Visiting Master Experience: Ray Carbullido – “Explorations of Self”

We are pleased to announce our next Visiting Master experience will be ‘Explorations of Self’ with martial arts master and artist, Ray Carbullido.

This immersive art installation highlights Ray’s lifelong journey of self-cultivation, reflecting the intricate interplay between the visible and invisible elements of our being. Each work invites guests to pause, reflect, and gather insights that support growth on their own personal journeys. Drawing from decades of martial arts practice, including internal cultivation disciplines and a deep foundation in swordsmanship, Ray transforms the discipline, rhythm, and philosophy of movement into visual expression, offering a unique opportunity to witness the harmony of body, mind, and spirit.

In addition to the Halekulani gallery experience, Ray will lead a series of talks, workshops, and individual sessions that translate these principles into direct, embodied experience. Traditionally taught within temples, family lines, and private martial arts schools across Asia, this depth of practice is rarely accessible to the public. These offerings invite participants into foundational self-cultivation methodologies that support well-being and vitality, while offering deeper insight into the principles that both inform Ray’s art and are embodied throughout the exhibition itself.

These events will take place at Halekulani, Halekulani Gallery, and Halepuna Waikiki from March 15 through May 2, 2026.

For more information call 808-518-2019.

Show Opening & Artist Talk

Sunday, March 15, 2026 | 2:00pm – 3:00pm | Halekulani Garden Terrace
Join Ray Carbullido for an exclusive opening of Explorations of Self. The event includes an artist talk and gallery walkthrough offering insight into the themes and inspirations behind the installation.

• Monday, March 16 | Private Sessions & Portal | Experience the immersive art that illuminates the relationship between the infinite and the finite.
• Tuesday, March 17 | Private Sessions & Portal | Experience the immersive art that illuminates the relationship between the infinite and the finite.
• Wednesday, March 18 | Talk | Halekulani Veranda | “Exploring the Invisible” – The exploration of invisible elements that influence our physical world
• Friday, March 20 | Workshop | Halekulani Hau Terrace | “The Way of the Sword” – Understanding and cultivating meaningful relationships.
• Saturday, March 21 | Workshop | Halepuna Garden | “Cultivating Vitality” – Gentle, fluid movement that unifies the body and supports full body vitality.

Weekly Workshops & Talks
Sundays | Workshops | 2:00pm – 3:30pm
Wednesdays | Talks | 11:00am – 12:00pm
See Event Calendar

Services

• Talks/Lectures (60 min) – $30 for residents and non-guests; Complimentary for in-house guests
• Group Workshops (90 min) – $150
• Private Sessions
  • 60 min – $350
  • 90 min – $450
• Private Guided Portal Immersions
  • 30 min – $200
  • 60 min – $350

Program Overview

Ray Carbullido is a master martial artist, teacher, and artist for whom martial arts serve as a gateway to understanding life. His work is rooted in internal cultivation practices, including Baguazhang and foundational swordsmanship, and is informed by a lifelong ability to distill and connect complex bodies of knowledge, ranging from internal martial arts and weaponry to esoteric practices, into unifying principles that support well-being and vitality. While Ray’s teachings emerge from martial arts, they are not style- or culture-specific, nor are they limited to martial artists. No prior experience is required to benefit from his offerings.

Baguazhang, a rare and highly sophisticated internal martial art known for its circular, spiraling movement and deep study of change, is a central influence in Ray’s practice. Traditionally sought after by martial artists, healers, and those engaged in esoteric study, Bagua is both powerful and integrative, enhancing a wide range of disciplines from martial and healing arts to meditation and spiritual cultivation. Alongside Bagua, a core influence in Ray’s sword practice is Tengu swordsmanship. Tengu, guardian figures found across Asian spiritual and martial traditions and especially prevalent in Japanese culture, are often depicted as half human and half bird, residing in forests and liminal spaces. They are master swordsmen and stewards of cultivation environments, ensuring the conditions necessary for realization and refinement. In this tradition, the sword is not merely an object, but a principle: a Tengu sword exists in everything. From this understanding arise all forms of swordsmanship, as well as staff and spear arts, unified not by technique, but by governing principles.

The gallery installation highlights Ray’s parallel artistic journey, one that unfolds alongside and through his martial arts practice. Each work explores the relationship between the visible and invisible aspects of our being: body and mind, movement and stillness, form and essence. The exhibition includes original works such as Portal, a participatory artwork with multiple applications – one of which includes healing – and Ray’s Light Mandala series, which offers a new visual language for ancient knowledge, transmitting its wisdom forward to future generations

In addition to the gallery experience, Ray will lead a curated series of talks, workshops, and private sessions that translate these principles into direct, embodied experience. These offerings focus on foundational human movement, internal awareness, perception, and the cultivation of clarity, centeredness, and vitality. Rooted in physical practice yet extending far beyond it, each session provides practical tools and insights that bridge ancient wisdom with modern life, supporting self-mastery and personal refinement.

An on-site, Dedicated Dojo space at Halekulani for self-cultivation will serve as an intimate environment for private sessions, while the gallery remains a contemplative anchor throughout the experience. Together, these spaces invite guests to slow down, observe deeply, and engage honestly with themselves. This experience invites sincerity as a lived state of being that cultivates clarity, congruence, and alignment between thought, emotion, and action, allowing coherence to emerge across lived experience. Through attentive observation and embodied inquiry, guests are invited into a deeper understanding of how they relate to the larger systems they are a part of. Explorations of Self creates an environment that supports insight, vitality, and meaningful refinement through direct experience.

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Ray Carbullido is an artist that focuses on existential themes. His martial arts practice is the primary influence for his work. Ray has been teaching martial arts since 1998 and currently conducts a variety of self cultivation workshops globally. Art is a way for Ray to share the gems of his practice and journey with a wider audience.