The Breath of Compassion and Pristine Awareness
with
Lama Mark Webber
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
Please note this retreat is fully booked. Please contact the Course Manager if you would like to express interest in attending. See ENQUIRIES below.
-
Deepening Our Understanding and Practice of Chenresig—Empowerment and Instructions by Orgyen Patrul Rinpoche
-
The Inner Yoga of Anapanasati – recollection of breath – a three-week silent retreat
-
February 9: (7-9 pm.) Orientation to the retreat and retreat conduct.
-
February 10-15. Deepening our Understanding and Practice of Bodhicitta:
- Drikung Yangzab Dzogchen Empowerment of the outer, inner and secret natures of Chenresig and group practice of the eight petal mani mantra that is uniquely practiced by the Drikung yogis at the Lho Lungkar Retreat Center in Tibet.
- Transmission & commentary of Orgyen Patrul Rinpoche’s The Heart Treasure of the Enlightened Ones, the practice of view, meditation and action. This remarkable text gives pithy instructions on Chenresig practice and bodhicitta from profound realizations of Great Perfection (Dzogchen).
-
February 16 to March 6 (3 weeks). The Inner Yoga practice of Anapanasati -The Recollection of Breath. Lama Gyaltsen shares in detail an ancient way of practicing Anapanasati, taught to him by the Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche. It is a rare and deep purification practice of channels, winds and bindu. It lays the basis for the gradual settling of mind into the natural unity of samatha/vipassana. There will be sessions on physical awareness practices to help balance the winds and channels. It is superb for generation stage practices and unfolding the Mahamudra or Dzogchen without support. Commitment must be made for the full three-weeks of this 2nd part of the retreat. Starting with group instruction that leads into individual guidance. Silent deep retreat. No cell phones or computers.
-
March 7: Empowerment and or oral transmission to be announced.
This retreat is suitable for both beginners and experienced practitioners with plenty of opportunities to ask questions.
Lama Mark Webber (Lama Yongdu Chokyi Gyaltsen) has been studying and teaching Buddha-dharma for almost fifty years. For thirty years his main root teacher was the great Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche who taught all three cycles of the Buddha’s teachings, including Abhidhamma, Vipassana in the lineage of Mahāsi Sayādaw, generation and completion stage practices of the Tantrayana and Mahamudra/Dzogchen of many lineages, especially of the Karma Kagyu and Sakya. Under the guidance and transmissions of the late Drikung Kyabje Ontul Rinpoche and transmissions from H.E. Lho Ratna Rinpoche, Lama Webber has been teaching principally the richness of the Drikung Mahamudra, Drikung Dzogchen Yangzab and Orgyen Nuden Dorje Dzogchen traditions, transmissions of pith texts of Padmasmabhava, Je Gampopa, Jamgön Ju Mipham, Patrul Rinpoche and Shantideva’s Bodhisattvacaryāvatāra a transmission from Amnyi Trulchung Rinpoche.
He has a deep and long-term interest in the sciences and collaborates in marine biology research and the arts which he integrates with the teaching of Buddhism. Lama Webber is a founding board director of the national ecological research institute IMERSS (imerss.org) Lama Webber’s compassionate activities demonstrate a profound commitment to freeing beings from innumerable suffering states. His emphasis with practitioners and students is on uncovering pure Dharma to reveal its extraordinary benefits and share the great joy of its deep study, meditative practices and integration into all aspects of our lives.
The Wangapeka Retreat Experience
Whenua Land
The retreat takes place on the beautiful Wangapeka whenua nestled in stunning native forests with expansive views down the Wangapeka valley. The land itself provides a healing sanctuary surrounded by mature trees and offering the perfect environment for reflection and reconnection with nature.
Kainga Accommodation
Accommodation is included in the price of the retreat, with all rooms being comfortable and well-appointed with single beds and electric heating. Shared bathroom facilities are conveniently located close to all rooms.
Kai Food
All meals are included in this retreat to support the your well-being and focus. Our kitchen team prepares nourishing vegetarian food to sustain and delight you throughout your stay. Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated and self-catering is also possible if you prefer to bring and prepare your own food.
Whare Wānanga Teaching Space
This teaching room is beautifully crafted and has been used for a wide variety of teaching for over 20 years. It has a wooden parquet floor and a pot belly stove to keep away winter chills. Set amongst beautiful mature trees, it offers a charming view looking down the Wangapeka valley, creating an inspiring environment for movement and meditation practices.
Whare kai Main Hall
The original building at Wangapeka, the Main Hall serves as the heart of community life with its combined living and dining room, library, and welcoming wood burner. Tea, coffee, and snacks are freely available here throughout your stay. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy interior or step out onto the porch to enjoy the expansive views, this space invites connection and contemplation. The hall also houses the kitchen, bathroom facilities, and laundry for your convenience.
More Upcoming Events
The Fives Retreat
Entering the Mandala of Wisdom Buddhas
Five wisdoms, five activities, five families - investigating awakened nature while learning and unlearning what obstructs liberation in predominantly silent retreat at Wangapeka.
Awakening Intimacy
Join friends, co-facilitators and intimacy explorers Camila and Ross for an immersion into the mystery and practice of intimacy. Flowing between stillness and movement, inner and outer, solitude and togetherness, we offer opportunities to give, receive, and savor experiences of authentic connection with yourself, with others, and the natural world.
Touching Grief, Touching Earth
A Solstice Retreat
This five-day retreat is an exploration of the apprenticeship of grief — learning how to turn towards what is difficult, rather than away from it; learning how to be shaped by not-knowing, restraint and humility as acts of reverence.