About

Jan (1983) began his spiritual journey at 22 by attending regular meditation classes in Amsterdam. At 28, he participated in his first silent retreat in the Netherlands, led by Isaac Shapiro and Meike Schutt  (lineage of Papaji and Ramana Maharshi). During this retreat, he gained insight into the nature of reality, which significantly changed his life.

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This experience led to a more dedicated spiritual path. Jan traveled to India and had the gift to meet different teachers, such as Mooji, Swami Atmananda, and many more.

During his first visit to India, he also met the teacher Pia Ma, with whom he worked for the next 7 years as one of her assistants. During this period, they traveled together to India and other parts of the world, conducting spiritual retreats and satsangs.

Over the past 13 years, Jan has taken part in many silent retreats, both in groups and alone. During a 10-day silent retreat at Hridaya in Mexico, a clear vision came to start an India tour. This idea led to Sound of Silence's first event.

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Sanne (1985): From an early age, Sanne has been fascinated by spirituality and the unseen realms beyond our material world. Her formal journey began at 24  when she started attending meditation classes in Amsterdam. It was here that she first experienced the profound power of love-presence.
 

At 28, Sanne attended her first retreat with Isaac Shapiro and Meike Schutt (lineage of Papaji and Ramana Maharshi). This retreat proved to be a pivotal moment, with a big spiritual opening that made following this path not just a choice, but an inevitability.
 

Drawn by an inner calling, Sanne went on many trips to India. These journeys were a gift, allowing her to sit with beautiful teachers and absorb their teachings. For seven transformative years, she also had the privilege of being close to Pia Ma, deepening her spiritual understanding.
 

Over the past 11+ years, she has dedicated herself to a constant practice, participating in countless retreats both in solitude and in groups. In 2022, she completed the Hridaya Meditation and Yoga Teacher Training.