The Thorn Institute
Exploring Consciousness Workshop
Exploring Consciousness is the Monroe Institute's two-day Outreach workshop in Melbourne, led by certified Australian Monroe Institute Outreach Trainer Daniel Spina.
The 5–6 December 2026 workshop is at Second Story in Collingwood, Melbourne, from 9 am to 5:30 pm each day.
A residential Exploring Consciousness retreat runs 8–10 January 2027 at a country retreat about two hours from Melbourne, with Friday and Saturday night accommodation and all meals included.
Using guided Hemi-Sync audio, participants explore Focus 10, mind awake, body asleep, and Focus 12, expanded awareness. The workshop is built on the first two days of the Monroe Institute's Gateway Voyage.
Do I need meditation experience?
No. The workshop suits complete beginners as well as people with meditation or Monroe experience. You're guided through every exercise.
Is this the same as Gateway Voyage?
No. Exploring Consciousness is based on the first two days of the Gateway Voyage program. It's a shorter Outreach workshop and a practical entry point before any longer Monroe residential program.
Will I have an out-of-body experience?
No specific experience is promised. The focus is on learning to reach and explore expanded states of awareness. Experiences vary from person to person.
What happens during a session?
You listen to guided audio through headphones while resting comfortably. You will receive instructions and have time to reflect between sessions.
What kind of people attend these events?
People from all walks of life, and different experience levels — including people who are in touch with their inner guidance, intuition, dreamworld or spirituality, and those who are completely new to all of this and just attending as a plus-one.
Is this a medical treatment or therapy?
No. This is an educational and experiential workshop. It does not replace medical care, mental health care or professional advice.
What happens if I fall asleep during a meditation?
It happens, especially at the start, and it’s nothing to worry about. Your body is learning to relax deeply, and sometimes it overshoots. At Monroe we sometimes call it “clicking out”, because often we find it is not true sleep, but a sort of pause in conscious awareness. Most people find they stay awake more easily as the weekend goes on, and the exercises are designed to help with that.
Do I have to believe anything? / Is it religious?
No. There’s no belief system, religion or doctrine. The exercises are practical: you listen, relax, and notice what you experience. Some people come for stress relief, some out of curiosity, some for spiritual reasons. All of that is welcome, and none of it is required.
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