that I've met someone more consistently and fully present than Zarina. As a result, Zarina has so much to offer as a leader—clarity, calm, compassion, curiosity, courage. During the intensive, I had a crisis and how Zarina engaged with me throughout not only allowed me to continue on my path of growth and liberation, but she provided for me a deeply corrective leadership experience that resulted in profound healing well beyond the retreat.

  • Having participated, I highly recommend Zarina's Intensives and her use of time-honored methods pointing us toward enlightenment. She has exceptional abilities and it is natural to be open into greater truth and reality. I felt so supported throughout.

  • The Enlightenment Intensive was beneficial in my search for freedom from the mind's relentless suffering. While I did not experience the dramatic spiritual awakening experience hoped for, there were many cathartic releases. By the end of the weekend, I felt much lighter - like a burden I had been carrying for years was dropped. This ADHD plagued mind became quiet with a sense of peace and harmony.

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