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DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240328T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240401T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20240121T202418Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240125T155111Z
UID:3935-1711648800-1711976400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Easter Weekend Getaway
DESCRIPTION:A Long Easter Weekend Get Away in Restorative Nature with Trish Swift\, Sharon Benatar\, and Pippa Cope \nThis weekend is open to all – families\, individuals\, friends\, teens\, and kids are welcome. There will be separate activities for adults and children/teens in the mornings\, and combined activities or free time in the afternoons and evenings. The retreat will be based on the Tara Rokpa Therapy approach to healing\, maturing the mind\, and compassion.  You have the option of arriving on Thursday afternoon in time for supper at 6 pm (4-nights)\, or to join in from Friday morning (3 nights). \nProgramme:\nKids and Teens Morning Programme \nThis will be guided by Pippa Cope and will include a variety of activities in nature\, exploring and playing with natural elements\, art materials\, painting\, and clay. There will also be some physical activities such as swimming and ball games.\nThe children/teens are welcome to bring some of their activities or games from home to share.\nSharon will offer a simple puppet/doll-making workshop.\nThere will be our traditional Easter Egg hunt and games on Easter Sunday.\nIf there are enough children and teens\, separate age-related activities may be offered (with some assistance from parents).\nIn the afternoons and evenings\, the parent/s will be responsible for their children/teens. \nBabies and toddlers will need to be cared for by their parents/caregivers. Please ask us about discounted rates for caregivers not taking part in the facilitated activities. \nAdults Morning Workshops \nFacilitated by Trish Swift\, Sharon Benatar\, and Pippa Cope. During these workshops\, we will be exploring our community and/or family of inner selves\, and our outer family/relationships using our creativity and ingenuity. Trish and Sharon will guide us in looking into how they interact together and influence each other\, using the analogy of the multi-layered Japanese or Russian dolls\, where the dolls nest into each other\, waiting to be discovered.\nFamily can be seen in the context of the traditional nuclear\, as well as extended families\, friends\, urban tribe members\, community and group members.\nActivities will include reflections\, visualisations\, playing and exploring with art materials and natural objects\, and deep guided relaxations. There will also be some discussions.\nThis a personal explorative journey\, with some group interaction in a safe space. \nAfternoon and Evening Activities \nThis will be your own free time! Walk in the beautiful Tara valleys and hills to the Waterfall\, swim in the Groot Marico Eye “Die Oog” (a natural wonder)\, practice mindful movement with Pippa\, star-gaze\, bird-watch\, or join in with singing\, music (bring your instruments if you have)\, and story-telling around the campfire. Or feel free to just relax and do nothing\, or to sleep or read\, if you have been busy\, exhausted\, or stressed out in your daily life. \nSome additional activities may be offered by participants. \nFacilitators:\nTrish Swift B.Soc.Sc.\, MSS\, M.Sc. Trish is a registered clinical social work therapist and is currently working in private practice in Harare. She has lectured at the University of Zimbabwe and is currently the Senior Tara Rokpa Therapist representing Africa. Traveling extensively throughout Southern Africa and Europe\, she is a widely sought after and much-loved facilitator and therapist. \n  \n  \nSharon Benatar is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice. She has facilitated life skills training and personal development through workshops and individual therapy for over 25 years. Sharon is a senior helper /certified facilitator of “Learning to Relax”\, and “The 5 Elements” courses (Tara Rokpa Therapy/ Back to Beginnings\, a therapeutic approach developed by Ven. Akong Rinpoche). She has run residential workshops at Emoyeni retreat Centre (Magaliesburg) for over 20 years. She facilitated the first UJ Honours Art Therapy studio work in 2020. She has facilitated mentor workshops in The More To Life programme. Sharon draws inspiration from Eastern/Western approaches to healing\, personal growth\, and finding inner and outer balance. This is supported by the creative arts (art materials\, image/symbol and poetry)\, deep relaxation and mindfulness/meditation. \n  \nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 20 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n  \n\nCost:\nWe try to keep the costs as low as possible to allow families as well as individuals to attend. Accommodation is allocated according to confirmed bookings\, and preference.\nThe costs include all meals from supper on Thursday (4-night stay) or lunch on Friday (3-night stay) to lunch on Monday. The fees include a contribution to the facilitators and an optional R60 environmental fee for adults but exclude staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  3 Nights\n  4 Nights\n\n\n  Adult\n  R3\,200\n  R3\,700\n\n\n  Teen 1\n  R1\,800\n  R2\,100\n\n\n  Teen 2\, 3…\n  R1\,300\n  R1\,500\n\n\n  Age 3 – 12\n  R800\n  R850\n\n\n  Under 3s\n  Free\n  Free\n\n\n\nContact us for more options including work exchange – don’t let a lack of finances stop you from participating. \n  \nTo Book:\nPlease click here to fill in our online booking form for each adult attending. Let us also know the names and ages of any children attending. \nA 50% deposit will confirm your booking.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/family-easter-camp-2024/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Play,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/©Souad_Herve-39-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240315T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240317T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20240116T163333Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240116T182056Z
UID:3913-1710525600-1710680400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:A Courageous Heart
DESCRIPTION:Our minds are naturally perfect but because of our obscurations and afflictions\, we have forgotten our true pure nature. The noble Tara is the embodiment of the swift and courageous compassion of all of the Buddhas\, and by invoking her energy\, she can swiftly liberate us from our fears by connecting us to our intrinsic courageous and compassionate heart essence. \nDuring this weekend retreat\, Lama Rinchen will give teachings on the various aspects of Tara and will lead us in the practice of her sadhana. This weekend is open to all who wish to explore the inner meaning of  Tara as an homage to the interconnectedness of all worlds and beings and develop trust in an open and fearless heart. \n  \nTeacher:\nOf French descent\, Lama Rinchen Palmo is a highly experienced meditation teacher who has spent over 12 years in retreat and has previously assisted with the supervision of the long retreats on Holy Isle. She is specialized in the Vajrayana practices of Tibetan Buddhism and has led many retreats on Arya Tara. She is one of the three Western female lamas who have been appointed within the Samye Ling mandala and is well known for her compassionate and down-to-earth style of teaching. She currently resides in Belgium where she divides her time between the Samye Dzong Brussels Centre and the Samye Meditation Gardens retreat centre in the countryside near the French border\, which promotes both outer and inner ecology. \n  \nCost:\nThis is a Dana-based retreat. The cost of the retreat covers accommodation and lacto-ovo vegetarian meals from Friday supper to lunch on Sunday. It also includes a supplement for airfares and a voluntary enviro fee of R60. It excludes Dana\, an offering to the teacher\, as well as staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Accommodation Type\n  Cost (2 nights)\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1\,500\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1\,700\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R1\,900\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R2\,100\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom:\n  R2\,300\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R2\,500\n\n\n\n  \nBookings:\nPlease click here to fill in the booking form. A 50% deposit will confirm your booking.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/a-courageous-heart/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,compassion,Contemplation,Dharma,Meditation,Mindfulness,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TARA-raw-image.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240223T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240225T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20240102T104534Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240102T104534Z
UID:3877-1708711200-1708884000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Meditations from the Three Vehicles
DESCRIPTION:It is said that the Buddha taught eighty-four thousand different methods to tame the minds of sentient beings because there were so many types of people with diverse temperaments and karmic tendencies. He taught the Dharma in three waves or Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma to suit the capacities of his students. These waves\, called Yanas in Sanskrit\, or Vehicles\, are the means to carry one to awakening because they comprise the teachings and methods that will carry us to enlightenment\, in a similar way that vehicles carry us to our destination in everyday life. \nThe first Turning of the Wheel\, or the Hinayana is the foundational vehicle and was taught by the Buddha at the Deer Park in Sarnath. Here\, the Buddha expounded on the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path. In these teachings\, the emphasis is on renunciation\, ethical conduct\, and mindfulness to achieve individual liberation. \nThe Buddha taught the second Turning of the Wheel of dharma at Vulture Peak in Rajagriha\, India. This later came to be called the Mahayana – the greater vehicle. The teachings were on Shunyata\, or emptiness\, and emphasized the motivation of the bodhisattvas\, who vow to reach Buddhahood to help all beings through the application of the six paramitas and the meditations on emptiness. \nThe teachings of the third turning of the Wheel of Dharma\, or the Vajrayana\, the Diamond Vehicle\,  were given in Shravasti and other places in India. These teachings revealed that Buddha nature is present in the minds of all sentient beings. The practices of this vehicle include mantra and deity visualization\, as well as the meditations of calm abiding and insight\, leading to the true nature of mind. \nUsually\, we don’t have time in our busy daily life to explore the different meditation practices given by the Buddha. During this weekend retreat\, Alan will instruct us on some of the meditation practices from the Three Vehicles\, and guide us in our practice. \n  \nFacilitator:\nThe retreat will be led by Alan Muller who took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monk’s vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. \n  \n  \nCost:\nIncludes accommodation\, all meals\, tea\, and snacks. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten-free options available on request. Cost is dependent on your choice of accommodation. The cost excludes Dana\, an offering to the facilitator for his guidance. \nPlease don’t let finances prevent you from attending. Speak to us for volunteer exchanges. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Accommodation Type\n  2 nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R900.00\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1\,100.00\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R1\,300.00\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R1\,500.00\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R1\,700.00\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R1\,900.00\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in the online booking form. A 50% deposit will confirm your booking. \nDeposit Terms and Conditions.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/meditations-from-the-three-vehicles/
LOCATION:North West Province
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Meditation,Mindfulness,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/HD-wallpaper-buddha-nature-lotus-relaxing-peace-meditation.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240209T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240211T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20240101T180326Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240101T184348Z
UID:3860-1707501600-1707674400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Speak with Clarity\, Listen with Compassion
