The Teachers
I first encountered meditation and the teachings of the Buddha while travelling in Asia in my mid twenties, and have given my life to Dharma practice and service, teaching Insight Meditation retreats internationally since 1993. I serve on the Teacher Council at Gaia House, and as a senior teacher at Insight Meditation Society, Massachusetts.
My teaching is inspired by the Thai forest tradition, and the transformative power of silence, simplicity and the natural world, while also drawing from a range of meditative approaches. Since 2018 I have devoted a significant amount of my time to activism, calling for an appropriate response by government, to the intersecting climate, ecological and social justice crises of our time.
I grew up in New Zealand, with parents of European and Asian heritage, and live in Devon, England, with Catherine McGee. In 2023 I was treated for cancer and am deeply grateful for the support and care I received from many Dharma friends and Sangha over this time.
As a co-founder of the camp, I love the way it has evolved since we began in 2001, weaving community, meditation and nature into an inspiring, nourishing and transformative field of sacred connection. I am very glad that Julia will return and that Mat, a dear dharma friend of ours, will join us in teaching this year.
I would like to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for the immense contributions of Brad Richecour, Catherine McGee and Kirsten Kratz, whose wisdom, love and inspiration have been a blessing beyond measure, that remains with us, even while they have moved on from the role of BDS Camp teachers.
Mat Schencks
I'm delighted to be attending the BDS camp for the first time this year and am looking forward to teaching alongside Yanai and Julia, both of whom I've known for many years.
I have been engaged with spiritual teachings since first travelling in India in the late-90's and have practiced Insight Meditation for over two decades with teachers at Gaia House. I trained as a dharma teacher with Bodhi College and I teach retreats at Gaia House and elsewhere.
I have been a student of the Diamond Approach since 2014, greatly valuing the inquiry practices of this tradition and I taught MBCT for over 10 years. I live and work in Milton Keynes as a mindfulness-based Psychotherapist.
Yanai Postelnik
Julia Wallond
I have been a regular camper at Buddha Dharma Sangha ( BDS) camp for over 10 years, and love the richness of community living, supported and nurtured by the Buddhist teachings and the beauty of Holy Brook field. I’m now looking forward to contributing in the teacher role.
I have a close connection with the Buddhist retreat centre Gaia house where I have been retreating regularly since 2005, and recently completed dharma teacher training with the Bodhi college. I am also a trained mindfulness teacher ( MBCT).
Donations/Dana
In the tradition of the Buddha, the dharma teachings are considered precious and beyond price.
The camp teachers Yanai, Julia and Mat, share their experience and understanding without being paid from the camp fees for offering the teaching. They rely upon the generosity and freely given financial support of those who value the teachings to live in this way. “Dana” means generosity and sharing what we have, to support that which we value. Participants on the camp will be invited to offer dana to the teachers in this spirit.