The Guru Principle with Bonni Ross
with
Bonni Ross
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
Introduction
A message from Bonni:
“In over fifty years committed engagement with Buddhadharma, my teachers have met my longing for liberation by lavishly sharing lineage, systems, methods, concepts and opportunities to study and practice. Paradoxically, the potency of that blessing grows stronger as the body wanes in capacity. In whatever time remains, I welcome sincere practitioners, of any age and stage, to request work they need to enhance the requirements of the Path. This year’s program, in two parts, arose from conversations with sincere students. “The student creates the teacher.” May all beings increase in curiosity and question and find their way to living, breathing humans who embody the Teaching. If you rely on an AI Avatar to feed your conceptual mind with Dharma babble, please think twice about registering for these explorations. “”
The Guru Principle
This retreat will begin with exploration of the Seven Line Prayer of Guru Rinpoche. Each line of this extraordinary evocation of embodied, enlightened consciousness has potential to unveil mysteries that leave the conceptual mind (with its conditioned beliefs and opinions arising from states of hatred, desire and ignorance) behind.
Our final period of practice will engage with the Namgyal Sadhana in Three Cantos, revealed by Venerable Namgyal Rinpoche, whose teachings have inspired and sustained Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre for over 50 years.
This retreat will be predominantly silent. In addition to meditation instruction, opportunities to ask questions and individual and group practice, there will be time to immerse ourselves in the supportive natural environment of the Centre.
The terrain is quite rugged and participants should be in reasonably good physical and mental health to enjoy the challenges, inner and outer, of retreat life at the Wangapeka.
Priority will be given to those who can attend the whole retreat but if space allows it may be possible to attend for a shorter period, so long as you start at the beginning. Please contact the course manager who will register your interest, and let you know if there is space one month before the retreat starts.
Bonni Ross has taught at the Wangapeka Study and Retreat Centre for 30 years and is a deeply respected Centre Elder. The Dharma teachings she shares, both in the community and through leading meditation retreats, stem from decades of meditation experience and intensive study with her main teacher Namgyal Rinpoche. Encouragement from His Holiness the 16th Karmapa, teachings from many great Buddhist masters, as well as innovative artists, scientists, philosophers and mystery writers have fuelled the quest. With her partner, Matthew Eades, she founded the Sunshine Coast Retreat Centre in 2002 before moving to Nelson in 2017 where she has initiated, guided and supported a wide range of innovative ways to share teachings of liberation. Bonni is a mother and grandmother with a deeply practical, integrated presentation of ancient wisdom.
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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