You Have Arrived
Dharma Gaia Centre of Mindful Living is an experiment in living fully in Presence. It is an invitation to come back to oneself … to touch the peace and authenticity of life as it unfolds moment by moment. It is a calling to stability, clear seeing, wisdom and compassion.
“The greatest gift you can offer to anyone is your True Presence.”
- Thich Nhat Hann
Dharma Gaia
Experience living in Presence
You can join us in four different ways
Personal Retreat
To take time out from a personally demanding or overstimulated life, or for rest and restoration held in beauty and the community of Presence, a personal retreat at Dharma Gaia provides a profound opportunity to deepen mindfulness and self-awareness. Participants can engage in self-directed meditation and reflective practices, tailoring their schedule to balance solitude with optional community activities amidst serene beaches and forests. The experience is enriched by simple, nutritious vegetarian meals, supported by a modest financial contribution to the centre’s organic food pledge, fostering inner growth and environmental harmony.
Transformative Practice Period
Living as we do and receiving support and guidance to live more grounded, light, focused, and at ease, learning to release the body, mind, and heart from clutter and distraction, and to live simply and purposefully, a retreat at Dharma Gaia Garden Centre offers a transformative opportunity to cultivate profound personal growth through practices such as sitting and walking meditation, yoga, and Dharma talks, rooted in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh. Participants engage in a supportive community, fostering deep inner clarity and peace. Through these immersive practices, retreatants undergo a transformative journey, gaining tools and insights to sustain a mindful, purposeful life long after the retreat concludes.
Formal Retreat
Participating in a retreat at Dharma Gaia offers a profound opportunity to deepen mindfulness and inner peace through structured practices, including sitting and walking meditation, yoga, and Dharma talks. Retreatants engage in a supportive community rooted in the Plum Village tradition of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, with options ranging from day-long to three-month Winter Retreats fostering clarity and joy. The experience is enriched by simple, organic vegetarian meals, supported by a sliding-scale financial contribution and Dana offerings, promoting a harmonious connection with nature and others.
Volunteer
Volunteering at Dharma Gaia offers a transformative experience centered on mindfulness, where participants engage in 4-5 hours of working meditation five days a week, fostering skills in living deliberately and authentically within a supportive community. The programme includes a weekly "Lazy Day" for personal exploration or group outings, set against the serene Coromandel Peninsula, surrounded by beaches and forests. Participants contribute to the centre’s organic food pledge through a modest financial donation, enjoying simple, nutritious vegetarian meals while cultivating peace and environmental harmony.