Retreats That Changed My Life: Executive Coach on 3 Retreats in 1 Month

"It's been a wild month. I sense this could be the start of something, or the end of something. I have a conviction that it's probably both," Michael begins. He recently emerged from not one, not two, but three intensive personal development retreats that he completed back-to-back within just one month. Each retreat offered a unique blend of spirituality, neuroscience, and meditation — lots of it.

Could this be a moment that changed everything?

Michael Wise is a top mindfulness and business coach known for guiding hundreds of individuals, from McKinsey consultants to Green Beret veterans and emerging entrepreneurs, in their careers and discovering their true calling.

From the sprawling landscapes of the Modern Elder Academy retreat — the first "midlife wisdom school" in Santa Fe, New Mexico — with Father Richard Rohr, a revered Franciscan priest, to a family retreat in Wisconsin, deepening his connections with loved ones, to battling a serious health condition at home in Montana, and still making it to blazing hot Dallas to attend Dr. Joe Dispenza's advanced meditation retreat, the month has been nothing short of a tectonic shift in Michael's life. 

It could be this moment.

In our conversation, Michael opens up about his personal experience across these retreats, which he previously saw as "spiritual and brain upgrades." He shares his journey through coherence healing sessions where he was selected as a "healee," the intense schedule of meditating for five hours daily, and how he absorbed the spiritual teachings of Father Richard Rohr—one of the most beloved Christian mystics of our times—alongside the cutting-edge neuroscience and meditation training from Joe Dispenza, a leading researcher and modern meditation teacher.

There and Back: 3 retreats - 1 month - 6000 total miles

Michael reflects on how these retreats have changed him, as well as his main learnings and takeaways. Discover how he's integrating spiritual practices with neuroscience-based techniques and why he believes community could be the key to unlocking rapid personal transformation.

What inspired you to do three intensive retreats—back to back in one month?

They chose me. The family retreat is in the same week every year so that was already on my calendar. I didn’t feel like I sought it out; it just came to me, and I was open to it.

A couple of months ago, someone sent me the Modern Elder Academy and said it might be right up my alley—people considering impact in the second half of their life. I looked at their website and saw that Father Richard Rohr was there, it was an easy decision - I had to go.

Photo: community circle and talk at MEA midlife wisdom retreat

He was introduced to me about a year ago when my son was born and passed. I found his work, writings, and teachings very comforting and beneficial.

As for the Joe Dispenza retreat, I saw the film ‘Source - It’s Within You!’, which is Joe Dispenza’s documentary about the research and work he’s been doing on his advanced meditation retreats.

It hit me. I sensed it was a missing piece for me. I looked at the Dispenza's upcoming meditation retreats and the timing seemed to work.

What’s your #1 takeaway?

I think the main thing I've taken away from all of this is the importance of staying open and receptive. Life has a way of bringing us exactly what we need, even if we don't recognize it at first.

Looking back, I see that these retreats came into my life at the perfect time, and I'm deeply grateful for that. I'm also reminded of the power of community. Being surrounded by like-minded individuals on a similar journey was incredibly uplifting and supportive.

I feel like I’ve been given a new set of tools to navigate life's challenges and create more joy and fulfillment.

I recall you wished the retreats were in reverse order: “the brain upgrade first, then the spirit upgrade.” What do you think now?

How silly of me to think I know better. *laughs*

To be with Father Richard stood out in many ways. He emphasizes in his work that if something is true, it’s universal across all eras and cultures. He offers tremendous inclusivity and encouragement:

Of course, the Buddhists have beautifully described some things. Of course, the ancient Hindus... Of course the Dao.. all these different paths leading to the same destination.

It's like [the Buddhist metaphor] the finger pointing at the moon. The teaching itself is just the finger, guiding you towards the truth—the moon. Whatever your vessel is, whatever your pathway is to get to the truth - they're all good. They all work and Father Richard emphasizes that

It’s not like God just started talking when Jesus showed up. Nature was the first Bible.

After that experience, how did the religion-agnostic, science-forward meditation retreat with Dr. Joe Dispenza feel?

The brain stuff was also significant.

Joe Dispenza's work is based on neuroscience and quantum physics. He talks about how we can use our mind to change our brain, our body, and our reality.

He had doctors, physicians, neuroscientists, PhDs - really credible people - showing scientific before and afters. They're like, "This is what meditation does to your brain."

And then, "This is what coming together in community and doing these coherence healings can do." It's mind-blowing stuff.

In what ways did Dispenza’s retreat feel different to more traditional meditation retreats?

He does a really amazing job inviting you to reinforce your belief. He'll say it a million times: “Are you still with me?” Everyone in the crowd says yes. It's almost like a hypnosis.

He'll say, “Did you get that? Turn to your neighbor and explain what you just understood.” And so it's a teaching that constantly reinforces your mind: if my thinking is clear, if I'm in head and heart coherence, I will feel better in life. And if I feel better, I'm probably going to have the outcomes that I want.

And then the more I sat there, the more I realized it's not that dissimilar from the spiritual path. For example, surrender my mind to God's mind or to a higher intelligence, however you want to call it.

