{"id":3457,"date":"2025-05-18T02:25:54","date_gmt":"2025-05-18T02:25:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/?page_id=3457"},"modified":"2026-03-18T22:55:56","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T22:55:56","slug":"previous-retreats","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/index.php\/previous-retreats\/","title":{"rendered":"Previous Retreats"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"3457\" class=\"elementor elementor-3457\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fe5f55c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7fe5f55c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-143d2500 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"143d2500\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>\u00a0<\/p><ul><li><a href=\"#win-2026\">Winter retreat<\/a> 2026 Germany<\/li><li><a href=\"#sp-2025\">Spring retreat<\/a> 2025 at KDOL.<\/li><li><a href=\"#aut-2025\">Autumn retreat<\/a> 2025 at KDOL.<\/li><li><a href=\"#test-win\">Testimonials<\/a> Winter 2026<\/li><li><a href=\"#testimonials\">Testimonials <\/a>Spring 2025<\/li><li><a href=\"#test-aut\">Testimonials<\/a> Autumn 2025<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2fbd6ac1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2fbd6ac1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7b8caa16 elementor-arrows-position-inside elementor-widget elementor-widget-image-carousel\" data-id=\"7b8caa16\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;navigation&quot;:&quot;arrows&quot;,&quot;autoplay&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_hover&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;pause_on_interaction&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;autoplay_speed&quot;:5000,&quot;infinite&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;speed&quot;:500}\" data-widget_type=\"image-carousel.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel-wrapper swiper\" role=\"region\" aria-roledescription=\"carousel\" aria-label=\"Image Carousel\" dir=\"ltr\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-image-carousel swiper-wrapper swiper-image-stretch\" aria-live=\"off\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/KDOL-recep-scaled-e1747535902752-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Reception Centre\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Tibetan-Buddhism-near-Vancouver-scaled-e1747535770308-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Meditating by the Stupa\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/mo-cook-scaled-e1747537582179-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Maureen cooking cakes and cookies\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"4 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/deer-e1747536885961-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Friendly Locals\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"5 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro-yog-3-scaled-e1747537781465-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Daily Yoga\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"6 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Meditation-Retreat-e1747536011118-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Dharma Teaching\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"7 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/blue-twighlight-e1747536909851-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful Scenery\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"8 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Sangha-scaled-e1747536063686-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Group Meditation\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"9 of 39\"><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/carl-study-scaled-e1747536173480-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Time to just Relax\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"0><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Mary-and-Me1-scaled-e1747536257315-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"New Friends\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"1><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Book-about-Buddhism-scaled-e1747536309155-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Time to Study\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"2><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro12-1-e1747536365919-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Meditating in the Wild\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"3><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Beautiful-Night-Sky-scaled-e1747536947877-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful Sunsets\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"4><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/choga-recep1-scaled-e1747537608304-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Here Comes trouble\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"5><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Studying-Buddhism-e1747536977415-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Cat &amp; Cat Lover\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"6><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro10-1-e1747536833539-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Feeding Deer\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"7><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/mary-med-e1747536735591-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"One Pointed Concentration\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"8><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro-17-1-e1747536709318-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Spring Blossoms\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"1 of 39\"9><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro2-1-e1747537681802-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Ringing the Gong\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"0><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro3-1-e1747537089931-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"The Stupa at Sunset\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"1><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro7-1-e1747537135685-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Time to Meditate\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"2><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro13-1-e1747537182712-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Twilight on the Mountain\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"3><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/mala-wheel-e1747537254560-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Prayer Wheel and Mala\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"4><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/arthur-teach-e1747537278655-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Yoga Guru\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"5><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Carousel1-1-e1747537419733-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Everything Goes to Plan\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"6><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/caro15-1-e1747537370536-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Downtime for Lama\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"7><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Bud_stat-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Bud_stat\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"8><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Refuge_1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Refuge_1\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"2 of 39\"9><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Bread_making-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"Bread_making\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"0><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/wheel_mala-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"wheel_mala\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"1><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Choga_portraite-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"Choga_portraite\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"2><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/boys_talking-225x300.jpg\" alt=\"boys_talking\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"3><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/scott_pose-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"New