Sunrise Ranch Spiritual Retreat Center has programs that empower personal transformation and world service. We offer conference facilities for leading-edge organizations, opportunities to participate in our 400-acre ranch and farm, and connection with like-minded people in this multifaceted spiritual community. Sunrise Ranch is the headquarters for Emissaries of Divine Light, a global spiritual network.
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David Karchere is an author, speaker, poet, workshop leader and foremost thought leader on Primal Spirituality worldwide. David has created and led programs for spiritual awakening and personal transformation for people around the globe. He leads Healing Chant workshops, and he has developed The Creative Field ...
Ruud is an EDL minister, and a spiritual counselor, teacher and workshop leader with 30 years of international and intercultural experience. He became a Trustee for the Emissaries in October 2018. He is a co-creator and facilitator in the EDL educational programs and a senior facilitator for the Primal Spirituality courses. In his counseling work, he is a guide for the voyager in the inner landscape, walking next to the client to face and heal primal wounds caused by past experiences, and ...
Diane Williams says she was inspired to start the Source of Synergy Foundation to support the awakening of the human spirit and to help accelerate the combustion of synergy so that together we can tap into the infinite source of unified consciousness, creativity and potential and, as a result, become a greater collective force for positive change. She became chairperson of the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values and Global Concerns in New York and co-created the Sacred Place at the UN World S...
Lisa Wimberger is the founder of Neurosculpting®, a fusion of brain science and mindfulness. She created the modality and process to save her own life. After decades of having occasional seizures, during which she sometimes could not breathe and had no pulse, Lisa committed herself to finding a modality that would help her target an unknown trigger for this condition and rehearse a new script so that she could circumvent another episode. It is the culmination of over thirty years of meditation...
George Carroll is a high-energy and high-content speaker, corporate trainer, author and event leader. He has an engaging and motivational style combined with actionable tips and laugh-out-loud sense of humor to help people to be inspired and ready to tackle challenges in the workplace and in personal life. George was guided to the personal development industry in 2005, when he began to discover the tools he needed to achieve personal and professional goals. He began attending workshops and sem...
Nirodha first dove into the human potential movement in 1982. He became involved in group work in 1991, for many years as participant, then eventually moving into the role of facilitator. He has worked extensively with Tantra, Primal, and more recently in the fields of trauma, attachment, and substance abuse. He first came to the Path of Love in 1999 and has been its organizer in the USA since 2002. "This work has given me a medium, support, and the inspiration for my personal inner journey. ...
Christina Pearson grew up suffering terribly from both hair pulling and skin picking. At the age of 33, discovering she was not alone, she set out to contact other sufferers, create resources and stimulate scientific research. In 1990, she founded the Trichotillomania Learning Center, now known as the TLC Foundation for BFRBs (body-focused repetitive behaviors). Leaving TLC in early 2013, she turned her attention toward what she calls “Phase 2” of her service to the BFRB Community, establish...
Jeff Foster studied astrophysics at Cambridge University. Jeff holds meetings, retreats and private one-to-one sessions around the world, gently but directly pointing people back to the deep acceptance inherent in the present moment. His teaching is simple. He helps people discover who they really are, beyond all thoughts and judgments about themselves, even in the midst of the stress and struggle of modern-day living and intimate relationships. His style is direct and uncompromising and yet ful...
Matt Licata is a psychotherapist, writer, and teacher, based in Boulder, Colorado. He is the author of "The Path is Everywhere: Uncovering the Jewels Hidden Within You," an exploration of his journey and work in depth psychotherapy, contemplative spirituality, and the poetic imagination. He incorporates Western, developmental theory, depth psychological, as well as contemplative, meditative, and mindfulness-based approaches to transformation and healing. Over the past 25 years, he has trained ex...
Marilyn Manderson teaches and practices Attunement, an energy medicine practice with a profound spiritual foundation. She is a member of the leadership team of the Emissary Attunement Guild, and offers Attunement mentoring and teaching in Kamloops, British Columbia, where she lives. Marilyn has lived a life of service as both a critical care and community nurse, a member of intentional community, and a spiritual teacher. Currently she is a Trustee of Emissaries of Divi...
David Chernikoff began the study and practice of meditation in 1971 and started teaching insight meditation in 1988. He trained as a yoga teacher at the Integral Yoga Institute and completed the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock Meditation Center. His teaching has been influenced by senior teachers from the Insight Meditation Society and Spirit Rock, Tibetan teachers he studied with during a 3-year stay in Nepal, and spiritual guides from other contemplative traditions, most notably...
