Volunteers Retreat
Integrating Dharma and Work
Saturday 13th to Saturday 20th December
The Volunteers Retreat is an opportunity for those new to dharma and meditation, as well as those more familiar, to be guided and supported to develop your practice in the wonderful retreat environment of the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre. Together we will explore themes related to the first two Parami: Dana and Sila (generosity and wholesome relating). During the retreat there will be dedicated periods of silence and reflective time inviting you to connect more deeply with your own inner wisdom.
As part of attending, there is a commitment to join the work exchange programme (this subsidises the accommodation cost) and provides you with the opportunity to directly support the Wangapeka Centre and the valuable work that happens here. The work exchange has an aspect of physical labour. If you feel you may not be able to participate in this, please make contact as we will attempt to identify some other areas that better suit your specific needs and strengths. Ideally, the retreat will give you the chance to integrate your own inner meditative work with daily compassionate action – an expression of Dana (generosity-in-action).
This retreat may act as a doorway to longer periods of service and study at Wangapeka. We have a small community of caretakers, practitioners, and volunteers on the land. Participating in this retreat is a great opportunity to get an experiential sense of what it would be like to give long term service on the land. For more information on volunteering, click here.
Costs
The cost of this retreat is $325
This includes food costs, subsidised accommodation costs, and a fee for resources. The accommodation cost is subsidised through the work exchange aspect of the course thanks to the generosity of The Wangapeka Educational Trust
Dana
The Teachings are offered freely although you are welcome to offer the facilitators dana as an expression of your generosity and support for the Teachings. Dana translates as generosity in action – an act that empowers both giver and receiver – and is at the core of everything that happens at the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre. You can bring cash if you wish to make this as a financial offering.
The Facilitators
About Mark Schrader:
Mark has appreciated co-facilitating various Community-led Courses at Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre and has an extensive background in meditation and continues to keep a regular daily meditation practice spanning many years. He has a respectful style of teaching that encourages each person to touch into their own inherent wisdom. He teaches with humour and kindness. Mark began working in the field of Mental Health about 20 years ago and currently works as a counsellor in Nelson where he lives with his partner, Kath.
About Kath Mitchell:
Kath completed her first meditation retreat with Tarchin Hearn in1989. She has studied Dharma with Bonni Ross for over twenty-five years and continues to cherish this precious opportunity. Kath is a teacher and health worker. She offers meditation retreats, workshops and meditation instruction at Wangapeka and in Nelson. She loves to practice Dharma and study in community, because the wisdom of the group is a powerful and beautiful path to transformation; and that is always a joy to witness and experience together!
About Dan:
Dan has been studying Buddhadharma since 2012 and has received teachings from various teachers including Tarchin Hearn, Bonni Ross and Lama Mark Webber. He has been both a participant and facilitator of Young Adult’s Retreats and has a background working in mental health with youth. Dan has a passion for understanding insight through a contemporary lens, and finding new concepts and methods for exploring timeless wisdom in a modern world.
Information and Registration
If you are interested in participating but have questions about any aspect of the retreat, please contact: sapretreat@gmail.com
To register please fill out our online registration form
Register now
Please consider becoming a Wangapeka member – click here for details.