Journey to the Light Testimonials

(previously called the Journey of Enlightenment & Wellbeing)

January 2010 (most recent)

"My time was like sitting in boat in the ocean with huge swells.  I was fantastic one moment then the pits the next but I smashed all my walls down that I had put up my whole life.  Word do no justice to what have got out of this retreat.  I found the most of the processes difficult at the start but as my walls came down I started to enjoy them.  I got so much out of this retreat so I will h.light just a few.

I have started to live.  I was a dead man walking and you gave me life.  I have found my spirit, I have opened my heart & grown my heart hugely,  & I have lost all my barriers.  THANK YOU.”

Mark Wallace

“I came with the intention and hope of unlocking my energy of releasing and letting go of the blocks and anchors, inside me I had of finding greater capacity for life.

With amazing support and facilitation, cement blocks that were anchoring me down were awakened and brought into my conscious awareness and then able to be let go and released… this process/experience has brought a massive serve of relief, of freedom and of capacity for love & life.

I have experienced and learnt the true power of intention.

Thank you with all my heart.

You are amazing people with an incredible gift that you so willingly and lovingly share.

Marlyse you were like a spiritual mother.

Michael a source of unconditional love & hugs.

Nil an inspiration, a hope, a security for the ongoing work and sharing of this amazing gift.”

R. C.

“After some deep thought and looking at my current situation, I started searching the internet for an answer, after visiting sites I found "Innerpeace”, instantly after reading about “Journey to the Light”, I thought this is for me!!! A fantastic experience, although to begin with I found resistance happening.  Once through this I settled in and thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience…

I feel that I experienced many new things, thoughts, processes and have made a whole new circle of friends.

I will be going home lighter, freer and with a heart.  I no longer stand at 4ft 11” I have grown to 5ft, with such a weight off my shoulders.

A support team that was second to none, is one of the most valuable experiences on a journey such as this.  Thanks to all.”

Bec F

“It has fulfilled me and went far beyond that I thought I could do in my spiritual development at such a short time…”

Artur U.

“I came to the retreat an angry man and I did not why.  But every process shed anger and hurt, frustration and eventually allowed me to see who the true me was and could be.

I discovered in two separate processes “COMPASSION” and in both I installed it in my heart.  In meditation I was given the instruction to “Lighten Up”: Have Fun, Love More, Make Love More”, and that is the motto for my life.

Basically To Lighten Up

With Compassion

Compassion for Other But Above all

Compassion For Me.

I loved the food.  I loved the light diet… I loved the “team of angels” who leads us, cared for us and loved us.”

Peter Pasfield

“I want to congratulate the whole team for a wonderful fantastic job and time in a very warm, safe surrounding.

It is a journey not to be missed.  That you sooooo much I love you all.”

Ingun Tonon

“I GOT MIRACLES.

The first 2-3 days were really confronting and made me go WAY beyond my comfort zone.

I connected with all sorts of people in a way I had never connected before.  I learnt to look people in the eye.  I learnt to connect with beautiful, beautiful people, and that everyone was so beautiful, those who I had passed judgement on.   I can’t believe how much I restricted by connection with the judgements.  I am FREE.  I am powerful.  I am connected.  I am wise.

I had no understanding of spirituality and I thought that was for ‘special’ people, but I experienced my own spirituality here , in a most profound way.

The location is amazing & I connected with the environment in a most profound way.  I AM VERY EXCITED to live the rest of MY life.  It was beautiful fate that brought me here.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU.

JW

“I really cannot express in words my experience on this retreat.  What I can say Is I did come to the RETREAT with an open mind, so I feel that played a big role in my success.  By the loving guidance of the facilitators, I feel I’ve achieved my intentions I set out for myself and more.

I was really surprised to see how I started out with 3 intentions and how the list just grew and grew as I learnt more about myself.  I’ve achieved my goals with a group of 20 others and in my mind there is absolutely no reason why I cant do it with others.  What I’ve learnt on the retreat, I want to truely and honestly  honour myself by integrating it in the world outside the retreat.

I feel that every last detail was carefully planned and it more than fulfilled by expectations.

Thank you for the opportunity to experience such a memorable, majestic Journey.”

Kosilyn Pillay

“I used the retreat to forgive myself and others, and to put the past in the past.  I also used the retreat to connect with nature and myself.  I really enjoyed the connection with others most  of the time.  I gave it 100%.

It exceeded my expectations… Allowing myself to be supported by others.  Absolutely wonderful connection with people.