Courtney Bohlman is one of our talented teachers, facilitators, and coaches in our Full Self Emergence internship Program. She has been on the faculty of this program for three years, after first completing the program herself. Her other roles at Sunrise Ranch include but are not limited to: recruiter, childcare provider, yoga teacher, and member of the Sunrise Council. Courtney is a very artistic person, using different forms of artistic expression to share what she is experiencing within h...
Shar Lee began her Buddhist meditation and studies in 1964 at the Zen Buddhist Temple in Evanston, Illinois. She has studied Buddhism at the White Temple near the Boudhanath Stupa in Nepal with Chogye Trichen Rinpoche (Sakya Tradition), Tenga Rinpoche (Kagyu Tradition), and Choekyie Nyima Rinpoche (Nyingma/Kagyu Tradition). In the 1960s, Shar Lee studied yoga, Ayurveda, and massage therapy. She became a yoga teacher in 1966 and a massage therapist in 1967. Shar teaches Tibetan Cranial to many...
Dr. Margaret Paul is the author or co-author of several best-selling books, including "Do I Have To Give Up Me to Be Loved By You?" "Inner Bonding, Healing Your Aloneness," "The Healing Your Aloneness Workbook," "Do I Have To Give Up Me to Be Loved By My Kids?" and "Do I Have To Give Up Me To Be Loved By God?" Her books have been distributed around the world and have been translated into eleven languages.
Margaret holds a Ph.D. in psychology and is a relationship expert, noted public s...
Avery Ellis is an Ecological Designer with a whole-systems approach to life. Avery was raised in New Jersey, the Garden State, by a master gardener. He has always felt a kinship with nature and the natural processes.
Avery spent the past decade pursuing his passion for sustainability with experience ranging from permaculture design to natural-building practices, solar installation to biodynamic farming, ecological waste treatment to communication dynamics, and he loves to share his knowle...
Steve Oda began his musical education at the age of seven, learning to play slide guitar and then jazz guitar. His love of creativity through musical expression led him to the classical music of North India and the sarode. His practice started earnestly with Ustad Aashish Khan in 1971, and then in 1973 he became a disciple of Aashish’s father, the legendary musician, Maestro Ali Akbar Khan, one of India’s treasures. Since then Steve has dedicated himself to fully learning this complex art fo...
Ty Burhoe has been a disciple of the great tabla maestro, Ustad Zakir Hussain, since 1990. From that time forward, Ty has been wholly dedicated to music as a career and as a spiritual path. Ty is known for his inspired accompaniment and uplifting presence in both classical and in fusion settings. He is internationally recognized for being instrumental in creating unique collaborations that weave tabla with other world traditions. He has become well known not only for his talents as a tabla playe...
Uma came to Sunrise Ranch for the Full Self Emergence program several years ago, eager to learn the spiritual teachings and experience living in a successful spiritual community. She discovered a spirituality that resonated deeply with her own inner knowing, developed on a spiritual path of 45 years. She stayed on after the program ended and now teaches in the program. She brings more than 30 years of professional experience, including project management, software engineering and programming, a...
Gary Goodhue is a student and teacher of consciousness and creation. Living and working at Sunrise Ranch, he serves as associate faculty for the Full Self Emergence and Primal Spirituality programs. He is the Director of Community Coordination at Sunrise Ranch. Gary supports healthy relationships and conflict resolution as a Restorative Circle facilitator and Unitive Justice trainer for Northern Colorado. As a wordsmith, he enjoys teaching, public speaking and performing his original hi...
Hugh Duff, one of the seven Emissaries of Divine Light Trustees, is a dowser and attunement practitioner. He is a teacher of Attunement Practitioner Certification classes and Right Use of Power workshops. He leads Transformation Groups, small circles of people who create supportive environments for personal life changes. As Regional Director with Emissaries of Divine Light, British Columbia, he offers spiritual guidance to people in their life journey. Hugh’s home base is Edenvale, a thriving ...
Maureen Waller discovered, after searching for many years, that it is possible to transcend our human conditioning. True being and inherent leadership are in fact present within each one of us. Maureen has a passion for connecting with people and, through that connection, offers the gifts that she has received through the Emissary program. Maureen is a teacher of practical spirituality, a coach, and has a commitment to personal honesty no matter what....
