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.
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.
