“You are a spiritual being having a physical experience.”

— Robert Monroe

The Exploring Consciousness workshop is the Monroe Institute's foundational course — and for many people, it's their first direct experience of expanded states of awareness. Using the Institute's Hemi-Sync® audio technology, you'll be guided through a series of exercises that introduce you to Focus 10 (a state where the body is deeply relaxed while the mind remains alert) and Focus 12 (a state of expanded awareness). These aren't concepts you study — they're states you learn to access yourself, through guided audio sessions with stereo headphones. By the end of the course, you'll have the experience and tools to continue exploring these states on your own, without the technology.

The workshop includes eight guided meditation sessions, integration and journaling practices, and facilitated group discussions. It's available both in person and online — in person, everything is provided including sound equipment, mattresses, a course book, snacks, and a dedicated space. The structure is designed to be supportive without being rigid. There's room for whatever arises — deep relaxation, vivid inner imagery, unexpected clarity, or simply a quieter mind. Some participants report profound personal insights, enhanced intuition, or a sense of connection they hadn't felt before. Others find the experience more subtle. Both are valid.

No prior meditation experience is required — just curiosity and a willingness to explore. The course is foundational by design, meaning it meets you wherever you are. It also opens the door to the Monroe Institute's broader curriculum: upon completion, you receive a $200 discount toward select advanced courses. Whether you're drawn to consciousness exploration for personal growth, stress relief, creativity, or something you can't quite name yet, this workshop offers a grounded, guided starting point.