Ishaya's Ascension meditation course
A deep meditation technique that brings your attention back to the here and now, allowing you to be fully present in the moment regardless of the circumstances.
A profound meditation technique that takes you out of thinking and brings you back to the present moment.
You can always be searching for happiness.
For peace of mind.
You can try to "fix" yourself. To change your thoughts.
Or...
You can let all that go.
And connect with your inner self.
Where there is peace and relaxation Where there is peace and relaxation, clarity and alertness. clarity and alertness.
A brief introduction...
What this technique does
The Ishaya's Ascension technique brings you beyond the turmoil and noise of your thoughts, back to the stillness within yourself..
To a place of peace.
Where you are free from judgment and conditioning.
Perhaps you recognize that, deep down, you know how things really are, but in the moment itself, you still react differently.
That insight alone isn't always enough.
This meditation takes you beyond understanding to a direct experience.
Whether you are just starting out, or are further along your path, this technique helps you exactly where you are.
Effortlessly, without effort and without having to change anything.
“What I like best is that you can also do this technique with your eyes open,
just as part of your daily routine.
This way, you'll be more present in the moment, you'll experience greater clarity, and
"you'll be less swayed by what's going on."
Wondering how you can learn this?
In a small group, you'll learn the 4 Ascension techniques. We'll practice a lot during the course, so that by the end, you'll have a "tool for life" that you can use on your own.
The course is held over 2.5 days: the first evening from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and two days from 10:00 to 16:30.
At a location in North Holland, close to the sea.
The course costs € 650, including lunch and 6-weeks of follow-up guidance.
What you'll experience
- Peace, clarity and mental space
- In challenging situations, it is easier to stay calm and true to yourself
- Thoughts and emotions have less power over you
- You'll discover how quickly and effortlessly you can find the silence within
- You no longer live "on autopilot," you are truly present and enjoying life
Register for the course
The next course is on January 8–10, 2027.Once you've registered and paid, your spot is reserved, and you'll receive a confirmation and further details.
Free Online Introduction
I regularly offer an online introduction to the Ascension meditation.
In this free introductory session, you'll experience for yourself what this meditation can do for you.
I'll tell you how to learn it and answer all your questions.
Questions?
Do you have any questions? Feel free to email me at katja@demonnikophakken.nl.
Even if you're interested in taking this course privately with me.
About me
My name is Katja Wognum, the 'monk in heels'. I have been practicing the Ishaya's Ascension technique daily since 2003.
For the first three years after I learned the technique, I was 'on my own'. There was no guidance.
Apart from the occasional paper newsletter from the center in America. I was just doing what I thought was right, and that was good enough, because my life changed for the better.
I slept better. I could handle more mentally. I noticed that I was more relaxed, kinder to myself and others and that I was controlling things less.
These experiences disappeared again when I stopped 'ascending'.
My heart kept yearning for more and eventually I found my way to the 'big' teacher and became a monk. I spent six months in a retreat with him in Mexico. In total I spent more than two years in retreat meditating for between 10 and 15 hours a day using this technique.
In 2008 I became a teacher of Ascension meditation and introduced this teaching in the Netherlands. I was part of The Bright Path organization, and since 2021 I have gone my own way and am now an "independent monk.
Frequently Asked Questions
This meditation is traditionally only transmitted orally in a live course and not through a book or online.
During the course you will learn 4 techniques based on appreciation, gratitude, love and compassion. Each of these techniques removes a fundamental belief that causes us stress.
You will learn how to use the technique independently in meditation, as well as during activity. The technique is simple, but requires guidance to let go of the doing and surrender.
It is not about getting results as quickly as possible, but about landing in the moment, with everything that is going on. This gives a feeling of peace and relaxation - most people experience this already during the course. In fact, the technique works right away.
Certainly not. However, it is a technique that is easily applicable and profound ánd gives results. You don't have to change your life or become a different person. The technique works
I used to say 'if there are multiple roads to Rome, I do like to take a direct highway in a comfortable car 😉 But what really matters is not the road to Rome (not the technology) but the experience of your destination.
No it works no matter how you sit, or even lie down. A lotus position is not necessary, nor do you have to do your best to sit still. You can also use the technique while at work, on your bike, waiting for the train, in the shower, etc. - with your eyes open. This ensures that your experience of silence is not just limited to meditating with eyes closed, but eventually becomes a continuous state of being.
Yes, in many people with burnout, this technique has contributed to recovery. If you have other psychological symptoms, please contact me first, and together we can see if this meditation is right for you now.
Probably the main difference is that the Ishaya's Ascension technique has a personal touch that makes it work for you. The technique brings coherence to the brain and helps you access a deeper level of consciousness. Ishaya means 'highest human consciousness' in Sanskrit. Ascension is "to ascend above. In Ishaya's Ascension, you transcend the limitations of the mind to experience the highest human consciousness. In other techniques, the focus is usually on relaxation in what you are doing, on breathing, or a physical sensation. Anything is good. It's all about what resonates with you.
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