DESCRIPTION:“When you are busy judging people\, you have no time to love them.”  \nMarshall Rosenberg \nWhen interacting with others\, we often find ourselves triggered and then communicate in ways that hurt or harm – ourselves\, the other\, or the relationship between us.  Our conditioned ideas of what it means to communicate\, especially during times of conflict\, frequently results in a loss of connection.  Judgement and defense\, as well as the strategies of criticism\, insults\, blame\, or put-downs\, are commonly used in our attempt to be heard or to meet our need to be “right”\, “good” or “winning”.  Despite our best efforts and intentions\, we habitually become “violent” with our words and then feel the pain of disconnection. \nThis retreat explores the principles and practices of mindfulness and non-violent communication (NVC)\, to foster connection and minimize the suffering of outmoded ways of engaging. We will practice both intra-personal and inter-personal mindfulness in order to cultivate skills of empathy\, compassion\, and a better understanding of self and other. Contemplative dyads are a way to promote social connectedness\, something that we are often lacking in daily life where our time is dominated by digital devices. Together\, these practices will help us communicate more consciously so that we learn to be aware of our feelings and needs\, make requests to meet these needs\, and stay open to the feelings and needs of others. \nYou can expect daily mindful meditation practice to support the empowering and enriching teachings of NVC\, gentle exercise\, and some downtime for rest and relaxation. \nAre you needing more time to refocus and reconnect? Retreat options available include extending your retreat to a 4-night break or incorporating the Weaving Intentions Retreat for a 9-night deep dive. \nYour Facilitators:\nLucy Draper-Clarke PhD is a mindfulness mentor and researcher-practitioner\, with a doctorate in Mindfulness and Teacher Education. She now runs Heart-Mind\, facilitating mindfulness retreats\, and supervising Masters and PhD candidates. Through the instruction of inspiring Buddhist teachers such as Rob Nairn\, Donal Creedon\, Jack Kornfield and Thich Nhat Hanh\, she has developed a daily meditation practice\, and loves to support others in starting their own. Her light-hearted approach allows retreat participants to learn through a joyful\, yet transformative experience. \n  \n  \nFelicity Joan Hart has practised meditation\, mindfulness and yoga for over 35 years and now teaches within these modalities. Her formal qualifications include an Honours Degree in Psychology\, international coaching qualifications\, and a PGC in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from the University of Stellenbosch. She is an enthusiastic student and teacher of Non-Violent communication as developed by Dr Marshall Rosenberg.   Her teaching style is interesting\, intuitive\, precise\, responsive and entertaining. \n  \n  \nCost:\nIncludes accommodation\, all meals\, tea and snacks\, and facilitated sessions. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten-free options available on request. Cost is dependent on your choice of accommodation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Accommodation\n  2 nights\n  4 nights\n  9 nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R2900\n  R3900\n  R7700\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R3100\n  R4300\n  R8500\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per   person)\n  R3300\n  R4500\n  R8700\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per   person)\n  R3500\n  R4700\n  R8900\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available)\n  R3700\n  R4900\n  R9100\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R3900\n  R5100\n  R9300\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in the online booking form. A 50% deposit will confirm your booking. \nDeposit Terms and Conditions.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/speak-with-clarity-listen-with-compassion/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:communication,Inquiry,Insight,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Writing,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/NVC-Retreat.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240202T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240211T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20240101T183903Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240101T183903Z
UID:3867-1706896800-1707674400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Get Set for 2024: New Year Retreat
DESCRIPTION:Do you need time to refocus and reconnect?\nAre you yearning to change direction or deepen your current work?\nDo you wish for a gentle start to 2024?\nHow would it feel to start the year simply?\n\nThis offering extends the Weaving Intentions retreat for a 4-night stay or includes the Speak with Clarity\, Listen with Compassion Retreat for a 9-night deep dive. \nFor the Weaving Intentions\, you will be invited to explore how to meet each moment of your life with clarity and care\, not just at the start of the year\, but each and every day. Lucy will guide you through practices of mindfulness meditation\, gentle yoga and expressive movement to awaken the senses and witness what is yearning to emerge. We will use embodiment practices to become receptive and open\, to attune and align\, and from this grounded place\, to touch into the qualities we wish to cultivate in the year ahead. During the week\, we will continue to practice together\, with more time for walks and journalling\, imagining\, and planning. \nIf you can stay for the second weekend\, we will learn how to use our words skillfully\, to put these intentions into action. The Speak with Clarity\, Listen with Compassion retreat explores the principles and practices of mindfulness and non-violent communication (NVC)\, to foster connection and minimize the suffering of outmoded ways of engaging. We will practice both intra-personal and inter-personal mindfulness in order to cultivate skills of empathy\, compassion\, and a better understanding of self and other. Contemplative dyads are a way to promote social connectedness\, something that we are often lacking in daily life where our time is dominated by digital devices. Together\, these practices will help us communicate more consciously so that we learn to be aware of our feelings and needs\, make requests to meet these needs and stay open to the feelings and needs of others. \n  \nOptions\nYou are warmly invited for 2\, 4 or 9 nights of nourishing practice.\nOption 1: The first weekend retreat (2 nights) runs from 2 – 4 February. \nOption 2:  A 4-night retreat runs from 2nd – 6th February \nOption 3:  A second 4-night retreat runs from 7th – 11th February. \nOption 4: The 9-night options runs from 2nd – 11th February\, including both weekend retreats. \n  \nYour Facilitators\nLucy Draper-Clarke PhD is a mindfulness mentor and researcher-practitioner\, with a doctorate in Mindfulness and Teacher Education. She now runs Heart-Mind\, facilitating mindfulness retreats\, and supervising Masters and PhD candidates. Through the instruction of inspiring Buddhist teachers such as Rob Nairn\, Donal Creedon\, Jack Kornfield and Thich Nhat Hanh\, she has developed a daily meditation practice\, and loves to support others in starting their own. Her light-hearted approach allows retreat participants to learn through a joyful\, yet transformative experience. \n  \nFelicity Joan Hart has practised meditation\, mindfulness and yoga for over 35 years and now teaches within these modalities. Her formal qualifications include an Honours Degree in Psychology\, international coaching qualifications\, and a PGC in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from the University of Stellenbosch. She is an enthusiastic student and teacher of Non-Violent communication as developed by Dr Marshall Rosenberg.   Her teaching style is interesting\, intuitive\, precise\, responsive and entertaining. \n  \n  \nCost\nThe cost includes accommodation\, all meals\, tea and snacks\, facilitated sessions and materials. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten free options available on request. Cost is dependent on your choice of accommodation. \n  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Accommodation\n  2 nights\n  4 nights\n  9 nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R2900\n  R3900\n  R7700\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R3100\n  R4300\n  R8500\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per   person)\n  R3300\n  R4500\n  R8700\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per   person)\n  R3500\n  R4700\n  R8900\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available)\n  R3700\n  R4900\n  R9100\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R3900\n  R5100\n  R9300\n\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book\nPlease fill in our online booking form. \nA 50% deposit will confirm your booking. \nBooking Terms and Conditions \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/get-set-for-2024-new-year-retreat/
LOCATION:North West Province
CATEGORIES:communication,Contemplation,Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Insight,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/TRC-Retreats.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240202T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20240204T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20240101T151231Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240101T184839Z
UID:3850-1706896800-1707069600@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Weaving Intentions
DESCRIPTION:Instead of setting goals\, making New Year’s resolutions\, and creating long to-do lists\, how would it feel to start the year simply connecting deeply with how you long to live? \nDuring this retreat\, we will explore how to meet each moment of our lives with clarity and care\, not just at the start of the year\, but each and every day. Lucy will guide you through practices of mindfulness meditation\, gentle yoga and expressive movement to awaken the senses and imaginations. We will use embodiment practices to become receptive and open\, to attune and align\, and from this grounded place\, to touch into the qualities we wish to cultivate in the year ahead. \nDuring our time together\, we will explore how to weave these wishes into a community of support. We’ll learn how to recommit to these intentions each morning\, through simple rituals and practices. By planting these seeds of intention in community\, we can generate the momentum to support ourselves\, by staying close to these intentions in the midst of daily life. \nThis is Lucy’s gentle invitation. If it calls you\, please join her for a weekend of nourishing practice. \nAre you needing more time to refocus and reconnect? Retreat options available include extending your retreat to a 4-night break or incorporating the Speak with Clarity\, Listen with Compassion Retreat for a 9-night deep dive. \n  \nYour Facilitator:\nLucy Draper-Clarke is a retreat facilitator\, mindfulness mentor\, and researcher-practitioner in the fields of awareness\, compassion\, and social engagement and recently authored The  Compassionate Activist. After obtaining a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education\, Lucy is now an Associate Researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. With a focus on compassionate activism and somatic meditation\, she works with those engaged in social transformation and healing\, to alleviate stress\, increase resilience and cultivate wise\, compassionate action. Nothing gives her more joy than supporting others to develop their own\, life-enhancing\, contemplative practices. \n  \nCost:\nIncludes accommodation\, all meals\, tea and snacks\, and facilitated sessions. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten-free options available on request. Cost is dependent on your choice of accommodation. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Accommodation\n  2 nights\n  4 nights\n  9 nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R2900\n  R3900\n  R7700\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R3100\n  R4300\n  R8500\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per   person)\n  R3300\n  R4500\n  R8700\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per   person)\n  R3500\n  R4700\n  R8900\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available)\n  R3700\n  R4900\n  R9100\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R3900\n  R5100\n  R9300\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in the online booking form. A 50% deposit will confirm your booking. \nDeposit Terms and Conditions. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/weaving-intentions/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Embodied meditation,Insight,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Intentions-Retreat.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20231215T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20231217T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20231211T175630Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20231211T180359Z
UID:3841-1702663200-1702836000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Waters of Renewal
DESCRIPTION:Join us for calm moments of flow\, reflection\, and renewal as 2023 comes to a close. Absorb the beauty of Tara Rokpa Retreat Centre (TRC)\, swim in “The Eye” (the deepest freshwater spring on the continent)\, walk mindfully\, and sit under the waterfalls. Let go and Refresh. \nTogether we will practice Zen in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh\, facilitated by Dharma Teacher\, Dr. Ava Avalos & OI Aspirant & Psychologist\, Ms. Betsho Mokgatlhe – Practice\, Open\, Relax\, Swim\, Chant\, Dance\, and Sing! \n  \nAlways Beginning – Always Anew \n  \nAva is an ordained Dharma Teacher in the Tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh.  She facilitates Tshedisa Sangha in Botswana – the first African Zen Sangha on the continent.  She is a dancer\, yogini\, HIV/TB specialist physician\, and AIDS activist. She currently leads the Botswana National Advanced HIV Care Initiative\, is a Research Associate of the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute and the Botswana-Baylor Children’s Centre for Clinical Excellence. Apart from medicine\, yoga\, and dance\, she does her best to keep up with her two high-spirited pups Rico & Raina \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nCosts:\nThe costs include all meals\, and accommodation from Friday supper to lunch on Monday. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 2 Nights\n\n\n Dormitory\n R1\,100.00\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n R1\,300.00\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n R1\,500.00\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R1\,700.00\n\n\n Single ensuite room\n R1\,900.00\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in our online booking form to reserve your spot.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/waters-of-renewal/
LOCATION:North West Province
CATEGORIES:compassion,Fun,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Spirituality,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/The-Great-Zambezi-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20231020T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20231022T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20230904T113528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230904T113810Z
UID:3829-1697824800-1697979600@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Letting Go
