Kia ora Friends in the Dharma
Today in early February, the Wangapeka Cicadas are singing their late summer song, they were much more subdued during the January Guru Principle retreat this year—perhaps because it was a lot cooler than a typical January.
It is now four months since Mark and Kath took up the generous invitation from the Board of Trustees, to be Dharma practitioners in residence for a year. How fast the time is going—how true that our lives are short, and over in the blink of an eye, and so the time to practice is NOW.
The themes of Sangha, responsiveness, surprise and constant change have been in the foreground of our experience.
We feel deep gratitude for this precious opportunity we have been offered, to be here at Wangapeka. To offer our practice in all that we do, when formally meditating, when cooking and having a meal with those who are here, when helping with chores and in meetings about Wangapeka and the future, when engaging in the day to day ‘living well together’ with the humans and other life here, when in retreat as facilitators, supporters, and as participants.
We are housed in Triple Gem with our cat Salima. In some ways it is a very simple and ordinary existence, with an extraordinary aspiration and intention—to serve the unknown, to meet whatever arises alone and together with the aspiration to respond with greater Awareness, Wisdom and Compassion.
The community here has been constantly changing. Three windstorms have caused huge damage to the trees and whenua. Kaya, Mark and Kath have been the more constant people during this time, with Ethan as land caretaker for a while, Chris as a regular volunteer, Bonni and Matthew in deep retreat, Dan and Jacinta volunteering for a few weeks over summer, and many other members of the community visiting often to offer their service.
As we write, Nino and Sara, the new centre caretakers are settling into Bellbird with their cat Mitze, Flemish Giant rabbit Bun Bun, Norman and Rastus (who is still alive and joyfully accepting pats as he staggers about). Kaya is transitioning into new explorations, and still at Wangapeka for a while yet. There is a lot of focus on these relationships, getting to know each other, and how the Dharma’s arise and flow among us.
Then there are all the people in the community working to help the Wangapeka to thrive, such as the Board of Trustees and the sub-committees. Being here as Dharma practitioners, we engage with may of these people, and the incredible inter-being of what we call “Wangapeka”, is ever more fully alive in our appreciation.
The people coming for retreats and community gatherings have been so generous in heart and hand, attending to whatever they can do to help, in a myriad of ways. From deep cleaning the kitchen, chain-sawing fallen trees, to realigning the little stones that line the path to the Whare Waananga. All that people offer from this genuine love and care, feeds and nourishes the whole community. All actions seemingly big and small have the same beauty and power when they come from the heart of awakening.
We trust in this as we meet each day, we stay true to the practice and do our best to live and share the Dharma in each moment—not knowing what is coming next, or what might be needed. How could we know until the moment arises?
We have 8 months ahead to continue this exploration, to honour, admire and augment the Three Jewels to shine and manifest in our lives and through all beings who enter the gate of Wangapeka.
May this benefit all beings!
