Welcome! The Wangapeka Study and Meditation Retreat Centre in New Zealand

The beautiful Wangapeka Study and Retreat Meditation Centre runs retreats and events throughout the year. We welcome external bookings and solo retreats.

View our Programme

Upcoming Events

17 - 19 July 2020

Life as It Is 2020, a Family Friendly Community Retreat
24 – 26 July 2020

Wangapeka Community Hui and AGM 2020 – All Welcome
31 July - 4 August 2020

Chenrezig Meditation Retreat with Mark Schrader
7 – 10 August 2020

Harp Meditation and Intuitive Development Retreat
14 – 16 August 2020

Every Precious Moment - Mindfulness of Death, Impermanence & Uncertainty
21 - 23 August 2020

Explorations and Mindfulness on the Nature of Wangapeka
28 - 30 August 2020

Don't Just Do Something. Sit there! 2020
16 - 20 September 2020

Sanctuary in Uncertainty with Jeremy Logan & Kanya Stewart
2 - 9 October 2020

Clear Seeing. The Path of Analytic Meditation with Keith Rowan
15 - 21 October 2020

Coming Down to Earth - At Home in the Body, At Home in the World
29 October – 2 November 2020

Advanced Shamanic Training & Vision Quest with Dr. John Broomfield
28 December 2020 – 4 January 2021

Garden of Mindfulness Family Retreat: Alice in Wonderland Edition

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** Growing Joy – Cultivating Joyful Awareness wi

** Growing Joy – Cultivating Joyful Awareness with Jaime and Juliana ** An Integrative Meditation and Open Floor Dance retreat
with Jaime Howell and Juliana Griese

May 20 – May 24
# Booking
https://www.wangapeka.org/registration-form/

# WHY

A time to deepen and nourish the capacity to live with kind awareness in all situations. Offering rituals and resources to meet the deep human needs for solitude and belonging; intimacy and connection.

Over the four days we will craft guided cycles of meditation woven with the adventure of Open Floor movement inquires in the healing embrace of the Wangapeka valley.

A space for the full richness of inclusive community. We will move together, sing together, listen deep and play. The cultivation of joy is medicine for the work of the Great Turning. Joy is something we can grow together – A way of being that is flowing, open, inclusive and creative with the challenges of change.

# WHAT

Guided support to develop your own meditation practice
Open Floor movement inquires to support and enliven the wild animal of body/mind/heart.
Singing and chanting to bring love and appreciation into our practice
Time in the community of solitude and time together realising our human community.
Story telling, ritual and archetypes for whole-ing.
Supporting the 20/20 clear vision initiative

# HOW

## Registration: https://www.wangapeka.org/registration-form/
Course fee – includes food, accommodation and a resource fee
$400 + dana/koha
Member price – $360 plus dana/koha
Information: jaime8ju@gmail.com | 021 02644351

## Dana/koha = loving
Jaime and Juliana have not charged for the teachings they will share. It has taken hundreds of hours to learn how to offer these kind of healing spaces. This truly is an investment in your well being, the health and happiness that grows from loving. We do not set a fee because we chose to embody generosity and trust that people will honour the value and give. Generosity strengthens the giver and receiver.

** A Review of "Poised in the Present" ** by Diane

** A Review of "Poised in the Present" **
by Diane Johnstone

February 14th 2020, Valentines Day for many, saw our whanau of four travelling to the wonderful Wangapeka for a very heartfelt and community centred retreat - "Poised in the Present." Expertly crafted by the 2020 Year of Clear Vision Team along with special guest Rob McGowan, one of the foremost authorities on rongoā Māori, 35 + people gathered for an incredible weekend that continues to flow and unfold in unexpected and delightful ways. Many voices were heard within nourishing sharing circles and a very deep connection to the land was quickly established as we walked the whenua together. Rob introduced us to several medicinal plants which were then prepared in the Wangapeka kitchen and shared with all who were present. Unexpectedly delicious!