DESCRIPTION:One day a donkey was walking along the road carrying a heavy load of baggage. He became very thirsty and finally spotted a little lake but it was way down off the road. So he took the load off his back\, and ran to have a drink of water. When he came back the baggage was gone. In shock he exclaimed: “What am I going to carry now?” \nLike a donkey in the story\, we all feel attached to our baggage. We all have things that we could let go of and be better off\, and our journey would be that much lighter! But we are very attached to our grief\, pain\, disappointments\, judgments\, attitudes\, habits\, etc. Those things keep us stuck\, and keep us from experiencing being fully at home in our precious lives. \n“If you let go a little you’ll find a little peace\, if you let go a lot you’ll find a lot of peace. If you let go absolutely you’ll find absolute peace and tranquility.” Ajahn Chah \nLetting go enables us to embrace change and new beginnings\, and allows us to live in openhearted presence. \nDuring this weekend we’ll be exploring a process of letting go of our attachments. Our days will include meditation\, walks in nature\, and gentle yoga. \nYour Facilitator:\nVera Hey is a mindfulness practitioner and an experienced mindfulness facilitator. She uses the insight and awareness gained from her mindfulness practice in her personal life and in her career as a psychological counselor. She is a student of Rob Nairn\, international Mindfulness and Meditation teacher\, and has completed his facilitator training course. \nCost:\nThe cost of the retreat includes accommodation and all vegetarian meals from Friday supper to Sunday lunch. It includes a facilitation fee and a voluntary environmental levy of R60. It excludes staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  2 nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1\,400\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1\,600\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R1\,800\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R2\,000\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R2\,200\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R2\,400\n\n\n\n  \nTo book:\nTo book\, please fill in the online booking form. \nA 50% deposit confirms your booking. The deposit is not refundable but is transferrable to another retreat or person\, or can be used for up to a year.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/letting-go/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Insight,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Spirituality,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/WhatsApp-Image-2023-09-01-at-10.49.27.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230818T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230820T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20230624T172239Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230624T185732Z
UID:3789-1692381600-1692536400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Calm Abiding Meditation with Karma Zangpo
DESCRIPTION:Karma Zangpo will guide us in a weekend of instructions and practice of calm abiding meditation. This meditation is about quieting and stabilizing the mind. \nThis weekend is open to all\, whether starting out on the path of meditation\, or a longer-term practitioner. \nThe reason we practice meditation is to attain happiness. With regard to short-term happiness\, we usually mean either physical pleasure or mental pleasure or both of them. But if you look at either of these pleasant experiences\, their root has to be a mind that is at peace and free from suffering. As long as your mind is unhappy and devoid of tranquility or peace\, no matter how much physical pleasure you experience\, your mind will not know true happiness. On the other hand\, even if you lack the ideal physical circumstances of wealth and so on\, if your mind is at peace you will be happy anyway. \nThrangu Rinpoche\, Teachings on the Practice of Meditation \nCost\nThe cost includes all meals and accommodation from Friday evening to Sunday lunchtime. Please contact us for concessions – don’t let finances stand in the way of this opportunity. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R960.00\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1\,160.00\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R1\,360.00\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R1\,560.00\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R1\,760.00\n\n\n  Single-use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared   bathroom:\n  R1\,760.00\n\n\n  Single ensuite room\n  R1\,960.00\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R1\,960.00\n\n\n\nFacilitator\nKarma Zangpo is a South African Buddhist monk from Port Elizabeth. Zangpo first met Lama Yeshe Rinpoche in Kagyu Samye Dzong Johannesburg in the early 1990s when he was a resident volunteer\, helping with building repairs and construction. He spent eight years in retreat on the men’s retreat on Arran\, and then went to Sekar Retreat in Nepal for a further six years\, to practice and study under Drupon Rinpoche. Zangpo returned from Nepal to Samye Ling in 2021 and has recently returned to live on the Holy Isle on the west coast of Scotland where he is director of Holy Isle and the women’s and men’s retreats. \n  \nTo Book\nPlease fill in the online booking form. A 50% deposit will confirm the accommodation of your choice.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/calm-abiding-meditation-with-karma-zangpo/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Meditation,Mindfulness,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/zen-stones-in-water-therapy-k3qkrnm5eiq3yq6r.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230809T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230813T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20230204T180325Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230624T173118Z
UID:3570-1691604000-1691935200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Befriending Your Demons - A Women's Day Retreat
DESCRIPTION:Join us for this 4-night retreat from Wednesday 9 August (public holiday) to Sunday 13 August with Vera Hey. You are also welcome to come for a shorter stay – email us for options. Men also welcome! \n“You cannot defeat darkness by running from it\, nor can you conquer your inner demons by hiding them from the world. In order to defeat the darkness\, you must bring it into the light.”― Seth Adam Smith \nWe all have our “demons”. They are parts of ourselves that we don’t approve of\, don’t accept\, don’t like\, deny\, hate\, fight\, and do our best to conquer. What if we were to try the opposite? A different approach would be to invite\, get to know\, accept\, and turn into allies! \nDuring this four-day retreat\, starting on Women’s Day (9th of August)\, and ending on Sunday 13 August\, we’ll be meeting our “demons”\, giving them physical form via art materials\, conversing with them\, and befriending them. \nThis retreat will use techniques from the mindfulness toolbox such as relaxation\, meditation\, reflection\, gentle yoga\, and walks in nature. \nYour Facilitator:\n\nVera Hey is a mindfulness practitioner and an experienced mindfulness facilitator. She uses the insight and awareness gained from her mindfulness practice in her personal life and in her career as a psychological counselor. She is a student of Rob Nairn\, international Mindfulness and Meditation teacher\, and has completed his facilitator training course. \n\nCost:\nThe cost of the retreat includes accommodation\, and all meals from Wednesday (or Friday) supper to Sunday lunch. It includes a facilitation fee and a voluntary environmental levy of R60. It excludes staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  2 nights\n  4 nights\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1\,200\n  R2\,400\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1\,400\n  R2\,800\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R1\,700\n  R3\,300\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R2\,000\n  R3\,900\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R2\,200\n  R4\,300\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R2\,400\n  R4\,700\n\n\n\nTo Book:\nTo book\, please fill in the online booking form. \nA 50% deposit confirms your booking. The deposit is not refundable but is transferrable to another retreat or person\, or can be used for up to a year. \n\n“Insomnia is just another word for chit chat with demons during bedtime.” – Daniel Saint \n\n\n“Our demons are our own limitations\, which shut us off from the realization of the ubiquity of the spirit. Each of these demons is conquered in a vision quest.” – Joseph Campbell \n\n\n“Everybody has flaws\, everybody has demons\, everybody has ghosts\, but I think you watch people and you see everybody trying to do their best.” — Jason Katims \n\n\n“Sometimes the worst place you can be is your head.” \n\n\n“We stop looking for monsters under the bed when we realize they are inside of us.” \n\n\n“Sometimes\, you can’t defeat the demons you enjoy playing with.” \n\n\n“I can’t drown my demons\, they know how to swim.” \n\n\n“Some of my demons left me\, some are just asleep.  \nA few always travel with me\, others haunt me from the deep.  \nThe little ones are charming\, they are allowed to stay.  \nThe big ones tear up inside\, I just wish they’d go away.” \n\n\n“Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss\, the abyss will gaze back into you.” — Friedrich Nietzsche \n\n\n“Overcome the demons with a thing called love.” – Bob Marley \n\n\n“When you feel my heat\, look into my eyes\, it’s where my demons hide. Don’t get too close\, it’s dark inside. It’s where my demons hide.” – Imagine Dragons \n\n\n“She looked her demons right in the eye and said “don’t you worry…” we will become the best of friends.” – N.R. Hart
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/befriending-your-demons-2/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:compassion,Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Insight,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/st_george_dragon-16_9.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230407T130000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230410T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20230204T191152Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20230209T202613Z
UID:3580-1680872400-1681135200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Family Easter Camp 2023
DESCRIPTION:This long weekend getaway in the glorious autumnal bushveld will be facilitated by senior Tara Rokpa Therapist Brion Sweeney\, from Ireland. The weekend will be structured around the theme of  “Mindfulness in Everyday Life”. This will include Tara Rokpa Therapy methods and shiné meditation alongside specific mindfulness techniques given to Tara Rokpa therapists by Akong Rinpoche over a number of years. \nAll are welcome to the Easter Camp\, and to join in with the activities on offer. At TRC\, family is defined in a broad sense\, from the traditional nuclear and extended families\, and extends to friends\, individuals\, urban tribe members\, community members\, TRC visitors\, and anyone wanting to connect with the spirit of the Easter Camp. Children are welcome and there will be a morning programme for them\, including the traditional Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. \nThere will also be a chance for some caring attention to the body in the form of mindful movement. Other activities available include meditation\, walks in the beautiful TRC surroundings\, swimming\, mountain biking\, birding\, star-gazing\, singing around the campfire\, or just sleeping for those with over busy\, stressful lives! \nFacilitator:\n\nBrion Sweeney is a retired consultant psychiatrist having previously worked in Ireland in the National Health Service in Dublin. In addition he holds a masters degree in psychotherapy from University College Dublin. Brion undertook his own experiential training in Tara Rokpa Therapy under the guidance of Akong Rinpoche who had developed TRT to help people to develop their potential. He became a Tara Rokpa therapist in 1992  and thereafter worked with other TRT therapists helping to refine Tara Therapy. More recently Brion spent three years in retreat under the guidance of Tai Situpa Rinpoche.\n\n\nCost:\nWe aim to keep the costs as low as possible to allow families to attend. Accommodation is allocated according to confirmed bookings\, and preference. \nThe costs include all meals from lunch on Friday to lunch on Monday but exclude staff tips. The fees include a contribution to the facilitator’s expenses and an optional R60 environmental fee for adults. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Full Rate (adults):\n  R3\,000\n\n\n  Teen 1\n  R1\,800\n\n\n  Teen 2\, 3….\n  R1\,200\n\n\n  Children 3 – 12\n  R800\n\n\n  Under 3\n  Free\n\n\n\nPlease contact us for more options – don’t let a lack of finances stop you from participating. \nYou are also welcome to come for an extra night before the start or to stay on after the retreat. Contact us for rates. \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in our online booking form for each person\, teen\, and child. \nA 50% deposit will secure your choice of accommodation.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/family-easter-camp-2023/
LOCATION:North West Province
CATEGORIES:compassion,Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/e68a7b3601ca361b4b787ceb5538205b.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230217T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230219T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20221110T180206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221110T181640Z
UID:3296-1676656800-1676815200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Vajrayana Practice Weekend