Key thing is, Joe Dispenza is very careful not to call it God and not to bring that in because he wants to be inclusive.

Was alcohol offered at the retreats?

Yes, alcohol was available. At the Modern Elder Academy, they had wine in the evenings.

At Joe Dispenza's event, there were bars in the hotel, but they had pretty strict rules about not being under the influence during meditation sessions. And honestly, there wasn't much time for drinking anyway.

We had three big meditations each day, plus three long lectures, with just short breaks in between. We're talking long days here - 6 AM to 8 PM most days, with one day going from 4 AM! The focus was really on the work we were doing.

Can you describe the meditation practice at the Dispenza retreat? How many hours did you meditate daily, and how did this approach differ from other meditation experiences you've had?

At the Dispenza retreat, we were meditating at least four or five hours a day. It wasn't just sitting still though - we'd do standing, walking, lying down, all kinds of positions.

It was non-stop. At the end of each day, all we could do was get some food into our bellies for dinner and then go to sleep, only to wake up and do it all over again the next day.

What really stood out was the intention behind it. It felt different from my experience with silent retreats or traditional meditation training. This was more about actively changing your state, training your body to a new mind.

It wasn't just observing passively like some Buddhist or Hindu practices I've done - becoming the Observer to get freedom from it. This was more like ‘grab it by the neck and run with it.’ It felt more energized, more intentional.

I think for the busy Western mind, with all its stories and negative perceptions reinforced by culture, this active approach might be necessary. You know, having a real intention, elevated emotion, and energy towards the practice.

The crazy thing is, I found myself craving the meditation. Even during Joe's talks, which were great, I'd be thinking, "I can't wait to get back to my meditation pillow." That's something I've never experienced before. It was like I couldn't wait to step into that meditative state.

Joe Dispenza emphasizes stimulating the pineal gland as a key part of his meditation techniques for accessing higher states of consciousness. What was your experience with it?

The long meditation sessions were very specific around the pineal gland and aimed to activate it in order to capture a mystical experience.

Coherence Healing is another signature experience at Dispenza's advanced week-long retreats. What actually happens during a coherence healing session?

Imagine 250 people lying down to receive healing, surrounded by 1,600 others acting as healers. It's a military-precision operation, but with love at its core.

The idea is that when we get our hearts and minds in coherence, we operate at a higher frequency. When we do this collectively, it creates an even more powerful energy field that can facilitate profound healings.

Joe coached us all – the receivers to be open and the healers to bring their highest selves. Because this isn't about you. This is about this person who's needing this healing.

I was selected to be a healee to receive the healing. I've suffered a lot with conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress. I just found myself in profound gratitude to be selected to receive healing from eight beautiful people.

During my session, I experienced sensations comparable to some of my most profound psychedelic experiences. I felt my spine extending, my posture straightening after 40 years of being in a bent-over fighting position, my heart opening with a flame-like sensation around my chest.

People were making noises – like big noises, cathartic releases of things that have been bottled up for who knows how long. It was a beautiful and magical experience of collective energy.

What's truly remarkable are the testimonials that follow these sessions. They report seemingly miraculous healings – stage four cancer getting spontaneous remission, restoration of sight, regained ability to speak – all after just one coherence healing session.

I was skeptical at first, but after hearing countless stories and experiencing some semblance of it myself, it's hard to deny something powerful is happening.

However, the most important aspect isn't always the physical healing, although that can be miraculous. It's always about feeling more love and more connection, more generosity. Who you would be if you were fully healed and realized your full potential.

When you start to feel that in your body - you’re changed.

What changes are you noticing now that some time has passed after the retreats?

I will say that I feel changed. They mentioned that the full effects can take a couple of weeks to manifest. They showed us charts where your heart rate variability (HRV) initially drops because these healings are actually quite chaotic. But then HRV rises significantly in the weeks after as you integrate the experience and come into coherence.

When I got home, I threw away some old medications, feeling certain I won't be going back to that place.

I've been meditating for an hour each day, which is completely new for me.

I've been under the weather with a high fever and night sweats, yet I still feel content, alive, and vibrant. It's wild to hold both of these two realities at once – to be physically ill but mentally and emotionally accepting, excited and hopeful.

There's a sense of conviction, hope, and inner fire. 

As an accomplished coach, you've helped numerous individuals discover their potential and align their professional and personal lives with their values. How do you plan to integrate the lessons from these recent retreats into your coaching practice?

Thank you, I've observed hundreds of people at this point, and I'm grateful for the impact I've had, but I can't keep doing things the same way.

What I sense now is that people need to know their story. You can't fix or move through something if you don't know what you're dealing with, right? Those unconscious thoughts of unworthiness, unlovability, pain, or fear – they need to be brought into the conscious to be worked with.

I've spent hundreds of hours in therapy over the years, navigating traumas and personal challenges. While that approach has its merits, I now sense that something different is possible. Through meditation and creating coherence between the brain and heart, these things can get unlocked and dislodged much faster - sometimes in an instant.

So my intent is to create more group community work because I think we do this better as a community. The focus is on real change: What are you doing to change your life?

