Testimonials

"It has made the light inside me shine brighter than ever before! I will be attedning another retreat very soon. Many many thanks, it is a truly wonderful retreat. Very well planned and organised. I know it has and will bring joy and peace of mind and heart to many seekers."
- Carol, Ireland

Hridaya Retreat Testimonials March 2010

“The most vivid experience during the retreat was when my mind seemed to detach from my body. I was feeling like being in a very fast elevator and floating in the sky. It was a little bit wierd because it came when I was not expecting anything. I consider it was good like that.
This retreat show me the way to open my heart and reveal it. And I've got the feeling I find myself and I'm sure I won't be afraid anymore to love and to live how I am and how I want. So thank you for this! It was the destiny. In life, there is no hazard. So thank you to the person who told me about this retreat.”
– Stephanie C, France

“This retreat I found great inspiration by focusing on the five points of: gaps between thoughts, pauses between breaths, focusing on the I-feeling, stillness and spanda. The Stillness touched me.
As always I'm inspired to retreat more. I'm also praying that the echo of these retreats transforms my existence into presence and consciousness. It seems I have become ,ore present from doing these retreats...In that light I will continue to take these little steps towards truth and express my gratitude to all that make these retreats such a success and so beautiful”
– Radasi, UK

“This retreat has brought devotion and communion with the Divine into my practice. This was not really there before. I feel more inspired, more connected, more 'whole' now ”
– Michelle Desrosiers, USA

“The lectures are PRECIOUS! WOW! So rare to come across the info. I've loved the spanda lecture and hearing about the Heart as an organ of knowledge. It's like, I've always knew but now I don't feel crazy for believing and going into it. Priceless!”
– Michelle, Canada

“The most vivid experience of this retreat was when I had an astral projection during meditation. It was incredible. I had an omidirectional expansion and then a real union between myself and spanda together with a strong arousing of Sahasrara. But in that moment I didn't know what it was. I just felt being in the arms of God.
The most inspiring lecture for me was about spanda because I really felt it and I understood that we are the house of Lord.”
– Claudio Valdiserri, Italy

“Surrender to the Divine Consciousness touches me the most. It is the most beautiful, the most profound, the most challenging and frightening, but the most essential of all teachings in meditation and in life. I had so many beautiful and uplifting moments in my meditation where I felt my heart opening, realising so much tension and sadness and totally letting Love and Joy and Bliss back in again.
Over the years that I have been attending these retreats, I have truly come to love meditation. It has made me more aware of my thoughts and mind patterns and helped me relinquish limiting beliefs that were holding me back. I'm more peaceful, more aware and more compassionate as a result. What a gift! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!”
– Stefani Chan, Canada

“In one of the meditations I sat motionless for one or two hours. I hardly felt my body, I felt like I'm in space, very detached, peacefull, a quite relaxed kind of bliss.”
– Eyal M, Israel

Hridaya Retreat Testimonials July 2009

“Deeply confirmed who I am, been and continually will be. At times in my life I have wondered how to more appropriately channel all the compassion and love within. For years I have loved unconditionally in simple acts of giving while nurturing the heart via words of the mystics and few prophetic voices of the day – Jean Vanier, Henri Nouwen, Catherine Doherty. This retreat formation has opened another dimension of expression my heart’s yearning…My indebtedness shall remain one of love.”
– Brock Currie, Canada

“I felt I had a very “successful” retreat in that from the start my mind was not as restless and distracted as usual. Not only that my focus was very good but I found myself in absorption and states of dissolution. There’s always more surrender, more stillness, more that could be more ideal, but I was pleased enough with some observable progress in practice and very inspired throughout. I felt very present during this retreat. Thank you, Claudiu, for your immense support of this retreat and for guiding us so lovingly and patiently. I love this retreat very much”
– Lori Doyle, USA

“Now I want to live more from the heart. I can feel spanda like a “pressure” in my chest. I had very deep meditations. Beautiful! I liked the retreat very much. Claudiu has the capability to take the whole group on a journey into the Self.”
– Sharonna, Holland