DESCRIPTION:with Alan Muller \nPlease join us this Lunar New Year weekend to reconnect with practice\, lineage\, and old and new Dharma friends. The benefits and merits of practicing together with fellow travelers on the path are immeasurable. Alan will tell us stories\, give us practical advice\, and guided meditations. There will be time for walks\, chats\, and your own practice. \n“When you run after your thoughts\, you are like a dog chasing a stick: every time a stick is thrown\, you run after it. Instead\, be like a lion who\, rather than chasing after the stick\, turns to face the thrower. One only throws a stick at a lion once.” – Yogi Milarepa \n\n\n\n\nLama Yeshe Rinpoche has advised us to practice the first two special foundational practices of Refuge and Bodhicitta\, and Dorje Sempa.\n\n“If your mind is engaging either in the mantra or visualization then you will have the fruition. It’s not about numbers\, it’s about how you involve body\, speech and mind.”\nLama Yeshe Rinpoche.\n\n\n\n\n\nYour Facilitator\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThe retreat will be led by Alan Muller who took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monk’s vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. \n\n\n\n\n  \n\nCosts\nThe cost includes meals and accommodation but excludes dana and staff tips. Please don’t let a lack of finances prevent you from coming – email us at retreat@tararokpacentre.co.za for options. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R800\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1000\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per   person):\n  R1300\n\n\n   Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per   person):\n  R1500\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3   available):\n  R1700\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R1900\n\n\n\n  \n\nBookings\nTo book\, click on this user-friendly link. \nA 50% deposit will secure your choice of accommodation. \n\nTestimonial\n\n\n\n“I have to report on the most awesome dharma talk I attended today. Alan talked on How to practise meditation more effectively. I have always known he is\, probably our foremost South African Bodhisattva and have noticed how the advice he gives is increasingly deeply wise and compassionate.\n\nHis talk blew me away! I was totally transfixed the entire talk.. He covered pivotal advice of great masters and then drew it all together showing how it all applied in our daily lives. The talk was easy to follow and also very dense. It could have served as the outline for a longer retreat. The content was superb and the structure of the talk equally superb and aimed to get us to really understand what he was teaching us.\n\nI think he is a teacher who can guide us magnificently. We lament that we don’t have teachers. But we have Alan\, right here. He is gentle and humorous in his presentation and does not go for big drama. I appreciate this and I’m sure other people will do so.\n\nI am so so excited and serious. I believe Alan is the teacher (or one of them) that we are looking for.\n\nMaxine Fine
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/vajrayana-practice-weekend/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,compassion,Dharma,Fun,Insight,Meditation,Mindfulness,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/un205-896x580-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230203T170000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230205T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20221114T122113Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20221114T133752Z
UID:3535-1675443600-1675605600@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Imprinting Intentions – a New Year Retreat
DESCRIPTION:with Dr Lucy Draper-Clarke \nPerhaps there’s no need for personal growth\, to make a mark or to get ahead? Instead of goals\, resolutions\, and To Do lists\, how would it feel to be present without resistance and to watch life unfold? \nIf this sounds like the gentle invitation you need for 2023\, then please join Lucy Draper-Clarke\, who has been holding intentions retreats at TRC since 2009. Give yourself the space to focus on how you would like to be\, and to imprint gentle intentions as a daily life practice. \nDuring this retreat\, we’ll explore how to meet each moment of our lives with clarity and care\, not just at the beginning of the year\, but every day. We will take the opportunity to become receptive and open\, to attune and align\, and to resource ourselves for whatever lies ahead. \nLucy will guide you through practices of mindfulness meditation\, gentle yoga\, and expressive movement to awaken the senses and the imagination. These work to resource and rebalance the body\, heart\, and mind. From this place\, we can touch into the qualities and aspirations we wish to cultivate for the year ahead. \nHow many of us make New Year’s resolutions\, and then become disillusioned? For this retreat\, we will explore how to recommit to our intentions each morning\, through simple rituals and practices. By planting the seed of intention in community\, we can generate the momentum needed to keep our intentions alive in the midst of daily life. \nProgramme:\nAfter the first evening of introductions and grounding practices\, we will wake up to gentle moving and sitting meditation sessions in the Octagon\, followed by a healthy breakfast in the open dining area. There will then be an extended ‘Imprinting Intentions’ workshop before tucking into a filling vegetarian lunch. Participants can either rest in the afternoon or visit the nearby waterfall in Tara’s Valley\, or die Oog – the Eye. This is the 14m deep source of the Marico river\, and popular with swimmers and divers. Our Saturday evening practice will be Expressive Movement\, which takes us through a full dance wave; from finding Presence\, Expressing what we notice in our embodied mind\, Releasing blocks and old patterns\, then moving to Dreaming and Integrating\, where our future might emerge in the moment. Later\, we can sit together at the open fire and watch the magnificent night sky. \nYour Facilitator:\nLucy Draper-Clarke has a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education and loves to run retreats as well as support yoga teacher training schools. She has practised yoga for 20 years and taught yoga and mindfulness in Southern Africa since 2006\, while also offering embodied practices at Wits. While doing so\, she has been lucky enough to study with inspiring Buddhist mindfulness\, Vinyasa yoga teachers\, and Expressive Movement dance therapists. Her light-hearted and compassionate approach to teaching allows participants to explore their inner worlds through a joyful\, yet transformative practice. \nCost:\nIncludes accommodation\, all meals\, tea and snacks and facilitated moving and sitting meditation sessions. Cost is dependent on your choice of accommodation. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten-free options available on request. It excludes any tips for staff. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R 3\,100\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R 2\,900\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R 2\,700\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (sharing\, per person):\n  R 2\,500\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R 1\,900\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R 1\,700\n\n\n\n\nTo Book:\nClick on this link to book. \nA 50% deposit secures your place. This is non-refundable but is transferable to another TRC retreat. Do not let your inability to pay prevent you from attending. Contact Tara Rokpa Centre for scholarships\, payment options\, and volunteer trade opportunities. \nFor general retreat information about what to bring\, please click here. \nPhoto credit: National Trust\, UK \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/imprinting-intentions-a-new-year-retreat/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Insight,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/Imprints-sepia.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20221223T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20230101T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20220814T104909Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220822T122610Z
UID:3292-1671818400-1672581600@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Take a Break
DESCRIPTION:“What is this life\, if full of care\, \nWe have no time to stand and stare?” \nLeisure\, W.H. Davies \nOur Christmas/New Year retreat will be a chance to leave aside the stresses and busyness of city and town and spend time getting in touch with the natural world\, the elements as well as our inner world of light and shade. In other words\, give yourself a break! \nWe will have a light touch program that combines some exercises from the Tara Rokpa elements program with instructions in mindfulness and awareness. A chance for leisure and as the poet says ‘time to stand and stare. And sit quietly! Time to explore our life priorities and set the compass for the new year. \nFacilitated by Dónal Creedon and Pippa Cope \nStructure\nIt is preferable that you attend from the start date\, but you are welcome to come for part thereof or the entire 10 days. \nAbout Dónal Creedon\nDónal Creedon is a Buddhist meditation teacher with many years of experience\, loved and deeply appreciated for his warmth\, openness\, and sincerity. He studied and practiced with Buddhist masters of the Kagyu practice lineage in Europe as well as in India and Nepal. This involved many years of intense retreat. Dónal also spent a number of years at the Krishnamurti Centre in Varanasi as resident Buddhist scholar. Thus the radical inquiry of Krishnamurti informs his approach. \nAbout Pippa Cope\nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 15 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n  \nCost\nThe cost includes accommodation\, all ova-lacto meals from supper on the first night to lunch on the last day\, a supplement for airfares\, and an optional R60 environmental levy.\nTRC members receive a 10% discount on all-length retreats (if they have been members for 6 months already).\nCost excludes dana (an offering of appreciation to the teacher)\, and staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 9 Nights (Full Retreat)\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R8\,800\n\n\n  Single-use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared bathroom:\n  R8\,300\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R7\,900\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R7\,000\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R6\,100\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R5\,000\n\n\n  Camping TRC Tent (only for bigger retreats):\n  R5\,000\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R4\,200\n\n\n\n\nTo Book\nPlease use our online booking form\, which can be completed easily on a phone or tablet\, to book. A 50% deposit is required to confirm your choice of accommodation. \nAirport Shuttle\nDepending on numbers\, group transport may be organized\, depending on demand. The estimated cost is about R2000 return. Please ensure that flights arrive before 10 am\, to give you time to collect your luggage and pass through immigration. On the return trip\, the shuttle will depart TRC after lunch\, to arrive at ORT by 5.30 pm. Please book flights to leave after 8 pm. \nTRC will help with carpooling where possible. It is also possible to get the InterCape bus from Park Station to Zeerust (around R300) and TRC can arrange a lift to the Centre for R350. \nFor more general retreat information\, please click here. Or email tararokpacentre@gmail.com.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/take-a-break-retreat-xmas22/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Outdoor,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/P1190979.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220819T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220824T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20191119T211059Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220212T112334Z
UID:2061-1660932000-1661346000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Fearless Flow: Do Nothing…just Play!
DESCRIPTION:Creative Play Retreat with Anton and the HA!Man\nRetreat Overview\n“We only play when we’re in the\nfullest sense of the word human beings\,\nand we’re only fully human when we play.”\n– Fred Schiller \nDrawing on their extensive experience\, Anton and the HA!Man will explore awareness and spontaneity as ways of being present\, playing with creatively expressing oneself meaningfully in the moment.\nAnton will present workshops on mindfulness as creative practice\, while the HA!Man will use sensitive musical accompaniments to facilitate a raw and natural flow of expression. Anton’s focus will be on the word – writing and performing; – writing and performing; while HA!Man will explore sound\, music\, movement and visual expression. The emphasis is not on technical skill\, but on appreciating and enjoying our creative selves\, the playfulness we’ve been born with\, and the surprising fullness that lurks in the freedom to do nothing at all… \nAs part of the retreat\, HA!Man and Anton will also perform their duoprov show. They recently performed Fearless Flow on the Main Program of the National Arts Festival. According to Mia Arderne: \n“The honesty of improv\, can be balm for a worn soul…The cello is haunting and soothing. Your eyelids close like you’re going home… The languid sweeping tones are a big presence…. \nThis show will teach you something powerful…[it was] the closest I’ve come to real pause in a long while… HA!Man and Anton know their way in and around a moment\, a sound. To move\, they explain\, we need a point of stillness to move from… \n…There’s an honesty about the duo’s exchanges. These are two men who are very okay with being uncomfortable…Limber and nimble\, HA!Man dances… Make a little space. It’s ok to feel sadness\, fear\, confusion\, rage\, defeat\, whatever we feel\, while we hope for peace to come again…” \nRead the full review by Mia Arderne at The Critter: http://thecritter.co.za/?p=4499 \nFeedback from past workshop participants\nWORKSHOPS BY ANTON KRUEGER\n“Anton was completely involved and prepared\, good-humored and relevant”.\n“Everything worked out beautifully\, TRC is amazing!”\n“One brilliant experience\, Amazing people. Staff are the embodiment of friendly compassion\, Thank you\, guys!”\n“Loved all of it! Wish I could stay longer.”\n“The retreat was exactly what I wanted and more! I learnt so much.”\n“Thanks so much\, Anton – I’m inspired and energized.”\n“Left me feeling\, like: ‘Awesome\, I forgot I can do that!’” \nWORKSHOPS BY HA!MAN\n“The HA!Man provides a unique experience which should not be missed by anyone from 10-100!”\n“I thought it was absolutely amazing. I had no clue music could have such an effect on me.”\n“I enjoyed it completely. I totally scared myself and will be spending the next 17 years trying to analyze what I have become.”\n“It had a profound impact on me. His points made me ponder over what shape I want my life to take.”\n“I am a photographer who has recently lost my inspiration and this workshop has really helped to get it back. I have so many ideas and I’ve thought out of the box.”\n“Loved it! There is a need for plenty\, plenty more of these.” \nRetreat Options\nThe retreat takes place over five nights\, with a shorter weekend option of only 2 nights.\nWe start on Friday\, 19 Aug at 18:00. The retreat ends on Sunday 21 August\, after lunch\, (at 13:00) for the shorter option\, and Wednesday 24 August\, after lunch\, (at 13:00)\, for the full retreat. \nRetreat Facilitators\nAnton Krueger is an acclaimed writer who has won numerous awards for his plays\, poems and critical writing. He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Drama\, Rhodes University\, and also helps to run a Samye Kagyu Buddhist centre in Grahamstown. Besides teaching Creative Writing at undergrad and postgraduate level\, he’s also taught children at home schools and at the Michael Mount Waldorf School.