What else was valuable?

”Connection with nature and myself as well as others.  Diet and benefits of dancing meditation.”

              John Stares

“This retreat fulfilled all my pre-retreat expectations.  I believe I have let go of my addiction, the reason why I was the way I was; and actually got to know myself more in a very spiritual and profound way…

Yes, all the expectations I wrote down on the first day of the retreat [were fulfilled].

I’ll recommend this to anyone!”

Nikolai Grabner

October 2009

I experienced a huge release of emotion and negativity. I let go of the victim within and this was replaced by a part of me that I lost long ago – my loving, compassionate, feminine energy. In addition the joyful playful child came back into my life. Thank you so much.

Judy Downe

It has been the most amazing journey of my life. So much growth, so much fun, so much love, so much connection, so much wisdom, so much peace, so much SOUL…  For the first time I know what it means to let go of fear and to trust. I feel how privileged I am to be alive here now, that everything is a blessing leading me to the path of love.

              Ingrid Tonon

During this week, I’ve felt a gentle unfolding and letting go of much past pain. A profound healing and reconnection of myself on so many levels.  This has left me feeling clearer and enthusiastic about the life I see before me.

M.D.

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The retreat was fantastic. Cosmic ecstasy. I now feel reborn, steady in the light and power of WHO I AM, ready to face the rest of the Journey from moment to moment, tall in the creative power I have within. A very different outlook on life, one of LOVE, LIGHT, RESPECT, KINDNESS AND SERVICE. And the most profound change is that I have learnt to give this to myself.

Marlene

I came on this journey with a few ideas in mind of what I wanted to achieve. But this amazing retreat gave me so much more. It put my life in perspective. I feel like a new person. I have realised I am always home, I have nowhere to be, or to get to. I have nothing to achieve that will make me any more, or not to achieve that would make me any less. I am the divine and the divine is love.

Teneille

I have journeyed for the 3rd time and I am never disappointed. I’m all ‘loved up’ and ready to share that with those willing to receive it. Thank you for providing such a sacred, loving, non-judgemental space for me to experience myself and others. The feeling of connectiveness and love I felt from facilitators and group members I will cherish forever.

Michael Catania

There is no aspect of the course that I find any cause to be critical of. In fact, I marvel at the capacity to assemble a collection of processes, every one of which makes sense, is instructive, stimulating and often revelational. The retreat has fulfilled all my expectations and then some. I rate it as ‘fantastic’.

Paul MacBain

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I have experienced the deepest nurturing and love of my mind, body and soul by myself and others and the land. What was most important for me has been self-acknowledgement, claiming my beauty, strength, wisdom, joy, truth and freedom. This is going to help me take my relationships, career and life path to amazing new levels.

Emiline Houston

I had ups and downs, ins and outs, insides and outsides, unders and overs. The ups were sooooooooo lovely lovely lovely. Sweet surrender. I re-realised that everything, absolutely everything I experience is completely normal and acceptable. And there’s nothing wrong with wherever I am at. Thank you for showing me true unconditional love. Thank you for providing the opportunities to experience all that I am & all that I have: love, love, love.

Kathryn Williams

I feel much lighter, less stressed and have a great sense of my priorities. I am in awe of the staff, all five, and their ability to maintain the energy of this very long and complex program. I’m thinking there can only be one fuel in use here!! And the food was fantastic, thank you all.

Colin French

An amazing sense of self-love and understanding. Now knowing who I am more clearly. Finding myself again and having the safe, loving environment to do this in. Thank you. I’m grateful and blessed. I have blossomed.

              Leigh Miley

This 7 day retreat has inspired and liberated me in a way that I have never dreamed of. I was taught so many tools which I really needed to know. Powerful yet simple ways to maximise my potential to live my life to the fullest. I feel I will never be the same again. The week was truly fantastic. Best 7 days of my life!

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“I always knew I was a beautiful person, but I could never feel that way about myself.

I used to hide from people, thinking that I was undeserving or had nothing to offer them.

I now embrace myself & others with love & excitement of the beautiful gifts I can give & receive.

What a difference I feel!”

K. W

“My journey was an amazing experience in learning about myself and realising the potential of looking inwards and discovering soul, spirit and energy.  Although I didn’t really know what would happen here, I opened my heart and my mind to it and really saw results.

I have released so many negative things I had been holding on to, and finally had the opportunity to think about who I am, where I have come from, and what feelings I have inside.  I got some brilliant realisations about why I have behaved in certain ways in the past, and developed ways to keep improving myself in the future.