“It feels so good to witness my stillness again, to observe the world without ego, without judgment. It makes everything so much lighter. This retreat brought me back to NOW and I never want to be anywhere else anymore! Oh yes, and forget about the rest: Live and Love! Face your fears, live your dreams.”
– Monique, Holland

“I had a breakthrough moment during this retreat. I felt I could not yet experience my heart during meditation, but also felt determined...It was finally, day 9, getting into a deeper meditative state, a state of longing and surrender, thought I heard the bell to end, and felt myself say NO!!! NOT YET!! And spontaneously started crying and my Self was saying to myself, YOU HAVE THIS MOMENT. AND THIS MOMENT. AND THIS MOMENT. It was profound for me.”
– Allison, USA

“In which ways has this retreat inspired and transformed me? It is hard to say. The inspiration? It’s ineffable. The transformation? Only time will tell what it’s reversible. Truly it feels like an opening for me. It’s been a time for me to revisit questions that, at age 18, I felt were unanswerable in all but the most pessimistic ways. I’ve been carrying that pessimism around with me as the general foundation of my consciousness for a long time. Only in the last few years I have realized that something else might be possible, partially I think I feel encouraged by the mainstream awareness of our planetary crisis. And I realized how tired I feel of my pessimism. So this is my time to revisit the questions of life and existence. I have deeply appreciated this experience. It’s been a pleasure, a profound pleasure, to share your presence, Claudiu. I feel that these days are part of a new beginning for me and as I write that I’m remembering that I had a beautiful moment, when I felt, I think actually for the first time, that I wanted and felt deeply interested, in seeing and experiencing this life till the end. No matter what happened. I felt appreciative of Existence, in its totality. Yes, I hope this is a transformation. And I think if I keep blowing on my embers, it will be.”
– Allison, USA

“The retreat reminded me of who I truly am and I feel so much love and compassion for myself and others. What more do we need? I’m floating. I’m aware of all my silly habits that distract me away from peace. More, more, more don’t stop the retreats!”
– Lorraine Taylor, UK

“I feel ready to love and let myself be loved in ways I’ve never thought myself capable of. I feel in love with the universe! ”
– Katey Woolmer, UK

“It’s not about wanting to be
It’s about being.
Be that which you are
Then long for it with your whole heart
And your heart will be so full
There will be no room for thoughts"
– Katey Woolmer, UK

“Certainly, it was an amazing journey from a insightful, compassionate seeker of the self. The way you presented the course was clear, profound and transforming for me. I have traveled many spiritual paths but this path of “who I am” guided by you certainly will take me home.”
– Mithok, Australia

“I will dedicate my whole life and all my being to love from now on. I was always looking for words to express this longing. Now I know! Thank you!”
– Alice Guldenbrein, Austria

“I have been practicing meditation for 7 years, mainly Vippasana. I found the major experience in this retreat reminded me why I meditate, as it can be forgotten sometimes. But most of all it introduces the dimension of God into my practice. I am inspired to keep on offering my heart to the divine in every moment and every way, as this is what I truly am. Claudiu, your dedication and patience are inspiring to me and a model of how to embody the spiritual teachings into my being. The love flows through your words and actions.”
– Daniel Davis, Israel

“This retreat has allowed me the time, space, knowledge, experience and tools to properly meditate quieting the mind and spiritually advance.”
– C. Handy, UK

“Many times I could enter in the Pure Presence and that was all for me. Also, I had a lot of deep understandings. It was a very rich period, spiritually. I’m grateful! It was great! You all are wonderful!”
– Gina Rives, France

Hridaya Retreat Testimonials June 2009

“The retreat inspired me to keep remembering/falling/letting go into stillness…. Established again and again the supremacy of this deep heart – no gift could be greater.”
– Eliza Kenyon, UK

