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An Enlightenment Intensive is a group retreat designed to enable a spiritual enlightenment experience within a relatively short time. Devised by Americans Charles (1929–2007) and Ava Berner in the 1960s,〔http://www.naturalmeditation.net/Design/about%20charles.html〕 the format combines the self-enquiry meditation method popularised by Ramana Maharshi with interpersonal communication processes such as the dyad structure of co-counselling in a structure that resembles both a traditional Zen ''sesshin'' (meditation retreat) and group psychotherapy. Religious teachings and philosophical concepts are generally avoided. == Origins == Charles Berner (1927 – 2007), who was later known as, Yogeshwar Muni, created the Enlightenment Intensive. In the 1960s he formed the Institute of Ability where he and his wife Ava promoted “holistic health techniques such as fasting and massage, communication exercises like those used in encounter groups, emotional release therapies, past life regression, and a host of other modalities popular among the 1960’s counterculture.” 〔Faulds, R;(2009)ISBN 0974410675;Peaceable Kingdom Books;〕 Berner was known for his skills in helping people improve their life. He taught that honest communication and understanding between one’s self and others was the path to improved relationships, enlightenment and fulfilling the purpose of Life.〔Berner,C.;(2015)Relating and Spiritual Consciousness;ISBN 1518696287〕 Charles Berner had observed that those who were most identified with their self-image, ego or personality tended not to make much progress in personal therapy, which may require flexibility. Mystics who practise insight or jnana yoga report a momentary change of consciousness bringing a direct experience of the reality or truth of self or of others, or of existence, such as is known in various traditions as kensho, satori or samadhi. But traditional techniques for this realisation depend upon a monastic or eremitic life difficult to attain for the average Westerner. In spring 1968 it "just suddenly occurred" to Charles Berner - "what source it came from I know not but it wasn't a process of sitting down and figuring it out"〔Quoted in Noyes, L. (1998), ''The Enlightenment Intensive: Dyad Communication (created by his wife Ava Berner) as a Tool for Self-Realization''. North Atlantic Books. (ISBN 1883319730)〕 - to combine meditation methods with the structure of an interpersonal workshop. The first experimental Enlightenment Intensive was held soon afterwards in the Californian desert with Charles and Ava Berner. Bill Savoie, in an unpublished book, The Bridge to One, writes that “in May 1968 Charles announced we would have a 5 day Enlightenment Intensive. We would just go for it and see what would happen. Charles had a community of about 150 people who would stay connected with his teachings. At that first Enlightenment Intensive there were 26 people. Both Peggy and I were there."〔Berner, C; Enlightenment and the Enlightenment Intensive:Volume 2;(2014);ISBN 978-1492263289〕 “The Enlightenment Intensive retreat that Berner created in 1968 grew out of his interest and research with using interpersonal communication to facilitate the enlightened state and personal growth. Berner wondered if there were more effective ways to accelerate spiritual development and personal growth for his students and clients.” 〔Berner,C.;(2015)Relating and Spiritual Consciousness;ISBN 1518696287〕 Berner combined “the 10,000 year old self inquiry meditation, ‘Who Am I,’ with a 20th Century western communication technique developed by Ava Berner called the relating dyad. The result that Berner and his students discovered was that this combination increased consciousness and quickened the process of enlightenment.〔Berner,C.;(2015)Relating and Spiritual Consciousness;ISBN 1518696287〕 “Presentation is the technique used by us,” writes Berner in a booklet titled, Enlightenment. “By continual interaction with another, by presenting continually to another the results of contemplation of the nature of one’s self, the process of enlightenment is accelerated. One maintains his state of increased consciousness because it is achieved while in contact with another, and so one is in Life and the enlightenment is useful.”(5) This was a major discovery in the history enlightenment techniques.〔Berner,C.;(2015)Relating and Spiritual Consciousness;ISBN 1518696287〕 Berner ran dozens over the next few years, gradually refining the format and method, optimising the retreat for the "weekend truth-seeker". He also trained others to lead groups. His 99th and last Enlightenment Intensive was held in Berkeley in 1975. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Enlightenment Intensive」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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