8 Day Spiritual Awakening Retreat
Sept 5 - 12, 2024 & April 10-17, 2025
in Bhutan - the Kingdom of Happiness
with Shaman, TedX Speaker Johnson Chong
& Monk/Buddhist scholar Dr. Karma
More than a transformation, it's a spiritual awakening ...
Through the practices of yoga, breathwork, meditation, shamanic journeying and a spiritual adventure around the country, you will meet other like minded spiritual seekers who are ready to go deeper into their spiritual awakening.
What's Included
(Scroll to the end for full cost breakdown)
- 50 Hour Buddhism & Meditation Online Course Preparation
-8 x 75 min Daily Yoga & Meditation Classes
- 4 x 2 hour Shamanic Breathwork Journey Workshops
- 6 Ajna LIght Therapy Meditations
- Cultural Programs & Activities (hikes, temple visits, etc)
- All Meals (Breakfast, Lunch &
Dinner)
- Tea & Snacks
- 4 star Accommodations
- All local Transport by coach within
Bhutan
- Group Transport to and from
Airport
- Services of expert Bhutanese
government appointed guide
- Special Entry Fees
- Bhutanese High Peak Travel visa of $800 USD total
- $140 Bhutanese Visa application fee
- 35% government surcharge that goes
towards Bhutanese free healthcare,
education and social development.
- Connect with amazing spiritual seekers from around the world and go to a kingdom that is seldom visited.
The Daily Schedule
Bhutan is known famously as the first country in the world to measure progress based on a Gross National Happiness index. What an honor and privilege to do spiritual work here.
Daily Yoga & Meditation
7 -8:15 am each morning you will free your body through an
energizing yoga practice grounded in hatha, vinyasa
& Himalayan kundalini traditions, followed by a meditation practice.
Soak in the Sacred Sites
Bhutan is the land of temples and sacred mountains. After breakfast (~8:30 am), each day you will visit 2 sacred temples to offer prayers and meditate. You will also have ample opportunity to soak in the wild countryside.
Eat Like a Local
Shamanic Healing
When we return to the hotel in the afternoon, we will go through a 2 hour shamanic healing workshop that integrates Buddhist inquiry, inner journeying, spirit work, breathwork and deep somatic processing. These processes are designed to help you retrieve wisdom from your Spirit guides, and to feel a deeper connection to the Divine.
Learn The 7 Line Prayer
In the land of the Buddhas and the Thunder Dragon, chanting is one of the main practices in the monasteries. You will learn the main 7 line prayer for Padmasambhava to invoke peace, love and wisdom.
Psychedelic LightTherapy
In the evenings, you will experience a greater awakening of the third eye using a psychedelic light therapy device designed by ex-apple engineer Guy Harriman. Experience psychedelic visions without ingesting hallucinogens.
Retreat Dates
For custom dates please send an inquiry to sage@johnsonchong.com
A taste of what lies ahead...
I really loved this retreat because it was a combination of seeing Bhutan and going through a personal journey. We have been doing yoga every day, and shamanic healing journeys with Johnson. I liked the shamanic journeys because it was something that I’ve never done before and I found it very spiritual and also very illuminating.
Helit Greenfield
New York, USA
Today we went to the oldest temple and we went into the oldest part of it that was from the 7th century. That was very moving. Although I don’t always pick up on energy. I felt enormous energy in that place. One thing that I learned for my meditation practice, is that the Buddhist way seems to use symbols to pray and meditate with. And symbology was not something that I thought too much about. But, I must say that it has helped me to get to a clear state in meditation.
Howard Cramer
London, UK
We did this fabulous trek up to Tiger’s Nest, and I had this injury. I just couldn’t walk down. Somebody carried me half the way down and found me a horse. When we tried to thank these people, they said ‘it’s our honour.’ You saw the real base of generosity and compassion that people had. That was a moving experience.
Judith MacCormick
Sydney, Australia
We’ve done some many amazing things, rafting down rivers, going to temples and seeing so many fascinating things. We did a number of workshops every day, and the shamanic journeys were something I’ve never done before. You can actually feel the energy move through your body. I would happily do it all over again.
Deborah Travers
Sydney, Australia
The biggest highlight was my visit to the fertility temple, as I am currently going through a journey in that area. Through this trip, I really started thinking about this yin/yang balance. And my biggest takeaway is to shift my consciousness to more of my feminine side so that I have more balance.
