About Marlies

Born and raised in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, I was driven by wanting to know "what is this life about?"

In my twenties I spent a year in India and studied with Osho who taught me about meditation and the Beingness that we all are. That experience changed my life completely. I knew what I was searching for was found. I had arrived home.

When I returned to the Netherlands, I completed my Master's Degree in Psychology at the University of Amsterdam. I trained for a year in a therapeutic community, and then went to France to work with troubled teens and adults who had experienced family abuse. During this period I studied and worked extensively with Barry Long, an Australian western tantra teacher.

Back in the Netherlands I continued my western tantra training with Carla and Viram Verberk, continuing in the US with Charles and Carolyn Muir to become a certified tantric educator, CTE. A lot of my sacred sexuality work is rooted in their teachings.

In 1994, I moved to Santa Cruz, California, where I met my root teacher, Adyashanti, a teacher from the Zen Buddhist tradition. In 2000 Adyashanti asked me to teach the dharma which I do with all my heart. The Silence that I am deepened in being with Adya and imbues the Satsangs retreats and individual meetings I offer. I have no words for the deep love and support for the spiritual unfolding Adya has given me. He is an example of living an ordinary life as an awakened householder.

In 1999, I started my 2 year Hakomi training, then I assisted in the Hakomi training in San Francisco for 3 years, two years of which I was lead assistant. In 2003 I became certified in Hakomi.

In these last few years I have studied with Daniel Odier, a Chan master and Kashmirian tantric master. These two traditions touch me deeply and profoundly infuse my work, especially Kashmirian Tandava dance, the dance with all life.

Lama Tsultrim Allione has also deeply touched me. She is a woman deeply rooted in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition who is recognized as the reincarnation of Machig Lapron.

I am dedicated to the service of others. I love to be with people in the deep process of Truth.

What permeates all my work is my love for dance; West-African and traditional dance from Congo Brazzaville, NIA and authentic movement. In dance my purpose is to bring Stillness to life. I give thanks to my dance teachers, Debbie Nargi-Brown, Alasane Kane, and Vivien Bassouamina.

There is immense gratitude for all my teachers, who they are and what they teach.

I bow in deep gratitude for all that is given and taken away.