Retreat
We believe that the way of life is through the heart, love, compassion and faith, and we wish to contribute to humanity by helping people who are in need as much as we are able to. We seek to act upon our faith by endeavouring to support people to follow a life based on spirituality and their own hearts.
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Our first major project of contribution will be to provide a place of healing, reflection and sanctuary,
in the form of a retreat centre in Kaiwaka, Northland. The retreat will be situated on 160 acres of beautiful lush farmland, recently reforested with approximately 35,000 native kahikatea, casuarina, kanuka and oak trees. These trees, which have been planted by a team of volunteers, will help to establish an atmosphere of tranquility, peace and beauty for those on retreat.
Our retreat will host approximately 48 people at a time, for periods ranging from a weekend to several weeks. Whilst with us, our guests will engage in group and private prayer and contemplation, study sessions and various other meditative activities. We will provide home-grown or locally sourced nutritious food options to support their health and wellness. We hope that the experience of being on retreat with us will provide our guests with the opportunity to access their deeper spiritual feelings and insights.
Volunteering your time, skills or resources to this project can be a beautiful way to spend time with people following a life based on spirituality. Our volunteer days begin with a morning session of prayer and study, providing the opportunity to reflect on bringing God into your everyday life, and end with a meal followed by a session of prayer and study. Our current base for those volunteering to create the retreat is very close by in Mangawhai. For further information please email esseneprayer@gmail.com.
Autumn on the land
Our trees grow and change their colours, as the weather cools and skies turn grey. Following are some photos of our retreat land in the month of May, 2024.