Experiences\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"4><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/greeting-300x300.jpeg\" alt=\"New Friends\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"5><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/candle_med-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Meditation techniques\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"6><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/lil_look-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Absorb the atmosphere\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"7><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/cat_bell-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Happy Cats\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"8><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/refuge_sherab-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Refuge Ceremony\" \/><\/figure><\/div><div class=\"swiper-slide\" role=\"group\" aria-roledescription=\"slide\" aria-label=\"3 of 39\"9><figure class=\"swiper-slide-inner\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"swiper-slide-image\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/down_to_stupa-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"Time to Reflect\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-prev\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-left\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M646 125C629 125 613 133 604 142L308 442C296 454 292 471 292 487 292 504 296 521 308 533L604 854C617 867 629 875 646 875 663 875 679 871 692 858 704 846 713 829 713 812 713 796 708 779 692 767L438 487 692 225C700 217 708 204 708 187 708 171 704 154 692 142 675 129 663 125 646 125Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-swiper-button elementor-swiper-button-next\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-eicon-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 1000 1000\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M696 533C708 521 713 504 713 487 713 471 708 454 696 446L400 146C388 133 375 125 354 125 338 125 325 129 313 142 300 154 292 171 292 187 292 204 296 221 308 233L563 492 304 771C292 783 288 800 288 817 288 833 296 850 308 863 321 871 338 875 354 875 371 875 388 867 400 854L696 533Z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5fc1a84b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5fc1a84b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b53503d elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1b53503d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"sp-2025\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Winter retreat 2026 Germany<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19faca2d e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"19faca2d\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-10f7af20 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"10f7af20\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"win-2026\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Wonderful group of retreatants for the winter weekend retreat in Geltendorf Germany.<\/p><p>everyone sat well, considering we were practising for around 8 hours a day and there were many beginners.<\/p><p>Check out the <a href=\"#test-win\">testimonials<\/a> to see what their personal experience of the retreat was like.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7e86b465 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"7e86b465\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/group-1024x683.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3956\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/group-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/group-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/group-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/group-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/group.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2991bab0 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2991bab0\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75ab55e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75ab55e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"sp-2025\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Spring Retreat at KDOL May 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2193611a e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"2193611a\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fe8c11a elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7fe8c11a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Having successfully completed our first retreat in British Columbia at the spectacular KDOL retreat centre we wanted to share some of the amazing pictures we took as well as the testimonials from the participants. Such a nice group of seekers on the spiritual path!<\/p><p>Check out the <a href=\"#testimonials\">testimonials<\/a>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-40523389 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"40523389\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3462\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/May-group1-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-421ab028 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"421ab028\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-394af394 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"394af394\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"aut-2025\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Autumn Retreat at KDOL May 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cb6e159 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"3cb6e159\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8b624cc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8b624cc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>We recently completed the second retreat, at KDOL retreat centre on Salt Spring Island BC. The retreat included a refuge ceremony for new buddhists. This time we focused on the needs of beginners to the path. Even so in the end we were meditating 4 1\/2 hours a day in formal sitting. Hats off to everyone for a job well done. Here are some pictures from the retreat.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c2ba61e elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1c2ba61e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-3696\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/autumn_group.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-49dde4b9 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"49dde4b9\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-622a99c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"622a99c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"test-win\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Testimonials from the Winter 2026 Retreatants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1b69e9eb elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"1b69e9eb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">This week of retreat was an amazing experience for me. I've been in the dharma for a while and received many teachings. I haven't been in retreat for a long time though and the setup of this retreat was very welcome in this period of my life. \nI had the opportunity to deepen my practice tremendously in a very short time and at the same time having a growing insight about my personal habits and being in the world.\nI'm absolutuly grateful to Lama Choga and his continuous effort to make this retreat work for all the attendants in a very authentic way. I'm grateful to my fellow practitioners who were a sincere and loving support. \nAnd I'm so grateful to the donors without whom this whole event wouldn't have been possible. I rejoice in their merit. \nMay this dharma project continu to grow long into the future and be of benefit to countless beings. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/josh.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3967\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/josh.