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

3 - 10 December 2021 New Venue

Time Out for Peace, a Meditation for Humans who want to Change the World
13 - 19 December 2021

YAR: Embracing Life - A toolkit for living with Wisdom and Compassion
28 December 2021 – 4 January 2022

Garden of Mindfulness Family Retreat: Star Wars & Lucid Dreaming
7 - 12 January 2022

Beginning Again! An Introductory Meditation Retreat
15 - 29 January 2022

I Can't Breathe. Taking Refuge in the Reality of Now with Bonni Ross

Book a Retreat

Recent News

The Wangapeka on Instagram

wangapekacentre

**Bodhi Seeds Retreat 2021** AWAKENING THROUGH OUR

**Bodhi Seeds Retreat 2021**
AWAKENING THROUGH OUR TRUE NATURE

11 days Samatha-Vipassana Retreat

A deep dive into meditation and community for young adults (age 18-35)

6th – 17th November 2021

# Why come to this Retreat?

To learn and deepen the art of meditative self inquiry immersed in the beautiful nature of Wanagepeka mountains and valleys.

To build new relationships with other young people who are empowered to be a part of a communities of practice.

To experience a meditation retreat that will bring together gentleness, body work, periods of noble silence, nature inquiry. Facilitated by people who are inspired by the works of Bill Plotkin (Nature and the Human Psyche), Joanna Macy (Work that Reconnects) and Tarchin Hearn (Author of Breathing a Natural guide to Meditation) to name a few of the sources of innovative inspirers.

# What is the focus?

This is a Vipassana/Samatha retreat with increasing attention on the cultivation of tranquility. Tarchin Hearn offers an image of Samatha as…

“standing completely firm: solid and unshakeably present in the midst of whatever is arising.” The Cycle of Samatha, https://greendharmatreasury.org

We know that this unshakable faith, in the midst of whatever is arising, is medicine for the world we are living in. It is from this place we may glimpse life inspiring insight into the true nature of our belonging. We will be emphasizing gentleness, body work and integration through all of the senses and moving modalities.

The cultivation of insightful awareness is a primary capacity to realise human development in a healthy way; aware of the essential conditions of life, impermanence, interbeing and the primordial movement to harmony. We believe that cooperative wholesome self awareness is part of cultivating a thriving beautiful community of practice.

# Registration & More Information

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

https://wangapeka.org/event/bodhi-seeds-retreat-2021/

https://www.immeasurable.co/bodhi-seeds-2021

# Contact

Jaime and Juliana: jaime8ju@gmail.com

Service - A Means and an End by Keith Rowan **At

Service - A Means and an End

by Keith Rowan

**At a recent gathering at the Wangapeka the subject of service arose. There was some talk of how the Wangapeka is a place founded on the practice of service and is in itself a manifestation of service both in how it runs and in its very physical existence. I was asked to write something. Though I have nothing new to offer, perhaps these words will engender some reflection.**

If we think about it we can see that service is the very heart of the practice, regardless of the level from which we examine it. Service is generosity in action. It is not demeaning but, quite the reverse, is the basis for the development of inner strength and confidence and ultimately, liberation. One definition of service/generosity is “Giving what is of value without attachment.” We give what seems valuable to us without any expectation of something in return. If we expect something, that is called trading! So our valuable time, energy or resources or just our attention are something we can give.

When it comes to what might be called our Dharma practice, at whatever level, service is central. From the basic level, service or generosity, is the primary training, the antidote to clinging and the creator of merit.

