with
Bonni Ross
Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre
This year’s month-long retreat for experienced meditators will focus on the shapings of sound vibration. We will deepen our listening and feeling, explore the sounds we make, experiment with vibration that creates specific conditions for awakening and heighten our awareness of the humming of the world and the music of the spheres.
Central to this exploration will be the Vajrayana practice of Red Manjusri (Bodhisattva of Discriminative Wisdom) and his consort Saraswati (Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and nature.) The Buddha teaches that we all possess an innate intelligence that is more profound than we can possibly imagine. The objective of a Manjushri retreat is to make us aware of this profound wisdom that has, in fact, always been with us.
This retreat is for mature practitioners in healthy physical and mental/emotional states. A playful nature will be helpful and an understanding of the importance of wholesome retreat discipline is assumed.
Please contact the course manager, Chani Grieve, with any enquiries, or watch this space for more information:
We are also looking for a cook for this retreat! Contact Chani if you are interested in this position.
Bonni Ross began work as a meditation teacher and counsellor in 1978. She combines 30 years of study and practice in the Theravadan and Vajrayana traditions of Buddhism with motherhood, experience in holistic therapies and Western Mysteries and a 16-year career as a strategic planning consultant to business and government.
She helped to establish Kia Zan (a residential treatment programme for kids with drug-related problems) in Winnipeg; served on the Board and taught at Karma Buddhist College in St. Catharines, Ontario; was a founder of Third Stream Co-op at The Toronto Waldorf School; has served as Resident Teacher at the Dharma Centre of Canada in Kinmount, Ontario; and teaches in California, Australia and New Zealand.
She is founder and guiding teacher of the Sunshine Coast Retreat House near Vancouver, Canada.
Bonni’s classes explore both the philosophical and theoretic foundations of the teaching of awakening, as well as providing practical and pleasurable methods for increasing awareness, kindness and wisdom in daily life. She also guides individuals interested in focused meditation and leads retreats for depth unfoldment.
Articles by Bonni Ross are available in the Treasury, and you can also read about her on the Sunshine Coast Retreat House website.
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.
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