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/josh-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/josh-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Josh Rose<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Devon, UK<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a63fcca elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"a63fcca\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">I had much less previous meditation experience than most participants, and sitting for so many hours straight every day turns to be a physically really hard thing to do, at least if you're a beginner like me! Luckily we had really beneficial yoga sessions throughout by Jeannette that helped alot. There was a great sense of community and support from everyone involved at all times. Choga and volunteers provided great support, accomodation (even transport) and self-made meals. \nAll in all I was a challenging but very interesting experience, helped by Choga's very learned and tailored instructions, and supplemented by deep yet engaging dharma talks.\n\n\nAll the best\nTunde<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tunde.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3961\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tunde.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tunde-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/tunde-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Tunde<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Germany<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0dc114 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"e0dc114\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">I want to get to know myself better, and for me, this is the place to be. Time spent with Lama Choga always tests my resilience of both body and mind, and opens the door for something really profound: new ways of seeing, in theory and in experience. Without a doubt, I see that he has learned from the best meditation instructors of our time and has the experience to teach it progressively, starting from the foundational practices up to grounds that are still waiting to be established in me. It\u2019s a joy for me to participate in something that I value more than gold with other like-minded people in a well-structured and planned setting. From this experience, I have the confidence and inspiration to make my own weekend meditation retreats at home to hold mindfulness and a wise direction in my everyday activities. Namo Buddhaya<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/samuel.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3960\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/samuel.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/samuel-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/samuel-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Samuel<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Estonia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7ea6427 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"7ea6427\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">A great and safe experience for beginnimg and advanced seekers where  attention is given for every participant.\n\n\nA teacher with great knowledge covering all buddhistic streams leading through theory and practical application in all core meditation techniques , joined with great yoga lessons. Perfectly organized, great food, locations,stays and composition of participants that become companions on the path. \n\n\nBrought my practice to a new level.\n\nA experience i will try to repeat.\n\n\nAnumodana to all that made this possible by their contribitions.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/benjamin.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3964\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/benjamin.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/benjamin-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/benjamin-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Benjamin Krueger<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Germany<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-663b4092 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"663b4092\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\"> I attended a weekend retreat in Munich. There were about 11 of us, from all over Europe, and the small group created a safe space where we all received a lot of individual support and attention. The structure was two hours of meditation, followed by yoga, food, or a dharma talk. We did three sets on the first day and four on the second, totalling six hours of meditation on day one and eight on day two. An hour of gentle yoga was included on both days.\n\n\nWhile two hours of sitting is challenging, there was the option to use a chair for those who had difficulty sitting, so it was beginner-friendly. I would strongly recommend bringing a meditation mat, as it helps you sit for longer. The group had a very mixed range of abilities, from people like me who were new to meditation (it was my first retreat) to very experienced practitioners. Despite this, I was able to participate in all the activities, which shows that it is possible if you feel called to it.\n\n\nThe food was mainly vegetarian and vegan, all made on site by the lama and our yogi teacher. There was a great variety and plenty of it, really tasty, and we all ate well. I personally lucked out with the accommodation, as it was an absolutely stunning space and only a two- to three-minute walk from the large hall where all our activities took place.\n\n\nMoving on to the experience itself: as a novice, sitting had its challenges. For me, the first hour was usually OK; it was the second hour, particularly the last 20 minutes, when the discomfort became very loud. During the final meditation, I was able for a few minutes to really examine the discomfort and sit with it, and beyond it, with the energy it actually was. I could then use that energy to create a gentle pulsating sensation in my heart and hands. This was a profound experience, which I learnt a lot from\n\n\nThe silence was pleasant, and I found myself slightly reluctant to return to talking because it was so enjoyable. Not talking, however, does not mean silence, the world continues to make its noises. It was a good opportunity to listen more deeply\n\n\nAs for the dharma talks, I had never experienced Buddhist teachings laid out so clearly. The lama is extremely learned, and his teaching style is what I imagine of a Tibetan monk. He does not suffer fools, so be prepared to be challenged and to revisit old concepts as it is some of our mental frames themselves that contribute the most to suffering. He teaches more with fire to those old concepts than with water, if you know what I mean, and personally I appreciated this lack of pretence and direction. \n\n\nIf I had the opportunity to go again, I would.\n\n\nYou learn a lot about yourself when you are encouraged to meditate for as much as 14 hours over two days in silence. I\u2019d say if you feel called, give it a go. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kushi.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3966\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kushi.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kushi-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/kushi-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Akosua<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">UK<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-631baf9 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"631baf9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">My experience during the retreat was very very painful. As a beginner meditator, I underestimated how mentally and especially physically demanding a Buddhist retreat can be.\n\nThe physical pain I endured made me unable to follow Lama Choga\u2019s instructions. However, on the last day, I realized that I needed to follow my own path\u2014focusing fully on the pain rather than becoming frustrated about not being able to follow the instructions. This shift allowed me to be at ease with the pain and became the foundation of the main lesson I learned during the retreat.\n\nI am sure that, with more experience, I would have benefited more from the retreat, as Lama Choga\u2019s knowledge and guidance were objectively great.