Saturday, November 21, 2009
Dharma Gaia Gardens
Coramandel, North Island, New Zealand
As you approach the gardens from the parking area, you can immediately feel the attentive love that has created this retreat.
Sharing a small isolated portion of the land owned by Mana Retreat, Dharma Gaia Gardens has a very different feeling from Mana.
Here the energy is introspective and vibrant through its simplicity. When entering the gardens you instantly relax and naturally slide into meditative awareness.
The care of the gardens is the living practice for these Zen practitioners in the tradition of Thich Nat Hahn. The gardens radiate with a grounded beauty that is simply not available in public gardens.
A handful of small chalets overlooking the garden are available for private retreat. The main house holds the large shrine room and dorms for retreat programs. Themes range from----
Although the center is Buddhist in background, all faiths (or non-faiths) are welcome. The shrine features a painting of Buddha walking with Jesus-- A symbol that can be interpreted to speak not only of inclusion, but also of the simplicity and importance of mindful walking.
The center offers weekly meditation to the community at large which features a sitting, walking, and shared tea. Also on this compact parcel of land is an area for the monastics..
Because of its proximity to Mana, retreatants are welcome to walk Mana’s trails and partake of their other services.
# posted by Retreat Finder : 11:56 AM
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