the O·method is an investigation of life
Basically we are non-dualists, non-essentialists and definitely relativists if pressed for an answer. What this means is that we believe the body and mind are one, or at least totally interdependent and entangled with the surroundings, the environment, the Earth and the Cosmic happenings and momentum to the point of our being incapable of seeing a well defined border, frontier or clear difference, though we do see, or rather, “read” this flow through any number of perspectives (coordinates) as a series of questions and observations, and with the resulting information usually get a pretty good idea what each body-mind-spirit requires to heal, enhance life, or just take care of what is already there.
How we got to this conviction? - Illness, and the investigative process of healing from it, and in no way along that exploratory journey did petrochemical-derived drugs play a central role.
“Dr. Dan Siegel gathered experts from all academia and schools of thought to agree on a definition for “mind”. After nine years they pretty much concluded that there is none. As science evolves there is no clear border with the body. There is still no accepted definition of “mind” in academia so how can you presume there is a separation and a correct therapy? Our definition of mind is; an inherited system of thought and memory. However it is dependent on the biochemistry of the body and as such at it’s best use for oneself when the biochemistry is healthy and that is what we focus on here. ”
We work with two hypothesis, 1) the body is benevolent, and 2) that it’s communicating with the environment and the universe beyond our current understanding of it. With these two we have developed a method to “pick up” the information it’s trying to give us in order to perform at its best.
We accept that we are part of evolution and that we are equally part of our human history. We evaluate what is coming from nature and what is coming from descriptions of nature (conventions). In order to do so we feel and use the senses via a series of exercises and thought processes to figure out what we really want in our lives, not what we are inclined to want (but maybe not really want). The input is evaluated and concerning health it is pretty obvious how to proceed, hence we in-source instead of out-source our health and lives.
In doing so we realized that the body is in effect the best doctor and pharmacist we’ll ever need and always seeks to help us. Nothing loves us more and it is waiting to be loved back. That love is most likely without human wording and we teach you the other forms of communication we discovered. This is free from time and space, has more to find in quantum physics than in petrochemical medicine and it isn’t ending starting with this life.
“My parents didn’t come together to give me a happy childhood. They came together, had me to make me who I am. God knows why, but they certainly don’t? ”
Continue reading what can’t be described with words, if you want a clumpsy intent. In the end these amazing tools are just another human construct to intercommunicate with the side effect of invoking beliefs, traditions and history, but it’s the best we have for now :)
Feel f’ Real in the O·method
In feeling is found the path to healing. Free Meditation (Fm) and Creative Meditation (Cm) are two methods of achieving a more fulfilling life. Anything along the way that has brought you away from where you want to be, or what you want to feel, or who you think you are, is disequilibrium, or disruption, or disease or some other dis-function. The way ahead is feeling, but not only feeling as in feeling a feeling, but really feeling it in you, in your nature, in your body, your organs, increment by increment on the path to health. This is the ultimate form of meditation and the only way to health or homeostasis (equilibrium), ongoing, daily, alive.
“Feeling is the most elaborate form of thought.”
“Feeling was our first interpretation of the world and body language our first communication, even in the womb. We used our senses as antennas to read the universe. Long after we learnt to describe our feelings in words, but our teachers unfortunately also taught us what we should feel and depending on where you were born we were taught to feel differently. All words carry culture, heavily.”
Feeling is, in fact, the most elaborate form of thought. This is what it’s all about, a continual practicing of it, in our yoga, meditation, cooking, talking, exercising, building, walking, love-making, researching, thinking, being, etc. We apply freedom of speech for feelings, however we don’t always recommend acting upon them or even expressing them and here is where our minds come in handy and why we don’t believe that the cliche “follow your heart” or “do what you want” always applies as the right thing to do, although we pretty much understand what is meant but isn’t said (O·Mind Detox #5)
Give us a sec to explain.
Have you ever felt the feeling to run away or punch someone, but then you didn’t do it? That’s what we mean, you had a feeling but you chose to not act upon it as some part of you said you better not do it, using your mind to reason. We practice the same fine-tuned communication in between feelings and our logic, sometimes in milliseconds, sometimes for years, with the slight difference - we never judge our feelings. We never say that they are wrong, stupid or right, and we always acknowledge them. Pain is meant to be felt, sadness and worry too, not oppressed, and “good” feelings might not always be so good to act upon either. One thing that our bodies have taught us over the years, is that even if you acknowledge your feelings and you chose to not act upon them you will most likely be more healthy, and if you acknowledge them but never act upon them you will most likely fall ill. It’s when we lie to ourselves, knowingly or not, and when we chose to ignore feelings, that we create trouble.