Miki Hata
Sydney, Australia
Bhutan is magical and very beautiful. I came here with no specific things in mind. I didn’t know what to expect. I learned a lot about myself. I learned about the attachments, fears and my personality. It was enlightening for me, and now I am feeling freer from those attachments.
Cahê Toporowicz
Brazil
It has been really intense, but I feel that I can connect with my true essence now. During these 10 days, we did yoga, meditation, walked to sacred temples and connected inwards through shamanic journeys to clean our energy bodies. I would highly recommend this trip if you’re wanting to reconnect with your true inner self.
Mayra Andrade
Brazil
Johnson did an incredible job bringing a group of diverse people from multiple countries, and it’s just been a wonderful experience. I would highly recommend taking this journey with an experienced team of people like we have. It makes the experience so much richer to have the guidance of people who can bring the community together and make it relatable.
Diana Schmidt
North Carolina, USA
What I learned from some of the workshops that we were doing was that I am exactly where I need to be in my life. And that is something that I normally struggle with, comparing myself with others. I ended up in Bhutan for a reason. It had a very profound impact on how I look at my life.
Artem Gorobets
Sydney, Australia
The shamanic journeys were extremely profound for me. I feel like Johnson is truly a channel to the spirit world. What surprised me about this retreat was the connections with the people in the group. It was beyond my wildest dreams.
Sarah Bright
Sydney, Australia
Your Guides on this Journey
Dr. Karma Wangchuk
ex-monk & Ph.D in Buddhist Studies
Dr. Karma Wangchuk is a practitioner of the Nyingmapa and Kagyupa traditions of Mahayana & Vajrayana Buddhism for many years. His dharma is to serve and guide spiritual seekers through theoretical and practical experiences while in the Kingdom of Bhutan.
For eight years between 1986 – 1994, he lived as a Buddhist monk under Kalu Rinpoche and Drupchen Rinpoche. During his monk-hood, he acquired a Gold Medal in his M.A Buddhist Studies Program, and proceeded to earn a PhD from the University of Delhi in Buddhist Studies.
He is a sought after lecturer in Tibetan Buddhism and Spirituality, and has held various positions in the government and privately. Currently, Dr. Karma is the lead trainer in the Tourism Council of Bhutan teaching other guides how to present Buddhism.
Dr. Karma speaks English, Bhutanese & Tibetan.
Johnson Chong
Shaman, Best-selling Author & TedX
Johnson Chong is the best-selling author of Sage Sapien: From Karma to Dharma. He is also a TedX Speaker, shaman and the founder of Sage Shamanic Yoga where he trains aspiring yoga & breathwork teachers. Through the synthesis of the most applicable teachings of yoga, meditation, breathwork, coaching and shamanic healing, his trainings are designed to help people quiet the mind, awaken the heart and free themselves of the roadblocks that keep them from living more authentically and joyfully. He has spoken and led workshops at companies like Unilever, Facebook, Nike, Macquarie, Insight Timer, UBS, UOB and more.
Johnson is also initiated as a paqo shaman of the Andean Q’ero priests, a Four Winds Energy Medicine Health Coach, and a Reiki Master. He is a native New Yorker, and currently is based in Sydney, Australia.
He speaks, English, Cantonese & Spanish.
Accommodations
During this retreat we will visit 4 cities: Paro, Thimpu, Pokhara Valley & Haa Valley, and be staying in 4 star hotels in each of the cities that we visit. All rooms available will either be twin share or private occupancy only depending on your preference.
Sacred Sites Highlights
Day 1 - Arrival
HIGHLIGHTS: Visit Thimphu, the capital and the capital fortress, Tashichodzong, which serves as the royal office of His Majesty King and the central monastic body of Bhutan.
Day 2 - Thimpu - The New Capital
HIGHLIGHTS: Pangri Zampa monastery, a 17th century building that were once the home of the Shabdrung Rinpoche.
the National Memorial Stupa – erected in the memory of beloved late Majesty the 3rd Dragon King of Bhutan Tashichodzong.
Day 3 - Punakha - Ancient Capital
HIGHLIGHTS: High mountain pass of Dochu La (3,050m). 108 stupas erected by the Royal Queens of Bhutan surrounded by the snowy peaks.
The Punakha Dzong fortress which is the winter residence of chief abbot and central monastic body of Bhutan.
Hike up to Khamsum Yuelley Namgyal Chorten, located scenically above the Punakha Valley.