The Wangapeka community was gifted the story of "Tiwaiwaka". In essence: healing the spirit of the land and the much needed reminder of "mahi tahi" - working as one. Rich storytelling, deep listening and new connections made with both each other and this incredible earth created a very special weekend that our whanau will long remember.

** A Review of "Poised in the Present" ** by Lucy

** A Review of "Poised in the Present" ** by Lucy

My feelings about the weekend spent at the Wangapeka weekend are the following: * Gratitude and wonder at the chance to hear Rob McGowan speak. A wonderful but hard lesson given by a supremely well informed, inspired man of true humility. * A yearning feeling, bordering on exclusion, that I cannot be a "regular" at the Wangapeka, because of dividing my year between the Netherlands and New Zealand... Yet an awakening feeling of Community, to be taken and experienced wherever I am. Tribe is where the heart is, I have discovered. * Because of living not only locally, I longed for more guidance of how to face the radical changes to come elswewhere than in the Wangapeka. I got some answers, for which I am grateful.
Thank you so much!

Covered in rainbow light Sometimes caretakers nee

Covered in rainbow light

Sometimes caretakers need caretaking ❤️ Photo by Amber

** April Colours ** The Whare photo credit: Lily

** April Colours ** The Whare

photo credit: Lily Redgrave

**Diary of a retreat manager in a pandemic** Jonat

**Diary of a retreat manager in a pandemic**
Jonathan Chambers **8 March:** Our 5th Annual Dzogchen retreat appears to be coming together 'according to plan'. A vague sense however that the process has been a little too smooth so far… **9 March:** In discussion with Amber, we decide to email retreatants about COVID-19, requesting them not to come if they are high risk. **11 March:** WHO declares a pandemic. **16 March:** As the COVID-19 situation continues to escalate, Wangapeka BOT advise that they are meeting to pull together a risk management plan. There is a possibility they may close the doors if health and safety risks are considered too great. We begin to adapt to this possibility while carrying on our set course - the intention to practice Dharma has a powerful momentum. **17 March:** Lama Mark advises that he hasn't boarded his flight from Queenstown to Nelson. Making plans to head back to Canada instead! He says he's happy for me to lead the retreat in his absence. At times like these, one is glad to have formed a habit of placing the Lama above one’s head and in one’s heart. **18 March:** Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. And as the intended shape of the retreat dissolves, a new one emerges, supported by the thrust of wholesome aspiration. 6 of us altogether. 4 experienced Dzogchen practitioners. 2 new to these teachings. 2 have driven down all the way from Auckland. 1 has flown up from Queenstown. We bring enough food to self-cater for a couple of days as we are not sure if we have a cook. We also bring 400 latex gloves and 50 rolls of paper towels, because our bodies can still fall prey to disease, even if they don't exist in an ultimate sense. **19 March:** ...
**20 March:** ...
**21 March:** ...
**22 March:** ...
**23 March:** ... This article has been shortened. The full article is at https://www.wangapeka.org/diary-of-a-retreat-manager-in-a-pandemic-by-jonathan-chambers/

**Life as It Is 2020 – A Family Friendly Communi

**Life as It Is 2020 – A Family Friendly Community Retreat** 15 – 17 May 2020 --- fyi ... future retreats can only go ahead if the National Alert is at Level 2, with the Level 2 health and safety protocols in place at the Centre.

If, during a retreat, the level rises again to Level 3 or higher, then the retreat must stop and all participants go home. --- A community practice weekend for everyone. All ages, family and community welcome.

Come and join us for a warm community weekend of mindful practice and exploration where we will explore together how we grow a sense of support, connectedness, curiosity and kindness no matter what is happening in our lives- at work, at school or at home.

By simply exploring the thread of presence together, with a focus on the shared learning we find in community, we can experience contentment and enrichment in our ordinary spiritual lives.

This weekend provides space for family practice, adult practice as well as children-focused sessions. The rhythm for the weekend will include a morning gathering to practice together, guided meditation, forest walks, times for sharing and conversation, short periods of silent eating, and inclusive games.

The course is facilitated by Louise Petzold, Karen Harley and Glenn Harley. They are experienced practitioners who have been connected with the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre (and each other) for many years.