To read the full article by Keith click here
https://wangapeka.org/service-the-means-and-end-by-keith-rowan/

I love this sign <heart> #retreat #meditation #bu

I love this sign <heart>

#retreat #meditation #buddhadharma

**Recent Retreat Reflections**

By Melanie

From “Where the Mind Goes, the Winds Gather” retreat with Gaye Rowley

I arrive, I feel anxious. This is out of my comfort zone but I feel a pull to learn and grow so I am also excited. This is my first retreat at Wangapeka and I feel the place has a strange ‘old’ wisdom, I feel like there is a presence of the people before me that have grown, reflected, learnt and developed.
Day one was a surprise! It was a day of sitting riveted to my seat as I soaked in the teaching, I couldn’t have asked for more suited learning that day. Off we went for some silence and once again a surprise – I cried and felt overwhelmed. The thing is, being a mum and a social worker, I am the strong dependable one, I do not need reassurance and rest. This is one of my constructs, I have built up this character!
The thing is I was exhausted. I needed to get away from worry, noise, action and busy.. So busy. I wondered into the garden to realise even more just how I busy myself and don’t STOP – I see weeds and tell myself not to work, not to pull weeds, it is ok to stop and rest. The garden gave me a lovely lesson and I lay down on the path and calmed my mind.
As the weekend rolled on I was given many more lessons and insights. I was given a book – Natural Awakening – huge gratitude for this book.
I am so grateful that this place exists in the crazy, busy world. It feels extremely important and precious. Massive thanks to Gaye and Jane (the most beautiful hosts and teachers).

https://wangapeka.org/recent-retreat-reflections-by-melanie-stephanie-nicqui-and-karen/

**The Toilet Paper Episode** Gaye (Dawa) Rowley

**The Toilet Paper Episode**

Gaye (Dawa) Rowley

Minds are like puppies. Excitable, inquisitive, sniffing off in every direction except the one you choose. Even puppies who grow up to take on responsible jobs like rescuing skiers from avalanches, convincing sheep to move through gates, or sniffing out contraband stitched into underwear at airports – even those responsible creatures started out about as reliable as a windsock in a hurricane. If you want a puppy to come to heel you must train it first. Minds are the same.

My mind was as biddable as a steer at a rodeo. If I tried to lasso it with a peaceful thought it tended to snort and buck and leave me in a cloud of dust. But I did believe in meditation and I wanted to give it another try.

Read here for the full article
https://wangapeka.org/the-toilet-paper-episode-by-gaye-dawa-rowley/

An amazing hand-drawn topographic map of the centr

An amazing hand-drawn topographic map of the centre.. Mike Elliots' work?

At the end of the waterfall track... Can you spot

At the end of the waterfall track... Can you spot the ruru? 🦉

**Recent Retreat Reflections** By Karen What a w

**Recent Retreat Reflections**

By Karen

What a wonderful weekend retreat to Wangapeka! The retreat was a real let’s-get-back-to-the-basics-of-what’s-important experience – both physically and emotionally. My husband and I were nurtured with love and fabulous meals; given the gift of so much wise, grounded and practical wisdom during Gaye Rowley’s “Where the Mind Goes, the Winds Gather” programme – all delivered in the comfort of a blissful fire and comfy chairs. Fabulous in the winter!

There was a lovely balance of doing Gaye’s interesting and stimulating programme as well as having ‘down-time’ such as going for peaceful walks in the beech forest with fantails dancing beside you; picking out books from their interesting library; and optional meditations in the beautiful Meditation Room (the Whare) with its lovely parquet floors, views down the valley and another delicious wood-burner. It’s extraordinary that such an amazing facility has been built in the middle of ‘nowhere’.

I hadn’t realised I was so hungry for all this ‘soul food’ in our busy lives – I came out feeling like I had been cleansed and ‘recalibrated’! I’m just about to see what other retreats are on offer there – an even longer one next time!! I might even see if I can stay an extra few days!

https://wangapeka.org/recent-retreat-reflections-by-melanie-stephanie-nicqui-and-karen/

For all of you who retreated at home <heart> Cheer

For all of you who retreated at home <heart>
Cheers to the shrine at home.

The colour of the trees in my yard are much different 6 weeks later.

#lockdownnz #onlineretreat #lovingkindness #compassion #joy #equanimity #meditation

Nettle Tea batches in progress!

Nettle Tea batches in progress!

Load More… Follow on Instagram