with
Di Johnston & Chani Grieve
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
Death isn’t just something that happens on one particular day. Death and dying are intimately related to life and living.
In this weekend we will work together to explore what it truly means to make friends with life’s only certainty. Through the practice of meditation, mindfulness and group exploration we will endeavor to become clearer, confident, open and fearless.
Join us in a nourishing and restorative retreat exploring what it means to make friends with death. Recently popular Death Cafes have helped to relax the taboo of speaking about death. Come and be nurtured and supported by the beautiful Wangapeka environment as we create a community of courageous conversations.
This retreat is suitable for health professionals, lay people, those new and those experienced in meditation.
Please contact Di on 021 025 35843 or [email protected] for more information.
“Most of us go to extraordinary lengths to ignore, laugh off or deny the fact that we are going to die, but preparing for death is one of the most rational and rewarding acts of a lifetime. It is an exercise that gives us the opportunity to deal with unfinished business and enter into a new and vibrant relationship with life” – from "A Year to Live" by Stephen Levine.
Inclusive of accommodation, food, cooks and resource fee:
This weekend is freely offered by dana/koha. You are welcome to offer dana/koha to the facilitators.
Di Johnston is a New Zealand Registered Nurse with 25 years of experience working with people and family at end of life and those facing life-limiting illness. Described as compassionate, creative and generous, Di also brings a strong commitment to meditation practice to this retreat.
Chani Grieve has been passionately practicing meditation and a variety of embodiment modalities for over 15 years. She works as a Feldenkrais Practitioner and Community Support Worker and is deeply engaged with the cultivation of “Awakening in Community” with her mentors and peers. Chani’s particular skills are in guiding people to discover for themselves the liberating power of working with the body. Both endeavour to bring life and practice alive through creativity, connection, compassionate care, and deep respect for each person’s unique unfolding.
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.