Events
Retreats, Courses & Bi-Weekly Meditation Group
Retreats & Courses:
Listening To The Divine Within
New Gifts From The Beloved!
Listening To The Divine Within – 8
Virtual Contemplative Course – 6 Sessions – 1.5hrs each via Zoom
Sunday afternoons 4-5:30pm ET – 6/28/26 – 8/9/26, not on July 5th
Register now!
Fee: $275 – Venmo, PayPal or Zelle (email info@thesoulsjourney if you need help with the fee)
Registration: email info@thesoulsjourney.com
Everyone is welcome to this experiential contemplative course! No prerequisite. Each session has ample time for questions, discussions and sharing personal reflections, all in an informal satsang atmosphere. All sessions are recorded and available to participants for 3 months in case you missed a session. The rich contemplations and discussions have provided profoundly deep teachings for all who have been participating in these courses. In this new series we will dive into new unpublished gifts from the Devi! In the past we’ve contemplated the gifts in the previous published collection – Kali’s Bazaar, O My Beloved, and Gently Falls Her Rain Of Light. Each poem from these collections invokes different facets of the Divine, along with teachings, practices, and inspirations for living our highest nature into everyday life. They empower us to see past the mind and live from the truth of who we are for the benefit of all. This new collection has its source in the same Beloved, who created all the writings in the previous collections. It will be titled: Invite them in, She said. Below you find the extraordinary reviews it has already received. It is due out in September. Course participants will receive selected poems from the collection.
I hope you will join us for the continued unveiling of Her sublime gifts!
“Joining this course is an invitation to embark on a spiritual journey where words become prayers, and understanding becomes a form of devotion. With each poem shared, Lawrence invites us to experience the Divine in her many forms. These poems are not just words, but conduits of divine energy – a manifestation of Shakti herself. In the three courses I’ve taken, each has become a sacred space for participants to explore and share the profound messages embedded in each verse.”
P.S., CT
“I’ve enjoyed all of the courses I have taken with Lawrence! These deep dives into the divine’s living presence are a joyful, refreshing part of my weekend. I love the uplifting poetry, the sublime teachings, and the chance to share in the thoughts and experiences of other seekers. Lawrence facilitates and teaches with love and grace, and I always leave class with a more open heart. I wish everyone could experience this kind of sacred sharing!”
E.M., CT
“A wellspring of grace – to sit at a true teacher’s feet. I feel so fortunate to have taken every course that Lawrence has offered on Zoom. Words cannot express the experience that each session brings. The writings are rich with symbolism, which are fun to unpack, wisdom & guidance for the longing soul’s journey, and last, but not least, a peek into an intimate relationship with the Divine and her beloved. I look forward to the next gathering with my fellow travelers.”
P.W., NY
Fee: $275 – All proceeds go toward the publication of the new collection. Those who would like to make an additional donation for helping to make these gifts available to everyone are, with deep appreciation, invited to do so. If you can’t afford the fee then please contact us and we’ll make arrangements that work for you.
TO REGISTER: email info@thesoulsjourney.com using your email address. This will be used to give you the Zoom link. You can make your payment to Venmo @ACMeditation or via PayPal: https://paypal.me/drle, Zelle: le@optimalmind.net. For other ways to make your offering for the course please email info@thesoulsjourney.com.
The Zoom link for the course will be provided to all registered and paid participants.
If you have any questions, or if you need financial assistance, please email info@thesoulsjourney.com. Registration payments are non-refundable (unless the course is canceled by Lawrence Edwards when a full refund would be given), though they may be applied to a future course.
I look forward to seeing you in the course!
With you in love and service,
Lawrence
Reviews for Invite them in, She said – Conveyed by Kalidas
Lawrence Edwards’ Invite them in, She said is a gorgeous offering of healing joy and authentic vision to our agonized burning world. He is one of our most inspired and unfetteredly ecstatic mystic poets, gifted with a soaring simplicity of realized truth that cuts through all barriers of dogma or doubt. Read him, share him, celebrate his witness, and dare to embody the visions he shares with such lucid and empowering abandon.
Andrew Harvey, founder of The Institute for Sacred Activism™, retreat leader, bestselling author of The Magdalene Revolution, and numerous additional works.