\nAnton is a member of Mindfulness Africa and has presented papers on Mindfulness and Creativity in Shanghai\, Chicago\, India\, Sweden and Scotland. He’s also attended the Mind and Life Summer Research Institute in New York as well as Naropa’s Summer Writing Program at the Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. \n  \nThe HA!Man (Francois le Roux) is an independent performer\, workshop facilitator and music creator that has built an extensive network of support across four continents over the last two decades. With a classical background in music\, he made spontaneous expression his mainstay since the early 1990’s and is regarded as one of the world’s foremost cello and piano improvisers.\nAlong with his wife\, Belgian actress and multi-artist Joke Debaere\, they prefer to build relationships with local communities\, focusing their work on smaller groups and settings. The HA!Man has presented workshops at numerous schools\, home school groupings\, colleges and universities across the world. Francois and Joke is based in Stutterheim\, Eastern Cape\, with their 3-year old daughter\, Mira. Visit www.hamanworld.com for more. \nRetreat Costs\nThere is the option to join either for two nights or five nights. \nThese rates include all meals\, refreshments\, and facilitator fees. Non-participating partners who wish to accompany participants are also welcome at reduced rates. If you would like to come but can’t afford it\, there is the opportunity to do a work exchange. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRoom Type\nWEEKEND/2 Nights\nFULL – 5 NIGHTS\n\n\n Single use of ensuite room (2 available):\nR3 600\nR9 000\n\n\n Single-use of twin/double room\, shared  bathroom.\nR3 200\nR8 000\n\n\n Single en suite room\, per person sharing\nR3 400\nR8 500\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (3 available):\nR3 000\nR7 500\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person\, sharing)\nR2 400\nR6 000\n\n\n Dormitory\nR1 880\nR4 700\n\n\n Camping (own tent)\nR1 680\nR4 200\n\n\n\n\nTo Book\nTo book\, please use our online Booking Form. A 50% deposit will secure your choice of accommodation. This is not refundable but is transferable to another TRC retreat within a year. \nFor more general information about our retreats\, please click on this link. \n  \nCatch yourself thinking…\nAllen Ginsberg
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/play-retreat-anton/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Fun,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Play,Relaxing,Writing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/HAMan-and-Anton-bw1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220806T123000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220809T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20220526T095049Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220608T165620Z
UID:3394-1659789000-1660053600@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Courage and Care - Women's Day Retreat
DESCRIPTION:with Lucy Draper-Clarke and Mammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza \nAt first glance\, courage and care may seem like opposites: one tough and strong\, the other soft and fluffy. Explore more deeply\, though\, and they intertwine as the mother archetype\, offering us access to feminine wisdom. From the clarity that arises in the face of compassion\, the greatest courage emerges. \nThis Women’s Day long weekend offers you practices to heal and hold\, replenish and reconnect with yourself and others. We will explore the healing arts of embodiment\, meditation\, and creativity\, which bring us back into the embrace of community. For centuries\, we have gathered in circles\, around the fireside\, to tell stories and sing\, to dance and find the sweetness of silence. In community\, we become fully human. \nThis precious time offers an opportunity to return to the wisdom of the body\, which can hold us steady in the present moment. Communities have long known that to come together and move in harmony allows for healing of the individual and the collective. Utilizing breath\, rhythmic movement\, and a direct sensory experience of the embodied mind\, we learn to regulate emotion\, and become a safe haven for ourselves\, for others and for the earth itself. \nBy working with somatic meditation practices\, including gentle yoga\, qi gong\, and dance\, we will return to this miraculous home of ours. Once the body feels settled\, the sitting practices of mindfulness and compassion will allow access to the inner world of the heart-mind. \n  \nYour Facilitators:\nDr Lucy Draper-Clarke is a retreat facilitator\, mindfulness mentor and researcher-practitioner in the fields of awareness and compassion. After obtaining a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education\, she is now an Associate Researcher at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. With a focus on compassionate activism and somatic meditation\, she works with those engaged in social transformation and healing\, to alleviate stress\, increase resilience and cultivate wise\, compassionate action. She runs workshops and retreats around Southern Africa. As a practitioner with the Karma Kagyu School of Buddhism\, she attends regular meditation retreats to deepen her own practice. Nothing gives her more joy than supporting others to develop their own\, life-enhancing\, contemplative practices. \n  \nMammatli Thakhuli-Nzuza is a storyteller\, reflexive practice facilitator and an applied drama practitioner. She holds a Masters degree in Theatre in Education\, Communities and Social Contexts from Drama for Life at the University of the Witwatersrand. Her research area explores the tension between women’s personal well-being\, expectations and desires and the expectations imposed by cultural practices\, customs\, beliefs and norms. She facilitates community change processes that incorporate open dialogue\, deep listening and creative embodiment. As an accredited Community Capacity Enhancement (CCE) facilitator and trainer through the Nelson Mandela Foundation\, her work advocates for social development processes that are achievable\, sustainable and people centred. Her practice is situated at the intersection of theatre\, human rights and community building. \n  \nCost:\nThe costs include a facilitation fee\, accommodation\, a voluntary R60 environmental levy\, and all meals and tea break snacks from lunch on Saturday to lunch on Tuesday. It excludes staff tips. \nYou are welcome to arrive on Friday afternoon – an extra night’s cost is applicable. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  3 Nights\n  Extra       Night\n\n\n Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R4\,700\n  R750\n\n\n Single-use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared   bathroom:\n  R4\,550\n  R700\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R4\,400\n  R650\n\n\n Shared Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R4\,150\n  R560\n\n\n Shared Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R3\,800\n  R450\n\n\n Dormitory\n  R3\,500\n  R340\n\n\n Camping (own tent)\n  R3\,200\n  R240\n\n\n\n  \nA 10% discount for Drama for Life and TRC members. \nPlease do not let tight finances prevent you from coming – email us at tararokpacentre@gmail.com for options. \n  \nTo Book:\nPlease click here to fill in the user-friendly online booking form. \nA nonrefundable\, but transferrable deposit of 50% is required to confirm your space. \n  \nRetreat Schedule:\n  \n\n\n\n Saturday 6thAugust\n\n\n  11am -1pm\n  Participants arrive\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  1pm\n  Lunch\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  2.30pm\n  Welcome and Introduction\n\n\n\n  4pm\n  Workshop 1 Window of Presence / Healing Arts\n\n\n\n  6pm\n  Supper\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  7pm\n  Somatic Yoga and the Body Scan\n  Octagon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSunday 7thAugust\n\n\n  7.30am\n  Moving Meditation\n  Octagon\n\n\n  8am\n  Sitting Practice with Lucy\n  Octagon\n\n\n  8.30am\n  Breakfast in Silence\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  9.30am\n  Workshop 2\n  Octagon\n\n\n  11am\n  Tea\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  11.30am\n  Moving and Sitting Meditation\n  Octagon\n\n\n  1pm\n  Lunch\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  2.30pm\n  Trip to the Eye or relaxation\n\n\n\n  6pm\n  Supper\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  7.30pm\n  Yin Yoga\n  Octagon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nMonday 8thAugust\n\n\n  7.30am\n  Moving Meditation\n  Octagon\n\n\n  8am\n  Sitting Practice with Lucy\n  Octagon\n\n\n  8.30am\n  Breakfast in Silence\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  9.30am\n  Workshop 3\n  Octagon\n\n\n  11am\n  Tea\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  11.30am\n  Moving and Sitting Meditation\n  Octagon\n\n\n  1pm\n  Lunch\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  2.30pm\n  Local walk or relaxation\n\n\n\n  6pm\n  Supper\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  7.30pm\n  Expressive Movement and Fireside Gathering\n  Octagon\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Tuesday 9th August\n\n\n  7am\n  Hike to the Waterfall \nReflection Practice\n Meet in Dining Hall\n\n\n  11am\n  Brunch\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  12 noon\n  Closing circle\n  Octagon\n\n\n  12.30pm\n  Retreat ends\n  Dining Hall\n\n\n  12.30pm\n  Shop open\n  Office
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/courage-care/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:compassion,Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Meditation,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Grass-curl-copy.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20220729T180000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20220731T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20220523T181754Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220523T181754Z
UID:3381-1659117600-1659276000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Befriending Your Demons
DESCRIPTION:Working with difficult emotions in order to resolve inner conflicts. \n  \nAre you struggling with any of the following: \n\nFear\nAnger\nDepression\nAnxiety\nAn eating disorder\nDifficult relationships\nSelf-hatred\,\nAddiction\nAnd the list goes on…\n\nThe problem is that the harder we fight our demons\, the stronger they become. If we want to liberate ourselves from that fight once and for all\, we must reverse our approach. \nIn this retreat\, we will be learning to work with difficult emotions using a powerful strategy that will enable us to transform our negative emotions\, relationships\, fears\, illnesses\, and self-defeating patterns. We will also learn to cope with our inner enemies that undermine our best intentions. \nOur toolbox will consist of art materials such as paint\, pencils\, clay and collages\, relaxation\, meditation\, mindful movement\, and gentle yoga. \n  \nYour Facilitator:\nVera Hey is a mindfulness practitioner and an experienced mindfulness facilitator. She uses the insight and awareness gained from her mindfulness practice in her personal life and in her career as a psychological counselor. She is a student of Rob Nairn\, international Mindfulness and Meditation teacher\, and has completed his facilitator training course. \n  \nCost:\nThese costs cover all meals from Friday supper to lunch on Sunday. They include a facilitator fee and a voluntary R60 environmental fee. It does exclude staff tips and an R50 contribution for art materials. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1300\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1500\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per   person):\n  R1800\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per   person):\n  R2000\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3   available):\n  R2200\n\n\n  Single-use of en suite room (if space available):\n  R2400\n\n\n\n  \nReserve your place:\nTo book\, please fill in the online booking form. \nA 50% deposit confirms your booking. The deposit is not refundable but is transferrable to another retreat or person.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/befriending-your-demons/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:compassion,Course,Embodied meditation,Inquiry,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/IMG-20220523-WA0009-1-1-rotated.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220415T130000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220418T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20210124T192100Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220212T104229Z
UID:2813-1650027600-1650290400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Family Easter Camp 2022
