The Art of Compassionate Mindfulness with Dawa Rowley

Friday April 1st 5pm to Sunday April 3rd 2pm

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. – Martin Luther King

Sometimes it feels impossible to stick with love. Even as we sit in meditations for Peace, there’s a subtle war going on; an unconscious push against what we don’t want, especially within ourselves. Even when we share the merit for the sake of All Beings, how often do we consciously include ourselves – our own flaws, regrets, shame – in that compassionate wish? Compassionate and loving intention is often bounded by an almost invisible shield, a protective barrier whispering “but only for the positive, not the really bad stuff.”

By the same token, focussing attention on difficult states can be overwhelming. Classically there is a sequence to build the Loving Kindness and Compassion muscles up, before attempting to embrace really difficult circumstances or states.

Mindfulness is often seen as a tool for relaxation and de-stressing. And it is a very good tool for that. But it is fundamentally a tool of insight and can be used, not only to defuse stress, but to become strong in the wholesome states, and less swayed by difficulty.

This weekend we’ll be using gentle movement to experience mindful presence and expand the capacity for wholesome, healing states of mind.

Health and Safety Note

In alignment with Government guidelines and the Wangapeka Centre Policy, a Vaccine Pass is required to attend this course.

Costs

This fee covers food, accommodation, cooks fee and teachers travel costs.
Members: $222 plus Dana/Koha*
Non-Members: $242 plus Dana/Koha*

*Dana/Koha:
Dawa offers these teachings freely. Your course fee does not include any payment to Dawa.

In this tradition you are invited to give Dana/Koha to Dawa for offering these teachings. Dana means ‘generosity’ or ‘gift freely given’. Giving opens our hearts and minds to receive more fully, and ignites the spirit of generosity. By offering Dana/Koha to Dawa, you are supporting the flow and continuation of Wisdom Teachings.

If you wish to offer Dana/Koha for these teachings, you can place cash in the Dana box when you arrive at the centre.

For more information or questions: Contact the Course Manager: Kath Mitchell mitchell.kath@gmail.com

About Dawa Rowley

Gaye (Dawa) Rowley has explored meditation and mothering for more than 40 years. When she was four years old she nagged her parents into sending her to Sunday school. She’s been curious about all forms of spirituality ever since.

She has attended numerous three-month and one-month retreats and attended countless classes, urban retreats, courses and weekend workshops whilst raising a family. She has four adult children and 7 grandchildren. By necessity (and lack of time) she found a unique (often humorous) perspective on making spirituality a practical tool in everyday life.

She is humbled and grateful to have studied with many skilful teachers in the Namgyal lineage including Namgyal Rinpoche, Saydaw U Thila Wunta, Chogye Trichen Rinpoche, Cecilie Kwiat, Tarchin Hearn, Leander Kane and others. She was instrumental in helping set up the Queenstown Dharma Centre and is a past Caretaker of the Wangapeka Centre.

Registration

To register please fill out our online registration form

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Please be aware that the Wangapeka Board of Trustees has re-examined its COVID-19 response in the light of the new traffic light system. This addresses the number of people whom we can accommodate safely in the event of cases emerging in our local community and at Wangapeka, and methods for ensuring the maximum degree of safety for all. See the Wangapeka Documents page to download and view the details of this.

Photo credit: Erik Karits on Unsplash.

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