It has been a huge leap in finding out about spiritual aspects of myself, and despite some difficult times letting out emotions, I have perservered through the struggle to feel the wonderful satisfaction and sense of completion that this personal growth has brought.  I am so happy with what I have achieved through this Journey, and feel that it has opened me up to a brighter and happier future!

I feel like I have come from a spiritually “unaware” state to fully embracing it and understanding so much from having such great teachers!”

Sam Knight

“..Along the way I cried and I hurt, and I had fun and I cried some more.  And the most amazing thing happened, I was opening my heart and not only feeling the love and connection from others, but able to fully give that love also.

I have come to this point with one huge intention and that is to honour myself by expressing always my true self.”

Karen Hayes

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“I learnt more about myself.  I opened my heart.  Learnt to look into others eyes. Treasure life more and appreciate each day as it unfolds.”

Manfred Elbl

“My journey was absolutely amazing.  My intention for the journey was to truly know and understand my true value and I really feel that I have achieved this through developing an open, accepting & loving relationship with myself.

I didn’t think spiritual evolution could be this much fun.

I found the program totally supportive + respectful to all and wove beautifully through each stage.”

Emiline Houston

“What a journey!  There were so many experiences that I received throughout the retreat…

I feel humbled to be in the presence of others who allowed me to open to express my thoughts, feelings and emotions and release “stuff” I had suppressed or forgotten.

To be given the opportunity to connect and discover true intimacy… I felt loved from a deep place within me and I felt the joy reciprocating.

I will miss the time we had together, the openness, the honesty, laughter and tears,  the tasty nourishing food cooking lovingly by Marie and Gemma and the loved that bathes us all.

Thank you Michael & Marlyse for the providing of a safe, caring and non judgemental environment to experience me.”

Michael Catania

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“This journey for me has been a life changing experience.  I have been gifted the opportunity to challenge and explore personal boundaries in a safe and loving environment.

I can see beyond now the limits that I had placed on myself and that is incredibly freeing.

To experience such a deep and profound connection with other participants has not only enabled me to connect with my Self but to enjoy giving and receiving within that sacred connection with others.

What did I get from the Journey?  I got peace…. Inner Peace.”

R. G

“It’s hard to put exactly into words what I got from the Journey… my experience was out of this world (literally)!!!

I have been empowered with some simple but amazing truths… and the awesome thing is that I don’t just think these truths, I KNOW them!

I have an understanding now within my soul that we are of the same essence.  An unbelievable awareness of how connected I am to another and vice versa…

How much in each moment I have a point of choice to view a situation with loving or fearful eyes…

I have also deeply realised how safe and nurtured I am.  How nothing happens without some agreement at soul level… for my higher purpose & evolution.

So I feel with these simple truths, along with the gratitude I feel in myself, the further enhanced self-love, and the inspiration I feel on my path, that I’m in a very blissful but earthy and steady place! 

THANK YOU.”

Nil Chandrasena

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“This journey for me was so sacred in every sense of the word.  I cam e knowing I was walking into something special yet I am so in awe of the deep pofound inner expansion within me.  I sometimes felt that the challenges were really pushing me & found that when I pushed through, the gifts were so immense.

To connect with other beautiful beings for this past week in such an intensive yet gentl way has given me a solid sense of my uniqueness.

I had wonderful messages from within – this space allowed this + so much more.  The absolute acknowledgement of all our beauty was so clear.

To be heard was so special + really listening an honour.  I loved the fun ways we learnt about ourselves & each other…

My heart is truly open + grateful. Thank you Marlyse + Michael xx “

Margi McMillan

“I got from this journey everything that I was meant to for my highest good… I understood lessons that I had no idea would come up for me.  I saw the beauty in that.

I enjoyed the silence.  That was special for me to go within, for that amount of time.

I am in awe of dyads.  The messages that I received from myself and others were so inspiring.  The deep soul connection I felt for others, even the ones I had not met before.

The joy of laughter and spontaneous hilarity.  Just being able to be totally myself, and given the freedom, but also the security to share my inner most thoughts and feelings.

It was by far the most extraordinary week of my life, experiencing pleasure, pain, laughter, sadness, joy and despair, physical and mental challenges that have strengthened me and given me the tools to continue my journey with love and inspiration.”

Tracey Porrett

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“I came with an open mind and no unrealistic expectations.  I knew I would cry a lot, and laugh a lot and dig deep.  I expected this so that was no surprise.  I knew I would feel a myriad of emotions so that was no surprise.