DESCRIPTION:Easter Camp at Tara Rokpa Centre is traditionally is a family affair and a “come as you are” party. We define family in the broader sense\, including the traditional nuclear and extended families\, but also extending to friends\, individuals\, urban tribe members\, community members\, TRC visitors\, and anyone wanting to connect with the spirit of the Easter Camp. Children are welcome and there will be a morning programme for them\, including the traditional Easter Egg hunt on Easter Sunday. \n“To me a family is whoever I can depend upon for support\, to laugh with\, to play with\, and to share the challenges and rewards of life with.” Beth Lake \nThis will be a relaxed weekend in the beautiful\, healthy\, wide-open spaces of the bushveld with optional fun activities guided by a team of facilitators. The retreat starts with lunch on Good Friday and ends with lunch on Easter Monday. Activities include: \n\nPlaying with Art Materials\nGuided Relaxation exercises\nSinging and Body Percussion\nDancing\nMindful Movement Qigong\nRestorative Yoga\nMindfulness\nWalks\nSwimming at the Waterfall\, the Eye\, or the farm-style pool\nRoasting marshmallows around the campfire\nSleeping\nEaster Egg Hunt\n\nCost\nWe aim to keep the costs as low as possible to allow nuclear families to attend. The rooms are allocated according to confirmed bookings. \nThe costs include all meals from lunch on Friday to lunch on Monday but excludes staff tips. The fees include a contribution to the facilitator’s expenses and an optional R60 environmental fee for adults. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n Adults\n  R2500\n\n\n  Teen 1\n  R1700\n\n\n  Teen 2+\n  R1200\n\n\n  Age 3 – 12\n  R700\n\n\n  Under 3s\n  Free\n\n\n\nYou are welcome to stay from Thursday 14 April – additional accommodation fees will apply. \nPlease don’t let a lack of finance prevent you from attending – please contact us for more options. \nBookings\nClick here to book. Please fill in a booking form for each adult and child attending. This is to enable us to allocate suitable accommodation. \nA non-refundable but transferrable deposit of 50% to secure the accommodation of your choice. \nFacilitators\nPippa Cope was involved in caring professions during her formal working years\, and since retirement has been the manager of Tara Rokpa Centre\, until her second recent retirement. She now devotes herself to environmental and community work in the area. She is authorized to facilitate aspects of the Tara Rokpa process and is a trained Donna Farhi Yoga facilitator with a growing interest in the benefits of Somatic Movement. \n  \nWendy Newstadt is presently choir teacher at Parkview Senior and has taught music and dance here and in New York. She is also a performing musician who plays regularly mostly in and around Joburg. She is Orff Music certified. \n  \n  \nVera Hey is a mindfulness practitioner and an experienced mindfulness facilitator. She uses the insight and awareness gained from her mindfulness practice in her personal life and in her career as a psychological counselor. She is a student of Rob Nairn\, international Mindfulness and Meditation teacher\, and has completed his facilitator training course. \n  \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/family-easter-camp-2021/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Biking,Chi Kung/Tai Chi,Embodied meditation,Food,Fun,Mindful Movement,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Outdoor,Play,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/The-Best-Cosmos-Cultivars-FB.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220401T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220403T130000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20210210T161826Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220212T103257Z
UID:2858-1648836000-1648990800@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:A Mindful Break: Relaxing and getting in touch
DESCRIPTION:with Vera Hey \nA mindful weekend of taking a break\, relaxing\, and getting in touch with ourselves and our needs. \nIn these times of uncertainty\, the levels of stress and anxiety are particularly high for all of us. Therefore it is more important than ever to know how to enable ourselves to remain calm and clear and to enhance our ability to cope with challenges that are present. \nSo this weekend we shall focus on having a break from our busy lives\, relaxing and getting in touch with ourselves and our needs through being quiet and mindful\, meditating\, deep breathing\, mindful movement\, walking in nature\, and other tools from the mindfulness toolbox. \nThis weekend is suitable for beginners; no previous meditation experience is required. \nCost:\nThe cost includes accommodation\, meals\, and facilitation fee. It excludes staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1200\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1400\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R1700\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R1900\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R2100\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R2300\n\n\n\nTo Book:\nClick here to book. A 50% deposit will confirm your booking. \nYour facilitator:\n\n\nVera Hey is a mindfulness practitioner and an experienced mindfulness facilitator. She uses the insight and awareness gained from her mindfulness practice in her personal life and in her career as a psychological counselor. She is a student of Rob Nairn\, international Mindfulness and Meditation teacher\, and has completed his facilitator training course.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/a-mindful-weekend/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:compassion,Inquiry,Mindfulness,Relaxing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/4aa710_c3fb6fa3be6e492bbfc293414b8b0890_mv2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220318T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220321T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20220111T160004Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20220116T170941Z
UID:3128-1647626400-1647871200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Loving Awareness
DESCRIPTION:with Lucy Draper-Clarke \nAs you step into this new year\, what needs your loving awareness? A relationship\, a project\,\nyour work\, home\, or family? You may be holding sorrow for the past or anxiety about the\nfuture. The best place to start is bringing caring attention to your own body\, heart\, and mind.\nTime away\, and time in\, can return you to the ease and joy of the present moment. \nThis 3-night retreat is an invitation to reflect and refocus\, as we reimagine a world that is\nbuilt on an ethic of care. Lucy will guide you through embodied awareness practices\, including yoga\, qi gong\, and expressive movement\, to prepare the heart-mind for meditation. \n  \n\n  \nThen we’ll sit together and cultivate the innate qualities of being human – love\, compassion\, joy\, and equanimity. Finally\, you can explore how to integrate these experiences into daily life. \nPrevious retreat participants had this to say about Lucy: \n“Lucy brings to mindful movement her special warmth and generosity\, together with the\nqualities of a very skilled teacher. She creates an environment of complete kindness and\ngentleness which in turn enables both the beginner and the more experienced to feel trulywelcome.” Carolyn Pollack \n“Lucy is a warm\, wise\, and wonderful teacher\, embodying fully the heart-mind connections she gently encourages in others. What she offers comes directly from her heart\, enabling her to provide exactly what is needed spontaneously in the moment.” Joanna Monaghan \nCost\nThe costs include the facilitation fee\, accommodation\, a voluntary R60 environmental levy\, and all meals and tea break snacks from supper on the day of your arrival\, until lunch on the day of departure. It excludes staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   3 Nights\n   2 Nights\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n    R4\,000\n    R3\,100\n\n\n  Single-use of twin/double room\, shared   bathroom:\n    R3\,800\n    R3\,000\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n    R3\,700\n    R2\,900\n\n\n  Shared Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n    R3\,400\n    R2\,700\n\n\n  Shared Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n    R3\,000\n    R2\,400\n\n\n  Dormitory\n    R2\,700\n    R2\,200\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n    R2\,400\n    R2\,000\n\n\n\nPlease do not let tight finances prevent you from coming – email us at tararokpacentre@gmail.com. \nBookings\nPlease click here to fill in the user-friendly online booking form. \nA nonrefundable\, but transferrable deposit of 50% is required to confirm your space. \nYour facilitator\nLucy Draper-Clarke has a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education and loves to run retreats as well as support yoga teacher training schools. She has practised yoga for 20 years and taught yoga and mindfulness in Southern Africa since 2006\, while also offering embodied practices at Wits. While doing so\, she has been lucky enough to study with inspiring Buddhist mindfulness\, Vinyasa yoga teachers\, and Expressive Movement dance therapists. Her light-hearted and compassionate approach to teaching allows participants to explore their inner worlds through a joyful\, yet transformative practice. \n  \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/loving-awareness/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:compassion,Embodied meditation,Food,Fun,Inquiry,Insight,Mindfulness,Music and Rythm,Relaxing,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/greg-rakozy-oMpAz-DN-9I-unsplash.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Heart-Mind":MAILTO:lucyheartmind@gmail.com
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211226T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20220102T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20210725T145233Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211120T085023Z
UID:2959-1640541600-1641146400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:The Value of Meditation in Challenging Times
DESCRIPTION:Theme\nEach of us has the potential to be whole and free\, but few of us realise this potential. Many of us go through our lives under a spell of imperfection – thinking and feeling that things are not right with us and life never really hits the spot. There is a gnawing feeling of dissatisfaction that the Buddha called dukkha.\nThis is not surprising because we live in a disjointed society that does not promote wholeness and connection; and many of us struggle with our own psychology and suffer lifelong effects of disconnection\, trauma\, and addiction in subtle and pervasive ways.\nYet we can work with this situation and gradually come to know and feel that part of us that was always undamaged and free – what is called Buddha Nature in Buddhism. Yet it takes trust and patient work.\nChoden will draw on his experience of meditation over many years and will offer insights and methods that cover the full range of experiential mind training: mindfulness\, compassion\, insight\, and wisdom.\nHe will offer practical skills to help people relate skilfully to difficult issues and blocks within themselves – beginning to break the spell of imperfection – whilst also offering methods for cultivating positive\, life-affirming resources that bring us closer to our Buddha Nature within. He will also offer some advice on how to carry our practice into daily life and make challenging life conditions part of our meditation practice. \nStructure\nThis will be a light retreat since it is taking place over the Xmas/New Year period. There will be structured teaching and practice sessions with a long break in the afternoons for people to go on nature walks. We will be including periods of silence in the mornings. \nThere will be a late-night Chenrezig practice on New Year’s Eve and see in the New Year together. Chenrezig is a Tibetan Buddhist chanting and mantra practice. We will also do this practice together every evening and offer simple instructions on how to do it. This part will be optional. \nPeople may attend the whole retreat or part thereof. The preferred option is for all participants to arrive on Sunday 26 December\, and then to leave earlier\, if needed. Alternatively\, if you want to come for the New Year’s weekend\, you are welcome to arrive on Thursday 30 December at 6 pm\, and depart on Sunday 2 January. This is to minimise the disruption of arrivals to the retreat atmosphere. \nFacilitators:\nA monk within the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism\, Choden (aka Sean Mc Govern) completed a three-year\, three-month retreat in 1997 and has been a practising Buddhist since 1985. He is originally from South Africa where he trained as a lawyer and learned meditation under the guidance of Rob Nairn\, an internationally renowned Buddhist teacher. He is now involved in developing secular mindfulness and compassion programmes drawing upon the wisdom and methods of the Buddhist tradition\, as well as contemporary insights from psychology and neuroscience. He is an honorary fellow of the University of Aberdeen and teaches on their Postgraduate Study Programme in Mindfulness (MSc) that is the first of its kind to include compassion in its curriculum. He co-wrote a book with Paul Gilbert in 2013\, ‘Mindful Compassion’ that explores the interface between Buddhist and Evolutionary approaches to compassion training. He is also the co-author of two other books: ‘Mindfulness Based Living Course’ (2018)\, and ‘From Mindfulness to Insight’ (2019). In 2016 he completed a one-year retreat focused on the foundation practices of Tibetan Buddhism \nCost\nThe costs include accommodation\, all meals from supper on the day of arrival\, to lunch on the last day\, an optional environmental fee of R60\, and a surcharge for flight costs. \nThese costs exclude dana for the facilitators and staff tips. Dana boxes will be put out on the last day of the retreat for your offerings. \nPlease don’t let a lack of finances prevent you from attending – contact us at tararokpacentre@gmail.com. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n   Accommodation Type\n 7 Nights\n 3 Nights\n\n\n Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n R6700\n R3100\n\n\n Single-use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared bathroom:\n R6500\n R2900\n\n\n Single en suite room (only 1 available)\n R6500\n R2900\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R6200\n R2800\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n R5500\n R2500\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n R4800\n R2200\n\n\n Dormitory\n R4000\n R1800\n\n\n Camping (own tent)\n R3300\n R1500\n\n\n\n  \nBookings\nPlease fill in the online form to book. \nA 50% deposit will confirm your choice of room. The deposit is non-refundable but is transferrable to another retreat. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/the-value-of-meditation-in-challenging-times/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Insight,Meditation,Mindfulness
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/©Souad_Herve-39-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211215T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211219T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20211003T152027Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20211003T152524Z
UID:3039-1639591200-1639936800@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Living Compassionately in Challenging Times
