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Belonging

a 7-day Open Floor and Meditation Retreat

with

Jaime Howell & Juliana Griese

Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre

Inclusive, Responsive, Resilient

What makes this retreat special for us:

  • Deepen our mindfulness practice through dance, it is active, fun and fully embodied
  • Weave the intimacy with nature
  • Express joy and connection through chanting and meditation
  • Participate in rituals that deepen awareness and make potent the capacity for wholesome change
  • Find our real teacher (who is closer than we might think)

Why is belonging our theme?

We are observing that for many fragmentation, chronic busyness and disconnection are common experiences in modern life. Something has to change both for ourselves and the world.

Do you hunger for community, connectedness and confidence?

Belonging is living in a state of inclusive love. It is to be patient, attentive, willing to question and able to participate well with life in all its offerings and changes. This is our (at times) forgotten natural state. A sense of belonging is the hallmark of a maturing human being functioning well in community.

We invite you to give yourself the time to find this wholeness and full aliveness so that we can communicate and relate from a place of clarity.

How the week will unfold?

Daily Open floor practices will nourish your understanding and capacity to be mindful because it lands you firmly in your body, using music to activate and settle feelings and emotions.
We are going to explore and deepen anapanasati, developing our awareness through breathing.
We will practice together connecting with our ancestors, living ecology and sources of inspiration.
We will have moments of solitude and community sharing.

Facilitators
Jaime Howell

Jaime Howell is a movement and international meditation teacher. He is a graduate from the three year School of Living Dharma, followed by three years as residential practioner at Wangapeka Retreat Centre. Jaime has a Master in Education and is a Director of Rites of Passage. He is New Zealands only male Open Floor teacher.

Photo of Jaime Howell
Juliana Griese

Juliana Griese is a meditation teacher and mindfulness instructor trained by Mti. She has a Master in Biology and has been working for 15 years in the field of nature conservation and research.

Photo of Juliana Griese
Essential Information

To register for a retreat or programme, participants must complete the online registration form or contact our office directly. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit.

  • All fees are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include GST unless otherwise stated.

  • A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

  • Full payment is due at least one week prior to the start date unless otherwise arranged.

  • We accept payment via bank transfer, credit card, and other specified payment method

Dana is the practice of generosity, a gift freely given with no strings attached. In keeping with ancient wisdom traditions, the facilitators offer their teaching freely, and no fee for their facilitation is included in the course costs. The retreat fee covers accommodation, meals, and course resources, but not compensation for the teachers.

You are warmly invited to offer Dana as a gesture of appreciation and support for the teachings and those who share them. This is an offering from the heart, given according to your means and circumstances. There is no expected amount—Dana is about generosity of spirit rather than a prescribed fee.

Traditionally, Dana is offered at the beginning of the retreat by placing an envelope in the Dana bowl or box. However, there are many ways to express generosity, and if you'd like to explore other forms of Dana, please feel free to ask.

If cost is a barrier to your participation, Wangapeka has a Sangha Support Fund available, and you are welcome to apply for assistance to attend. If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to participate, please contact the course manager to discuss possible options.

If cost is a barrier to your participation we encourage you to consider applying for sangha support. Funds have been donated to Wangapeka to offer support for people who want to attend retreats and are unable to afford it. Sangha Support is for accommodation costs only and up to a maximum of 50% of those costs. More info can be found on our costs page. To apply contact the Wangapeka Office Caretaker [email protected].

Please remember to bring sufficient cash to cover your dana to the teacher (if you are attending a group retreat).

  • Bedding (pillow, pillowcase & 2 blankets are provided)

  • Towel

  • Personal items, toiletries, medication

  • Alarm clock

  • Torch (with spare batteries)

  • Easy slip-on shoes as all shoes are left outside buildings

  • Raincoat and/or umbrella

Winter

  • Hot-water bottle

  • Extra bedding

  • Warm clothing

Summer

  • Sunscreen

  • Insect repellent

  • Sun hat

  • Swimming gear

The Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre is located about an hour and a half drive SW of Nelson, New Zealand. Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps it, overlooks the beautiful Wangapeka River.

If you require transport advice or assistance or, please let us know when you register.

During your stay at the Centre you are invited to abide by five precepts of skilful living:

  1. to refrain from harming others

  2. to refrain from stealing

  3. to refrain from sensual misconduct

  4. to refrain from unskillful speech

  5. to refrain from taking substances that cloud the mind and hide the openness of the heart

We understand that sometimes plans change, and we are happy to offer a refund for cancellations made at least 30 days before the start date.

If a person cancels within the month before the course starts:

  • The deposit is non-refundable but can be used for another retreat within 6 months

  • Fees paid are fully refunded if cancellation is at least a week before the course starts

If a person cancels within the week before the course starts:

  • The deposit is non-refundable

  • If cancellation is due to illness, all fees paid are fully refundable on request

  • If cancellation is for any other reason, 50% of fees paid are refundable on request

If a person leaves the course for reasons beyond their control (e.g., illness, death in the family) during a retreat:

  • The deposit is non-refundable

  • 50% of the balance of any fees paid for the missed days are refundable on request

  • If a person leaves the course for any other reason, no refunds will be provided

In the rare event that Wangapeka cancels a course:

  • All deposits and fees paid will be fully refunded, or

  • Participants may choose to transfer their payment to another course within 12 months
26 Jun - 3 Jul 2019
1 week residential retreat
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
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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.

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