Phil Richardson provides leadership and spiritual education internationally. With his wife, Ruth Buckingham, he coordinates Emissary activities in South Africa and the UK, spending time there, in the USA and other countries, assisting people to a greater awareness of their true potential. His more than 40 years of commitment to his spiritual path and the training he has undergone in spiritual education, attunement and emotional work has equipped him well as a mentor, facilitator and teacher. H...
Ruth Buckingham is a teacher, facilitator and speaker, and her background in the theater enables her creativity to be embodied in the work she teaches. Her practical approach encourages people to discover the truth of themselves and bring the expression of that into their daily lives. Ruth travels extensively with her husband, Phil Richardson, facilitating workshops and giving talks in Australia, South Africa, Singapore, Norway, Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Her interests include ancest...
Jane Anetrini is a coach and teacher of Primal Spirituality and is the Director of Sunrise Ranch Ministry. She is the director of the Full Self Emergence program at Sunrise Ranch, a program designed to share the enlightened knowledge of the transformational process that frees people to be fully themselves. She is the co-creator and part of the senior faculty of an International Leadership program. Jane has traveled internationally to offer courses that assist people in identifying and reclaim...
Patrick Padden, a graduate of Colorado State University, studied natural systems building design in Namibia and urban food forest implementation in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2007. In 2008, Patrick obtained his permaculture teacher’s certificate from Sandy Cruz and Becky Elder of the Permaculture Institute. Patrick received his design certificate from the International Permaculture Design Course in Harare, Zimbabwe, and attended the International Permaculture Convergence in Malawi in 2009....
David Wheeler, musician and ethnomusicologist, entered the tutelage of shakuhachi master Junsuke Kawase III in 1977. He received his M.A. in musicology from the Tokyo University of Fine Arts and Music in 1985. Since 1982, he has been performing, teaching, lecturing and writing about shakuhachi and Japanese music both in Japan and the U.S.
David specializes in the classical tradition, but performance activities cover the full range of music today from Japanese to Western and classical to th...
Keahi Ewa serves as Director of Operations at Sunrise Ranch and Executive Assistant to the global spiritual network of Emissaries of Divine Light. She is a teacher and coach for the Primal Spirituality series and the Full Self Emergence program. In October 2018, she became a Trustee of Emissaries of Divine Light. Her passion is to shine a light of possibility on living a life of unconditional love through personal spiritual healing and knowing. She believes that, from this knowing, one can ...
"This is a magical place. I enjoyed it a lot!! The light and love from every staff member and throughout the facility was stupendous! Thank you. Continue your great work."
- Participant from Healing Sounds Intensive
"Becoming a Sun went much deeper than I could have ever imagined! It was truly magical and has certainly changed my life! I have never attended such a profound workshop in all my journeys! I am in awe … thank you."
- Elania L. | Becoming a Sun
"This has to be one of my favorite workshops ever due to the tremendous opening of the heart and authenticity that poured from them from everyone to everyone."
- Ana N | On Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"The people who live here are the greatest. Sincere and caring. Staff were extraordinarily friendly and helpful and welcoming. Thank you!"
- Participant from Shamanic Studies
"Thanks for being open to a high-energy youth group! The residents loved us. Overall, you have a WONDERFUL center. Thank you!!!"
- Participant from St. Andrew’s Methodist Church
"The staff & food were wonderful! All of your staff & residents were so very friendly and helpful. It is obvious that you come from your spiritual Heart of Being. We need more like you in the world!"
- Participant from Open Door
"The atmosphere and staff are fantastic! Wonderful energy and respect for holding a healthy open space here. Beautiful grounds and area. Thank you for your loving care and delightful attitude. Also your attention to providing our excellent comfort. THANK YOU!"
- Participant from Quantum Energetics
"Wonderful people, amazing location, delicious food."
- Participant of The Nur Ashki Sufis event
"I would recommend this course to anyone who is wanting look at their own personal human experience and gain understanding, knowledge and grace … . It was life-changing!"
- Paula F. | Becoming a Sun
"I feel integrated, empowered and activated. It has given me the confidence and comfort to be in my own skin."
- Melissa J. | Primal Spirituality Series
"I felt so at home in heart and space. So enjoyed everyone here at Sunrise. The love and light and the radiance of everyone I met, as well as the environment itself, has been so enjoyable. Thank you!"
- Participant from Blue Sun Energetics
"The quality of food was excellent and knowing it was all blessed was beautiful. I enjoyed my visit and look forward to coming back again."