The title Invite them in, She said couldn’t be more perfect. In these exquisite poetic renderings, the Divine Feminine invites you – almost begs you – to come into Her heart and know the peace, the bliss, and the freedom that comes from entering there. Using Lawrence’s words as her tool, She reaches out to every tradition. She reminds the Buddhist how to set all beings free. She calls to the yogi in the guise of Shakti and to the Hindu through the power of Kali. For Christians, She alludes to St. Paul’s conviction that only the Unseen is Eternal. And all the while, she whispers her divine love into the ear of each and every one of us. The reader is left astounded that so many different images can be conjured up to express the way the divine works in our lives: slow learners; naked, quivering hearts; luminous love that pierces the clotted darkness, and ocean waves that rise, subside, and dissolve in their ecstatic emergence. This is surely a work of divinely inspired creativity.
Teri Degler, author of The Divine Feminine Fire: Creativity and Your Yearning to Express Your Self; and Gopi Krishna – A Biography: Kundalini, Consciousness, and Our Evolution to Enlightenment. www.teridegler.com
The voice of Kalidas, the beloved 5th century Hindu poet, speaks/flows/streams through Lawrence, calling the reader to remember their own spiritual longing and profound relationship with the Divine. Some poems admonish us for forgetting our true nature, others are powerful doorways directly into the Infinite. Rich great food for spiritual practice.
Lee Lyon, founder and director of The Foundation for Integrative Meditation; author of The 112 Meditations From The Book Of Divine Wisdom (Vijnana Bhairava Tantra).
These transmissions from Lawrence Edwards are jewels. They cut to our true nature and provide powerful realizations and reminders of what is most important. It is such a gift to be able to take in these gems, these jewels, as they move into the depth of our being and awaken us. Invite them in, She said is a profound poetry collection.
David Greenspan, Board Member & Adjunct Professor, Columbia University School of Business; Founder, Slate Path Capital
This is a book of divinely crafted, poetic adventures into the blessed Unknown who is a Who and a You to each of us. This infinite Mother of creation invites us to know Her as the ultimate Source of freedom, unconditional care, and welcome. Even before we are born, She blesses us as Her beloved, and to know that when we realize our personal belovedness, we realize that everyone is beloved. Kalidas speaks for all who feel imprisoned in our fears, habits, opinions, and self-conscious anxieties. Kalidas’s poems invite us to be reborn into the timeless freedom that lives and prospers beneath and within all the self-referential language we habitually use about ourselves and others every day.
Robert A. Jonas, Ed.D. is the founder and director of The Empty Bell sanctuary (www.emptybell.org, and www.mydearfar-nearness.org ), a retreat leader, musician (shakuhachi) and author (a biographer of Henri Nouwen, and author of My Dear Far-Nearness: The Holy Trinity as Spiritual Practice).
In Invite them in, She Said, the interior dialogues between Kalidas (Lawrence Edwards) and the Devi—the Divine Mother of the Universe—blossom into exquisite and powerful wake-up calls. They urge us to remember the truth of who we are and to become beacons of Loving Light in these troubled times. Here there is an ever-present invitation to awaken to awe and beauty, to be purified by the fire of Love, to drink from the source of joy, peace, and wisdom, following in the footsteps of the blessed sages of all spiritual traditions. May these gems, gifted by the Divine Feminine through a seasoned mystic, fan the living flame of love in countless hearts.
José Luis G. Soler, poet and co-producer of the Future Primitive podcasts
Invite them in, She Said feels like unwrapping a rare mystical gift. Divine energy radiates through each poem, diving straight into the heart. Dissolving the veil of the ordinary mind, this poetry draws us toward the transcendent with a sense of playfulness, urgency, and — above all — love. Accepting the invitation to engage the text, we find ourselves nestled deep within the divine Mother’s intimate embrace as She guides, reassures, and nourishes. In the tradition of devotional poetry from poet saints such as Rumi, Hildegard of Bingen, and Hafiz, this collection takes the mind beyond itself until there is nothing left but the ecstatic pulse of the infinite!
Erika Murphy, Ph.D., M.Div., LSW, retreat leader and founder of Clear Spring Meditation
I am grateful for Lawrence Edwards, PhD (Kalidas) for his devotion to his spiritual path, deep inner work, direct experience, and intimate knowledge of the Eastern traditions. His spiritual insight and wisdom flows forth through the Great Mother Goddess’s revelatory poetry.
In this book, Invite Them in, She said, the Great Mother Goddess’s poems are Divine transformations, easing the tight grip of the ordinary mind with its illusion of separation, fear, anger, reactivity, lack, and endless searching for something more. She guides you beyond this suffering mind. Her eternal luminous awareness is a beacon guiding you to your original nature, your true Self. In her eternal loving embrace you are joyously free as you become one with all-embracing love, boundless joy, wisdom, compassion, peace, and Oneness.
