Foundations of Samadhi

Düntün (Seven-day) Retreat

with Jakob Leschly

1 - 8 Nov 2024

Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre

This retreat is held under the auspices of Tibetan Buddhist master Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche with Jakob Leschly as his resident instructor.

“Ideally the ultimate retreat is to retreat from the past and the future, to always remain in the present. However, our mind is so empowered and controlled by habit all the time. One characteristic of habit is not being able to sit still, not being able to remain in the present. This is because being in the present is so scary, so boring and unbearable for our deluded and spoiled mind. Little do we know that actually being in the present is so exciting and the most liberating from all kinds of pain, suffering and anxiety.”
— Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse Rinpoche

About the course

The practice of Buddhist meditation allows us to uncover and experience our natural heritage of wisdom though cultivating insight or vipashyana.

It is to establish a peaceful space of presence and mindfulness, allowing us to awaken a calmer and wider appreciation of our reality.

A retreat is an invaluable moment of clarifying and reaffirming our commitment to the vision and path of meditation. Jakob Leschly will lead the 7-day retreat, offering general instruction and individual interviews.

Please see the Vipashyana Retreat Schedule and Info document which outlines the proposed schedule to be followed and relates further information about how the retreat will be run and a more in-depth overview.

Newcomers needn’t feel apprehensive; the retreat is suitable both to those new to meditation through to the more seasoned practitioners.

Retreat start and finish time

The course will start at 5 pm on Friday 1st November 2024 for registration with dinner from 6 pm. Come earlier if you can to give yourself time to have a look around and get settled in. The course will finish at around 11 am on Friday 8th November.

Accommodation

There are a mixture of camping sites, and single rooms available.

Karma yoga

Each participant will be given a small daily job to be responsible for in helping out with the running of the retreat. Also, a dishes roster will be in place.

What to bring

toiletries, a torch, walking shoes, sunscreen, hat & wet weather gear
hay fever remedies and other personal medications, if required
meditation shawl or small blanket (recommended)
extra cushions for how you feel comfortable sitting if you require them (there are cushions and chairs available).
two sheets or a sleeping bag and one sheet. One blanket and a light duvet plus two pillows and two pillowcases are provided – if you have special requirements, please bring your own.
towels

The weather can be unpredictable in November. It could be very hot or cool, and possibly wet so best to check the forecast and prepare accordingly.

Retreat Cost

Single: Member = $700, Non-member = $770
Camping: Member = $575, Non-member = $595

This cost includes food, accommodation, cooks fee and teachers airfares. There will be two cash donation/dana/koha boxes available to enable us to contribute towards these precious teachings and to the Wangapeka.

Registration

To register and secure your place click here: https://events.humanitix.com/foundations-of-samadhi-duentuen-seven-day-retreat-with-jakob-leschly

For all enquiries, please contact Di: [email protected]

Facilitators

Jakob Leschly

Jakob became a student of Buddhism in 1974. He travelled to India in 1975, where he became a student of Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, as well as Tulku Pema Wangyal. He met Dzongsar Jamyang Khyentse in 1977 and became his student as well.

In the early 1980s, Jakob did a three-year retreat in France, after which he worked for Association de Centre d’Etudes de Chanteloube. He has worked on translations from Tibetan, including Shabkar and Wondrous Dance of Illusion, and has also served as an oral interpreter for several lamas. In the 1990s he lived in Bir, translating both Madhyamaka and sadhana material for Siddhartha’s Intent (SI). In the late 1990s, he began leading study and practice programs for SI Western Door.

Working toward clear and inclusive presentations of Buddhism for modern lay people and non-Buddhists, Jakob wrote and edited many of the early summaries and blurbs presenting Rinpoche’s teachings and programs. In the 2000s he earned a BA in Tibetology at the University of Copenhagen, exploring the commonalities and differences between Buddhism and western humanities and sciences. From 2008 – 2023 he has lived in Australia, where he directed study and practice programs for SI Australia and now has relocated back to Europe.

Essential Information

To register for a retreat or programme, participants must complete the online registration form or contact our office directly. Registration is confirmed upon receipt of the required deposit.

All fees are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD) and include GST unless otherwise stated.
A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.
Full payment is due at least one week prior to the start date unless otherwise arranged.
We accept payment via bank transfer, credit card, and other specified payment method

Dana is the practice of generosity, a gift freely given with no strings attached. In keeping with ancient wisdom traditions, the facilitators offer their teaching freely, and no fee for their facilitation is included in the course costs. The retreat fee covers accommodation, meals, and course resources, but not compensation for the teachers.

You are warmly invited to offer Dana as a gesture of appreciation and support for the teachings and those who share them. This is an offering from the heart, given according to your means and circumstances. There is no expected amount—Dana is about generosity of spirit rather than a prescribed fee.

Traditionally, Dana is offered at the beginning of the retreat by placing an envelope in the Dana bowl or box. However, there are many ways to express generosity, and if you'd like to explore other forms of Dana, please feel free to ask.

If cost is a barrier to your participation, Wangapeka has a Sangha Support Fund available, and you are welcome to apply for assistance to attend. If you are experiencing financial hardship and would like to participate, please contact the course manager to discuss possible options.