- Participant from North American Journey Practitioners Association
"I recommend Primal Spirituality to anyone looking to better understand themselves and others. The teachings are priceless to the richness of humanity."
- Shanna G. | Primal Spirituality Series
"This course is powerful. I was able to feel transformational shifts through the processes as well as clarity and awareness from the material presented."
- Carol W. | Becoming a Sun
"It opened up my heart in a beautiful way and helped me to foster deep connections with other people in the group. Just do it; you won’t regret it!"
- Erica B. | Primal Spirituality Series
"I feel like I learned the linchpin of life—what I should have learned and known all along. I feel stronger, clearer and empowered to be in this world and in service to the Divine."
- Karen B. | Becoming a Sun
"I highly recommend this course to all those who are looking to further their spiritual journey and find the truth of the Divine in their own lives."
- Logan E. | Primal Spirituality Series
"David is an inspired, entertaining and wise presenter."
- Bruce C. | Becoming a Sun
"I have had the chance to host many workshops and conferences at Sunrise Ranch and it is by far my favorite facility. The organic food is delicious, the accommodations are comfortable, and the service is beyond compare."
- James Twyman | world-renowned author and peace troubadour
"I highly recommend Primal Spirituality to anyone who is looking for more blessings, love and understanding in their lives."
- Imelda M. | Primal Spirituality Series
"We will remember the sense of peace and serenity found in this place. The energy is special; the atmosphere is reverent. Everyone here is friendly and gracious. We feel totally blessed and guided to have connected with you. Loved it all. Thank you."
- Participant from Blue Sun Energetics
"We really appreciate how loving and supporting the staff here at Sunrise is!! And the food is awesome!!"
- Karen K., Inner Bonding Training Program
"Life-changing, practical workshop that helps you understand how separation happens and how to fix it, how to build a community, how to spread peace and harmony, be the best version of yourself, and how to change the world around you."
- Samer M | On Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"Over the years I have been impressed with the ever-maturing mastery of David Karchere and his faculty colleagues for creating master teachings in the art of becoming one's true self and fully serving others. This is his masterpiece!"
- Tom C | On Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"After taking Becoming a Sun, I feel I have more tools and strategies to ensure I will always have a happy and fulfilling life. I appreciated the truth and experience in how we can better improve all of our relationships."
- John B. | Becoming a Sun
"Thank you to all those who created and led this program. The understanding of our human capacity and its expression in the world was deeply profound. The safe container provided a very precious opportunity for vulnerable revelation."
- Linda M | On Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"This class brought to light some long-hidden beliefs that needed to change in order for me to be my authentic self. Thank you!"
- Janet J. | Primal Spirituality Series
"People were saying that they wanted to live here, they loved it so much. Everyone was very helpful and accommodating."
- Andrea I.
"Primal Spirituality is a life-changing experience. A profound, challenging, deeply resonant teaching in the art of being human."
- Bruce C. | Primal Spirituality Series
"I experienced a deep healing from a past incident that will allow me to live a much happier, more fulfilled life going forward."
- Patty M. | Becoming a Sun
"Thank you. I was so appreciative of the warm, welcoming environment and excellent atmosphere. Everything was wonderfully clean and the staff was so friendly. Your staff were like fairies. Things were taken care of as if by magic. I hardly ever saw them. Everyone was very friendly. I’m looking forward to coming back. Thank you."
- Participant from Quantum Energetics
"This class has the potential for revolutionary changes that take place in your heart and mind."
- Ashley G. | Primal Spirituality Series
"I feel blessed to have this place and time to gain new tools to deal with old issues that keep me stuck and unable to grow. I gained more trust and felt safe with others and with myself."
- Linda-Jo J. | Primal Spirituality Series
"Phenomenal workshop! Engaging and personally transformative."
- J.W. | Becoming a Sun
"For those seeking true understanding of self and others and who want to touch their true Divinity, Becoming a Sun is the course for you."
- Kimberly F. | Becoming a Sun
"The world has been caught up in our own expression in what we put into it. Standing up to share a new spirit of love, the world and its creation is blessed. Sunrise Ranch is that place to experience it!"
- Samuel A | On Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"The welcome was delightful and the stay was full of ease. And many thanks to the cooks for the delicious food. Beds were wonderfully comfortable. Food was good. Energy is great here! Thank you for taking care of us so beautifully. :)"
- Participant from Open Door
"Discover what Blessing really is and how its potency is ever-present in our lives … this is a state of being which will elevate your life!"