\n\nDon't go to the retreat expecting great insights or even enlightenment (especially if you are a beginner like me), but you can go to the retreat expecting to have a warm community, well-organized activities, thoughtful pedagogy and lovely meals in silence. \n\nThanks to the insight Sangha and to everyone who donated to make the retreat possible. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/miguel.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3957\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/miguel.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/miguel-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/miguel-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Miguel A.G.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Spain<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ea402d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"ea402d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">I came with no expectations and was genuinely surprised by the guidance and depth of knowledge from Lama Choga. The retreat was amazingly deep and helped me realize I can sit much longer than I expected. Also, the way the retreat is organized really helps deepen the practice, because everything is truly centered around meditation.\n\n\nThe group was very harmonious, and I hope to stay in contact with many of them. It created a real sangha feeling.\n\n\nLama Choga gives me hope for authentic Dharma in the West, and this is something truly worthy of our support.\n\n\nThank you for the experience.\n\n\nWarm regards \n\nAlex <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2560\" height=\"2560\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-scaled.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3962\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-scaled.jpg 2560w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/alex-2048x2048.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Alex S.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Germany<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-650d8c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"650d8c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">This short meditation retreat was organized well and it was clear that everything had a purpose. We were introduced to other participants with pizza and had a great evening, and during retreat we were quiet yet familiar with each other. Teachings were great and insighful, helped in both immediate meditation and general understanding, balanced to serve the needs of novice and experienced practitioners. Food was miraculous, I did not think vegetarian food may be that diverse and tasty. Yoga supported our practice, improved breathing and posture, as well as alleviated some pain - there were a lot of pain. Lama was kind and split our meditations into pieces by giving us minute to stand up and move, which was extremely helpful. I personally gained some insight and absolutely recommend that retreat to everyone. From the downsides, some answers to the questions seemed to be more evasive then direct, but this is probably due to retreat's format and objectives. Additionally, a diverse medical kit would be beneficial.\n\nBest regards,\nOleksandr Babak<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sasha.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3963\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sasha.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sasha-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/sasha-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Oleksandr Babak<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Slovakia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50bfa66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"50bfa66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">I had the very good fortune to attend a silent retreat remotely last weekend with Lama Choga. The retreat was held near Munich, Germany, and I joined from my home in western Canada via Zoom.\n\nThe meditation sessions were long and sometimes quite challenging. There were moments when I struggled to understand the subtlety of the practices, but Lama Choga\u2019s guidance made a real difference. Often, just a few words of instruction would suddenly bring clarity, and I was able to settle back into the meditation as intended. I feel that the experience has genuinely deepened and strengthened my practice.\n\nEach day also included a yoga session led by Jeannette, which was a welcome opportunity to stretch, relax, and reconnect with the body between long periods of sitting. I found these sessions both helpful and enjoyable.\n\nIf you ever have the opportunity to attend a retreat with Lama Choga or through Theory Samsara, I would warmly encourage you to take it. It was a meaningful and worthwhile experience for me.\n\n \n\nKind regards,\n\nPhilip<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/philip.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3984\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/philip.jpg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/philip-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/philip-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Philip McAdams<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-72502682 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"72502682\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">This is the second retreat I have participated in remotely, and this one had the advantage of being closer to my time zone. I feel fortunate to have this opportunity, as a it is difficult to find accessible, affordable and trustworthy meditation retreats and guidance.\nI appreciated the intelligent structure of the program, with all the sessions combining to make sense as a whole. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, supportive and firm; leading me to reflect that a bit more self kindness and self discipline would benefit my everyday practice. \nMeditation sessions built up in length. Different techniques were used and developed, which allowed comparison across the sessions. The guided meditation had a sensitive lightness of touch, a gentle reminder of where to focus attention. \nThe talks gave context to the meditation techniques and explained their strengths and weaknesses. \nThe yoga sessions were a welcome complement to the other sessions, an opportunity to stretch out and stay flexible physically and mentally.\nThis was my experience; it may be of use to others considering a retreat and wondering will I be able to do this and what benefit will it have.\nAt times it was hard on the legs to stay in vajra posture, so when that seemed counter productive, I ate my pride and sat on a chair. Sometimes the mind rebelled insisting \u2018when will it end\u2019 but learned to just accept the thought let and it dissipate. Good, bad and ugly thoughts and emotions all appeared as well as moments of tranquillity.  It became clearer to me how I can work with my mind.  Levels of doubt were replaced with confidence. Coming out of retreat I am very aware of my post meditation state.\nThanks for the kindness of Lama Choga, Mary, Jannine in looking after us so well, the generosity of donors,  the friendliness and questions from other participants. It is good to feel connected in this way. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"223\" height=\"223\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penny.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3969\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penny.jpg 223w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/penny-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 223px) 100vw, 223px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Penny Crawley<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Scotland<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f336872 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"f336872\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">I was a remote attendant in Lama\u2019s Germany weekend retreat. This had been my first formal retreat and I found it to be a substantial boost to my meditation practice.\n\nWe performed progressively more subtle meditations during the retreat and the later ones were certainly challenging. But Lama\u2019s instructions and guidance during the meditation always grounded me in my motivation and helped me find footing. \n\nIn between sessions, we had yoga and meditation talks. In the talks, Lama would contextualize everything we were doing as well as address any questions about the meditation. The yoga was itself structured as meditation sessions and gave an air of freshness in the retreat. \n\nAttending remotely was also no challenge at all, but I\u2019d recommend you do the retreat from a quiet place if you have to join remotely. Overall, I would really recommend Lamas retreat and testify to their impact. