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Bali, Indonesia | Captain’s Log | Days 4 to 7

Ubud. It is hot. It is humid. There are a lot of travellers here. The traffic can be intense, and it is probably not like it used to be. All of this, to me, is a very small part of the truth.

What feels perennial here, and what is deeply inspiring to me, is the heart-opening humility, gentleness, and generosity of the Balinese people. They go above and beyond with the most effortless ease and genuine delight in serving you. These are masters of karma yoga, selfless service, and bhakti, devotion. The eyes, the smiles, the mannerisms all reflect a richness of health, happiness, and harmony that so many people with so much are still so far away from.

Speaking of awesome people, all of the participants have now arrived. Without a doubt, each of them is way more awesome than all the others. After having facilitated so many retreats, I still find it remarkable how complete strangers can become close friends in such a short time. Through formal deep-dive sessions and informal conversations, they often come to know more about each other than some of their closest friends and family do.

The theme for the initial phase of our journey is forgiveness. Travel light. Carry no blame, either toward others or toward oneself. The mural image below was created from the group’s own expressions of what forgiveness means. It may be the greatest act of generosity, and it is essential to living a skilful life.

“I forgive myself, over again because I am doing the best I can.
There are no mistakes, I learn every day. The Universe is showing me the way.
And I’ve given up the need to know it all before. I am mastering the art of letting go." - Fia

A Balinese priest blessed us with a welcome ceremony. I asked him, “What is the purpose of life?” He responded, “To truly enjoy it.” Of predominantly Hindu faith, the Balinese pray to Surya, the masculine sun and energy, Prithvi, the feminine earth and creation, and Shiva, the dance of change. Before Hinduism came to Bali, the indigenous people practised pantheism, the idea that nature itself is divine. As Hinduism is based on inclusion rather than conversion, what has emerged here is a beautiful blend of the two.

I cannot explain how genuinely lighter I feel after the powerful water purification bathing we experienced as a group. In temples over a thousand years old, bathing in waters that have bubbled through the womb of the earth for centuries, we purified our physical, mental, emotional, and auric bodies. We purified negative karma from this life and from our ancestors. The priestess Yani, who presided over this ritual, was truly special. I have had an energetic, not emotional, feeling of tightness in my chest for a while. With some otherworldly ability, she simply washed it off me. It is gone.

One of the subjects this group of intrepid adventurers wanted to explore was enlightenment. We had the incredibly good fortune to explore this deeply in an ancient temple, carved into the mountain, with meditation chambers like caves where mystics contemplated this very question for centuries and became arahants, enlightened beings. Such an auspicious setting to peel away the layers into the gnosis, the direct experiential knowing, of “Who am I?”

My personal healing and thriving journey continues with morning meditation, yoga, exercise, phenomenally delicious healthy meals, almost daily massages, lots of walking, uplifting company, and deep rest. This evening, we returned from a sound bath experience in the renowned Temple of Chi. It is remarkable how sound can conjure hidden, buried, and suppressed memories, almost like a hypnotic trance that took me deeper into the subconscious.

To be continued…

Bali, Indonesia | Captain’s Log | Days 1 to 3

The physical effects of jet lag settled quickly. The cognitive dissonance of being about 30 hours of travel away from suburban Montreal life and suddenly landing in this island paradise took a little longer.

Words that come to mind when feeling into Bali are peaceful, gentle, sacred, discreet, generous, and fertile. The energy here is feminine and nurturing. Here in Ubud, people from all over the world seem to gather, each one looking to connect with something deeper, quieter, older, healthier and more alive.

My co-captain Karima, her husband Housni, our fellow traveller Lori, and I arrived three days before the retreat begins. In just three days, we witnessed the most epic sunrise on Mount Batur, swam with manta rays and flamboyant tropical fish among spectacular coral reefs, relaxed on postcard beaches, hiked mountains, drank “poop coffee” at a plantation, explored quaint local stores, and so much more.

Everything here is astonishingly affordable compared to Western standards. High-quality massages for $10. Delicious local dishes for $4. A pure linen shirt and pants for $15. Mani-pedi for $15. Wax candle ear cleaning for $2. Luxurious accommodation for $60. A month here pretty much pays for the trip.

The nature deserves its own sacred paragraph. It feels like living inside the soundscape of an exotic bird song album designed for deep relaxation. Bali is clear evidence that God, the Great One, Higher Intelligence, or whatever expression resonates for you, is hands down the OG and the greatest artist of all time. The place is dense with the widest and wildest variety of plants. Similar in many ways to the deep forests of Peru, Hawaii and India.

And the fruits. Natural, organic and so delicious! I just want to eat fruits and drink fresh juice all day. Mango, pineapple, dragon fruit, avocado, watermelon, durian, mangosteen, salak, passion fruit, papaya. One of the pure highs of life is devouring the juice and flesh of a freshly cut young coconut on a perfect beach day, looking out into endless waters, breathing with the ancient sound of waves.

The retreat participants have almost all arrived now. There are 15 of us on this adventure together.

A deep breath in gratitude and joy before the journey truly begins.

To be continued…

We are living in what some call a "meta-crisis," standing at a fork in the road between human diminishment and human flourishing.

I was recently invited by Concordia University to facilitate an experience of clarity around this called, "The Way of Human Flourishing"

Here is the recording. I trust that you will find it to be of value:

https://youtu.be/u6RJKQo_3BM?si=gDsaPNrKlA0rh02f

Thank you, Nicolò Francesco Bernardi, Ph.D., PCC and Jim Gavin from the Concordia University Center of Human Flourishing, for this incredible initiative and the opportunity to contribute 🙏

The Way of Human Flourishing | Bhaskar Goswami Human diminishment or human flourishing: Which wolf are you feeding?In this opening session of Seeds of Flourishing, radical transformation mentor Bhaskar Go...

THE FREE MAN PROJECT | MEN'S URBAN RETREAT
April 17-19
Downtown Montreal

This retreat is for men who want to be in brotherhood with other men that have different zones of genius, perceptions, and expressions. We gather to learn together what it means to be a good man, living a good life in these times.

The intention is to build something absolutely epic together.

Delighted and honored to co-facilitate this with Ron Cherilus and Julian A Giacomelli 🙏

Learn more and register:

Home A weekend away from the noise. Space to breathe, think clearly, and find your footing again, through honest conversation and real brotherhood. WHY WE’RE HERE The world is moving fast and asking a lot. The pressure to perform, provide, and hold it all together is real, and most men are navigating i...

The audacity of FLOURISHING in these apparently fearful times might be the greatest act of rebellion.

Come join us for the next Wisdom Cafe around the theme of 'Flourishing', tomorrow, 5-7pm, at Studio 77:

https://www.facebook.com/share/185kZJw9gm/

"Love whatever you can, from wherever you are."

- Learning to Love Yourself, Gay Hendricks

Jan 2026 | Freedom from the Four Existential Dreads of Life - https://mailchi.mp/cb24549e5120/freedom-from-the-four-existential-dreads-of-life