Founded over a decade ago by James Stevenson, Awaken As Love has emerged as a global initiative exploring the intersection of spiritual inquiry, human development, and embodied experience. Framed as a modern-day mystery school, the project offers a spectrum of immersive learning environments—from international gatherings and in-person retreats to in-depth training programs and digital resources—drawing on both traditional wisdom and contemporary perspectives such as neuroscience, developmental theory, and integral models of consciousness.
James Stevenson, the founder, brings extensive experience as a facilitator and educator in group transformation work. His multidisciplinary background includes guiding experiential programs informed by a variety of psychological, movement-based, and mindfulness practices. Under his leadership, Awaken As Love has developed a distinctive approach that synthesizes multiple traditions, with an emphasis on both personal and communal growth.
The core curriculum is structured into progressive stages, beginning with The Initiation and followed by The Deepening. A third stage is currently under development. The educational journey culminates in a comprehensive teacher training and apprenticeship program designed for those interested in sharing this work within their own communities.
The Initiation introduces participants to the concept of Integral Consciousness—a developmental framework that encourages holding multiple perspectives and fostering deeper empathy and insight. Through immersive exercises and community-based practices, attendees are invited to deepen their self-awareness and explore expanded states of presence. This stage is designed to support shifts in perception and a greater sense of connectedness.
In The Deepening, the journey turns toward direct experience and inner reflection. Participants are encouraged to examine internalized beliefs and habitual patterns, creating space for authentic self-expression. The focus in this phase is cultivating a deeper sense of alignment and clarity within one’s personal and relational life.
The programs are facilitated by a network of over sixty trained practitioners who support events and trainings across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Over the past twelve years, Awaken As Love has organized more than forty large-scale festivals, currently hosting five flagship events each year. The first of these took place in Delhi, India in 2013, and since then, the format has evolved into a globally inclusive model integrating cultural and experiential learning.
One pivotal moment in the organization’s history occurred in 2015, during its inaugural event in mainland America. Hosted at Harbin Hot Springs in California, the gathering was unexpectedly impacted by a regional wildfire. Despite the disruption, the organizers managed to relocate the entire event—including participants, facilitators, and logistics—within hours. That edition remains active today, and a charred key retrieved from the original venue is kept as a symbolic token of resilience and renewal.
What sets Awaken As Love apart is its adaptable, inclusive approach to transformation. Rather than presenting fixed doctrines, the school promotes participant agency and an invitational ethos. Its methodology integrates contemporary tools such as Spiral Dynamics and integral theory with movement-based practices and dialogical learning environments, fostering a comprehensive learning experience that honors both individuality and interconnection.
In recent years, as conversations around ethics and inclusivity have become more central within the human potential movement, Awaken As Love has sought to embody transparency and community care in all aspects of its work. Facilitators undergo rigorous training that includes emotional intelligence, group dynamics, and ethical leadership, ensuring a grounded and responsive approach to guiding transformational experiences.
The broader mission extends beyond individual development to include a commitment to cultural renewal. In a world navigating rapid change and complexity, Awaken As Love sees its work as contributing to a more compassionate and integrative collective future.
For further information on current offerings, upcoming events, and facilitator programs, visit the official website. Community reflections and participant experiences can also be found on their Instagram, Facebook, and testimonials page.
