Recognising God
“This course is one of my favourites. It opens up the relative world so that we can truly see what is right in front of us. It is a course that increases our experience of love and awakens our cognising ability, specifically as it relates to the Divine.”
In the lineage of Vedic Masters stretching back thousands of years, certain teachings emerge that fundamentally alter one's relationship with existence itself. Recognising God is one such teaching.
Originally delivered by my teacher Thom Knoles in 2006, this course represents a pinnacle of wisdom from one of the most distinguished spiritual authorities of our time.
As the first non-Indian ever to receive the revered title of Mahamandaleshwar, his transmission of this knowledge cannot compare.
The evolution beyond Cosmic Consciousness
For those established in regular meditation practice, there comes a natural progression in spiritual development. Beyond the profound silence of transcendence lies the recognition of the Divine intelligence that permeates all of creation.
This course illuminates the pathway to God Consciousness — the state in which the practitioner begins to cognise the presence of the Divine within the fabric of ordinary experience.
About the Course
Recognising God creates the foundational understanding of:
How your experience of reality is a model created by your brain and how to change this model
The precise waking state practices necessary for developing God Consciousness
The six distinct stages of God Consciousness development
Direct wisdom from Maharishi Mahesh Yogi on recognising the Divine presence
A comprehensive meditation programme specifically designed to support the unfoldment of these teachings, allowing each participant to integrate this knowledge through direct experience.
The retreat setting
This expansive course will be offered at Strathean Retreat Centre. Situated amongst tall, native totara forest near Otaki, the beautiful grounds are brimming with liveliness, making it the ideal venue for experiencing and practising this profound knowledge.
The centre offers comfortable accommodation, nourishing vegetarian meals, and spaces for quiet reflection amongst the native trees and established gardens. The peaceful setting allows us to step away from the busy hum of our lives and get into nature while enjoying time together on retreat.
Who can attend?
This retreat is offered for those who:
Have established a consistent twice daily Vedic meditation practice
Have learnt at least one advanced technique
Have completed at least Exploring the Veda 1
Feel called to explore the deeper stages of spiritual evolution
Retreat Details
Dates: Thursday 11 June - Sunday 14 June 2026.
Times: Please arrive between 4pm and 5pm on Thursday 11 June for a 5pm start. We depart the retreat centre on Sunday 14 June at 10.00am. If booking flights out of Wellington, please give yourself 60-90 minutes to get to the airport.
Accommodation options: We have 5 single rooms (all fully booked now) with shared bathroom available and 6 shared rooms with shared bathroom available.
Meals: We provide a specific vegetarian, sattvic diet on retreat. We can provide for most dietary requirements, such as gluten and dairy free and for food allergies. If you have any questions, please get in touch via meditate@laurengodfrey.com.
Transfers: Transfers are not covered in your course fee. You can fly into Wellington or Kapiti Airports and either use a shuttle, hire a car or organise a ride with another meditator.
Investment: $2230 per person. This includes the $1850 course fee + Your Retreat fee ($480 Retreat Fee for a shared room with shared bathroom)*
*Includes accommodation and all meals. Please note that you must pay a $500 booking fee to secure your spot and this is strictly non-refundable and non-transferable. The two final payments of the course and retreat fee are due on 10 May and 1 June 2025 and are also non-refundable and non-transferable.
Course Refresher: If you have completed Recognising God before, you are welcome to join us for this retreat, subject to availability. The resit fee is $1000, which includes food and accomodation.