Day 4 - Trashigang Goenba
HIGHLIGHTS:
A short hike through rich vegetation of the impressive Lungchutse Lhakhang. Meditate here with breathtaking views of the Tibetan Plateau and the Bhutanese Himalayas.
A mild one-hour descent to Trashigang Goenba, a
beautiful monastic center.
Day 5 - Paro - The Thunder Dragon
HIGHLIGHTS: Visit the textile museum and experience woven textiles and Bhutanese handicrafts.
Kyichu temple that dates back to the 7th century AD.
Day 6 - Taktsang: Tiger's Nest
HIGHLIGHTS: Hike up to the Tiger’s Nest monastery. igers nest). It is the most famous of the Bhutan’s monasteries, miraculously perched on the side of a sheer cliff 900 m above the floor of the Paro Valley. It will be a challenging climb, but well worth the journey.
Day 7 - The Haa Valley
HIGHLIGHTS: Scenic walks in the underdeveloped remote valley less frequented to immerse in a more traditional way of life.
The highest mountain pass in Bhutan at 4988 m, Chelela Pass.
Kila Goemba Nunnery, a retreat for meditation since the 9th century, and home to 30 nuns.
Day 8 - Farewell & Departure
Our final group practice and closing together before saying farewell. A short 20 min ride to the airport for international departures.
Are you ready for an unforgettable spiritual adventure in the Himalayas?
Dates:
Sept 5 – 12, 2024 & April 10 -17, 2025
Exclusions:
• Flights
• International Travel Insurance (This is
mandatory for entering Bhutan).
• Gratuities for guide and driver
• Shopping & personal expenses
Room Options:
Rooms are priced in USD per person below and on first come first serve.
Limited to 12 participants.
• Twin Share $3600
• Private Room $4200
A $500 USD non-refundable deposit is required to hold your spot.
Deborah Travers
Sydney, Australia
Miki Hata
Sydney, Australia
Cahê Toporowicz
Brazil
Mayra Andrade
Brazil
Diana Schmidt
North Carolina, USA
Artem Gorobets
Sydney, Australia
Sarah Bright
Sydney, Australia
What I learned about myself was how much fear I had before coming on retreat. But also how much strength and tenacity I have in going through this journey and these beliefs. I think this journey has been transformative. It has been really magical and heartfelt for me.
Joel Low
Singapore
What I found really healing is that Johnson was able to provide the space and compassion for me to let go of the family ancestry that was so abusive, without being invasive. He didn’t tell me how to do it, he allowed me to find it on my own.
Steffi Adams
Florida, USA
This retreat is powerful in so many ways because you are connecting with yourself. This is all about you. Johnson is just the facilitator to help you find you, and to bring out what needs to come out. It’s quite fascinating. He is very gifted.
Dina Levy
Sydney, Australia
Frequently Asked Questions
There are only 12 spaces available. A $500 USD non-refundable deposit is required to book your spot made either by bank transfer or credit card via the link above (which incurs a 3% transaction fee). The balance is due 60 days before the retreat.
If you require an international bank transfer, and would like to use that instead of incurring the 3% credit card fee, please send a USD transfer to
Bank Name: Wise
Name: Johnson Chong
Routing Number: 084009519
Account Number: 9600000000044932 (9 zeros)
Checking
Wise’s Bank Address:
30 W. 26th Street, Sixth Floor
New York, NY 10010
United States
It’s perfectly normal for people to attend retreats alone. If you prefer a single room, we will honor that. If you want to paired with a new friend, please email us your preferences (i.e are you a light sleeper, do you snore, etc?). We will pair you with someone who we believe would be a good match for you.
All ground transport and pickups and drop offs to and from t he airport is included. You don’t have to worry about a thing.
All the meals are included during the retreat according to the meal plans. Any beverages outside of those meal plans are chargeable.
Only children above the age of 15 are allowed on the property.
Complimentary Wifi will be included in the hotels. Though, we highly encourage that you switch off your mobile devices during the retreat so that you can get the most our of this important time for yourself.
Yes, laundry is available for an additional service charge.
It is customary to tip your driver and your guide at your discretion. The average is $5-10 USD per day.
We ask that you commit to blocking out time for yourself and to be sure that you’re coming before you book. We also know that life is unpredictable. As with all our retreats, you are responsible for acquiring your own travel insurance in the event that life takes a left turn for you. Please click here to review our terms and conditions.
Cancellation in less than 30 days before the retreat (0% refund)
30-60 days before the retreat (50% refund)
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