- Karen B. | Primal Spirituality Series
"Strong and wonderful container for spiritual growth. A good blend of theory and practice."
- Dennis L. | Becoming a Sun
"Friendly people! Beautiful grounds, labyrinth and pond especially. Beautiful grounds; loving, kindness energy from the staff. The food was amazing. Thank you so much!"
- Participant from Healing Touch
"So precious, the clarity of loving, joyful existence. A communion of people, honorably together for the highest good of all—what a heartfelt gratefulness. I’ve been to many similar places; this was by far the best experience. Why? Because of the people of this community. You all have a wonderful light and glow—the love shines in you! THANK YOU!!"
- Participant from the Healing Sounds Intensive
"Anyone longing to bring greater blessing and understanding to their world would find this course so enriching. The course materials are beautifully designed to bring you to new levels of awareness. The closeness and deep sharing that it inspired between participants was wonderful. The facilitators were masterful."
- Patricia G. | Primal Spirituality Series
"A true experience that has power and sustenance … . This will feed my soul for a very long time."
- Colleen S. | Becoming a Sun
"This is a very beautiful, calm, energizing, welcoming facility. Keep up the good work! Service was wonderful—food was awesome! Wonderfully warm staff. Very peaceful atmosphere and very clean. Thank you for all your hard work and attention to detail and your striving for excellence."
- Participant from Quantum Energetics
"Loved the time here. Food and service is excellent. A beautifully peaceful, calm place."
- Participant from North American Journey Practitioners Association
"I came in willing to work on very troubling issues. I felt them fully … . It was almost too intense. Now those issues seem small and less demanding. It was a powerful process!"
- David E | Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"The atmosphere and site are healing in themselves. It’s a wonderful experience to be here! :) The warmth, humor and welcome was above and beyond!! Your home is physically beautiful, and I felt welcomed by everyone I met. Ten days is a long time to spend somewhere—but I wasn’t in a rush to go. Keep up your good work."
- Participant from Healing Sounds Intensive
"What a powerful and engaging experience! I would recommend it to everyone seeking to move into a deeper and more loving relationship with themselves and the world around them."
- S. Foster | Primal Spirituality Series
"I will always appreciate the loving atmosphere of Sunrise Ranch. What a blessing to be with all of you. Blessings to all! This is such a slice of heaven and it is hard to leave. The whole experience was sublime!"
- Participant from Healing Sounds Intensive
"The people make this place. I really love the people who live at Sunrise Ranch. They made us feel welcome in their community. Wonderful location & surroundings. Thank you!"
- Participant from Healing Touch
"I am very blessed to have had this opportunity to share in this heart-opening and sacred experience. I felt the puzzle pieces fit … the dots have been connected. Thank you, David and Keahi."
- Chris B. | Becoming a Sun
"What an amazing experience! It literally melted my heart to be bathed in blessing and understanding! I see now more than ever before the great power of blessing and understanding to change the world and create a new way of being together for humanity in this time of separation and confusion."
- Uma F | On Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"The level of hospitality and responsiveness of the stellar Sunrise conference staff exceeded the support we receive at five-star hotels. Beyond simple responsiveness, the support and service staff at Sunrise truly CARED about the success of our meeting and the comfort of the participants. Beyond being "guests," we felt like part of the Sunrise family."
- Jim Warner | President of OnCourse International, entrepreneur, author
"The Primal Spirituality courses are simply life-changing. I will continue to recommend these courses to anyone who wants to experience exponential growth. Simply brilliant."
- Bexx B. | Primal Spirituality Series
"I would recommend the Primal Spirituality classes to all who want to feel more alive and free … and more trusting in the Sovereign."
- Julia B. | Primal Spirituality Series
"A valuable experience for any age group to encounter and embrace the structure of Blessing and Understanding into your life and relationships into family, friends, colleagues and on to the global community—expanding these principles each day."
- Karen P | Primal Spirituality 1 Course
"There are no words to describe the deep and meaningful work that is being done in this class. If you feel even a slight tug to do this work, listen."
- Courtney H. | Primal Spirituality Series
"This was a great experience—everyone I met was happy and just lovely. The food couldn’t have been better!! Best people and best food I’ve ever encountered at a retreat center. The energy of the whole experience was fabulous!"
- Participant from Open Door
"I fully enjoyed and will cherish the moments of our time together in our healing and growing process. I highly recommend this class to anyone who wants to delve deep and grow spiritually."
- Imelda M. | Becoming a Sun
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