We'll still dig into the old stories, express anger or pain, but what if there is a much bigger space where instead of rehashing old wounds, we could just align ourselves differently? I believe that most of the work is synchronizing your own energies.

The 12 steps came up a lot with Richard Rohr – that idea of coming to believe, of hope, of conscious contact with something other than yourself, not your story, not your ego.

So yeah, my coaching is going to get more mystical, more spiritual, more about taking action. Let's see what happens.

Related: Breathing under the Water: 12 steps and spirituality

Given your familiarity with the work of success coach and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, I can't help but ask: Is Joe Dispenza the Tony Robbins of meditation? Both Robbins's 'Unleash the Power Within' and Dispenza's 'Unlimited' events are legendary in the personal development world.

Haha not sure if that’s the right metaphor, although there are some similarities.

Dispenza often says, "science is the new mysticism," aiming to provide scientific evidence for experiences that were once seen as purely spiritual. His work is geared toward the Western, 21st-century mind that seeks tangible proof and measurable results.

At the same time, Dispenza doesn't discount the mystical aspects of the practice. He still acknowledges the indescribable, the quantum field, and the divine. He bridges the gap between the spiritual and the scientific, providing evidence-based approaches to meditation and personal transformation.

How do you plan to integrate the lessons from the retreats into your daily life?

I think the key is to maintain the practices I learned at the retreats. I'm committed to meditating daily, even if it's just for 15-20 minutes. I'm working on being more mindful throughout the day, paying attention to my thoughts and emotions.

• From Father Richard's teachings, I'm trying to approach life with more compassion and openness. I'm less quick to judge and more willing to see the divine in everyone and everything.

• From Joe Dispenza's work, I'm focusing on rewiring my brain for positivity and possibility. I'm using visualization techniques and affirmations to reinforce new neural pathways.

• I'm also more conscious of my energy and how it affects those around me. I'm working on maintaining a high vibration of love and gratitude, even in challenging situations.

• Lastly, I'm trying to live more in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or worrying about the future.

It's a process, but I feel like I have the tools now to create lasting change in my life.

What advice would you give to someone considering attending these retreats? What do you wish you had known before going?

My advice now would be to simply listen to your own inner guidance. There's a film that came out about the retreat, which does a good job of conveying the message. If it resonates with you, if you feel called to attend, then trust that intuition and answer the call.

Most importantly, go in with an open mind. Be receptive to the miraculous, the mystical, and the indescribable.

In one of the meditations, Joe prompted us to think: "Can this be a moment? When someone asks about your story in five or ten years, when did everything change? It could be this moment.

Now, let me invite you to reflect on the same question: What could be that moment for you?

Where to find Michael Wise:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-wise/
• Website: WSDM Coaching 

Comparing Modern Elder Academy and Joe Dispenza Retreats: Which Experience is Right for You? 

Let's dive more into a high-level comparison of the unique offerings of Joe Dispenza's and Modern Elder Academy's retreats. While the experiences they provide are quite different, by understanding their unique approaches to meditation, spirituality and science, you can get a better idea of which retreat aligns best with your personal growth journey.

Aspect	Modern Elder Academy Retreats	Joe Dispenza Retreats
Focus	Learning to love your midlife, Meditation, Spirituality, Navigating Midlife Transitions.	Neuroscience, meditation, coherence healing, personal transformation at any age.
Duration	Varies (typically 5-7 days)	7 days
Location	2 Campuses in Santa FA, NM and Baja, Mexico.	Various locations in the US and worldwide.
Best for	"Modern Elders" in their 40s-50s & beyond.	"Western Minds" at any age:  Individuals interested in personal transformation through a more scientific approach to meditation.
Daily Schedule	More relaxed, wellness resort  experience with daily lectures, meditations, group activities,  wellness exercises, personal reflection time.	Intensive (6 AM to 8 PM) Lectures, workshops, Q&A sessions with Joe Dispenza, group meditations.
Meals	Three chef-prepared meals plus snacks prepared from scratch with the fresh local ingredients.	Varies by location, some retreats include buffet-style breakfast & lunch.
Rooms	Included, private or shared rooms at retreat center.	Not included in cost and varies by location, typically hotels near the retreat venue.
Cost	Shared room: $4,500 Private room; $6,000	$2,499

MEA, featuring Father Richard Rohr and other thought leaders, focuses on spiritual wisdom and midlife transitions, offering a more relaxed experience with daily lectures, meditations, and group activities. It's ideal for "Modern Elders" in their 40s-50s and beyond looking to create thriving lives in life's second half. 

Joe Dispenza's retreats, on the other hand, blend neuroscience and meditation for personal transformation at any age. These workshops are ideal for the busy, performance-oriented "Western Minds." The intensive curriculum involves long days of meditation (4–5 hours daily), lectures, and unique practices like coherence healing. 

Dispenza's approach is more scientifically oriented, appealing to those seeking tangible evidence of meditation's effects on the brain and body.

Both retreats offer transformative experiences, but MEA provides a gentler, spiritually-focused journey, while Dispenza's retreats offer a more intensive, science-based approach to personal change.