Kirsten Kratz has practiced Buddhist meditation in Asia and the West since 1993. She started teaching in 2006 and since 2015 she has been ‘teacher in residence’ supporting those on personal retreat at Gaia House. Her love and understanding of Dharma has been strongly influenced by, among others, the teachings of her friend and teacher colleague, Rob Burbea. One of her particular passions is exploring how wisdom teachings can foster appropriate responses to the challenges of our time, and Kirsten sees her involvement in activism as an important expression of her practice. Kirsten is co-initiator of the “Dharma Action Network for Climate Engagement” (DANCE) and supporting teacher of Freely Given Retreats.
Investigating our ways of perceiving self, to develop compassion and wisdom. How to relate to self at different times and in different ways, for our own benefit and for the benefit of all.
An introduction to what will be explored on the retreat: looking at ways how we may construct the self; exploring how we can open up limiting 'senses of self' and reduce the suffering they bring, by using the Buddhist teachings on ‘not self' as liberating ways of seeing; experiencing the poetry and dance of 'self' that is beyond any fixed definition.
One of the pervading stories of our times is the story of separation. The teachings point to a very different understanding: interconnectedness and interdependence. How does the perspective/story we believe in effect our actions, intentions and the perception of us, others and the world? Which way of seeing do we wish to cultivate and give our energy to?
Continuing from part 1, this talk reflects how we may approach the perceived absence of freedom in our life in ways that turn the very place of being not free into a possible gateway to greater freedom, and how we may get sensitive to taste freedom in aspects of life where we may not expect it.
The teachings of the Buddha are described as having one taste and one taste only, the taste of freedom.This talks explores how we may understand the concept of freedom in more conventional ways and within our practice, mentioning some of the ways we may experience being not free, stuck or bound.
Wisdom and compassion are often described as two wings needed to be able to fly. This talk explores some ways in which they mutually support each other, how compassion supports deeper and deeper wisdom, and how wisdom will bring forth compassionate action.
This talk explores how we can approach the five hindrances as just another aspect of our human experience we can pay attention to, and as something we can learn and gain deeper understanding from.
This talk explores what qualities of mind and heart we can rely on in face of uncertainty, using our ability and increasing capacity to be present to our experience as a powerful gateway.
This short talk explores how the cultivation of meditative calm and kindness support and nourish each other, and how both are indispensable qualities for our spiritual journey.
This talks explores how the cultivation of qualities like Loving Kindness, Compassion, Generosity can support, nurture and bring about transformation, ease and healing on a personal level, and how, extending beyond the purely personal, these qualities can support us in responding skilfully to the issues of our times
this talk explores how we can use the teaching on Not-Self as a liberating way of seeing in how we relate to our stories, history and often painful self images.
this talk explores the important role faith can play in our life and in our practice, and how we might need faith to continue and sustain our exploration and inquiry in times of doubt and difficulties
Many of us have a yearning for deeper connection and intimacy. How does this human longing relate to the teachings of "letting go" and "not clinging". This talks reflects on how these, at first sight seemingly contradictory, movements of the heart may support each other, dancing a mysterious dance that will lead to increased freedom and understanding."
Power is not something we normally associate with qualities like loving-kindness and generosity. This talks explore how the cultivation of these beautiful qualities of mind and heart can foster strength, clarity, determination in our being and deepen wisdom and understanding.
Joy in our life and in our practices expresses itself in many different ways. Its manifestation can vary from the very subtle to the ecstatic. The talk explores how we can open, recognise and support the existence of joy and use its presence as a pointer to a deeper understanding.
The cultivation of loving kindness enables us to connect more and more to the kindness, openness and courage in our hearts, transforming how we relate to life.
