Rob, I find being with others and studying in a group if u can, adds more to the experience than studying on your own..its being around like minded people that causes some fine memories to be stored in the old noodle
theres is the costliness to consider and the distance to travel so we have the tapes and its almost like being there with a little imagination.
I've heard some folks here say the tapes that balance or syncronize the two sides of the brain get you into a mind state where you can recall the feeling and just be there without that aide. I think Bruce calls it the little finger bending exercise or state specific memory. might be like phasing which I'm calling the shift in consciousness these days (not my term, I just like it) what I figured out on my own when pursuing explorations or journeys is that no matter where you are, its always the right place to be. love, alysia