# Costs

Costs include all food, accommodation, cooks fee and a small resource fee. Facilitators are offering the course on the basis of dana / koha.

## Adults

### Members $168
### Non members $188

We try to keep our costs as low and encourage as many people as possible to attend. If you require support with costs, the Wangapeka has a Sangha Support Fund to assist with accommodation costs for adults and children.
# More Information

Karen Harley waihoraorganics8@gmail.com

# Register

https://www.wangapeka.org/about/registration-form/

# Life as It Is 2020, a Family Friendly Community

# Life as It Is 2020, a Family Friendly Community Retreat – New Dates – Jul 17 – Jul 19
A community practice weekend for everyone. All ages, family and community welcome.

Come and join us for a warm community weekend of practice and exploration.

We will explore together how we grow a sense of support, connectedness, curiosity, kindness and continuous presence no matter what is happening in our lives – at work, at school or at home.

This weekend provides space for family practice, adult practice as well as children-focused sessions. The rhythm for the weekend will include morning practice together, guided meditations, forest walks, times for sharing and conversation, short periods of silent eating, and inclusive creative games.

The course is facilitated by Louise Petzold and Karen and Glenn Harley. They are experienced practitioners who have been connected with the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre (and each other) for many years.

# Costs

Costs include all food, accommodation, cooks fee and a small resource fee.

Facilitators are offering the course on the basis of dana / koha.

Adults

Members $168

Non members $188

Children 5 – 13 $83

Under 5’s free

If you require support with costs, the Wangapeka has a Sangha Support Fund to assist with accommodation costs for adults and children. Please contact the caretaker to apply: wangapekacentre@gmail.com

# More Information

For more information about the retreat contact the course manager Karen Harley waihoraorganics8@gmail.com

# Register

To register please fill out our online registration form
https://wangapeka.org/about/registration-form/

**Retreat in a Time of Covid 19** by Karenza “Re

**Retreat in a Time of Covid 19**
by Karenza “Resting in Shelter”
As Lama had to leave in a hurry I felt really disappointed and sad. However.....
... Jonathon rose to the occasion with a steady, calm confidence. The five days we had were very settled and got into retreat mode quickly. It was really valuable.

A huge thanks to the Wangapeka community for keeping us informed and for their quiet non-intrusive presence.

Warmth,
Karenza

**Retreat in a Time of Covid 19** by Linda Karenz

**Retreat in a Time of Covid 19**
by Linda

Karenza & I arrived following a trip around the East Cape after learning that Lama Mark had departed to Canada to avoid getting left in NZ during the pandemic. At the retreat centre, Jonathan Chambers had a meeting with us and together we all made a plan how to handle the food and cleaning duties and were assigned rooms. There were six of us altogether: Karenza and I from Auckland, Mike from Queenstown, and Zoe, Alejandra, and Jonathan from Nelson. We were all familiar with Lama Mark except for Alejandra but by the time that we finished she had a good picture of him I think. We set up a daily schedule including meeting three times a day in the Gompa and Jonathan took over the teaching... leading the meditations and answering questions. He also led some Tai Chi exercises along with Zoe, who is also a yoga instructor. This worked out quite well as we would do the exercises before sitting down to a talk or meditation. The teaching concentrated on the medicine Buddha, appropriate for the events that were happening in the outer world. We were all, I think, quite happy in our retreat bubble but after a few of days we learned that the country was moving towards lockdown in 48 hours so we had to quickly leave the retreat centre and go home. I would have been more than happy to have stayed there for the full term of lockdown. Wangapeka is a beautiful place, the weather was good, we had food delivered, a comfortable room, and Jonathan was leading the retreat ( with great skill I might add). What more could one want? Unfortunately, the board could not let us remain, so we reluctantly decamped after 5 days. On the bright side, Lama Webber is giving us twice a week teachings via zoom, again concentrating on the Medicine Buddha. I have a thangka depicting the Medicine Buddha which I sit in front of during the teachings. I am looking forward to the time when I can see Lama Mark Webber again, probably at next year‘s retreat. - Linda

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