“I recommend this experience for everybody.”
– Atmadhyanam, Finland

“This retreat has helped me to bring more spirituality into my spiritual practices and into my life in general. It has changed the way I practice meditation and, through some of the techniques offered, my perspective on life. Sitting these 10 days, being in Claudiu’s presence, I’ve built so much aspiration. I can’t wait to see where it takes me!”
– Adam Caplan, USA

“I want to share the teachings with my loved ones – most of all, I want to keep going deeper in meditation! … I feel such a deep devotion and Love for God, deeper than before.”
– Mira Celeste, USA

“This retreat has reminded me yet again that to live in and from the heart is enlightenment, that action of the heart is vital, fundamental to the alleviation of suffering, … that when I move from my heart, I fear nothing and embrace everything, that the vibration of the heart truly guides my soul, and I now follow it always. That I live for love.”
– Ella White, UK

“The meditations helped me calm the mind and access deeper states of consciousness. I feel I improved my capacity of interiorization. Also, I think I grasped, experientially, how sublimation works and what a profound therapeutic effect it can have.”
– Anonymous, Romania

“Claudiu’s retreat gives me more clarity in what real spiritual practice has as its goal. It is giving me renewed aspiration and helping me see more clearly that I am more than body/thoughts. It is also with the spiritual heart giving me a clearer base and a wonderful Western model. The directedness of his mind and heart and their manifestation in non-dogmatic ways are gifts.”
– Geoff Torkington, USA

“This retreat inspires me to bring more awareness into my daily life, the Nowness – the present moment which is all that exists – much deeper than I understood before. I was transformed by the intimacy with the Self which I started to feel so sacredly, to be back home and meet the Beloved! I’m out of words to express how grateful I am.”
– Eliza Shablovskaya, Ukraine

Hridaya Retreat Testimonials May 2009

“By truly surrendering to the stillness and guiding the opening of the Spiritual Heart with these techniques, I feel a state of deepened connection and unity with the Divine Oneness… a real comprehension at the core of my being, which I have been longing for, and I am now overtaken with joy and gratitude to have gained a glimpse of. Thank you to Claudiu, thank you to God!”
– Tiffany Nicholson-Smith, Canada

“This retreat has opened my Heart to greater depths of Bhakti and Jnana, and has provided the tools for living from the Heart with knowledge and practical experience to mature and induce states in the future.”
– André Lépine, Canada

“Over the last two years that I have been attending this retreat, I have seen tremendous changes, more surrender, more openness, more pure love, peace and joy. Thank God for this retreat! May Claudiu never stop his amazing work.”
– Stefani Chan, Canada

“This retreat has given me a new dimension in which to practice the art of loving and understanding. I very much appreciate this time of silence and awakening. I feel I have been given tools to use in my own daily practice to help deepen my understanding of the ‘I’ in ‘I am’ and its deep mystery.”
– Joseph Biaccio, USA

“Please continue this retreat as long and as often as possible…. And I hope that everybody is once able to come and be blessed by it. I am very thankful.”
– Melanie Kreuzer, Switzerland

“The retreat is the fruit of the long and, I think, honest work of Claudiu on himself. I respect a lot and appreciate this attitude to go beyond the limits. I express all my gratitude for him and, of course, for all the retreat participants who have shared and supported the same frequency.”
– Terenzio Amelino, Italy

“Now I know that everything is inside me, I don’t need to look outside. I feel the divine within.”
– Ana Martin, Spain

“The retreat has given me aspiration and a good look at the content and quality of my mind. … It has progressed and refined my meditation practice.”
– Anonymous

“I’m glad I’ve found a teacher who teaches Ramana’s ideas!! This is better for me than all the books.”
– Lies Counotte, Belgium

“This retreat has restored meaning and purpose to my life, by returning the sacred to my life, joy…. Claudiu teaches from the depths of his heart and his words ring true. I felt that arrows were being shot straight into my heart.”
– Tia Sinha, India

“This retreat has enabled me to progress in meditation and to achieve realizations. Claudiu’s perpetual enthusiasm from retreat to retreat is truly inspirational.”
– Anonymous

