In our online communication, we make big claims.
“Life-changing”
“Transformative”
“A journey of rediscovery”
You may have thought we are exaggerating… or that we are sleazing onto you with hubris (or maybe that we are just a pack of wankers?!)
We aren’t.
We know what we share works.
We’ve seen the tears, we read the emails, we hear the stories of how people changed their mindset, found their Soul through Yoga and started kicking goals in their life.
Over the last 2 years, as the Ashram Director (David here), I have spoken to hundreds of prospective students about how a retreat and more importantly, the practices of meditation and yoga, can benefit every dimension of life.
The constant grind of calls though, made me tired.
A 20 minute call would become a 60 minute therapy session. It was beautiful. It was deep. For those I spoke to, you know that I have one setting, full on.
We encountered a few genuine seekers, but plenty of tyre kickers.
This was exhausting.
When it came time to turn an hour long conversation into action, 75% of people would offer every excuse under the sun as to why not now.
“I have to sit on it”
“Sure thing mother goose” I would think to myself (not literally, I just made that one up to lighten the mood! )
“Let me feel into it / think about it / I’ll book later in the year.”
My real though process was closer to;
“…you’ve been sitting on change for 3 decades and hate who you’ve become / manifested disease or are suffering tremendously, and now, on the precipice of change, you are afraid, this is normal, please don’t back down now, I know we can help!”
I was crushed every single time someone pulled out.
I’m not judging, I’ve been there too.
Afraid to take action.
Only 5% of people who ‘though about it’ would eventually book in.
That means 95% talked themselves out of it. Only God knows why.
Now you understand why patiently following up was rough. It cost me time, energy and enthusiasm and finally, my sanity.
I guess I’m not cut out for ‘sales’ (props to those men and women in that field, I take my hat off to you, it is hard work!)
Most frustrating were the no shows on retreat.
You see, we offered payment plans for people POST RETREAT and all too often, they would just not show up (without letting us know), and then ghost us. Or book in, then not pay.
Something wasn’t right about how we were operating…
We believe in what we share.
We know it works.
But, as an Ashram with real world expenses, our retreats need to be full to keep our doors open.
(Yep, there isn’t a charitable foundation that backs us, nor some wealthy uncle. Our retreats foot the bill for the Ashram.)
Then, it it suddenly dawned on me.
We can’t go on.
Not like this.
A familiar feeling arose from within.
Almost like when I heard the call to leave the Army.
What was my Soul guiding me to do?
Change.
Grow.
Evolve.
My Soul pushed me to shake things up…. And boy have we done that.
In my crisis of conscience, a thought popped into my mind…
“If only people could experience the retreat first, they would be entirely convinced of it’s value.”
I realised I had to help people stop believing in me… and to believe only in their experience.
Pay-it-Forward was born.
This is the most exciting phase of our Ashram’s history and we would love you to be a part of it.
We have removed 90% of the barriers (and cost) to attend a retreat.
We used to charge $3000 for an all inclusive 5 days, 4 nights Soul Retreat.
Now, you are able to join us on retreat, and contribute as per your means and capacity.
We know many students who had to stretch to make a retreat work, but at the closing circle, with tears in their eyes, they knew they had touched an experience that money couldn’t buy.
“Priceless…. Can’t put a dollar value on this feeling”
Their words, not ours.
Welcome to Pay-it-Forward
It is simple.
Step 1 – Register – Place a $300 registration fee to secure a spot on an upcoming retreat. This lets us know you are ‘in’ and covers our admin and advertising.
Step 2 – Retreat – Attend the Soul Retreat knowing that the experience was gifted from a fellow Soul who ‘paid-it-forward.’
Step 3 – Pay-it-Forward – If (and only if) the retreat brings you benefit, you will be invited to contribute as per your means and capacity towards the cost of another student attending the retreat.
Now, there are literally no barriers to making a retreat a reality (if you can’t foot the bill for a $300 registration fee, we have a scholarship program.)
Even if you are 50-50, what do you stand to lose? A few days?
Experience first.
Pay-it-Forward.
Ladies and Gents, we are wide open.
This might backfire on us… If it does, it’ll be spectacular for we ain’t returning to the commercialised cat and mouse sales game… ever.
Souls paying-it-forward to other Souls.
This is what makes our heart sing.
This is what lights our Soul on fire.
Friend, the ball is in your court.
If you resonate with our new direction, click away and we will see you on retreat.
All the details about Pay-it-Forward
Retreat bookings for Easter and May
Jai Atmeshwar!
Victory to the divine Soul
David and Rajni
P.S. For those who already have a booking, regrettably we can’t offer refunds. You are still covered by our Karma Free Guarantee (ie if the retreat is $h!t, don’t worry, we will refund you in full.)
P.P.S For those past retreat students who want to support this new model, we are open to contributions using the Pay it Forward link above, not just financial, but by letting your friends and family know.
P.P.P.S ….Gulp!
