Meditation
and Mystery

“I told my friends that Jeff’s teaching style was like a healing balm for all of us. That he has cultivated such warm and insightful listening skills, gentle guidance, and so much wisdom. No matter where the person sharing their thoughts with the group was coming from, he met them there, and helped them by offering validation and reflection. My impression was that we all felt cared for and respected. I also appreciate Jeff’s unique sense of humor and openness, because it helped release tension.”

“Time slowed down and space opened up. It stopped feeling really rushed. I could finally hold things inside myself that I had been needing to hold because I was supported – quietly, subtly – by the room. I could also choose to NOT hold things. Acknowledge they were there and turn away. I felt taken care of. I learned. I felt welcomed.”

“Profound and deeply moving. Pause to be present for the sweet softness of the soul.”

“Accessible, challenging, insightful and real. This retreat will remind you or show you that being human is imperfect and beautiful.”

“I nudged, with love, my thoughts out of an obstacle that became a doorway. I opened the door, and found an enormous field of love? I think? I’m just at the edge of it.”

“I was introduced to a world of meditation that invites me to explore my internal world without concern about form or dogma, and find what works and integrate it into my busy life in a practical and powerful way. What a tremendous relief to let go of the “rules” and enter as a child with wonder! Thank you!”

“Jeff’s knowledge and skills in meditation is remarkable. The “sitting” sessions mixed in with his explanations, insights and group sharing were so helpful. I tend to be anxious and perhaps a bit controlling! I’m learning to pan back, “get curious” about what’s going on and why, and breathe! It’s a work in progress, but I left this retreat feeling calm, very relaxed, inspired and so grateful for some tools to help me accept what’s here and just BE.”

“Jeff’s ability to offer deep insight while being humorous struck just the night tone for me. His thoughtful responses to everyone who spoke were generous and insightful. I just wish the retreat was longer.”

“Go to this! Jeff is simple, amazingly human, relatable and fun! Whichever you are – a new meditator or an old friend to meditation – his insights are so valuable. Thank you!”

“I deepened my practice, gained even greater appreciation for how much meditation enhances my life, enabling me to be more present for others and more able to pursue my calling. I am more able today to fully experience and embrace the gift of being human, and that every day is indeed a new beginning.”

“Jeff helped me reset by reminding me of key principles and practices for centering and simplifying, quieting my mind and approaching meditation and life with curiosity, acceptance and joy. The support he and the group provided was invaluable. The language, imagery and tips he used were wonderful. Thank you!”

“It was a fantastic program that was able to reach people of many different levels of meditation experience. Jeff Warren uses humour and his own experiences to de-mystify meditation in a way that makes it accessible to anyone!”

"Besides Hollyhock being a pretty magical place, the workshop was everything I needed. I went to the retreat with a question about something bothering me in my personal life-- choices around priorities I need to make. With the gentle, skillful guidance into meditation, long periods of silence and the nourishment of the natural world, I came to an important insight that will help me answer that question. For me, that was worth it all. But there has been more: I loved the kind, non-supernatural, practical focus of Jeff's practice and it has set me up for committing to a daily practice. And as of today, it's been two weeks unbroken of daily meditation. I am reaping all kinds of benefits, especially learning how to really be there for people I care about. Thank you!"

"Before the retreat, I didn't do more than 12 minutes of meditation with your voice in my ear from the Calm app. I began with your 30 day beginner course over a year ago, and your guidance just clicked with me. It has helped tremendously to give more spaciousness in my life, and so I signed up for Hollyhock thinking what the hell? I can do hours of meditation... Why not? 

Well, I absolutely loved it! I didn't even know my mind and body and spirit needed what this retreat was offering. It was so restful and quiet. I spent two days with that "silent" sticker on me because I didn't even want to try to make small talk or engage with anyone but myself. This is an indulgence I don't have in my regular life. You spoke about being stirred and shaken and when we sit, we let the sediment settle. This is exactly what it felt like for me. I know that others felt some overwhelm of emotions or grief rise up in that stillness. But surprisingly, I felt spurts of joy. I've had a heavy year of work, of anxiety, of grief about the world and global suffering. And what I felt I suppressed was my joy. Whoa. What a revelation."

"The combination of meditation, movement and conscious nature connection on the beautiful and nourishing grounds of Cortez Island was the perfect recipe for letting the noise of modern life drop away while tending to the inner self. Also, I've never laughed so much (or had so much fun dancing) at a meditation retreat before! I emerged with a new, more gentle relationship with meditation that feels less like a "should" and more like a gift to myself."

"I went somewhere beautiful to check out...so I could check in. I was around sincere people who want the same thing...to be better humans. I was challenged with silence, and I was enlightened with new ways of bringing meditation into other aspects of my everyday life i.e. nature walks and body movement"

“Jeff and his team were incredible! From being authentic, generous with their time, playful, available, and kind. Jeff has the best voice! I could listen to him 24/7. Scott has such incredible skills and is a great teacher of Qigong. This retreat was healing, restorative, and the best use of my time and energy.”

“I attended Jeff Warren’s meditation retreat at Hollyhock and came away with some genuinely valuable tools and insights. Jeff’s teaching style is approachable, relatable, and made meditation feel much more accessible. I learned foundational concepts and different techniques that helped me better understand meditation and how I might build a practice that works for me. I especially enjoyed the Qi Gong movement and the nature-based meditations. Group settings aren’t always easy for me, but even so, I found the experience both enjoyable and, at times, challenging. I took away practical and meaningful insights that will help me navigate life.”

“Jeff Warren is an experienced, insightful, and passionate meditator who makes meditation practice super accessible to all. He gives you real-world tools to help you create or deepen a daily practice, and he does it all with humor and ease. By sharing his own challenges and lessons learned, Jeff really humanizes the experience and makes the whole idea of a daily meditation practice feel completely doable. I loved the balance of the movement sessions with Scott and the nature-based inquiries with Kalen—it all rounded out the experience beautifully for me.”

Notes From Past Participants: