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Events
Gatherings and Retreats
Jon Bernie offers Inspired Aliveness ® gatherings and retreats online with occasional in-person events in the San Francisco Bay Area. Participants often find these events to be intimate and transformative. Read What is a gathering? →
Gatherings and retreats have a fluid structure guided by Jon’s intuition — familiar to many of you from his podcasts — with silent sitting, talks by Jon, and one-on-one work with a number of participants.
Sign up below and look out for important meeting instructions.
See you soon!
Jon and Clear Water Sangha volunteer staff
UPCOMING EVENTS
To enroll click on the tier you are able to pay. Registrations close 90 minutes before the start of an event. We strongly recommend double-checking the time and date of these events if you live outside of the PST/PDT Timezone. Convert to your time zone →
OCT 5
2024
Online Gathering →
Saturday 11am-1pm PST/PDT
OCT 12
2024
Online Gathering →
Saturday 11am-1pm PST/PDT
OCT 26
2024
Online Gathering →
Saturday 11am-1pm PST/PDT
Nov 1-3
2024
3-Day Online Retreat →
Friday – Sunday 10am-3:30pm PST/PDT
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens after I enroll to an online event?
You should receive a confirmation email from scheduling@acuityscheduling.com. If you do not see this email within an hour of enrollment, please check your spam folder. Reminder emails with meeting instructions and meeting links are sent out 24 hours and 1 hour prior to an event. For retreats—follow up emails with meeting links are sent out daily.
What will I need in order to join an online event?
We recommend having these when you join for the most optimal gathering or retreat experience for yourself, Jon and other participants.
- A free Zoom account
- Fast internet—we have found that a wired internet connection may prevent your video feed from being dropped.
- Earbuds with an embedded mic—prevents audio feedback and ensures good voice quality if you have an interaction with Jon.
Can you try without these? Sure! But we cannot vouch for the quality of your experience. Our goal is to create an online environment free of technological distractions as much as we can so we can focus on the intention of our gathering—just like our in-person events.
We hope to see you there!
How can I prepare for an online event?
We recommend joining meetings 15 minutes prior to the start of the event to address unexpected technical issues. Once the event begins, we cannot assist you.
We strongly recommend double-checking the time and date of these events for your timezone if you live outside of Pacific Timezone. Convert to your time zone →
Will this event be recorded?
Please be advised that we record all events, which we will be working to make available for access on the Inspired Aliveness Podcast. Should you have a one-on-one interaction with Jon and wish to have your interaction edited out of the recording, please email us at clearwatersangha@gmail.com.
Will a refund be issued for an online gathering or retreat upon cancelation?
- Gathering cancelations are nonrefundable.
- Retreat cancellations are fully refundable minus a $25 processing fee limited to 4 days before the retreat. No refunds will be given within 3 days of the retreat.
* Enrollment fees for online events are nontransferable.
Testimonials
What people say about these events
A Life Changing Experience
I think last night was a life changing experience for me. I feel lucky and honored to have been present. Was that shakti I felt . . . or something else altogether? Soooo powerful. The best I can come up with is that you seemed to be radiating oneness. Maybe you don’t want to put words on it, but I think I’ve been waiting my whole life to be a witness for exactly what I witnessed last night.
Thank you barely begins to express my gratitude. That was such a gift, the most generous sharing ever. I will never be the same again.
Much, much love,
Nothing short of amazing
I have been engaging with Jon’s online satsangs over the last three years. Jon has consistently provided cutting edge facilitation for my inner consciousness development, specifically through group meditations, a talk, and interpersonal dialogues.
I think the satsangs are effective for me because they allow me to feel nourished and warm, but also clear and encouraged to work on my inner sticking points.
If you are considering attending, I would HIGHLY recommend it! It would be silly not to. The potential benefits are well well worth the two hours of Saturday and the price.
I look forward to another satsang this weekend.
Sincerely,
The Saturday satsangs are so palpably full of healing energy…
Just writing to sprinkle heaps of appreciation your way!
The Saturday satsangs are so palpably full of healing energy, grounding us back to our living, loving center.
I’m so grateful that you do this for & with all of us. Thank you Jon! Your work is profoundly important.
❤
Love,
HIS JOY IS CONTAGIOUS!!
HIS JOY IS CONTAGIOUS!!
What a beautiful gift!
The love you emanate feels like a warm blanket for my heart. Such gentleness. Your joy is also much appreciated. What a beautiful gift! I simply cannot thank you enough for being you and reflecting back to me what is already within. Thank you for all that you share so graciously.
I can feel Jon’s energy right through the computer
I love Jon’s energy and in-depth wisdom and guidance. I always learn and laugh at his teaching. I love how simply and easy to understand the Satsang is. It is a beautiful and creative way to be and engage through the online venue. I can feel Jon’s energy right through the computer like I am there. I would like more online events and find them very powerful. This reminds me of who I am and reunites my desire to expand consciousness and presence.
I find this helps me work with myself in staying more open to experience as it comes
I really appreciate Jon’s openness to the experience as it unfolds – I personally benefit from how he is with the flow of emotions and how he works with each person’s experience. I find this helps me work with myself in staying more open to experience as it comes, to transition the benefits of meditation practice to the rest of my life.
I am left grounded, expanded and in total peace.
I always appreciate the space between each question for silent sitting. I also enjoy his way of including the human experience into the Presence of Being; he attends this experience with open-hearted awareness. I have no problem crying in front of Jon or expressing my deepest sorrows. He guides them all to the light of pure knowing. I am left grounded, expanded and in total peace.
It was lovely to hear from people around the world
Jon’s online satsang is a Godsend! I was recently injured and am temporarily housebound. I was so happy to be able to attend his online satsang. The presence is still very palpable in an online forum. It was lovely to hear from people around the world, inspired and transforming in their practice. The interaction with Jon is very powerful and precious. He teaches with great depth, gentleness and humor. Thank you for providing this option!
I had a very big healing in satsang today.
I just want to express my deepest gratitude for Jon. I had a very big healing in satsang today. Jon has been a beautiful example for me of how to be honest, vulnerable, and powerful at the same time.. sending much love.
I experienced myself processing something naturally until I felt clear and open-hearted
In my second sitting with Jon I yet again found myself more effortlessly able to settle into myself and able to be with whatever is coming up. Today, the most beautiful flow of sorrow come through me and I experienced myself processing something naturally until I felt clear and open-hearted – all without directly speaking with Jon. Merely being in the space with Jon is apparently enough for me. And it’s an exquisitely beautiful experience. I am grateful for this offering as I open up to deeper discernment within my being.
I found the whole event very powerful in ways I didn’t expect from an online experience.
I appreciated the wonderful openness of Jon and all the participants. I found the whole event very powerful in ways I didn’t expect from an online experience. It was all very intimate and honest.
My work with Jon this weekend was cathartic
My interaction with Jon was so beneficial. I haven’t worked with him in a long time and really needed a check-in. Though I am always terrified of being up front in the hot seat with Jon, I knew that his kindness and compassion would help me to release some of the pent-up emotions that have built up. My work with Jon this weekend was cathartic and I recommend his Satsang and teachings to anyone searching for how to improve their sense of being. Let’s live in every moment’s newness.
Jon’s teachings have allowed me to tune into presence, and discover that presence is not dead, static, or absent, but actually unfolding, emerging, and alive
This was a beautiful and potent retreat. I have a long history of feeling like there is nothing there when I turn inwards. Even though intellectually I believe that’s not true, I didn’t know how to begin to pay attention to anything other than my breath. I felt like meditation was an exercise in Waiting for Godot. I felt abandoned, anxiously wanting something intelligent other than my own mind to make itself known. Jon’s teachings have allowed me to tune into presence, and discover that presence is not dead, static, or absent, but actually unfolding, emerging, and alive — if I let it be so. This allows me to practice giving up control and surrendering to the unknown. During this retreat in particular, I felt so grateful and present, able to stay open without panicking that what I was experiencing wasn’t “enough,” tuned in and richly emerged. The teachings were all so helpful and served as potent pointers. Thank you so much Jon.
I spoke to Jon and today am feeling the results of a profound shift emotionally, energetically and physically!
It was a great Satsang for me…I spoke to Jon and today am feeling the results of a profound shift emotionally, energetically and physically! Thank you to Jon and all the team for making these Satsangs available! Priceless!
That exchange has been echoing within ever since
…the transmission came through loud and clear! I actually felt Jon was particularly direct at times that really was helpful for me. For example, when responding to the person who asked about “sinking into Presence”, and Jon immediately replied (paraphrase) that you can’t sink into presence because that is what you are. That exchange has been echoing within ever since, even though I had heard and read those words (you are Presence) many times.
… the energy Jon transmits helps me BE here
I am missing my heart’s home at Arunachala and the energy Jon transmits helps me BE here. I just want to express GRATITUDE for the way it is.
[The satsang space that Jon holds] feels so inclusive, safe, allowing and transcendent all at the same time.
I always feel Jon is speaking directly to me, answering questions I didn’t know I even had and touching my heart in a direct way that is both impersonal yet deeply available to my human self. I’m so grateful to the space that Jon holds. It feels so inclusive, safe, allowing and transcendent all at the same time. Satsang with Jon is bursting with love!
Connecting With Stillness In a Normal, Everyday Manner
I appreciated the many opportunities to connect with the stillness in a conscious way that was treated in a normal everyday manner rather than something mystical and out of reach.
… a true gift to those who are interested in exploring the nature of their experience in a kind, loving and completely judgement-free space.
Jon is generous with time and spirit. He is right there to meet you where you are and guide you to deeper levels of insight and understanding. Jon’s wisdom and experience is self-evident and a true gift to those who are interested in exploring the nature of their experience in a kind, loving and completely judgement-free space.
Jon doesn’t just talk it, he walks the walk. Anyone who has studied with a teacher knows how rare this is.
I loved that Jon shared his grief with us in the 3-day retreat and then followed up this week in satsang. It set a really special tone for the gathering today and helped dispel any myths about teachers not being human. It gave everyone a type of permission to be who they are. Jon doesn’t just talk it, he walks the walk. Anyone who has studied with a teacher knows how rare this is.
I feel safe with him
Jon is a beautiful being, I feel safe with him, which has not always been my experience in the past.
One of the qualities that has always drawn me to Jon is this authenticity where there is nothing to defend.
The ‘Presence/Union’ (for want of language) was immediately felt. There was complete safety & unconditional Love which meant that I was open to whatever Jon had offered. One of the qualities that has always drawn me to Jon is this authenticity where there is nothing to defend. That is Love. That is truth & how I’ve always wanted to live.
The sharing of others was also precious. There was a sense of ‘togetherness’ and paradoxically Oneness. Thank you all.
It’s changing my life. This sounds dramatic, and I guess it is
What you spoke just resonated so deeply and my mind was actually blown. In a good way, hehe. Pretty much every satsang I have energy that moves in various ways, released, or stirred, places in my body where there is/has been tension is often revealed, I might cry, I connect and empathize on an energetic level with the folks who interact with you. It’s changing my life. This sounds dramatic, and I guess it is, hehe.
… the retreat process continues to unfold and open me up into unknown parts of my being
Thank you very much Jon. As time passes by I am still profoundly touched by your deep deep love of humanness. And the retreat process continues to unfold and open me up into unknown parts of my being. Much love
Deeply touched and moved.
Jon has extraordinary presence, compassion and depth, the like of which I don’t think I’ve ever come across before. His ability to connect in an embodied way is amazing – when he was working with others I felt that he was working personally with me as well, even though it was online. Deeply touched and moved.
Felt very connected.
Felt very connected. The sharing was off the charts. I identified with everyone. Just a great experience.
So many jewels from this weekend
I love Jon’s mixture of warmth, humour and wisdom all served in a fresh unique way that honours the wisdom of ancient spiritual traditions as well as our everyday humanity. It was really one of the greatest experiences, the profundity of which will continue to come through over time. I am very grateful to Jon and the volunteers for putting this together. So many jewels from this weekend, it’s very hard to single out any in particular, but seeing Jon showing his emotions so unashamedly was notably impactful.
The words and silence of the retreat are still working through me. The river is flowing.
It was my first retreat.
And a special one, because of
Jon’s emergency-family-call.
I was deeply touched by seeing how he managed to be fully present with all the discomfort.
The words and silence of the retreat are still working through me.
The river is flowing.
It is as if every part of me has come Home.
This was my first retreat with Jon and I am super grateful for these 3 days of deepening into Stillness. Through following and applying Jon’s clear pointers and listening with an open mind, I found a whole new landscape opened up within via realms of body and spirit that were completely new and fresh!
I found Jon’s heartfelt compassion and ‘beyond’ unconditional presence combined with his gift to meet us all exactly where ‘we are’, incredibly valuable and nourishing. I just love Jon’s ability to include everyone and everything…nothing is rejected. I feel Seen, recognized and encouraged!
Jon’s authentic warmth, clarity and intuitive insight has inspired and embraced me. It is as if every part of me has come Home. Thank you Jon from All of me!
I want to extend a very warm thank you to Jon and the volunteers for giving this wonderful opportunity to join together in the silent celebration of who we Truly are. A gift beyond value!!
I appreciate more than I can say that in Jon’s retreats I have the exquisite space to meet myself and all of my facets,
I loved the depth of this group, how beautifully we attuned to one another as soon as we began. I loved Jon’s opening talk on day one and his morning talks on the two days that followed. I appreciate more than I can say that in Jon’s retreats I have the exquisite space to meet myself and all of my facets, completely feeling 100% safe to laugh, cry, be angry, confused and even lost. I’ve had the experience time and time again that it is all just energy moving, that after the anger or the sorrow or the confusion or feeling lost, I always come home to my true self, to happiness.
I felt like I was … coming home to my own loving heart. I was no longer abandoning myself.
After a rough week and feeling very unsafe and out of it, I kept remembering something Jon said in a previous Satsang, “Don’t abandon yourself.” which has been so deep and fruitful for me to contemplate. I couldn’t wait to attend Satsang this week. I felt like I was coming home to community, coming home to Jon’s unconditionally loving presence, and coming home to my own loving heart. I was no longer abandoning myself. I felt so connected, full of love, and so appreciative of the connection with Jon and everyone attending this Satsang. I also connected with everyone who sat with Jon. Their concerns touched me deeply as did Jon’s loving interaction with them. I cannot begin to describe how much I appreciate being with Jon and this community. The love seems to deepen every time we’re together. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Thank you Jon, thank you all from Clearwater Sangha and everyone joining from all over the world.
Thank you so much for providing these online meetings. So much gratitude and love to meet like this and be supported in this way…what a blessing…what a gift… thank you Jon, thank you all from Clearwater Sangha and everyone joining from all over the world.
I loved the intense presence and energy that emanated from Jon and the group,
I loved the intense presence and energy that emanated from Jon and the group, and I loved how Jon responded to each person who shared, with a heartfelt love and empathy. Overall I really enjoyed this event and I appreciate Jon’s perspective on things, quick and precise insight, and gentle but powerful presence 🙂 thank you!
I feel re-inspired and very grateful after experiencing a period of little interest in spiritual teachers or teachings. Jon’s message is fresh and resonates …
The online meeting was a nourishing opportunity to be together in the fertile soil of shared quietness. I was grateful for Jon’s feedback and reassurance, for his lightness of being and authenticity, for the experience of all being the same as each other, no higher authority and for the genuine, compassionate inclusion of everything that wanted to show up!
I feel re-inspired and very grateful after experiencing a period of little interest in spiritual teachers or teachings. Jon’s message is fresh and resonates with where I find myself on the return trip to humanity!
Jon helped me work through some things I have been struggling with in my own practice. For this I am forever grateful.
I appreciate the fact that Jon took the time with each person he called on and that he explained things in a way that was easy to process. I was called on today and Jon helped me work through some things I have been struggling with in my own practice. For this I am forever grateful.
… so natural, so approachable, and also so profound.
Jon’s approach to teaching is so natural, so approachable, and also so profound. I find that often weeks after a Satsang or a retreat something that was said or shared is heard inwardly in a new way, opening the heart unexpectedly.
I appreciated the sense of community … our connection to each other.
I appreciated the sense of community with others that Jon refers to in various ways, our connection to each other. I appreciated how Jon brings us all home to what is essential and helps me remember that everything is allowed in this space, that everything is holy.
I like how he guides us back to what we’re experiencing Now to help us free ourselves from our stories.
I appreciate how Jon invites us to simply be with what is happening “right now” and guides us toward allowing that just as it is….Not what we wish “that” could be or was. I love Jon’s total acceptance and allowance for whatever arises. I like how he guides us back to what we’re experiencing Now to help us free ourselves from our stories. He provides the support that helps me stay lovingly on course.
Jon never fails to bring great love to the very nitty gritty truth of each of us.
Jon never fails to bring great love to the very nitty gritty truth of each of us. His satsangs are always deeply fulfilling and inspiring.
Jon helped with some heart blockages and deep pain I have been dealing with for years
Jon helped with some heart blockages and deep pain I have been dealing with for years. And he did it in like 15 seconds, I’m still absolutely dumbfounded about how fast that was. I would move to California in a heartbeat if he was accepting students in person.
Deep healing
I loved the long moments of sitting in silence where deep healing was taking place.
I appreciated … the quality of listening emanating from the group; the warmth and humanness of the way Jon delivers the teaching …
I appreciated the spontaneity of the meeting, how welcome Jon, the staff and participants made me feel, the variety of participants and the quality of listening emanating from the group; the warmth and humanness of the way Jon delivers the teaching, as well as the well thought-out balance between moments of dialogue, verbal teaching, and silent sitting.