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Omar.F.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3979\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Omar.F.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Omar.F-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Omar.F-150x150.jpeg 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Omar F.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">USA<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5305d742 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"5305d742\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60da8768 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"60da8768\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"testimonials\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Testimonials from the May 2025 Retreatants<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c45bad0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"7c45bad0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">This week of retreat was an amazing experience for me. I've been in the dharma for a while and received many teachings. I haven't been in retreat for a long time though and the setup of this retreat was very welcome in this period of my life. \nI had the opportunity to deepen my practice tremendously in a very short time and at the same time having a growing insight about my personal habits and being in the world.\nI'm absolutuly grateful to Lama Choga and his continuous effort to make this retreat work for all the attendants in a very authentic way. I'm grateful to my fellow practitioners who were a sincere and loving support. \nAnd I'm so grateful to the donors without whom this whole event wouldn't have been possible. I rejoice in their merit. \nMay this dharma project continu to grow long into the future and be of benefit to countless beings. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"922\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Josine-e1747531763307.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3459\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Josine-e1747531763307.jpg 922w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Josine-e1747531763307-300x260.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Josine-e1747531763307-768x666.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Josine-e1747531763307-346x300.jpg 346w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 922px) 100vw, 922px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Josine de Jong <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">The Netherlands<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37018ebf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"37018ebf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-70ce8205 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"70ce8205\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\"> In May 2025 I had the good fortune to attend Lama Choga's one-week retreat at KDOL on Saltspring Island.\n\nHaving received many Dharma teachings over the years from different Tibetan Buddhist masters, I was inspired by the authenticity of the teaching and practice in this retreat, as well as by the care that was taken for all of us participants. I have full confidence in Lama Choga's motivation and deeply admire his aim of enabling students who aspire to experience and realize the truth of Buddha's teaching to enter into short and long-term retreats.\n\nI am also very grateful to the sponsors of this retreat. \nAmong all the good causes out there that are worth supporting,  enabling people to cultivate peace, compassion, and wisdom within themselves is probably the most important and a powerful cause for peace on Earth.\n\n\nAll the best,\nBarry<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"950\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-bar-e1747531796414.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3460\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Barry Cohen<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">The Netherlands<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2457cfdb e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2457cfdb\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7441621e elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"7441621e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\"> In May of 2025, I had the rare and precious opportunity to participate in the inaugural one week silent retreat of the Insight Sangha, led by Lama Choga, on Mt. Tuam, Saltspring Island, British Columbia.\nI had been trying to develop a meditation practice in fits and starts for the previous year, with some success, but also a lot of frustration and lapses. This retreat acted as a sort of meditation boot camp for me. It was challenging, intense, clarifying, beautiful, and profound. I came away from the experience with a new sense of confidence and direction in my practice. I feel rooted in the methodology and lived experience of an authentic spiritual lineage that spans back in time for thousands of years. Lama Choga is a skillful instructor of both meditation and Buddhist philosophy, and he displays integrity and warmth in his conduct.\nThe facilitation of this retreat was modelled after the traditional economic arrangements between spiritual and lay communities in the lands where the dharma first flourished. There was no fee for instruction. All food and accommodation was provided. There was no financial barrier for earnest spiritual practitioners willing to devote themselves to meditating, studying, and contemplating in silence. This was made possible by the generosity of patrons who value the dharma so much, and who believe so fervently in the indispensable role that meditative practice plays in creating a healthy world, that they are willing to financially support aspirants who want to practice the Buddha\u2019s teachings for the benefit of all sentient beings.\nThis kind of thing is unheard of in the west, where spirituality has, like all other wholesome pursuits, been largely subsumed by the imperatives of consumer culture\u2014commodified, looted, and transformed into a venture for personal gain. Hopefully this retreat was the dawn of something new and influential: non-transactional dharma that is not dependent on or subservient to existing power structures and conventional values, available to all who wish to practice.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"816\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Clinton-scaled-e1747531056436.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3461\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Clinton-scaled-e1747531056436.jpg 816w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Clinton-scaled-e1747531056436-300x294.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Clinton-scaled-e1747531056436-768x753.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Clinton-scaled-e1747531056436-306x300.jpg 306w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Clinton Smith<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50ec82a2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"50ec82a2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-665d63f7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"665d63f7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">The silent retreat provided me with exactly the experience that I was capable of handling at that time. Due to certain food sensitivities, I was well-cared for and fed the appropriate foods to maintain a healthy digestion and support productive meditation sessions. My food was prepared with love and mindfulness, reflecting the care with which the entire program was organized. The yoga sessions were also prepared with that same standard and greatly helped me through the week; sitting for many hours daily can be physically demanding if the body is not properly conditioned. I highly recommend that anyone attending retreats participate in the yoga sessions. Lama Choga also prepared a series of teachings that enabled us to dive into the 37 Practices of a Bodhisattva, integrating them seamlessly with our meditation practices. I had a wealth of material to work with throughout the retreat. We were provided with so many crucial insights that really stuck with me. I am still processing what I learned and trying to integrate everything into my practice and how I experience my everyday activities in the world. Being my first retreat, this was an invaluable gift. I felt both cared for and challenged to push my boundaries. I met wonderful and sincere people, and I am grateful to have shared this retreat with them all. They each helped me learn important things about myself, and I hope to meditate with them again someday.