AWARENESS CENTER of Costa Rica

About the Founder
Ken Pollinger studied four years of
engineering and one year of predentistry at the University of Cincinnati
and then spent thirteen years in a Jesuit
seminary studying philosophy and
theology toward the priesthood. He
ended up in Peru, where he taught high school sociology in
Spanish. Afterwards he engaged in a research project for his
Ph.D. in sociology at Fordham University which ultimately was
published in a book, Community Action & The Poor: Influence
vs. Social Control in a NYC Community.
“It was Gestalt,” says Ken, “that changed my life. It helped me
realize that I had to live in the present. I had to have
experience, to probe every experience with a beginner’s mind,
à lá Zen, to see things freshly, authentically, without cultural
conditioning. Finally, I found my master: my direct personal
experience."
Ken’s faith in direct experience is reflected in his personal style,
his candor and penetrating curiosity, alert to whatever or
whomever turns up in the moment. He likes to talk about the
rich spiritual content of apparently ordinary events. For him
there’s no such thing as a chance meeting. "Every single thing
happens for a reason," he says. "Every moment is infused with
grace. You’ve got to open your ears and eyes. You’ll get
messages, day in, day out," says Ken.
Still claiming his time is the ongoing renovation of the building.
He’s done carpentry, exterior painting on a scaffold, and pure
scut work, literally digging out the cellar and hauling off
hundreds of cartons of earth. "I got a lot done through sweat
equity," he says.
How does he discriminate in his selection of activities for the
New Age Center and for the Point of Infinity? "I trust my guts."
Every day for half an hour he lies down on the floor, relaxes,
lets go, and all of a sudden thoughts will come.
"I’m open to where I’m led rather then waiting for a vision," he
says. "If I die today, I’ll be happy. A lot of wonderful things have
happened here. I don’t need more. I’m blessed." He shakes his
head and smiles. "But it’s fun to see what’s going to happen."
For example, he opened up an organic health restaurant, the
Harvest Moon Café, which enjoyed a two-year life span.
He is an ordained priest in The Order of Melchizedek and a
recipient of a Minister of Spiritual Counseling certificate; also
he officiates at creative weddings.
Ken finished renovating the Main Lodge at the Point of Infinity-an earth-centered spiritual retreat center near Ellenville in the
Catskill Mountains. He also founded the Awareness Center of
Costa Rica in the southern Pacific area, and plans on building
a community of like-minded, spiritually oriented people in a
sustainable fashion. Inquiries welcomed!
Presently Enlightenment studies are his passion, as reflected in
his latest writings, Confessions of an Ex-Jesuit, Volumes 1-3.
For more info/details: WWW.AWARENESSCENTERS.COM
Directions
FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO DOMINICAL
Rent a 4 x 4 car (about $400/wk) and take the Pacific Coast Rd
(Caldera) or use Easy Ride Shuttle Service ($49) to Dominical.
Once there, we either pick you up or you can drive towards
San Isidro on Rte 243 for about 8 minutes.*
FROM SAN JOSE AIRPORT TO SAN ISIDRO
Rent a 4 x 4 car OR take a taxi to the Musoc Bus terminal
($20)(30-40 minutes). Purchase a ticket to San Isidro del
General ($5) (GREAT bus!) and after a three-hour ride over the
Mountains you arrive in San Isidro. Head to Dominical on Rte
243 for 45 minutes (18.5 miles), passing Baru, past the Ojochal
sign on your right, cross the small bridge,* either in a rented
car, taxi ($20), picked up by us, or if in a group, by van.
The
AWARENESS CENTER
of Costa Rica
RETREAT & HEALING CENTER
CONSCIOUS COMMUNITY
*
See sign “Reparacion de Llantas” (Tire repair). Turn onto
Lagunas road opposite the tire repair shop. Drive straightaway,
with patience, on a dirt road about 4 miles to our Center sign.
Then follow additional Center signs.
Our Three Communities
The AWARENESS CENTER, located on 13
magnificent acres in the majestic mountains of
Lagunas, has an enchanted, mystical natural
setting, ideal for sacred ceremonies, rituals,
retreats, healings, health programs and more.
This
Retreat
Center/Community
offers
potentialities in community building and alternative
sustainable living. There are also 9 acres luscious
of rainforest (jungle) for exploration.
Only 1 hour from San Isidro del General and 15
minutes from the exciting beach town of Dominical
on the Pacific shore, surrounded by like-minded
neighbors and “green” communities.
The AWARENESS CENTER of Costa Rica
Lagunas, Perez Zeledon, Costa Rica
(011-506)
.
www.AwarenessCenters.com
[email protected]
USA: (845) 358-6448
Contact Ken Pollinger, Ph.D.
Programs & Events
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Awareness Groups
Dreamwork Groups
Awareness Retreats: Individual/Groups
Meditation Retreats
Fasting/Cleansing Retreats
Yoga/Qigong/Tai Chi Retreats
Personal Growth Workshops
Personal Hermitage Retreats
Bodywork/Healing Sessions
Book Club Discussions
Jungle Exploration on property
Nature Walks/Hikes
Writers/Poets/Photographers Retreats
Bring your own specialized groups
Create your own vacation vision
Facilities
Presently, we have dormitory lodging space for 9
persons in the main house but have plans to
expand. There is an excellent full-service camper
for 2-4 and 4 roomy 10x10 ft tents with comfy
airbeds on platforms with roofs for 4-8.
Internet connection, of
course. And the
weather is
approximately 80
during daytime and
about 65-70 nighttime
– absolutely perfect!
Activities
 Beaches, especially Manuel Antonio
(Riviera of Costa Rica)
 Manuel Antonio National Park
 Mt. Chirripo National Park (hiking to top of
tallest mountain in Costa Rica)
 Surfing, kayaking, zip lining, scuba diving
 Animal/Plant/Flower Reserves
 Hiking Trails; Rainforest Excursions
 Ultra Flight Experiences
 Horseback Riding to Waterfalls or on the
beaches
 Tours of Alternative Communities
 MANY Farmers Markets with GREAT local
and unusual foods
 Tours of local Organic Farms
 Visits to Raw Foods Communities
 Assist in purchasing your own property and
building your dreamhome
High season is December to April and low season
May to November. More rain in October and
November generally.
For a wide variety of intriguing experiences,
please see: Frommers Costa Rica 2012, Southern
Pacific Costa Rica.
We can assist you in every aspect of your visit
thereby saving you money, headaches and
enhancing your vacation/retreat!
Outdoor living is exhilarating.