Nayaka came to Dhanakosa in 1996 after learning to meditate with the Newcastle Buddhist Centre. Drawn by the mountains, he quickly felt at home here and became increasingly involved in the running of the centre. He became part of the management team in 1999, was ordained into the Western Buddhist Order in 2001 and became Centre Director in 2006. He has a background in earth and life sciences, a long standing interest in natural history and a love of the wilderness. He lives at Dhanakosa with Dharmavasini and their 2 children.

For several years, Balajit has been regularly leading retreats at the Vajraloka Buddhist Retreat Centre in North Wales. He also runs meditation workshops and events across the Uk and in Ireland. His teaching places particular emphasis on how developing a felt connection with the ground and body awareness, support the deepening of meditation and mindfulness. 

He also focuses on exposing and loosening assumptions and views we hold that limit us in our everyday lives – with a range of exercises and techniques to help make this happen.

An ideal first regulars retreat. These retreats take themes from our introductory programme and introduce a stronger Buddhist context through meditation, teachings, up to 3 days of silence, ritual and chanting.

Open to anyone who has done an introductory retreat or has been attending a local Buddhist centre, is familiar with Buddhist practice and is looking to take it a bit deeper.