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"880\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-mary-scaled-e1747531014426.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3466\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-mary-scaled-e1747531014426.jpg 880w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-mary-scaled-e1747531014426-300x273.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-mary-scaled-e1747531014426-768x698.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-mary-scaled-e1747531014426-396x360.jpg 396w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-mary-scaled-e1747531014426-330x300.jpg 330w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 880px) 100vw, 880px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Mary Banks<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">USA<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19fcaca1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"19fcaca1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ae9d012 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"ae9d012\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">My experience in the Salt Spring Island retreat at KDOL with Lama Choga was amazing, not just because we were out in this beautiful natural forest but also because it was so important for my practice of meditation and life in general. It was exactly what I needed to be able to remember that I can sit for two hours meditating, that I can simply stop drinking coffee and I don't have to be on the phone all the time, nor watch TV. Things that in daily busy life we tend to get caught in, the retreat helped me get rid of it. The lesson I got was: do not let things dampen your potential! And that is what I am trying to follow now that I am back again in Samsaric life. Anyone that needs this reset, this disconnect and this mental cleanup should go to such retreats, and to think that I was sponsored by another Sangha member just makes me think that, yes, good things do happen and there are still good people. Thank you so much, love from Brazil! May this practice benefit all beings!<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"940\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Arthur-scaled-e1747531527155.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3467\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Arthur-scaled-e1747531527155.jpg 940w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Arthur-scaled-e1747531527155-300x255.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Arthur-scaled-e1747531527155-768x654.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Arthur-scaled-e1747531527155-353x300.jpg 353w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Arthur Olimpio<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Brazil<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1ab5edd8 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1ab5edd8\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52c77217 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"52c77217\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">How can I summarize an experience such as was this retreat? Profound, beautiful, difficult. It was all of these things, and so much more. I can honestly say it was a gift.\n\nI deeply appreciated Lama Choga\u2019s focus on imparting not just knowledge, but the path to wisdom. As someone coming to the retreat with no formal background in Buddhism, I valued how he always paired the \u2018how\u2019 with the \u2018why.\u2019 The emphasis on gaining insight through direct experience resonated with my own personal practice, but this retreat gave me a clearer understanding of the methods and imparted resilience to continue them at home.\n\nBeing in silence amidst the beautiful environment of Mount Tuam on Salt Spring Island offered space for deeper contemplation. As I turned inward, observing the thoughts and emotions that shape my cognitive processes, my perception of reality began to shift. This insight will continue to carry my spiritual practice forward long after the retreat.\n\nThroughout the week, I witnessed Lama Choga\u2019s sincere care and compassion for his students. His blunt, straightforward manner was refreshing, especially in contrast to the often confusing spiritual culture in the West, one sometimes clouded by empty platitudes and the promise of wisdom behind a paywall. I\u2019m deeply grateful to have had this opportunity and for Lama Choga\u2019s commitment to offering this path to others.\u201d\n\nThank you for everything you do!!! <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"953\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-kelly-scaled-e1747531708249.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3468\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-kelly-scaled-e1747531708249.jpg 953w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-kelly-scaled-e1747531708249-300x252.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-kelly-scaled-e1747531708249-768x645.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-kelly-scaled-e1747531708249-357x300.jpg 357w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 953px) 100vw, 953px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Kelly Reynolds<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">USA<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-38423c33 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"38423c33\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a412a4d elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"1a412a4d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">Despite my lack of knowledge about vajrayana Buddhism, Lama Choga accepted me the way a true practitioner would. There is nothing forced about him as a practitioner or teacher. I never felt like I had to prove anything while participating in the silent retreat. While I do maintain a very basic level of practice at home, I was definitely ill prepared for the intensity of multiple hours of daily meditation while remaining completely silent. I seriously considered leaving in the middle of the night on the second day, but Lama Choga noticed my struggle and his gentle encouragement gave me enough strength to persist.\n\n By the end of the retreat my entire disposition towards the experience has reversed, and I was quite sad to leave it behind. If I wasn't told that I participated in Lama Choga's first ever retreat, I would have assumed he had lead many in his lifetime. Everything was very seamless and comfortable. The accommodations were perfect, the food was excellent, and Choga is a treasure trove of knowledge in regards to Dharma. It's not easy to create an environment so appropriate for true self reflection, and that's exactly what Lama Choga provided. To say I recommend the experience is an understatement. You won't regret it. \n\nI offer a sincere thanks to Lama Choga and everyone else involved in my retreat. While I may not have achieved final liberation this time, I learned a lot about myself, and that's more than I expected. Thank you.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1007\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-carl-scaled-e1747531944319.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3472\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-carl-scaled-e1747531944319.jpg 1007w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-carl-scaled-e1747531944319-300x238.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-carl-scaled-e1747531944319-768x610.