The Joy of Being: playfulness and delight in life and the inner journey

In times of challenge, difficulty and darkness we may not think that happiness is an option.

We tend to think of it as something for children, a brief visitor, something we felt in fleeting moments in the past.

In an age of endless dopamine hits, how often do you know deep, heartfelt joy and delight?

In the teaching of the Diamond Approach we see joy as natural to every human heart. It is a quality of our being. It can be rediscovered and developed no matter how old we are, even when external circumstances aren't good.

Essential joy opens through a deep inquiry into our heart's wish, and is liberated as the heart is freed to want what it wants, and to discover what it wants more than anything.

As the joy of the heart is freed, it makes us spontaneous, curious, and playful.

Join us for a deep dive into the delight of being.

This retreat will be taught by Ashley Wain and Vivienne Leahy.

On the Diamond Approach and the New Aotearoa Group

Every spiritual path deals with our common human situation, and each path deals with it differently. The Diamond Approach is a relatively new path, for people living a full human life in the world, who want to know who and what they are beyond their usual stories and ideas about themselves.

It uses a range of powerful practices, as well as modern psychological knowledge, to help each person to explore their own experience in ways that bring deeper understanding, as well as the gradual revelation of our spiritual nature, in its vast rainbow of qualities and dimensions.

The Diamond Approach has been taught in New Zealand for over a decade. There is a large, established group that has developed over that time, which is now closed to new members. Diamond Approach New Zealand is now in the process of forming a new group, for those with a sincere interest in inner work and spiritual discovery. 

Retreats normally involve meditation, a teaching, experiential exercises in pairs, threes, or small groups, and opportunities to ask questions, share experiences and inquire further with a teacher. 

Retreats will remain open to the public and new people can join the group for the next few years. When the group has reached a sustainable size and composition, it will close to new members. 

If you have questions about DANZ2 and the Diamond Approach teachings in New Zealand, or are interested in private sessions with a Diamond Approach teacher, you can contact Vivienne Leahy at vleahynz@gmail.com

Times 

Friday     6.30-9.30  

Saturday   9.00-12.00

                    2.00-5.00 

Sunday    9.00-12.00

                     1.30-4.30

End times are approximate. 

Follow up Meetings

Included in the cost of this retreat are four follow-up teaching sessions:

Small Group Process Meeting - Tuesday Dec 16, 6pm-8pm, OR Wednesday Dec 17, 6pm-8pm.

Follow up Zoom meeting 1 - January 20, 6.30pm - 9.30pm

Follow up Zoom meeting 2 - February 14, 9.30am-12.30pm

Follow up Zoom meeting 3 - March 14, 9.30am - 12.30pm

Cost: $495

Current ongoing DANZ1 students repeating material pay $195. 

Accommodation:

Simple and comfortable accommodation is available at the venue. You can choose a room for one or two people for $100 per person with meals, or $70 per person with breakfast only. Most rooms have their own bathrooms, some have shared bathrooms. Groupings of up to 8 rooms share a kitchen/dining area with stove, microwave etc for those preferring to prepare their own food.

The venue doesn't accommodate specific dietary requirements. Meals are simple, usually non vegetarian. Lunch is called dinner and is the main meal. The evening meal is a crockpot, quiche, or similar.