DESCRIPTION:If we wish to find lasting happiness\, we need to look at how to tame the mind and uncover our compassionate nature. We are so lucky to still be able to access the wisdom of ancient Tibetan masters\, whose advice is very relevant in today’s degenerate times. The text The Eight verses for Training the Mind by Langri Tangpa points to how to tame our minds and work compassionately with others. \n“Some people recite the Eight Verses only as a prayer or aspiration\, but that was not Geshe Langri Thangpa’s intention. He envisioned the text being used as a handbook for the practice of mind training. In these verses\, he tells us precisely what we have to do.” Quote from HH 17th Karmapa. \nAlan will guide us through this text\, and we will look at various commentaries and do guided meditations associated with the text. \nDuring this compassion-based retreat\, Pippa will offer daily sessions of voluntary attendance of: \n\nExercises based on compassion\, taken from the Tara Rokpa Therapy Process. This is a healing process steered by the late Akong Rinpoche and a team of western doctors and therapists which amalgamates the ancient wisdom of Tibetan Healing with Western Therapies.\nGentle Movement based on restorative yoga\, and gentle somatics. These exercises can be done by anyone\, and are adaptable to anyone interested in exploring the inward body/mind connections.\n\nThere will also be time to do your own thing\, take walks\, star-gaze around the campfire\, swim\, and relax. \nFacilitators:\nAlan Muller who took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monk’s vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. \n  \nPippa Cope has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for over 20 years and has offered courses both in SA \, Zimbabwe and Canada. She has also been involved with yoga for over 20 years. Pippa is certified by an\ninternationally acclaimed Yoga teacher -Donna Fahri \, and has followed Somatic movement since being introduced to it over 4 years ago. \n  \nCosts:\nThis is a dana-based retreat\, and the costs include meals\, teas\, and accommodation. It excludes a monetary offering for the facilitators and staff tips. Please contact us if you have financial constraints\, but would like to attend. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n R2900\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n R2500\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R3300\n\n\n Single use of twin/double room (if space available)\, shared  bathroom:\n R3500\n\n\n Single use of ensuite room (if space available):\n R3700\n\n\n Single en suite room\n R3500\n\n\n Dormitory\n R2000\n\n\n Camping (own tent)\n R1600\n\n\n\n  \nTo Book:\nPlease fill in the online booking form here. \nA 50 % deposit\, non-refundable\, but transferrable\, will secure the accommodation of your choice.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/living-compassionately-in-challenging-times/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,compassion,Dharma,Fun,Inquiry,Meditation,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Tara Rokpa Therapy,Walking
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/heart-700141_1280-1024x683-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211119T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20211121T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20210912T201637Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210912T202408Z
UID:3026-1637344800-1637503200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Contemplative Photography
DESCRIPTION:Join Martin for a weekend exploring photography as part of a contemplative practice. Develop strategies to express yourself with a camera and discover what it is you wish to express. From a cell phone to a large format film camera\, any imaging device is welcome.\n\nThe retreat will not be focused on the technical aspects of photography but Martin will do his best to help with any technical challenges you may be having.\n\nThere will be time for relaxation\, reflection\, meditation\, and exploring the natural surroundings.\n\n\nFacilitator:\n\n\nMartin Kristiansen has been involved in photography since 1976 and is still earning a living as a photographer. Buddhism has directed his photography and life since 2001.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  \n  \n\nCosts:\nThis retreat is a dana based retreat – the costs are for your choice of accommodation and meals\, and includes a (voluntary environmental levy of R60). Dana (an offering to the facilitator) and staff tips are extra.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n R800\n\n\n  Dormitory\n R1000\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per   person):\n R1300\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per   person):\n R1500\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3   available):\n R1700\n\n\n  Single-use of ensuite room (if space available):\n R1900\n\n\n\n\n\nTo Book:\nClick here to go to our online booking form.\nA 50% deposit will confirm the accommodation of your choice.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/contemplative-photography/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Course,Inquiry,Mindfulness,Photography,Relaxing
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/IMG-20210912-WA0004.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210923T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210926T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20210822T203940Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210822T204248Z
UID:2989-1632420000-1632679200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Bringing the Mind to Rest - Alan Muller
DESCRIPTION:“If\, when relaxed completely\, one observes what happens\, this very act in itself produces strength” – Jetsun Milarepa \nA long weekend of guided meditations\, contemplations\, and exploring the above Milarepa quote. \nThere will be time to relax or go for walks\, or to just be. \nMilarepa was is Tibet’s most famous yogi. As a youth\, he practised black magic and killed many enemies of his family. Later\, feeling remorseful\, he met his Guru Marpa and underwent great hardships\, wearing only a simple cotton cloth and sustaining himself on nettles while meditating in high mountain caves\, with such fierce determination that he gained the supreme accomplishment within that very lifetime. He gave secret mantra vehicle instructions to his disciples and composed many songs of realisation. \nFacilitator:\nThe retreat will be led by Alan Muller who took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monk’s vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. He has formed Ngondro groups since 2004 around Southern Africa. \nCost:\nThe cost includes accommodation\, meals from Thursday evening to Sunday lunch\, and a voluntary enviromental levy. It excludes dana for Alan\, and staff tips. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R1200\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1500\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per   person):\n  R1900\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per   person):\n  R2200\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3   available):\n  R2500\n\n\n  Single use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R2800\n\n\n\nPlease don’t let a lack of funds prevent you from attending the retreat – please speak to us about a work exchange – tararokpacentre@gmail.com. \nBookings:\nPlease complete the online booking form. \nA 50% deposit will confirm your choice of accommodation.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/bringing-the-mind-to-rest-alan-muller/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Meditation,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/sunrise-hands.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210416T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210418T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20210307T144303Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210310T084721Z
UID:2910-1618596000-1618754400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Insight Retreat : Working Creatively with Negative Emotions - Choden
DESCRIPTION:Many people relentlessly battle with their emotions and end up leading conflicted and unhappy lives. But this does not have to be the case. In Buddhism the negative emotions are described as ‘mind poisons’\, but the poison contains hidden gold.\nThis retreat will focus on working creatively with the negative emotions that afflict us. It will be drawn from the Tibetan Buddhist approach of learning to recognise and express the wisdom nature of our emotions. The view here is that our emotions are a source of vitality that can enliven and enrich our lives. The key is how we relate to them: either they can fuel an inner storm of conflict and suffering or they can fuel a path of inner abundance and waking up.\nChoden will offer a path to working with the afflictive emotions of fear\, anger\, desire\, jealousy\, pride and ignorance. These are like the primary colours of our emotional life which\, when combined\, result in the rich variety of emotions we feel.\nThe path of practice will be to recognise when these emotions are triggered and how they feel within us. This is a mindfulness skill. Next\, we turn to look at the mind that is afflicted by anger or desire\, for example\, and see its empty and insubstantial nature. This is a key insight skill. We then apply the antidote of compassion drawn from the 4 Immeasurable Qualities (loving kindness\, compassion\, sympathetic joy and equanimity). Finally we learn to rest ‘in the midst of our experience’ and allow the wisdom energy to integrate within our being.\nThe retreat will involve teachings and guided practices from Choden\, as well as sharing and inquiry and some periods of silent sitting. \nCost:\nThe cost includes accommodation\, meals\, a supplement to cover travel costs\, and an R60 optional environmental levy. Excluded are dana and staff tips. \nDana is an offering to the facilitator as Dharma teachers aren’t renumerated\, but dana would be appreciated. \n\n\n\n\n\n\n  Camping (own tent)\n  R900\n\n\n  Dormitory\n  R1100\n\n\n  Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n  R1400\n\n\n  Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n  R1600\n\n\n  Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n  R1800\n\n\n  Single use of ensuite room (if space available):\n  R2000\n\n\n\nTo book:\nTo book\, please click here. \nA 50% deposit\, non-refundable\, but transferrable\, will secure the accommodation of your choice. \nAbout Choden:\nA monk within the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism\, Choden (aka Sean Mc Govern) completed a three-year\, three-month retreat in 1997 and has been a practicing Buddhist since 1985. He is originally from South Africa where he trained as a lawyer and learned meditation under the guidance of Rob Nairn\, an internationally renowned Buddhist teacher. He is now involved in developing secular mindfulness and compassion programmes drawing upon the wisdom and methods of the Buddhist tradition\, as well as contemporary insights from psychology and neuroscience. He is an honorary fellow of the University of Aberdeen and teaches on their Postgraduate Study Programme in Mindfulness (MSc) that is the first of its kind to include compassion in its curriculum. He co-wrote a book with Paul Gilbert in 2013\, entitled Mindful Compassion that explores the interface between Buddhist and Evolutionary approaches to compassion training. He is also the co-author of two other books: Mindfulness Based Living Course (2018) and From Mindfulness to Insight (2019). In 2016 he completed a one-year retreat focused on the foundation practices of Tibetan Buddhism.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/insight-retreat-working-creatively-with-negative-emotions-with-choden/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Inquiry,Insight,Meditation,Mindfulness,Spirituality,Tibetan Buddhism
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/drop-in-meditation-featured.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210219T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210221T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20201212T151426Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20210116T140044Z
UID:2715-1613757600-1613916000@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:New Year No Intentions Retreat
DESCRIPTION:with Lucy Draper-Clarke\n\n\n\n\n“The best laid schemes of mice and men\n\n\nOften go awry\,\n\n\nAnd leave us nought but grief and pain\,\n\n\nFor promised joy!\n\n\nRobert Burns\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nAs 2020 showed us\, we have entered a time of disruption. How many of us set goals and intentions for the new year\, and then had to take a swift left turn?\n\n\n\n\n\nFor 2021\, we will explore the idea of “No Intention”. Instead of developing a wish for the future\, and imagining specific outcomes\, we will learn how to create the conditions for the future to emerge in the present moment. This requires a shift from the head to the body and heart; a shift from the logical mind to the more mysterious\, creative and intuitive self. Goals and intentions tend to be made from our conscious mind but\, like the hippo\, there is far more under the water than we can see. The unconscious mind is constantly gathering information\, and our invitation is to explore this vast capacity to bring our dreams into reality.\n\n\n\n\n\nFind out how to create the conditions for clarity to arise\, through developing a daily meditation practice. This might be a moving or sitting meditation\, journalling\, contemplation or reflection. We will learn how to ensure that our daily practice becomes the one non-negotiable part of our life. Increasing our times of solitude and quiet enhances our ability to receive the guidance that helps us make subtle adjustments to our life\, so that we live in greater alignment and joy.\n\n\n\n\n\nProgramme:\n\n\nAfter the first evening of introductions and grounding practices\, we will wake up to gentle moving and sitting meditation sessions in the Octagon\, followed by healthy breakfast in the open dining area. There will then be an extended ‘No Intention’ workshop before tucking into a filling vegetarian lunch. Participants can either rest in the afternoon or visit the nearby waterfall in Tara’s Valley\, or die Oog – the Eye. This is the 14m deep source of the Marico river\, and popular with swimmers and divers. Our Saturday evening practice will be Expressive Movement\, which takes us through a full dance wave; from finding Presence\, Expressing what we notice in our embodied mind\, Releasing blocks and old patterns\, then moving to Dreaming and Integrating\, where our future might emerge in the moment. Later\, we can sit together at the open fire and watch the magnificent night sky.\n\n\n\nCost:\n\n\nIncludes accommodation\, all meals\, tea\, and snacks\, and facilitated moving and sitting meditation sessions. Cost is dependent on your choice of accommodation. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten-free options available on request.\n\n\n\n\n\n2-night retreat:\n\n\nSingle room with shared bathroom (only 3 available): R3200\n\n\nTwin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person): R3000\n\n\nTwin/double room with shared bathroom (per person): R2800\n\n\nDormitory (per person): R2550\n\n\nCamping (own tent & bedding): R2350\n\n\nSingle-use of twin rooms is also available on request\, at a supplementary cost.\n\n\n\n\n\nBookings:\n\nClick on this link to book.\n\n\n\n\n\nA 50% deposit secures your place. This is non-refundable but is transferable to another TRC retreat. Do not let your inability to pay prevent you from attending. Contact Tara Rokpa Centre for scholarships\, payment options\, and volunteer trade opportunities.\n\n\n\n\n\nFor general retreat information about what to bring\, please click here.\n\n\n\n\n\nAbout the Facilitator:\n\n\n\nLucy Draper-Clarke has a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education and loves to run retreats as well as support yoga teacher training schools. She has practised yoga for 20 years and taught yoga and mindfulness in Southern Africa since 2006\, while also offering embodied practices at Wits. While doing so\, she has been lucky enough to study with inspiring Buddhist mindfulness\, Vinyasa yoga teachers\, and Expressive Movement dance therapists. Her light-hearted and compassionate approach to teaching allows participants to explore their inner worlds through a joyful\, yet transformative practice.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/new-year-no-intentions-retreat/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Inquiry,Meditation,Mindfulness,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/reed-stepping-stone.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201224T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20210103T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20201020T185128Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201020T185128Z