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-carl-scaled-e1747531944319-378x300.jpg 378w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1007px) 100vw, 1007px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Carl Livingston<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-726ee96c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"726ee96c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-35054e87 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"35054e87\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">Lama Choga very skilfully designed a schedule that would allow everybody to dive bit by bit deeper into meditation to investigate his or her own mind. That is what is lacking in the West - meditation is not only sitting still and clearing out all the garbage, but also about generating insight and trying to experience for oneself what is written in the old texts. That - bit by bit - can help to see the world through different eyes, understanding phenomena in an unexpected and profound way and starting to sense that there is something behind all that veils - something that has no beginning and no end. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"794\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Jeannette-scaled-e1747533374365.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3474\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Jeannette Stowasser<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Germany<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7bdf4662 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7bdf4662\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-716dd17 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"716dd17\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">The week I spent here was a genuine life changer. My mind was opened to whole different modes of operation. I was challenged, so much so that I really felt under prepared. The meditation and teaching sessions were demanding of intense focus. I spent 10 hours a day sleeping in recovery. I am glad for the incremental approach to the length of sessions. Choga has a gentle but firm attitude and a good sense of humor. Highly recommended<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1067\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/port-casey-scaled-e1747533227361.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3473\" alt=\"\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Casey Albright<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">USA<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3dce3cfd e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3dce3cfd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7fd50358 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7fd50358\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" id=\"test-aut\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Testimonials from the Autumn Retreat 2025<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2514dc6b e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2514dc6b\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4976c07f elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"4976c07f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">My first experience in silent retreat was beautiful, challenging, and empowering. Having very little prior knowledge about Buddhism, I found Lama Choga\u2019s instructions provided an excellent comprehensive introduction for a beginner like myself. He is incredibly attuned to the individual needs of his students and was endlessly supportive of those who needed emotional or physical assistance.\nWithin two days of being in retreat I found myself filled with overwhelming existential questions, and a feeling that my old sense of blissful ignorance had been shaken up irreparably. Being in silence meant I had ample time and opportunity to contemplate these thoughts and feelings, and it has started me on a journey of growth and insight. The retreat catapulted me onto a path that I\u2019d previously been too frightened and distracted to explore, and I feel excited to continue learning.\nI have so much gratitude for Lama Choga\u2019s generosity, for the support and care I felt from my fellow retreatants, and for all of those who contributed to making this retreat possible. Thank you!<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1859\" height=\"1859\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3780\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia.jpg 1859w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Amelia-1536x1536.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1859px) 100vw, 1859px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Amelia<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bcea3fe e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3bcea3fe\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c87a348 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"1c87a348\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">Reading my horoscope in a Salt Spring publication upon arrival at the ferry terminal it offered this prediction: \"This next week will be a complete waste of time.\" I laughed at the sheer particularity and it had my curiosity piqued. The autumn retreat was far from a waste of time by any conventional definition - great food, companionship, teaching, location, removal from the distractions of the mundane world. But in another more meaningful sense it was just the \"waste of time\" I needed. To have a glimpse again of a truth that I can't think my way out of my problems, that my thoughts are of a quality and origin that remains elusive yet seems so concrete and certain upon my initial perception of them...something about the persistent, structured (though not militaristic) practice offered by the retreat invigorated a connection to deeper understanding I hadn't picked up on before. Unforgettable. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Carson_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3758\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Carson_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Carson_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Carson_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Carson_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Carson Redden<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-774eda17 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"774eda17\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-14204772 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"14204772\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">My first week long silent meditation retreat was a wonderful experience filled with great people, insight and reflection. Couldn\u2019t have asked for a more beautiful and peaceful space. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Choga_portraite-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3757\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Choga_portraite-1.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Choga_portraite-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Choga_portraite-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Choga_portraite-1-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Shery Gu<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-555ab974 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"555ab974\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2a8e4880 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"2a8e4880\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">After arriving home this morning and trying to get back into my routine I realized how energized, full of joy and love I felt while at the silent retreat, a stark contrast to how my current situation feels like at home; which made me think that a profound transformation has taken place within me.\n\nI have only beautiful things to say about the experience of the silent retreat, and it has definitely made me aware of the longing that I carry internally for the Three Jewels.\n\nDaily meditation and study allowed me to fully immerse myself within to experience brief moments of deep joy and tranquility and most importantly, these experiences were the catalyst of my renewed perspective on my personal life\u2026that living it deprived of a disciplined spiritual practice is not a choice for me anymore\ud83d\ude4f\n\nThank you Lama Choga for taking the time and effort to share your knowledge and for your delicious cooking.