with
Tarchin Hearn
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
good at the beginning, good in the middle and good at the end
A 3-week residential retreat
The retreat is now fully booked – all huts and units are allocated.
- If you wish to attend and are happy to camp, then please register and note on the form that you will be camping.
- If you wish to attend but not camp, then you may ask to be placed on a Waiting List by emailing the Course Manager Mark Schrader – [email protected]
Primordial Dharma –
where love and clear seeing perfumes the ever-fresh gardens of our lives
and the lives of all living beings.
In essence, primordial dharma is an ungraspable treasure.
Fundamentally inconceivable,
yet good in the beginning, good in the middle and good at the end,
it mothers, holds, supports and cradles everything.
This ever-fresh dancing of creativity and wonderment . . .
Its what I am
and what I do,
this primordial dharma
that is also you.
It manifests everyone – continuously unfolding,
inviting investigation,
realised by wise lovers of suchness
everywhere,
blessed.
Five years ago, Tarchin crafted a poetic summation of the path of natural awakening in the form of “A Sadhana of Samantabhadra”. During this retreat he will use that text as a springboard for a rich and meaningful exploration of what could also be thought of as primordial dharma in action. The retreat will be a precious opportunity for people who have been touched by Tarchin’s teachings or writings to come together as a community of friends in dharma to deepen their insight and practice. Over the three weeks, through contemplation, meditation, mindful movement and immersion in the rugged beauty of Wangapeka, we will explore the meeting point of dharma, deep ecology and our place in the world.
Teacher, author and artist, Tarchin draws on the fruits of a life long involvement with Buddhist philosophy and practice, and a passion for contemplative ecological science. If you would like to do a bit of preparation reading before the retreat, we suggest his latest book “This Nectar of Naturalness”. Further information about Tarchin and his work, along with all his publications can be found at www.greendharmatreasury.org The sadhana text can also be downloaded from this site.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Five wisdoms, five activities, five families - investigating awakened nature while learning and unlearning what obstructs liberation in predominantly silent retreat at Wangapeka.
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.
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.