UID:2694-1608832800-1609682400@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Seeking Happiness with Alan Muller and Pippa Cope
DESCRIPTION:A TRC Xmas/ New Year Retreat \n“Every man wants to be happy\, but in order to be so he needs first to understand what happiness is.” Jean-Jacques Rousseau. \n“If happiness is indeed a way of being\, a state of consciousness and inner freedom\, there is essentially nothing to prevent us from achieving it.” Matthieu Ricard. \nWe will look at what happiness is and how to foster it. \nProgramme:\nTalks\, guided meditations\, painting mani mantras. \nNurture with Nature: Exploring the Five Tibetan Elements. \nMindful Movement based on restorative yoga and somatics. \nOther activities: \nWalks\, swimming\, star gazing\, reading\, birding\, doing nothing.\nVarious activities in the surrounding area – please consult info@marico.co.za \nCost:\nR5000 for 10 nights\, including all meals\, for a twin room with a shared bathroom. There are a limited number of single rooms\, and rooms with en suite bathroom – a supplement will apply for these rooms. \nPlus dana for Alan and Pippa. \nBookings:\nPlease click here to go to our online booking form. \nA 50% deposit will secure your booking. \nFacilitators:\nAlan Muller took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monks vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. \n  \nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 15 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/seeking-happiness-with-alan-muller-and-pippa-cope/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Fun,Meditation,Mindfulness,Outdoor,Play,Relaxing,Walking,Yoga
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/PHOTO-2020-05-24-21-27-26.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201216T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201220T180000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20201020T182852Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201020T183239Z
UID:2685-1608141600-1608487200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:The Four Immeasurables with Alan Muller and Pippa Cope
DESCRIPTION:A Self-Compassion Retreat\n“If we learn ways to practice love\, compassion\, joy\, and equanimity\, we will know how to heal the illnesses of anger\, sorrow\, insecurity\, sadness and loneliness”\nThich Nhat Hanh \nWe will look at how we can develop the four immeasurables in daily life and through meditation. \nThere will be guided Healing Relaxation sessions and gentle mindful movement. \nThe programme will be gentle and will allow for space to do your own thing. \nYou can extend your retreat to the Xmas Retreat. \nCost:\nR2400 for 4 nights\, including all meals\, for a twin room with shared bathroom. There are a limited number of single rooms\, and rooms with en suite bathroom – a supplement will apply for these rooms. \nPlus dana for Alan and Pippa. \n  \nBookings:\nPlease click here to go to our online booking form. \nA 50% deposit will secure your booking. \nFacilitators:\nAlan Muller took refuge in 1997 with Akong Rinpoche. In 2003\, he completed a one-year closed retreat under the guidance of Lama Yeshe Rinpoche at Samye Ling Monastery in Scotland. During this period\, he took novice monks vows. Alan remained a novice monk for six years and now presents courses and retreats as a layperson. \n  \nPippa Cope offers mindful movement\, including somatics and Donna Farhi-inspired yoga. She has been involved with the Tara Rokpa Therapy process for 20 years as a senior helper in South Africa and Zimbabwe and has offered workshops in Canada. Pippa has been resident at TRC for over 15 years as jack of all trades. She previously spent her professional life working as an Occupational Therapist\, Social Worker and Community Development manager. \n 
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/the-four-immeasurables-with-alan-muller-and-pippa-cope/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Buddhism,Dharma,Fun,Meditation,Mindfulness,Relaxing,Walking,Yoga
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DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201204T180000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Johannesburg:20201206T140000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20200110T080813Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20201018T094626Z
UID:2252-1607104800-1607263200@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Fierce Compassion Yoga Retreat
DESCRIPTION:~ GET TO KNOW YOUR SPIRITUAL WARRIOR ~\n \nAre you ready to join Mel and Lucy to explore Fierce Compassion in your yoga and mindfulness practice? \nWe will take the opportunity to: \n\nExplore our conscious awareness through the body\, heart and mind\nStay present with challenges to develop equanimity\nBring curiosity and courage to our shadow aspects\nTransform difficulty through resilience\nBefriend our experience and extend love to all beings\n\nProgramme:\nWe will wake up to a gentle yoga and mindfulness session in the Octagon meditation hall\, followed by healthy breakfast in the open dining area. There will then be an extended yoga workshop before tucking into a filling vegetarian lunch. Participants can either rest in the afternoon or visit the nearby waterfall in Tara’s Valley\, or die Oog – the Eye. This is the 14m deep source of the Marico river\, and popular with swimmers and divers. There will be a discussion on Green Tara and Kali\, the compassionate and fierce warriors. After the evening practice\, we can sit around an open fire and watch the magnificent night sky. \nThe accommodation for this yoga retreat will be in simple farmhouses with twin/double rooms and en suite and shared bathrooms. Three single rooms are also available. There is also a dormitory/family room\, and a campsite. \nCost:\nIncludes accommodation\, all meals\, tea and snacks and facilitated yoga and mindfulness sessions. It is dependent on your choice of accommodation. The food is ovo-lacto vegetarian\, with vegan/gluten free options available on request. \n2-night retreat: \n\n\n\n Single room with shared bathroom (only 3 available):\n R3200\n\n\n Twin/double room with en suite bathroom (per person):\n R3000\n\n\n Twin/double room with shared bathroom (per person):\n R2800\n\n\n Dormitory (per person):\n R2550\n\n\n Camping (own tent & bedding):\n R2350\n\n\n\nSingle use of twin rooms is also available on request\, at a supplementary cost. \nBookings via this link. \nA 50% deposit secures your place. This is non-refundable\, but is transferable to another TRC retreat. Do not let your inability to pay prevent you from attending. Contact the Tara Rokpa Centre for scholarships\, payment options and volunteer trade opportunities. \nFor general retreat information about what to bring\, please click here. \nAbout the Facilitators:\nLucy Draper-Clarke\n\nLucy has a doctorate in mindfulness and teacher education and loves to run retreats as well as support yoga teacher training schools. She has practised yoga for 20 years and taught yoga and mindfulness in Southern Africa since 2006\, while also offering embodied practices at Wits. While doing so\, she has been lucky enough to study with inspiring Buddhist mindfulness\, and Vinyasa yoga teachers\, and offers both yin and yang styles of yoga. Her light-hearted and compassionate approach to teaching allows participants to explore their inner worlds through a joyful\, yet transformative practice. \nMelanie Castleman\n\nMel is an internationally recognized and esteemed Yoga Teacher\, known for her passion\, unique approach\, and inspirational instructing style. She embodies physical\, spiritual\, and mental strength\, with a touch of ferocity! \n​As a Forrest Guardian in training\, Mel gravitates towards Forrest Yoga and Forrest inspired vinyasa. However\, she has trained in many different styles and adapts her instruction to individual and group needs. Through this process\, she has developed her own unique style of teaching and has a dedicated following in South Africa and globally. \n​With lots of attention to detail and breath Mel weaves a web of connectedness throughout the room\, facilitating a slow but fluid flow. Her classes and retreats are creatively sequenced\, light-hearted\, with the right amount of intensity for gentle transformation. \n\n​
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/fierce-compassion-yoga-retreat/
LOCATION:Tara Rokpa Centre\, Tara Rokpa Centre\, Groot Marico District\, North West Province\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Mindfulness,Spirituality,Yoga
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DTSTART;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20200606T150000
DTEND;TZID=Europe/Helsinki:20200606T173000
DTSTAMP:20260518T004155
CREATED:20180320T140952Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20200514T124239Z
UID:950-1591455600-1591464600@tararokpacentre.co.za
SUMMARY:Speak Your Truth\, Listen Deeply: an ONLINE Mindful Communication Retreat with Lucy Draper-Clarke and Felicity Hart
DESCRIPTION:When interacting with others\, we often find ourselves triggered and then communicate in ways that hurt or harm – ourselves\, the other\, or the relationship between us. We have not learnt how to use mindful and authentic communication. \n“When you are busy judging people\, you have no time to love them.” Marshall Rosenberg \nWe will practice both intra-personal and inter-personal mindfulness in order to cultivate skills of empathy\, compassion and a better understanding of self and other. Contemplative dyads are a way to promote social connectedness\, something that we are often lacking in daily life where our time is dominated by digital devices. We will practice deep listening in this safe online setting\, in order to learn skills that can increase feelings of closeness and strengthen relationships with our friends and partners. \nTogether\, these practices will help us communicate more consciously so that we learn to be aware of our feelings and needs\, make requests and stay open to the feelings and needs of others. \nMindful Communication Practices\nWe will draw on the principles and practices from Non-Violent Communication\, and base these within a framework of mindfulness. These practices help us to increase awareness\, compassion and ease with ourselves and others. \nAlthough\, we want to communicate honestly\, but haven’t been taught to do so. Very often\, we desire to share our feelings and needs\, but fear that they won’t be heard or that our needs will remain unmet. \nThe retreat will show us a way of being very honest\, without any criticism\, insults or put-downs. We learn to be aware of our feelings and needs\, make requests and stay open and respond to the feelings and needs of others. \nThe principles and practices you will learn on this retreat\, will help you communicate consciously and with compassion. We learn to increase our capacity to communicate in a way that helps us to connect\, find what is alive in ourselves and others in order to create relationships built on authenticity and understanding. \nThis is an online version of the retreat that we usually host at the Tara Rokpa Centre. \nWho Can Attend?\nIf you resonate with any of the sentences below\, this afternoon mini-retreat may be especially helpful for you. I… \n* was taught to think and communicate in ways that involved judgment\n* am not aware of my own feelings and needs and those of others\n* am afraid that speaking honestly could be unskillful\, leading to harm and hurt within my relationships\n* have been afraid to express anger\, or other difficult emotions\, without causing harm or feeling ashamed of my own feelings\n* fear connecting and being curious about what is alive in myself\, without judgement. \nFacilitators\nLucy Draper-Clarke has a PhD in mindfulness and has practised yoga for 20 years. Her light-hearted approach to teaching allows participants to learn through a joyful\, yet transformative practice. \nFelicity Hart is a life coach\, yoga teacher and mindfulness facilitator. She has a PGC in Mindfulness-Based Interventions from Stellenbosch and offers life coaching that is mindful of you as a whole person\, facilitating a deep and integrative process. \nBookings\nTo book\, please email Lucy on this link. \nShe will send you the pre-retreat pack\, and the Zoom link. \nCosts\nR450 per person. \nWe will donate R50 to the Tara Rokpa Centre\, to support the Centre at this unprecedented time. \nIf you would like to attend\, but cannot afford to do so\, please get in touch for our bursary places.
URL:https://tararokpacentre.co.za/event/mindful-communication-retreat/
LOCATION:Zoom Room\, South Africa
CATEGORIES:Meditation,Mindfulness,Yoga
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