I knew I would get something of value from this week so that was no surprise.

However, my world has changed and that was a surprise.  I cannot believe and cannot understand fully what has happened to me and maybe I never will, but that matters not.

I am so lucky to have been chosen to experience something so beautiful as connecting myself directly with God.  Why did he choose me?? Who cares?  He did!!

I will never feel alone or unloved again.  I feel so special and I am special.  I have my own generator inside of me pumping love through me more that I can handle which will enable me to give away to others in need.  I am God’s mortal conduit to send love to those who need it.  I feel “in heaven” on “earth”.

Karen Ernest

“Describing in words about my Journey is one of the hardest things to write.  I am beyond words but will give it a shot.

Words cannot convey the honour & prviledge I feel right now for all the people who have helped me get closer to Self. Including myself. To be able to have a direct experience that I am God and I am Creation is truly a humbled realisation. By receiving the unconditional love & acceptance from all these souls who’ve allowed me to go deeper within, I feel a strong sense of service & peace at the moment. I bow down to you all & touch your feet in eternal gratitude.

I feel FREE.

Thank you.”

Tippy

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“I came to the journey with some apprehension but great hope and am leaving it as a completely different person.  The overwhelming loving ease and empathy of the whole group and particulry Marlyse & Michael’s generous loveing gift of themselves & their wisdom have made me a more complete loving & peaceful soul with a much deeper spirituality.

I can now joyfully and confidentally go back to my world knowing that I am firmly focused on how I want to live the rest of my life, ascending to God’s path for me.

I am really excited about the prospect of becoming a far more effective instrument for this love & peace.  My heart is overwhelmed with gratitude.”

Maria Reilly

"When friends who know that I have attended the Journey ask me to explain what I got out of the retreat...I have found myself sharing this story.....A girlfriend of mine who takes people tandem skydiving tried to convince me to try it and in her spiel, described the experience as being so exhilarating that when she finally had both feet on the floor that she felt this overwhelming rush to simply pick up her car, put it under her arm and walk home. I remember thinking to myself, gee, wouldn't I love to feel that rush, that high of letting go of my fears and simply jumping....

I never did quite book myself in for that tandem skydive...... However, I finally did drum up enough courage to let go of some of my life fears and 'spiritually' jump into the unknown. The 'Journey' for me, gave me that rush, that high, that overwhelming feeling that I could do and be whatever I set my mind to...Yet, it was the little things that happened whilst on the retreat that stood out for me and many months later, prove to be the foundations of how I am choosing to live my life. Reflecting on the impact of that week...I cant help but share a sentimental quote that inspires me to push beyond my comfort zones:

"Come to the edge" he said

   "No I'm Afraid"

"Come to the edge" he said

   "No I'm Afraid"

"Come to the edge" he said

   He Came

   And he flew....

I have spent so much of my working life as a counsellor, coach and trainer , helping others, guiding others with their own 'jumps'.... that committing to my own jump just never happened. Not until I had my car totally sideswiped did I start to acknowledge the fact that my accident, was no accident. I could continue to allow situations in my life to sideswipe me or I could choose to be the master of my own destiny...writing my own script and decorating my own soul.....

Words can never do justice to the supportive and encouraging facilitation team throughout the Journey that helped accelerate my spiritual development and guide me towards my truth - towards me. There I was, at the beginning of the journey, thinking that I was open to life and love and new experiences and with each passing day I found myself confronting my own demons, some of which I discovered had become so paralysing to my life force and I did not even know the extent of its impact! (For instance, during meditations on the retreat, my receiving hand would give me so much pain....and only till I was able to truly allow myself to receive, ask for and accept love from myself and others did it disappear) . Thank you Marlyse, 'Universal Mother', your words of wisdom, genuine openness and willingness to share your own life experiences was encouraging. Thank you Michael for knowing when to play 'Surrender' by George, just when I needed to hear it!

My journey has just begun . ..I look forward to the future now...filled with so much promise, & new found courage. I know that my journey will not always be easy - that sometimes life may throw me some curveballs....yet, I am not afraid...my eyes fill with tears as I write these words.....I am not afraid....as I am loved and loving and that has made all the difference ...I have found my wings."

Mim

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"The enlightenment experience has been the most extraordinary and expansive experience of my life. It was a direct, radical and most profound relationship with my own true Self, a transparency of what life is all about and a most vivid mirroring of the Love Principle.

