Guest Comments, Fearless Simplicity

"Fearless Simplicity was a magnificent retreat... we reveled in such close proximity to Tsoknyi Rinpoche.

Most of us felt we had arrived in a god realm! As the days went on, I watched as big and bigger smiles spread over the faces of my friends. Everyone felt lighter, more peaceful, more spacious and at ease. A little longer, and some of us could quite easily have floated away...

I love too that you have kept the monks' cave at the heart of Kamalaya. It was wonderful to sit there and feel the silence and presence of the place. And the Yantra Hall became a treasured spot with so many delicious, green places outside the glass doors to quietly contemplate the teachings.

I'm so grateful to have had this experience and these teachings. I hope you are able to host this retreat again and bring this wonderful teacher back to Thailand. I heartily and highly recommend it to anyone!!"

Body healing

"Yes, I'd say it works to integrate body treatments with spiritual practice. The massages in our first few days helped to relax us into the retreat and be more receptive to the teachings - our minds a little clearer. Personally, I thought the Chinese Medicine doctor was excellent.

In our group, everyone chose their own form of healing, whether they took a therapy treatment, swam in the sea or detoxed in the steam bath in between meditation sessions. It was all so easy on the body.

Even Rinpoche's teachings integrated body and mind - giving a brilliant explanation of how physical wellbeing is connected to spiritual awareness and practice."

Fearless beauty

"What stands out about Kamalaya is the gorgeous nature that weaves in and out of the whole place. Every angle we gazed from lent an artistic view, and often we'd stop in delight to touch a warm rock, linger over a flower, or pull out a camera. The buildings are so well-blended in their environment that we felt absorbed and sheltered by the rich nature of the island.

I really enjoyed Kamalaya's architecture: its smooth earthy tones, the bare granite boulders and warm wooden interiors. The sumptuous pieces of Himalayan artwork or natural wood sculptures are perfect finishing touches. It all felt so groomed and peaceful - as one guest said, "the whole place is like a shamatha meditation."

Loving care

"I remember the personal attention of the managers through to the friendly gardeners. The staff were graceful and attentive. Often a smiling face would discreetly materialise from nowhere with a glass of water or a cold scented flannel. Just what you didn't know you wanted!

The food was almost too good - clean, fresh and tasty - and we were definitely guilty of overindulgence, and that didn't make it easy for meditation! But I valued those extra luxurious touches - such as the fresh juice and homemade biscuits in the breaks between sessions. It made us feel very cared for. My friend remarked that even the earthenware crockery felt warm and comforting.

I felt you were generous with retreat costs and appreciate your efforts to make it open to people on a smaller budget. I hope you can keep this door open.

So, Thank you! Thank you for a deeply nurturing space.
For exquisite beauty!
For bringing me so close to a great spiritual teacher.
For sublime moments and healing treatments that swept away our city fizz - and brought us back to the earth and to our own basic wellbeing.
For peacefulness and grace in abundance."