DHARMA GAIA
Centre of Mindful Living
TheN... and noW...
Dharma Gaia was originally set up by a small group led by Sister Shalom — that was in 2001 some years before she decided to ordain. In 2004 she received Lamp Transmission (Approval to Teach) from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and in 2007 she became a novice, receiving full ordination from Thich Nhat Hanh in 2011.
Over the past 20+ years, hundreds of people from around the world have attended retreats and come to volunteer at Dharma Gaia learning and contributing to the energy of PRESENCE and practice. The Community of practice often develops new courses and ways of supporting deep awareness and inner peace according to the current needs of humanity.
Our focus is always centered on the deepening of our own capacity to live grounded in stability, peace and awareness.
Sister Shalom is the Spiritual Director of Dharma Gaia and offers retreats and training for our residents and retreatants. We are also blessed to be deeply supported by our resident assistant Teacher Seonaid Espenier and the long-term residential sangha. Behind the residents are many beloved local and national practitioners who offer their presence, time, and material support for our community.
LIVING PRESENCE IN COMMUNITY
In the earlier years, retreats and public offerings were the main hub of our work, but in the past 3 years we have been much more involved in offering long term training in the art of Living in Mindful Community. and through this longer term experience we empower others to live more mindfully with presence, joy and unity..
The Retreats
Our retreats are always grounded in Presence practice - Mindful Living, and from there can be orientated toward a particular focus. Some are weekend retreats, some for several days or a week and some are for longer periods such as our Winter Rains Retreat.
The Dharma Gaia Teachers also respond to requests to offer retreats for community groups, and organisations, particularly in the helping professions. These retreats are held at Dharma Gaia, as well as at other centres around New Zealand.
Personal Time to simply ‘Be’ at Dharma Gaia
We enjoy welcoming many people to spend time here outside of organised programmes and retreats, to simply ‘be’ here. People come for many different reasons… to have some quiet space, to rest, contemplate, be nourished by nature, heal a sorrow, clear the mind and heart, do their practices and even to have a quiet and centered environment to complete an important piece of work or writing. Some guests have a Meditation or Mindfulness background and others come with no knowledge at all, just a strong need for rest, peace and time to reflect.
DHARMA gAIA ALSO OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES TO VOLUNTEER
Details about these important volunteer programmes can be found on the volunteer programme pages here.
The great blessing of the Garden, the forest and the nature
The garden is a major focus of our practice. We know from experience and the experience of hundreds of guests that even the most simple work of caring for the garden and the forest is the work of healing for the human too.
We are not outside of Nature … we are Nature
The forest is a refuge… it welcomes all. The garden is a refuge …. welcoming all …And the beautiful walkways and profound sanctuaries on the land invite us home.
PHOTOS FROM LIFE AT DHARMA GAIA
“it is never too late to rethink
the choices we make
of how we think and live”
READ MORE ABOUT:
REGULAR EVENTS
RETREATS AT DHARMA GAIA
OUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME
personal-retreats
UPCOMING RETREATS:
Take a retreat in this moment...
This moment is the perfect opportunity to pause, to retreat...
INSPIRATION FOR YOUR DAY
Inspiration