The Buddhist’s say that only from suffering comes true learning and if that’s right who doesn’t want to learn? All those impactful moments of Karmentum make up who you are, or at least how you are perceived, and then who you are, and then who you are perceived as, and then who you are…
Give us another sec to explain.
Simplified, the concept of Karmentum can be considered evolutionary memory manifested as the I, in which case it’s most effective to see ourselves as memory and our bodies as the most corpo-real form of it. You might not remember your great grand father, but your body remembers him quite well. If you have his nose you can even see and feel it. Go ahead, touch your past.
We exist in many forms, depending upon your perspective, and many of them are so abstruse that it can be questioned as to what extent they are “us” or we are them, like the microbiome for instance. We have 10 times more cells from microbes than we do human cells. Who are we, really?
We are 7 billion-billion-billion atoms,[vi]
We are 37.2 trillion cells,[vii]
We are 70,000 to 90,000 protein parts in every cell,[viii]
We are 10 million biochemical processes happening every second, in each of the 37.2 trillion cells,[ix]
We are 100 trillion bacteria,[x]
For every gene, we are 100 bacteria genes.[xi]
Do we even exist? Or are we just national parks of smaller things. Well, here is where you learn to answer that question by feeling, and for real, or in other words, we learn how to acknowledge and feel, truly feel, all the versions of us, i.e., all our feelings. The good, the bad, the happy, the excruciating. All of them, all are necessary and all of them are legitimate, both in our cells and in our minds. You are not a mistake, or is any version of you.
Your feelings are part of you and your part of the 13.8 years of evolution, and exist whether you want them to or not, like a force that is beyond your will or doubts surrounding that. Feelings have been instrumental in the evolution and survival of the species, so ditch the let go, and other cliches. You can’t anyway, and you don’t want to. Here is why:
“I don’t think I have ever respected myself. Now I can start loving every part of myself and what did it take? Not even 10 minutes. This is freaking amazing :)))”
Right it out
The Feel f' Real method builds awareness in you, by you. We focus on taking your health to the next creative level so you can discover and release your truth(s) and respecting other’s truths, through creative acts small or big such as art, entrepreneurship, activism, family, science, cooking, change, learning, teaching, etc. Whatever your creative outlet is, we support it.
"I have learnt so much about myself: started to listen to my body again, question the opinions I have picked up along the way, reengaged with my love of music and literature..."
At our Feel f’ Real retreat you will learn to feel and express what before you couldn't or wouldn’t, and in doing so heal the deepest of wounds. Often we recommend writing, or taking notes, in the process and for those that find this healing we might support you to create a book, a blog, a manifesto or some other writing to detox our Human Karma together.
Butterfly Man is the result of epic collaboration between Ray and John McInroy, a guest whose visit to us in Thailand resulted in a 77,000 word manuscript Ray reduced to one-sitting read. It was launched 2018, available at Amazon.com
“Feeling like this is like feeling my alive-ness”
“I had no idea I had so much to feel...mostly anger. Gosh!”
“I started a whole new series of paintings and I love them.”
Feel f' Real is bringing it out and putting it into form. Observing and understanding. Giving birth to the active and creative person we all are but sometimes need to rediscover. Writing makes those feelings more valid, more respected and with that, we get a very healthy perspective on what is going on within us whether we have acknowledged it before our not. We feel it through, sometimes little at the time.
It’s not a question of right or wrong, but a question of what you feel. All feelings are important, so let them come. Only the actions springing from those feelings exists to be framed in a historical context as good or bad, or appropriate or not. Think. Where did many of the great NGO's, mind blowing books and positive historic changes come from? Probably out of feelings we label as wrong (anger, sadness) due to pain and suffering. So, don't let the feelings go, don't forget them. Rather bring them on and let them burst out through your creativity. Feel and do good - a true detox.
If you wish we get on the Feel f' Real Program to coach you into creativity and action following your retreat. Get in touch!
“To be honest, I’m excited to build something that is so good for the environment that no one has heard of, that is also profitable. But i just want to orchestrate it all, sort of like a conductor. Putting all the puzzle pieces together. The possibilities are so wide and endless and I like the idea of getting the word out about all of it.”
Whatever your reason for coming is, all expression is healthy, so join us and Feel f’ Real at an O·live Retreat. Who knows where sleeping under the stars, stretching your Vagus nerve, eating pea flowers and watching sunsets on the mountain and feeling your feelings will take your creativity and inspiring ideas. Who knows to where waves and jungle noises will lead you.
“My dream is to make my week with Olive worthwhile for the Colombian world through a charity I just launched! I would like to share with as many people the experience that has taken me into a road of thought and insight (consciousness I would say) and make it not only attractive and easy/accessible but a basic necessity for all!”
