We think the root of a lot of our problems is that Normal itself is broken. A new Normal seems like it's needed, and we feel its possibility stirring in our hearts. Come experiment with us in living a new normal, in community, right here and now, starting from where we are.

So many of us yearn for change. We see and feel so many of our systems straining under the weight of themselves - both the natural ecosystems we are a part of, as well as our health, education, justice, mental health systems, our public, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Almost wherever you look, there is strain, there is a yearning for new ways of doing things, and there are the seedlings of change, poking through the cracks…

We see these new ways of being and doing in so many places: the rise in positive psychology and uptake of mindfulness, contemplative and embodied practices; the renaissance in the language and culture of Te Ao Māori and other indigenous cultures; the fresh thinking of the social enterprise sector and non-hierarchical organising patterns of new organisations; the shift away from expert-centric approaches towards design thinking and co-design, which is mirrored in whole-person-centred approaches to physical and mental healthcare, respectful and positive parenting, child-led, nature- and play-based education approaches; and the waking up of a new generation to their own power to protest the degradation of our collective home and its climate. These are just a few examples, and please feel included and invited even if you don’t see yourself in this list: this will be a radically inclusive gathering.

Who is this for and what will we be doing?

This event is for those of us who have got a glimpse of a new way of being and doing things, and who want to experiment with living what this might be as we come together. We host not from a place of knowing the answers, but knowing the importance of providing safe and well-held spaces where we can co-create experiences together of what might be possible, starting from discernment arising in our present-moment experience. For example, there will be structures and processes in place for hui participants to suggest, host, and attend sessions on anything from grief for our climate to proposals for a new venture or project to a meditative walk in the surrounding native bush.

Families with children are welcome! Wehave made this event as accessible as possible for students and families alike, in terms of cost and facilities. “Conscious Kids” https://www.consciouskids.co.nz/ will be part of the hui, you can let us know if you would like your children to participate in this service, so your attention can be fully on the hui process). Cost for the Conscious Kids programme is $20 per day per child + koha. High school students are also encouraged to attend through affordable and subsidized ticket prices.

Ticket prices include accommodation and delicious meals

Attendees of Mindfulness for Change hui in the past have walked away rejuvenated, re-inspired, connected with a bunch of new friends and collaborators, ideas for new projects, support for existing projects, and above all a felt sense of what the future they’re working towards might feel like. If you’re yearning for change, and willing to believe a new (connected, caring, non-self-terminating) normal just might be possible, we’d love for you to come and co-create with us, and have this kind of experience for yourself. See you there!