Hridaya Retreat Testimonials April 2009

"This retreat was the most profound experience of my life thus far. Thank You Thank You Thank You!"
- Lily, Canada

"My heart beats rapidly...
Is this aspiration?
Is this nervousness?
Is this excitement?
It is Love
I feel a wave of bliss
I shed tears of joy."
- Rajinder, Britain

"This retreat has inspired me to continue along my spiritual path despite some of the bumps along the way. It has brought me back to my heart center that as a child I lived from and had begun to stray away in my older years. I will now reenter the world as a compassionate warrior bringing conscious love into everyday life..."
- Natahna, Canada

"I am much calmer in actions and also in thoughts. I have always felt like there was somthing more in life and now I know there is. And I know how to find it in me. Thank You!"
- Ambra, Switzerland

"It opened my heart, strengthened my faith, widened my horizons, deepened my meditation practice and inspired me on my spiritual path. I have got the self confidence now to sit down and meditate no matter what's the state the little ego is in. I've learned to slow down my mind and sublime negative feelings. I had quite some little glimpses of stillness and infinity although no extraordinary spectacular experiences. It definitely made me wanting more, it is highly addictive! "
- Esther, Switzerland

"I felt so much love. I was like an eager child. And I think I understand the consequences. There is no way back. I am back at my roots. Thank you infinitely."
- Anonymous

Hridaya Retreat Testimonials March 2009

“I’ve done Vipassana retreats over the last 10 years and I never made such profound and encouraging progress in any of them. This retreat has finally opened up meditation for me. Thank you so much!”
– Arjuna H., Germany

“I don’t know what to say other than how completely inspired I was by the whole course. I loved all the quotes and poems, and Claudiu’s dedication and devotion is completely contagious and beautiful.”
– Michael B., USA

“The retreat gave a big booster to my meditation practice, and also lots of motivation to continue this practice more seriously than before. I especially appreciate the practical tips Claudiu gave us in order to have better meditation – in my case, how to confront the tendency to fall asleep – and also how to apply all this knowledge in our daily life.”
– Vered S., Israel

“My mind now calms down easier and faster. The gaps between thoughts become longer. I feel much more comfortable in meditating, less agitated. My breath-awareness increased and meditation became more intimate.”
– Maureen G., Switzerland

“My meditation practice has deepened immeasurably. Before this retreat I would experience states of dhyana sporadically and for short periods. I now feel that I have found (been shown) the key to bringing me there, and staying focused is more attainable. I really cannot believe how long states of dhyana have stayed (and still do!). I feel very blessed. … I’ve never experienced a more profoundly moving, rewarding workshop. Thank you to Claudiu – my sincerest, deepest, heartfelt gratitude. I am indeed blessed to call you my teacher.”
– Karen S., Canada

“Thank you! I am deeply grateful for this experience and will do it again next time I am here.”
– Michael S., USA

“From not doing any [meditation] to silence in the mind… (and even more than that). Not bad!”
– Lies C., Belgium

“Thank you for this great opportunity in my spiritual evolution. I feel very lucky to have access to knowledge and practice of this amazing quality. Thank you so much.”
– Myriam R., Canada

“I had a very profound experience of unity lasting for half of a day. Also I had an experience of witness consciousness a few times during the retreat. My meditation certainly deepened.”
– Victor S., Russia

“If I have to synthesize the result of the retreat in a few words I would use: love, surrender, aspiration, union! This intimate perception of the Self feels like the most intense of all freedoms – it is the vastness of the spirit. There is a feeling of lightness…. This was the safest place in which I have ever been. It was the most natural state in which a human being should be. I stayed in that secret place for long. When I went out of that state some conclusions arrived to me, like some forms of superior understanding: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, so much LOVE. Undifferentiated, for everybody. The strong desire to offer and to share this love…. Thanks so much for everything and I think that the best way to express to you my gratitude is to meditate more and to go deeper into this wonderful, intimate mystery that is the Divine Self.”
– Debora R., Italy