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Alixa_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3762\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Alixa_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Alixa_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Alixa_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Alixa_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Drolkar<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">USA<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2b8cd28c e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"2b8cd28c\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-442f6b95 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"442f6b95\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">The October 2025 retreat (my second weeklong silent retreat) was beautiful. It was powerful and inspiring to be among such a lovely group of kind-hearted beings gathered together for the shared purpose of sincere spiritual practice. Everybody applied themselves and made valuable contributions to our communal experience. I witnessed some moving moments of personal evolution as people met the challenges of the spiritual path with courage and compassion. I uncovered a few layers of armour myself, and felt emboldened and supported to explore what was underneath. The meditation sessions and dharma talks were a good balance of challenge and accessibility. Lama Choga is a skillful instructor of Buddhist meditation and doctrine, but his deepest value as a teacher comes from the example he sets as a seeker among seekers. This is an example of generosity, humility, loving kindness and compassion, unwavering faith, diligence, honesty, and tireless service. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clinton_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3781\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clinton_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clinton_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clinton_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Clinton_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Clinton Smith<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3375b110 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"3375b110\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2e69f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"c2e69f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\nThough this retreat was designed for beginners and I am not one, I learned a great deal. In particular, observing my thoughts in a structured way was very helpful in my effort to understand their true nature. \n\nThese teachings are difficult to find\u2014who would ever ask which colors your thoughts have, or where they dwell? Looking inward in a practical, experiential way is so valuable, because only through direct insight can we truly understand ourselves, instead of merely repeating what is written in books. From what I experienced during the retreat, I can now continue my investigations, which have the potential to transform the way I relate to my thoughts\u2014the very lens through which I perceive the world.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jeannette_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3796\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jeannette_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jeannette_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jeannette_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jeannette_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Jeannette Stowasser<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Germany<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f560563 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"7f560563\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e164dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"9e164dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">\nThis retreat was a great introduction for a beginner like me. Amazing hospitality,  healthy meals. The meditations were challenging with the gain of practical insight and practice; for the benefit of all sentient beings. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Cody_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3789\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Cody_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Cody_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Cody_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Cody_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Cody Spinelli<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6177441f e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"6177441f\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19653190 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"19653190\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">When I came across the retreat announcement, I had been looking for a retreat for nearly two years. They were all so inaccessible either physically or financially or both, that I decided that a retreat is not for me, but for those with means.\n\nThis one however was close by and free. It came to my life at the time when I needed it most, as I was losing my practice without the support of the Three Jewels. It is not only that the retreat helped me to finally get back to my daily practice after nearly a year, but the fact that I gained so many invaluable insights in the course of just one week is testimony that Lama Choga created the right conditions for us to practice. May the precious mind of awakening never diminishes in him but forever continue to flourish and thrive.<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sara_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3821\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sara_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sara_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sara_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Sara_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-name\">Sara Ganj<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-job\">Canada<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-253e2656 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"253e2656\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-421d1848 elementor-widget elementor-widget-testimonial\" data-id=\"421d1848\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"testimonial.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-content\">The one week silent retreat I attended was an incredible experience. Being a total greenhorn, I learned a lot about Buddhism and meditation and also myself.  Lama Choga is an amazing man and I\u2019m so grateful for having the opportunity to be in retreat with him.  I don\u2019t think it\u2019s hyperbolic to say that this retreat changed my life. I am now interested in Buddhism, meditating daily and am very much keen on continuing to expand my spirituality. Thank you to Lama Choga, Clinton, KDOL and Lucie. <\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta elementor-has-image elementor-testimonial-image-position-aside\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-meta-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-testimonial-image\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Scott_portraite.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-3775\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Scott_portraite.jpg 900w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Scott_portraite-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Scott_portraite-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Scott_portraite-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" 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Autumn retreat 2025 at KDOL. Testimonials Winter 2026 Testimonials Spring 2025 Testimonials Autumn 2025 Winter retreat 2026 Germany Wonderful group of retreatants for the winter weekend retreat in Geltendorf Germany. everyone sat well, considering we were practising for around 8 &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3457","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Previous Retreats - Ultimate meaning<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/ultimatemeaning.org\/index.php\/previous-retreats\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Previous Retreats - Ultimate meaning\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u00a0 Winter retreat 2026 Germany Spring retreat 2025 at KDOL. Autumn retreat 2025 at KDOL. 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