with
Bonni Ross
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
This retreat is now FULLY booked.
Please contact the Course Manager, Jane Hobday, to be placed on the Waiting List.
“All of space is pervaded with love.”
This gem of dharma is from Milarepa, Tibet’s most renowned yogi
and one of our planet’s great saints. It stimulates a question:
how could one flawed, frightened human being
experience something like that?
The Buddha taught a series of meditations referred to as The Four Immeasurables. The first one (on which development of the other three depend) is the Meditation on Loving Kindness, or metta. Our retreat will take root in this practice, which begins in a very local, personal place of healing. Gentle movement, creative expression and sharing with others will augment the work of formal meditation. There will be both group and individual meditation practice, and everyone will share in the simple, mindful, tasks of daily communal life. This retreat is open to all. Some prior experience with focussed meditation on breathing would be helpful, but not essential. Participants should be in reasonably good physical and mental health to enjoy the challenges . . . inner and outer . . . of life at Wangapeka.
Bonni Ross has taught extensively at the Wangapeka Centre over the last 30 years and is a deeply respected ‘Centre Elder‘.
Bonni began exploring the teachings of liberation in the early sixties. In the mid 1970’s she met her principal teacher, Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, whose direct, eclectic teaching and example are central to her life.
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.
A perfect opportunity for Dharma practitioners—both seasoned and new—to gather for a one-month Dzogchen retreat guided by Lama Mark Webber. Accommodation for this retrea...
The retreat is residential and the dates span Easter 2026. Chimé has also indicated that the community are welcome to attend, on a daily basis, on Easter Saturday (4th April) for teaching on...
Five wisdoms, five activities, five families - investigating awakened nature while learning and unlearning what obstructs liberation in predominantly silent retreat at Wangapeka.