“I got my guitar finally but I’m not trying to play songs, I just want to make my own sounds.”
“You told me to write, so I did”
O·live has helped people to change the following areas:
“I resigned, I’m selling the house and I’m signed up for the course. I don’t know where I would have been without you. Thank’s for saving my life, now I’ll try to save others.”
Human & Social Entrepreneurship
Responsible Consumerism
Creative Arts
Sustainable Architecture
Change towards a Helping Culture
Compassionate School Curriculum
Human & Animal Care & Rights
Creative Writing & Publishing
Caring & Helping teaching (kids and adults)
Health Democracy
Peaceful Activism
Equality of Gender, Race, Religion & Lifeforms
Cleaning beaches of plastic
Ray and John going through the final touches on Butterfly Man, launched in 2018.
"Old Ropes are best Yanked Free of"
'Creativity is the greatest act of rebellion.' We owe the world our miracles, our creativity, our unique take on experience and the crystalization of that into something beneficial for ourselves and others.
"In being creative we have a chance to imagine and craft something no one else can claim responsibility for, and this requires dismissing all the previous claims.
The courage in this, should there be any, is that we no longer have anyone to blame. Or better, there is no longer a need to blame anyone."
“Can’t wait to see how our paths cross in 2018. I just touched down back in NYC. Back to the real world, but I feel I bring so much more to the table. I’m armed with so many new insights. I’m excited for the future!”
Many of our pictures were taken by Joe Azzaro. See his amazing pictures on Instagram @thesunrisebreakfastclub
From the Butterfly Man: "By MAGIC I mean a man pulls a rabbit out of the hat and everyone is amazed and no one knows how he did it, but one thing is clear. Where before they were silent, bored, sleepy, tired, lost, worried, frustrated and sick, they are now staring amazed at the scene before them, and the scene before them, is, quite simply.
A belief.
The scene is, look around you."
“I can’t begin to explain how inspired and re-energised I am. Today we started a Research and Development Group in the office to take our existing sustainability expertise to the next level and really start educating our clients and encouraging them down this route. We have some great ideas and have an opportunity to be truly innovative and help lead our industry. Thanks for this!”
Not so much a program, more clues
Programs don’t work here, so we ditched them. Nowadays we watch and hear what each person wants and needs and we decide a plan together during the assessment upon arrival. No set “program” but a very deep investigation, and you will most likely get to try and think and feel out these areas during your stay:
“Feeling so alive and full of love, thanks my friends.”
Meditation for Real Feeling
Seriously.
Mediation is the fast track to the unencumbered self, to an inside, tactile view of our own Karmentum. It's healthy, yes. It boosts our immune systems, sure. It raises our energy levels, of course. It helps alleviate or eliminate the fear and/or anxiety or depression that living in the world brings. But better than all that, it leads us directly into ourselves, and takes us into the rest of us.
We go into the creative self with a variety of pro-active focused and creative meditations, all designed to help us see through the illusion of separation and the illusion of ancient form, and modern fear.
"The concept of Karmentum did it for me. How can I thank you enough?" - Mary
Yoga & Breathing for Real Connection
Think of it as stretching the inside and outside of you. Yoga brings your body into the creative realm in a natural and healthy way. It’s not a work-out, it’s a work-in. One soft touch of Cristina’s fingertip, merely noticeable, will spur the awakening of your cells and guide you to feel a body you were forced to leave at an early age. Her touch makes you realize what is you, and what you need to exist, really exist.
A flexible body is our natural state of being. That’s what our bodies want to be, so it’s more likely to be a boundary-breaking body, an open body, an idea body full of energy and creativity. It's more than a physical exercise. It's one of the greatest acts of rebellion. Bringing your body back to you. Own your extension in time and space. Feel it, every second, every breath, and beat of the earth.
We start the days with sunrise Yoga (but can do yoga any other time, too). All levels of experience are welcome, from beginners to intermediate and even advanced.
All sessions are followed by breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxation. Extra afternoon sessions are offered for those who want.
"Can you believe I do yoga, and I love it. I found a perfect group next to my home. None of that bullshit look good yoga, just regular yoga" — Daniel, 6 months after the retreat.
“Man. You guys are so cool. One day I’m gonna be like you.”
The liquid days help you get ‘in touch’.
“Commodo cursus magna, vel scelerisque nisl consectetur et. Donec id elit non mi porta gravida at eget metus.”
Real Food for Epic Energy
Food is the main ingredient to a pure expression of yourself, simply because you are made of it. Its molecules become your organs and body (mind included).
