Mastery of the Self

The daily schedule of the Mastery Program varies slightly from day to day, but in general, each day includes two meetings led by Mastery teachers, three nourishing meals, gentle stretching, yoga or an outdoor walk, and plenty of flexible time dedicated to eyes-closed Ascension — either together as a group or individually at your own pace.

The environment is designed to give you the greatest opportunity to step away from the usual distractions of life, deepen your practice, and immerse yourself in the experience of Presence.

The only requirement to attend a Mastery Program is the completion of the First Sphere Course. You do not need to be an “advanced practitioner” or have years of experience before coming to a longer retreat.

All that is needed is a sincere desire to explore more deeply and discover what is possible through Ascension. We have had students attend Mastery only a few days after learning the First Sphere and have profound experiences.

If you know the first four Ascension Techniques, you are qualified to attend.

The depth and benefits of the Mastery Courses come primarily from the accumulation of eyes-closed Ascension practice and the momentum that builds over time.

Longer retreats do not necessarily mean receiving more information, more concepts, or different knowledge about the Teaching. Instead, they are about allowing the benefits of Ascension to compound day after day, giving the mind and body more time to settle into the direct experience of Consciousness.

If you are curious about longer retreats but are not yet sure about spending extended periods of time Ascending, a two-week retreat is a wonderful place to begin. It gives you a powerful introduction to what is possible and allows you to experience the effects for yourself.

If you feel ready to fully immerse yourself and receive the greatest possible benefit from the practice, then we recommend attending the longest retreat that feels practical and possible for your life circumstances.

Sometimes the Mastery Program can be mistaken for a “Teacher Training” program. However, the primary purpose of Mastery is not to create Ishaya teachers — it is to give ourselves the greatest opportunity to cultivate an intimate, stable relationship with inner Stillness and live the highest potential that Consciousness has to offer.

As a natural result of this deepening, when the experience of Stillness becomes more established and ongoing, there is the possibility of sharing the Teaching from direct experience rather than simply from concepts or intellectual understanding.

For those who have the desire to teach the Ascension Techniques, generally six months of accumulated Mastery training time is required. This period of intensive practice provides the foundation and experience necessary to confidently share the Teaching with others.

The practice of Ascension is deeply grounding and restorative. Extended periods of Ascension allow the nervous system to experience profound levels of rest and release, which can support deeper healing and a greater sense of wellbeing.

For a healthy and well-regulated nervous system, a Mastery Program can be one of the greatest opportunities to reset, deepen, and cultivate a more stable experience of inner peace.

However, there are certain temporary circumstances where extended periods of deep inner practice may not be appropriate. Because longer hours of Ascension can sometimes bring deeper layers of stress release and inner processing, we do not recommend intensive retreats for anyone currently experiencing, or who has recently experienced, serious mental health challenges or diagnoses.

If you feel drawn to attend a Mastery Program but have questions or concerns due to your mental health history, we recommend consulting your healthcare professional before registering.

All Ascension Courses and Mastery Programs are offered for spiritual development and the exploration of Consciousness. They are not intended to replace medical care, therapy, or professional mental health treatment.