The ‘moment’ was timeless and spaceless, the boundaries expanded to the limitless, an intense feeling of peace and harmony and acceptance of oneself and of others. I was floating in my own sacred space, respecting and enjoying my true Self.

My body, my heart, my soul smiled to the beauty of the Life Principle and I felt the female and male principle in total harmony within myself. I was drunk from Love and I was stunned by the purest Joy."

Frederique Imam

"It’s amazing how little we know about ourselves. The journey was an eye opener. Like ‘The Shadow’ course, it made me look at the bad and good inside. As scary as it got at times, there was something wanting to keep searching, to find out what was really in me. The intensive didn’t bring me the enlightenment, but rather it brought me a greater awareness to my life. It showed me the inhibitions, the hurts that I had. It also showed the beauty and love that I had. It was a course on showing what I really am as a person. It was a course that made me live more in touch with myself and showed me how I truly feel.

With the realisation of what goes on inside, I’ve been happier and a lot more confident in my every day life. It has meant that I had to face myself and lift off the mask that I’ve had to wear at times, but it also meant that I now can be more open with people. It was difficult to embrace what I’ve been hiding, even from myself, but it was worth it in the end. It was really something that I had to do, to feel better as a person. It’s definitely the biggest personal growth event that occurred in my life. The saying "to know another, know yourself first" or "to love another, love yourself first" do apply to this course. The journey to enlightenment can’t be expressed or read about, it has to be experienced."

Kosta Khomko

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"The retreat I attended with Marlyse and Michael was just what I needed. I had plenty of time to be with myself, get out of the rat-race and reconnect. In the stillness, I came face to face with Me, many facets of Me and was able to sit with myself without any interruptions. This part of the process was very important for me personally, several days without distraction was just beautiful and extremely nurturing. The course was very well designed, keeping everyone very much internal, which is something most of us don’t get to create very often at all. I felt expanded, free and open at the end of the retreat. I found the experience rewarding.
Thank you Marlyse and Michael.

P.S. The food was great".

Christine L. Savage

"My Journey of Enlightenment and Wellbeing was the most powerful experience of my life. It made me more aware of who I am and who I can actually be."

Andrew Lloyd

"Invaluable experience. If anyone gets this opportunity they should jump at it. Break through the crowd to get to it, you won’t be disappointed."

Sally Barnett

"On embarking this journey my destination was unclear. With trust, love and support I was able to cross the widest river and climb the highest mountain. I came to the end of my journey with love and laughter in my heart. Memorable days experiencing a wonderful and magic Journey. Thank you."

Sally Rose

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"I was what you might call a rather reluctant or perhaps reticent participant in the enlightenment & Wellbeing seminar held at Amberley last June.

It was a very intensive time and I must say I had moments when I really wondered what I had let myself in for and at one stage was planning an escape route. However, as I discovered, this was all part of the Journey and what an amazing journey it was!

It was extremely confronting for me at times but by the third night ‘in captivity’ I began to feel much lighter in spirit, and although I had not completely solved any major problem I felt much more in control of my thinking. What became abundantly clear to me was that a life without love, laughter and happiness really was not on! I would then often succomb to spontaneous outbursts of laughter and only had to make eye contact with certain other participants and we would fall about in fits of laughter. It was an incredible release of feeling and I can assure you we were only drinking water and herbal teas!

It really just proved to me that we burden our mind with so much ‘stuff’ that gets out of proportion to what is really important in life and living. I also gained a greater sense of my own humanity which was very poignant.

Having participated in this retreat which was so well run by Marlyse and Michael and the other helpers involved - I really believe everyone should do this seminar or one or the others they offer at least once in their lives. It does make a difference and it will certainly be with me forever."

Ellie Haw

“Dear Marlyse and Michael,

I wanted to let you know how sincerely grateful I am to both of you for what you have taught me this year and the wonderful future of opportunities you have inspired in me.

Your enlightenment intensive gave me the opportunity to really love, understand and forgive myself and let go of a lonely sad past way of life. I have found myself now open to new concepts that are intrinsically rewarding that I would previously have been very sceptical about. Most of all, your greatest gift has been to provide the environment where I experienced and now ‘know’ a universal God-like energy is real and that everything and everyone are all part of a united universal energy over all time.

From this ‘knowing’ I have felt I am worthy of being loved and I have tapped into the bottomless well of love I have to give to others.

I have so many wonderful new insights about life and my purpose ‘this time through’ that it makes me feel excited, peaceful and really happy.'

Kym Smart

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