Having to be with myself— all the moods and thoughts— and realizing that I could contain it all within me and sit through it, I discovered a deep compassion and OK-ness with every state, from depression to bliss. Going through that gives me the power to go through my whole life. Coming out of retreat I feel so much energy to really benefit others, from the place of this openness and intimacy that I’ve found.

I felt North met us on a level deeper than personality, yet with understanding of what people need in terms of practice and communication. He talks from his heart, which always seemed to perfectly align with what myself and others were going through. I felt so respected by him. Interactions with him were glowing with this tenderness, love, and understanding which helped me get in touch with this in myself. Just North’s being is the most powerful way that he teaches.

Boundless Refuge has transformed my life. I am coming away from the retreat with a deeper kind of happiness than I have ever touched before, and a confidence that I can find true joy no matter the conditions. I have a much greater understanding of the teachings, which has already allowed me to help many people. North is completely himself. Approachable, friendly and relatable yet also transmitting the true Dharma. The forms and teaching style are rooted in tradition while also being flexible, allowing the retreat to accommodate a wide range of backgrounds and experience levels.

"Through the profoundly confrontational yet gentle rollercoaster of this retreat, I have really gotten to deepen my meditation practice from many angles and am confident this will resonate throughout my life. Most precious is the clarification of my deepest intention, which matured from a misty idea into a mystical diamond. North is a most diverse and authentic teacher: no dogmas, yet deeply connected with the lineage, and always empathically open to support me."

"This was the most important thing I've done in my life. It's hard to convey how powerful it was. North taught us to cultivate a sense of spacious awareness that has led to a dramatic reduction in my own suffering and an increase in my capacity to show up for the suffering of others. I am filled with gratitude."

The retreat went much better than I expected. I had a big dharmic opening on the second day and continued to open and deepen into that the rest of the retreat. I had a lot of psychological and psychosomatic healing also. I felt the capacity to feel joy for the first time, or in a very long time. I could feel my dharma realizations deepening through every talk and meeting with North. I felt he was able to get my questions in a way no other teacher has before. North is really in tune with detail and has a keen intuitive ability to tell what people need to hear and what opens things up for them.

"Amidst the wild ride of retreat, I experienced a deepening alignment to my true, unchanging nature. I’m taking this with me — a shift in self-confidence that I can welcome anything that arises in my experience. This feels like a great gift. North’s highly attuned and insightful presence and support was a great attribute to my experience."

"This retreat is great for anyone who wants to understand their own mind and learn to live peacefully with it. I very much enjoyed my time at Boundless Refuge. I learned to let things be and release subtle holding to my meditation techniques. I liked how funny North was, and he was always present with whatever came up. The simplicity of his teaching is helpful, and kept me on track to just let things unfold naturally."

"Once things started settling, there was so much ease…and as difficulties did arise, I learned increasingly to meet them. I’m definitely more emotionally connected to my own experience and the experience of others...  North was very authentic, completely real.”

"The Boundless Refuge 3-month retreat was a very positive and profound time for me. Most of all, it helped me deepen my capacity to bring a non-clinging awareness to every experience, internally and externally. Much gratitude to North and the team for making this possible!"

"Through the teachings, I gained a solid view and embodied understanding of the path. Post retreat, I'm finding more space and joy in giving more of myself. North brings love in the form of both support and challenge and offers a teaching style that encourages spontaneous living."

North's teaching is direct, compassionate and responsive and he is willing to go to great lengths to meet someone where they are. This retreat is a wonderful opportunity to deepen your practice in a setting that is both challenging and supportive. These conditions for practice are hard to find anywhere.

I left the retreat knowing I had been privileged to have received teachings of deep truth. North's dharma touched on a range of traditions and methods, but what was consistent throughout was the importance he placed on a freedom which felt both incredibly close and incredibly important. There is a newfound sense of capacity in me that is best described as the simple knowing that "all is welcome".

I got a taste of freedom in the retreat, and I developed a practice to keep deepening into it. I feel I got the essential teachings that lead to wisdom and compassion. I am very grateful to everyone that made this possible.