Ekuthuleni is a heartfelt attitude and a place, surrounded by trees, sky and birdsong

Founded in 2013 by Noon (Nicolas Baldwin) & Sumedha (Hannah Bagshaw) the idea of the retreat centre emerged from a shared vision they had in South Africa : “After many years of living and serving in Dharma communities and monasteries, in 2010 we both spent a year as managers of Dharmagiri Hermitage in South Africa. Whilst there the wish to make a place like Ekuthuleni was formed and this spark then picked up its own momentum “. In the last ten years, many people have been part of the adventure, numbers have ebbed and flowed. We are open to more people joining as seasonal or community members. The place is growing with more space to grow an orchard/food forest to create shade and for people to live … it’s in process.

We value human contact over efficiency, letting things take shape over getting everything right. This gives space to just be and re-discover … just being, beyond perfectionism. As well as the groundedness that comes from needing to be pragmatic ( creating a retreat centre from the gound up!) and sometimes put some elbow juice into making the place lovely! We don’t always do everything in slow motion….

Spiritual focus & practice

Ekuthuleni offers a quiet, safe space to adventure. Radically bringing together awareness of natural resources & meditation in a community of retreatants coming at different times.

The invitation to all of us curious & wonderful human beings, is to explore the links between opening our hearts & tapping into the sensitivity of nature's own gifts... meeting our shared roots. The path of finding balance in life.

The doorway is open to question & delve into meditation, sustainable ways of being & low-impact living.

Influences : meditation & nature

Buddhist teachings are a major influence. Noon & Sumedha’s spiritual practice was shaped by having lived with the nuns sangha at Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries in the forest tradition of Ajahn Chah , amongst experiences in other centers offering service to the dhamma for many years.

Simplicity, opening the heart with awareness and learning from nature are key in the forest tradition, as are finding perspective on personal habits, on ‘self’. It can help us to become freer and to let go of what is harmful to others, the planet or ourselves.

Nature itself is a huge influence. Living closely and respectfully with the nourishment and challenges offered by eco-living is another vital influence. As is the current climate situation – bringing urgency to sharing and encouraging this sensitivity.

Though the goal of spiritual practice is richer without too many labels, these threads of simplicity, awareness, opening and connection flow through the life of the centre. Exploring meditation, on and off the cushion, runs through all our activities.  And we soak up, soak in some chanting and sacred poetry, especially when the clouds are grey!