The Devi’s poetry is a portal to the Devine. She transports me away from my everyday concerns and my limited, conditioned mind. The veil that obscures my true Self lifts briefly as I begin to see through her eyes. At times, while reading her poetry, I am brought to tears as rapturous joy wells up inside me. I experience deep peace when I am home in her loving embrace. Love and compassion arise when I am in union with all that is. I am changed by her poetry. I am freer from my reactive mind and live in peace, love, compassion, and joy more often.
Invite Them in, She said, is an open invitation to all—a profound gift from the Divine Mother.
Pamela Simon, MA – Zen Buddhist, retired professor of psychology and sociology, and shamanic practitioner.
Abiding In The Sacred
New Date In September To Be Announced
7am-noon ET, Sunday 2026 via zoom, led by Lawrence Edwards, PhD
Come home to the Divine within through the sacred practices of silence, stillness, meditation, mantra, chanting, contemplation and community, all in your own home!
The 5 hour mini retreat will have periods of chanting, silent meditation, walking meditation, contemplation and discussion. Everyone is welcome! Enjoy adding this extra empowerment of the sacred in your home and your practice!
Registration is required to receive the zoom link. Please email info@thesoulsjourney.com to register.
Past retreatants said:
“The retreat was amazing. WOW!!
It was so beautiful.
It was just wonderful meditation the whole time, I even stayed meditating after.”
“Definitely, more of these mini meditation retreats are needed!
They are a must. So much Shakti, so much.
Om Namah Shivaya”
“This retreat is a deep, immersive journey into spiritual practice—a powerful
opportunity to deepen your relationship with awareness and practice
witnessing your thoughts and movements without identification. The session
focuses on using meditation to know your true, infinite nature, not just for
relaxation or stress management. Through guided meditation, chanting, and
teachings, you’ll explore the nature of consciousness as the unifying light
behind all of life’s experiences, with Lawrence pointing toward a freedom that
can become available whether we are sitting in meditation or navigating the
challenges of daily life.”
“I relish any opportunity to gather with you and other lovers of the Divine in your retreats and courses!”
“Doing the retreat at home really strengthened the feeling of my home as a refuge and sanctuary. And I didn’t have to leave it at the end of the retreat!”
The fee is your donation. Giving generously is itself a sacred practice called dana in the Buddhist tradition. Practice to your heart’s content! To donate via Venmo: @ACMeditation, or through PayPal: paypal.me/drle. Zelle: le@optimalmind.net. Checks can be made out to Lawrence Edwards and mailed to P.O. Box 87, Bedford, NY 10506. If you have any questions please email info@thesoulsjourney.com.
Registration not yet open
Empowering Practices From The Shiva Sutras!
“Transform your mind, transform your life!”®
6 session course – dates to be announced
4-5:30pm live via zoom with Lawrence Edwards, PhD.
Explore the profound wisdom and power of the ancient Shiva Sutras, the foundational text of nondual Kashmir Shaivism, with Lawrence Edwards, PhD. The Shiva Sutras reveal the highest truths known to humanity and offer the means, the upayas, for knowing our transcendent Source directly as the very truth of who we are. In this course we will explore those means for deepening practice and fully integrating meditation into everyday life. These practices empower us to be joyous, peaceful, loving and compassionate in the face of whatever we encounter in life. The Shakti, the pure power of Consciousness, inherent to the Shiva Sutras, and most importantly, inherent to you, empowers us to live from our profoundly wise Self. That power of Consciousness is also known as Kundalini Shakti.
Jaideva Singh’s translation of the Shiva Sutras is required for the course. To purchase click HERE.
Video recordings will be available the next day for registrants.
You can take the course live or watch the videos and email your questions or comments if you’re unable to attend the live broadcasts.Registration Fee: $275. Registration closes
Full payment is required for registration. If the course is cancelled by Lawrence Edwards for any reason the registration fee will be refunded in full.
To register: email info@thesoulsjourney.com using your email address. This will be used to give you the Zoom link. You can make your payment to Venmo @Lawrence-Edwards-3 or via PayPal: https://paypal.me/drle Zelle: le@optimalmind.net. For other ways to make your offering for the course please email info@thesoulsjourney.com.
Registration payments are non-refundable after 9/6/25.
