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ATCE II Symposium 3

ATCE II Symposium 3 was held in beautiful Santa Cruz, California, from September 11 to 14, 2008. In Yasuhiko’s own words, this ATCE II Symposium 3 was the best retreat he had delivered because of the deepest meeting of the heartminds that occurred in which the teaching, the teacher, and the students merged into one single evolutionary movement.

The participants learned the essence of Buddhism in the context of each participant delving into and resolving their own spiritual and evolutionary issues at hand by self-examining hidden philosophic assumptions that had given rise to their issues. In the process the participants learned the deep and layered meanings of some of the key concepts in Buddhism from Yogachara, Madhyamika, rDzogs-chen, Tendai, and Zen schools.

The participants will continue with a further in-depth study of Zen and rDzogs-chen, followed, in ATCE III, by an in-depth study of Walter Russell and new integral science and then an exploration into esoteric Christianity and Hindu Philosophies.

The Symposium ended with a joyous graduation ceremony.

Comments from Participants

Krista Tucker

The third retreat of ATCE II was profound for me. In ATCE II we not only study esoteric principles, we gain entryway into the experience itself. Our current study of Buddhism and Zen, combined with my meditation practice has awoken a deep spiritual knowing that is nearly impossible to describe. It is the most beautiful, intimate and personal experience I have ever known.

After years of spiritual practice, I now know for certain that I have begun to awaken. Furthermore, my ATCE II experience has shown me that I am actually already awake. I have a new sense of calmness and trust that comforts me no matter what situation I find myself in. I am in this world more joyously than ever, but I am no longer of this world.

What I love as much as the work, is the ATCE community. The people in ATCE II are truly a family. We support each other and most importantly have fun together. There are few groups of friends who can be solving Zen Koans one minute, then telling jokes around a campfire the next! Knowing the ATCE community is rooting for me gives me the courage to ask questions my ego tells me are dumb, and gives me the chance to experience true friendship. They love me - warts and all, and I love them too.

Thank you, Yasuhiko, for leading a phenomenal retreat. I am grateful and blessed to have you as my friend and teacher.

Byungwook Bob Yu

The latest ATCE 2 symposium was a wonderful occasion for me to engage fully with my fellow beloved spiritual seekers and friends. In love and mutual respect, we listened and talked deeply with each other, and learned esoteric Buddhist spiritual principles.

Accompanying the intense study and dialogue were fantastic food and drinks. Heated swimming pool and jacuzzi were even used for one of the class sessions. The entire environment was filled with abundance and beauty that matched the best vacation that I had in the Mediterranean sea.

But what good is this enjoyable symposium if there is no result? There was a plenty of breakthroughs in all the participants. I was able to solve a Zen koan, and I realize now that in that space all problems can be faced and solved creatively without any doubt - no scripture is necessary, no external authority is necessary. I can now face all life's problems with utter fearlessness.

I see that my life is already a perfectly unfolding and evolving answer to this question: What is the Question? And I fully trust that I will continuously discover the answer through my ongoing delightful journey with Yasuhiko Kimura and fellow friends.