Provides guidance that brings the person in touch with their deeper self and their own autonomy.
I am always amazed how deeply Jon is able to focus completely on anyone who wants to sit with him and provide guidance that brings the person in touch with their deeper self and their own autonomy. He doesn’t try to fix things for anyone. He just allows the person he’s working with to go deeper and recognizes and supports them as they do. To me that is the purest and truest form of teaching.
Jon is a master at meeting each person where they are
Jon is a master at meeting each person where they are, and helping them to uncover the healing that they need in that moment.
On the second day, I felt as if my entire being melted within itself,
It was a wonderful and intense [retreat] experience. First of all, I felt a lot of energy for 3 days before the retreat in such a way that I could not even sleep. The transmission was intense the first day. On the second day, I felt as if my entire being melted within itself, a condition that I cannot describe. I just wanted to close my eyes and remain in that state permanently. I started to come back to normal during the 3rd day. The energy continues to be felt and I am enjoying the benefit of it. I am looking forward to similar events in the future.
I never imagined an online event could be so deeply nourishing.
Sitting with Jon and watching Jon work with others, I felt like I was being effortlessly guided to act and relate–with others and with my own interior parts–from my own True Self. It feels like an invaluable experience. I am enormously grateful. I never imagined an online event could be so deeply nourishing.
All that arises is gratitude for the presence and availability of all that attended, and Jon for guiding in such a light-hearted, playful and warm way…
I’m just feeling peace right now, and this peace doesn’t have any words that can truly describe it. All that arises is gratitude for the presence and availability of all that attended, and Jon for guiding in such a light-hearted, playful and warm way throughout all the tumultuous waves. Thanks to this event, layers of my body have unraveled to reveal a felt love of myself that I never knew possible and that is the greatest gift.
It felt like my heart was defrosting
This has been one of the most profound retreats ever. Tears were brimming from the start– it felt like my heart was defrosting after apparently having frozen/closed down somewhat– so busy trying to be plucky despite all the insecurity, fear and loss of the shut down.
Well, if there was any doubt that a retreat would work in the online format, it has been squashed.
Well, if there was any doubt that a retreat would work in the online format, it has been squashed. Wonderful, wonderful event overall! I really appreciate Jon’s instruction to me to not let energy escape through various vents and just remain still. It definitely gave me the permission that I apparently thought I needed to gently interact with the energy. Overall, the retreat was very powerful, and was a hell of a ride at some points. Keep ’em coming!
The online retreat worked very well for me. In many ways it was easier for me to deepen and to work with things that were coming up.
The online retreat worked very well for me. In many ways it was easier for me to deepen and to work with things that were coming up. I’ve always appreciated attending retreats in person, and will continue of course. But this format provided levels of safety and freedom that have not been possible for me to access at the in-person retreats. This morning, following the online retreat, I started saying the Hoʻoponopono prayer as I awoke. Spontaneously, crying started. I don’t cry easily. The tears just started and kept coming for almost an hour. This freedom — to cry loud and long, to experiment with different positions for meditating, to be safe at home, to not have to interact with anyone — all allowed me to experience a depth and understanding beyond what I’ve known. Bottom line — I would love more of these longer online retreats. Thank you so much for everything!
The reminder to just Be
I am very happy about the possibility to join online meetings. I live in Germany and otherwise it would not be possible to meet at all. It is a great support. I appreciate to be reminded to just be, not to try to become a more “perfect” seeker. That helps me a lot.
I am blown away every time. It attests to the power of our group connection.
Oh wow. The deep richness of opportunity that becomes available for diving deeper into my own inner awareness by ‘being with’ the other participants as they interact with Jon in whatever way is truly stunning. I am blown away every time. It attests to the power of our group connection. I don’t need to interact to feel incredibly affected and connected to the whole. It ups my compassion and feelings and insights into my own processes and journey in a huge way.
My experience was deep and very beautiful- I was able to be very in-the-moment and truly am grateful to each and every person in the room and to Jon, of course.
I had heard that the online satsang was a truly wonderful experience- and it certainly was true. It was just as powerful as attending one of Jon’s in-person satsangs. And we had the benefit of so many people from around the world. My experience was deep and very beautiful- I was able to be very in-the-moment and truly am grateful to each and every person in the room and to Jon, of course.
Clear Water Sangha is supported by hard-working volunteers and provides free written, podcast and video teachings. We are grateful for your support.