Kundalini & The Soul’s Journey, Part 1
Registration is closed.
Next offering to be announced.
Online recordings of the sessions will be available to participants for 90 days in case you miss one or would like to review them.
Part 2 will run for 6 weeks.
Fee: $275 Registration to be announced. Full payment is required for registration. If the course is cancelled by Lawrence Edwards for any reason the registration fee will be refunded in full.
Kundalini, the power of the Divine within, is known by mystics and saints of every tradition, though by different names. In this 6 session course, 1.5hrs each, we will explore the initial phases of our soul’s journey and Kundalini awakening. Kundalini is just one of the maps we will use to help illuminate the soul’s journey as it evolves towards directly knowing the Divine as it’s Self. Practices will be given for calming the mind/body, deepening discrimination and opening awareness to the living Presence of the Divine – the Self in every moment. There will be ample time for discussions based on two of Lawrence’s books, The Soul’s Journey and Awakening Kundalini. Please begin reading them before the course starts.
To register: email info@thesoulsjourney.com using your email address. This will be used to give you the Zoom link. You can make your payment to Venmo @Lawrence-Edwards-3 or via PayPal: https://paypal.me/drle For other ways to make your offering for the course please email info@thesoulsjourney.com. Registration payments are non-refundable after …
The Zoom link for the course will be provided to all registered and paid participants.
If you have any questions please email them to info@thesoulsjourney.com.
I look forward to seeing you in the course!
Kundalini & The Soul’s Journey, Part 2
6 1.5 hour sessions. 2026 Dates to be announced
Fee: $275
Pre-requisite: Part 1 of Kundalini & The Soul’s Journey or by approval. Please email info@thesoulsjourney.com to get approval. Familiarity with the course texts, Lawrence’s work and meditation are necessary.
Online recordings of the sessions will be available to participants for 90 days in case you miss one or would like to review them.
Fee: $275 Registration TBD. Full payment is required for registration. If the course is cancelled by Lawrence Edwards for any reason the registration fee will be refunded in full.
Kundalini, the power of the Divine within, is known by mystics and saints of every tradition, though by different names. In this 6 session course, 1.5hrs each, we will explore the later phases of our soul’s journey and Kundalini awakening. We’ll be drawing on Kashmir Shaivite texts to further illuminate the extraordinary path of Kundalini sadhana. Kundalini is just one of the maps we will use to help illuminate the soul’s journey as it evolves towards directly knowing the Divine as it’s Self. Practices will be given for calming the mind/body, deepening discrimination and opening awareness to the living Presence of the Divine – the Self in every moment. There will be ample time for discussions based on two of Lawrence’s books, The Soul’s Journey and Awakening Kundalini. Please begin reading them before the course starts.
To register: email info@thesoulsjourney.com using your email address. This will be used to give you the Zoom link. You can make your payment to Venmo @Lawrence-Edwards-3 or via PayPal: https://paypal.me/drle For other ways to make your offering for the course please email info@thesoulsjourney.com. Registration payments are non-refundable after … unless the cancellation is due to the host, Lawrence Edwards.
The Zoom link for the course will be provided to all registered and paid participants.
If you have any questions please email them to info@thesoulsjourney.com.
I look forward to seeing you in the course!
Anam Cara Bi-Weekly Meditation Sessions
Open Meditation:
- 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings – except major holidays
- 7:15-8:30pm ET
- Live on Zoom! Click HERE for link.
- Anam Cara Meditation
- No registration necessary.
- Fee: by donation
Everyone is welcome! Led by Lawrence Edwards, PhD, Anam Cara Meditation Founder & Director. Swatantriya Meditation – the meditation of absolute freedom. This is the form of meditation taught by Lawrence and includes practices from all traditions. Swatantriya Meditation is based on the inner power of Consciousness called Kundalini in the yogic tradition. It embraces and empowers all meditation techniques to take you beyond the confines of the ordinary mind. We offer an ongoing nondenominational meditation class that meets every 1st and 3rd Thursday evenings of the month, except for holidays. People can come as frequently as they like. There’s no need to sign up for a series of sessions. We offer these meditation sessions to support people in their ongoing meditation practices. Enjoy! Fee: All donations gratefully accepted ($20 suggested donation per session). Donate via PayPal: https://paypal.me/drle . Donations are not tax deductible. Beginners are welcome, along with experienced meditators. A wide variety of techniques and practices are taught, including chanting, mantra and mindfulness meditation.