If cost is a barrier to your participation we encourage you to consider applying for sangha support. Funds have been donated to Wangapeka to offer support for people who want to attend retreats and are unable to afford it. Sangha Support is for accommodation costs only and up to a maximum of 50% of those costs. More info can be found on our costs page. To apply contact the Wangapeka Office Caretaker [email protected].

Please remember to bring sufficient cash to cover your dana to the teacher (if you are attending a group retreat).

Bedding (pillow, pillowcase & 2 blankets are provided)
Towel
Personal items, toiletries, medication
Alarm clock
Torch (with spare batteries)
Easy slip-on shoes as all shoes are left outside buildings
Raincoat and/or umbrella

Winter

Hot-water bottle
Extra bedding
Warm clothing

Summer

Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Sun hat
Swimming gear

Be in reasonably sound physical health — Retreat days involve sitting, walking, and communal chores, so a baseline of physical wellbeing helps you participate fully and avoid strain.
Be in reasonably stable mental and emotional health — Intensive silence and self-reflection can surface difficult emotions, so retreat is best entered from a settled rather than a fragile state.
Disclose any medical or mental-health conditions in advance — Letting the course manager know beforehand allows us to support you appropriately and ensures the retreat setting is right for you.
Bring and manage your own medication — Having an adequate supply of any prescribed medication, and a plan for taking it, keeps you well without relying on facilities we cannot guarantee on-site.
Ease off stimulants before you arrive — Gradually reducing caffeine, nicotine, and sugar in the days beforehand softens the withdrawal and restlessness that can otherwise dominate your first days.
Wind down work and digital commitments — Tying up loose ends and stepping back from devices before arrival lets you arrive present, rather than mentally still at your desk.
Arrange your affairs at home — Sorting childcare, pets, bills, and responsibilities in advance frees you from nagging distractions and the pull to break your retreat.
Come rested rather than depleted — Arriving already exhausted makes it harder to settle, so try to catch up on sleep and avoid arriving straight from a demanding period.
Set a gentle, realistic intention — Holding a soft sense of why you're coming, without rigid expectations, gives your practice direction while leaving room for whatever actually unfolds.
Prepare for silence and simplicity — Knowing in advance that much of the retreat is quiet, unentertained, and routine helps you meet the stillness with curiosity rather than resistance.
Be willing to work with discomfort — Physical aches, boredom, and restlessness are a normal part of retreat, and a readiness to sit with them is itself part of the practice.
Approach it with openness and humility — Coming ready to follow the schedule, receive guidance, and let go of being "in charge" allows the retreat structure to do its supportive work.
Plan a soft re-entry into daily life — Leaving a clear day or two before returning to work and full commitments lets you carry the retreat's calm back gently, rather than jolting straight into busyness and losing its benefit.

The Wangapeka Study & Retreat Centre is located about an hour and a half drive SW of Nelson, New Zealand. Nestled in the foothills of the Southern Alps it, overlooks the beautiful Wangapeka River.

If you require transport advice or assistance or, please let us know when you register.

During your stay at the Centre you are invited to abide by five precepts of skilful living:

to refrain from harming others
to refrain from stealing
to refrain from sensual misconduct
to refrain from unskillful speech
to refrain from taking substances that cloud the mind and hide the openness of the heart

We understand that sometimes plans change, and we are happy to offer a refund for cancellations made at least 30 days before the start date.

If a person cancels within the month before the course starts:

The deposit is non-refundable but can be used for another retreat within 6 months
Fees paid are fully refunded if cancellation is at least a week before the course starts

If a person cancels within the week before the course starts:

The deposit is non-refundable
If cancellation is due to illness, all fees paid are fully refundable on request
If cancellation is for any other reason, 50% of fees paid are refundable on request

If a person leaves the course for reasons beyond their control (e.g., illness, death in the family) during a retreat:

The deposit is non-refundable
50% of the balance of any fees paid for the missed days are refundable on request
If a person leaves the course for any other reason, no refunds will be provided

In the rare event that Wangapeka cancels a course:

All deposits and fees paid will be fully refunded, or
Participants may choose to transfer their payment to another course within 12 months

Whenua Land

The retreat takes place on the beautiful Wangapeka whenua nestled in stunning native forests with expansive views down the Wangapeka valley. The land itself provides a healing sanctuary surrounded by mature trees and offering the perfect environment for reflection and reconnection with nature.

Kai Food

All meals are included in this retreat to support the your well-being and focus. Our kitchen team prepares nourishing vegetarian food to sustain and delight you throughout your stay. Specific dietary requirements can be accommodated and self-catering is also possible if you prefer to bring and prepare your own food.

Whare Wānanga Teaching Space

This teaching room is beautifully crafted and has been used for a wide variety of teaching for over 20 years. It has a wooden parquet floor and a pot belly stove to keep away winter chills. Set amongst beautiful mature trees, it offers a charming view looking down the Wangapeka valley, creating an inspiring environment for movement and meditation practices.

Whare kai Main Hall

The original building at Wangapeka, the Main Hall serves as the heart of community life with its combined living and dining room, library, and welcoming wood burner. Tea, coffee, and snacks are freely available here throughout your stay. Whether you choose to relax in the cosy interior or step out onto the porch to enjoy the expansive views, this space invites connection and contemplation. The hall also houses the kitchen, bathroom facilities, and laundry for your convenience.