We serve a delicious, homemade, nutrient-packed, plant-based diet as nature produced it (non refined) without sugar, gluten, yeast, etc., because this is the best way to eat, and the best and most healthy detox you can get is real food. You won't be hungry, tired or sluggish. You'll feel when and what makes you vibrant and you’ll be more alive than ever and picking up on your environment like never before. You'll glow at the end of the week if not half way through. Clearly noticeable by others when you go back home.
We teach you to read your own nature, your body, through food and other input and output, to restore and maximize your health and creativity. You will be delighted by the food, we promise. Read what the media has said.
“The best food week of my life.”
“This was more... I’ll come back as privately (she did, and she got of her anti-deps and made us to 10 retreats of the year.”
Dialogue for Real Answers & Questions
You have questions and we have more questions. And that's what makes us so unique. We aren't afraid to question any convention, custom or habit and in that we find our best and most potent creative self. It’s pure energy.
Observe your fear. Your sadness. Your joy. Just Observe.
Each day we choose a beautiful place and engage in stimulating dialogues about topics as varied as the science of nutrition to what thoughts hold us back from experiencing love, touch, contentment and peace, you think of it, we did it.
“Man, you truly make everything look different .
Wow, I got it now. In 30 seconds he cracked what psychotherapy hasn’t done for 4 years. Brilliant, thanks.”
Hectic and rad.
“As a yoga teacher I thought I new my body but o’boy was I up for a re-think. Amazing retreat. Life changing, and so easy. It’s really for everyone. It’s amazing how everybody got it. Thank you so much 🙏”
“- I said so for ten years
- Really? I didn’t notice.
- I know, I couldn’t get it through to you.
- Thanks for sticking it out.
- Sure, I love you and the kids do too. ”
Old problems require new solutions and we believe in the importance of discussion for leading us to our own unique and deeper truths but we are aware of the power of words and keep it slim, thin and powerful.
One thing we can promise with all the self care over the week - you'll figure it out too.
Ding!
"Now suddenly it all makes so much more sense. For the first time in a long time I feel I can do things I always dreamed of." — Susan
“I have no idea what got me to book, but I’m so glad I did. I feel alive again! ”
“I can’t believe I slept the whole night. I haven’t done that in 2 years. ”
Feel Real Exercise
We aren't after any medals. We don't compete. We feel our bodies as we exercise in amazing and natural ways. Our hearts and respiratory systems, hormones, our micro-biome, it all comes alive and not by breaking any records, but by feeling the possibilities.
We integrate exercise in all we do so that you won't even notice that you are doing it. We bike, we hike, we climb, we run, dig holes, walk, swim, whatever. Up the mountain, up a tree or two. We explore the temple on the hill, or the church in the village.
We walk around the lake to the evening market, run at the beach, or swim after morning yoga. Whatever you like is what you are going to do. We help you find out what you like and without even realizing how you’ll feel strong and healthy one day.
We investigate with Yoga, breathing and meditation, all excellent ways to feel yourself in the universe. Whether you call it stretching or yoga, silence or meditating, it will be yours to expand and bring home with a individualized series perfect for you.
Real Sleep Perfection
Sleep is detoxing, more so when the air is fresh from the sea, and the mountains. The lullaby of the jungle crickets, ocean waves and the distant village life is uninterrupted.
Thailand is the prefect climate for living and sleeping outdoors. We have created Prana Pods and a garden for the perfect sleeping experience. Every night you feel a slight breeze, and every nuance of it cascades through our high strength, lightweight design. You won't miss a breath, a sound, a subtlety. Feel f’ Real. This will bring you back to your own nature, your body. Nothing stands between you and nature but a few millimeters of sturdy mosquito screen. Safe and Free.
The inner sleeping unit slides out for amazing moon and star gazing on the many strikingly clear nights, and when it rains, slides back in. You wake up by the song of the peacocks, chanting monks at a distant or a dear, at sun rise. The functionality of the unit allows shaded space for naps, yoga, meditating, reading, hanging out, or surfing our high speed internet.
“The feel for real concept is all we need, really. It should be taught in school and all violence would stop. ”
Reading our bios will maybe make more sense.
“Thank you for the most amazing time this week. So much has changed and I’m so excited to get started on making my dreams come true! It’s all so amazing! ”
“I loved nature from before, I knew that, but at Olive I learned to love myself.”
More pictures and videos on social media.
“Ray’s books are amazing. I want everyone to read it (at the office) and I’m gonna ditch the ties. Keeping the shoes for now...”
Sunset at the beautiful beach Sai Noi, just a skip through the forest from us in Thailand. Here is where we sometimes do yoga, swim, meditate, walk, our just hang out. Climb the rocks and go through the temple and you get to the larger beach in Khao Tao. Both are amazingly free, never crowded and perfect for contemplation and creative silence (except the peacocks, wild roosters, monkeys and other creatures rights activists.
“Another day in paradise.”