about the gentle art of knowing

the gentle art of knowing offers opportunities for

• spiritual companioning
• supervision
• workshops
• e-retreats
• e-breaks
• sabbaticals and
• any activity that supports people to deepen their understanding of themselves and their place in the world.

It was established by Pip Nicholls in 2006 mainly because:

Many of us practice meditation and contemplation and follow the teachings of spiritual traditions such as Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, Hinduism and Sufism. Equally there has been an exponential interest in contemporary teachers for example, Ken Wilber, Eckhart Tolle and David Whyte. For some their lives are enriched by tai chi, walking, solitude, art, poetry, story telling, family, work, gardening, crafting and sustainability.

However, life inevitably presents challenges in the form of accidents, changes in plans, economic meltdowns, addictions, relationship break-ups and illness, alongside more gradual transitions such as aging. As a result, sometimes we experience profound levels of living in the here and now, and at other times we may experience considerable dissatisfaction, sadness and confusion. Sometimes we need the support of another to see the way ahead.

Spiritual Companioning

An opportunity to reflect, explore and listen to our deepest longings; the fruit of which is openness and compassion for ourselves, others and Life itself. Each persons longing is unique and is experienced in the 'hills and valleys' of our daily lives. Spiritual companioning is generally done once a month face to face and it can also be effective via telephone or skype.

Group Spiritual Companioning

An opportunity to reflect, listen and share with others. This is a time to know more about who we are in light of our connection to others. These sessions are for two hours every four weeks.

Work Supervision and Mentoring

Sometimes we feel that our work place 'dries' us out and we run out of energy and ideas about what to do next. Supervision or mentoring is a reflective process to help us see the 'woods for the trees'. It supports and encourages us to maintain balance so that we can sustain our work efforts to meet challenges and the opportunities contained within them.

Workshops

Throughout the year there are workshops offered on different topics. These generally take place within the Wellington area and Pip is open to offering them outside Wellington too.

e-retreats

Are for people who live in a place where retreats are hard to find or have a busy life that doesn't enable them to go on retreat. e-retreats are generally once a week for six weeks and are based on a weekly email with a short passage from a spiritual writer, a suggestion for how to practice that reflection during the week and the option of an on-line blog to share your experiences and responses to the reading.

e-breaks

Are for people at all levels within work places who can't take a day or two off for training but who can grab an hour a week. Like an e-retreat they are once a week for six weeks or once a month for nine months. They are based on a writer who offers 'inspiration amidst all the perspiration' and a suggestion for living out that insight at work. There is the option of an on-line blog to share your experiences and responses to the reading .

Sabbaticals

Historically sabbaticals have been associated with universities but haven't we all at times thought they'd be a good idea for all work environments. Sabbaticals are two to ten days of individual spiritual companioning and allowing the space, time, silence and bush to also be your guide. Sabbaticals are located in the Waiohine Gorge in the Wairarapa.
 

 

about Pip Nicholls

Pip has had many influences in her life with not the least being cradled in the beauty of Wellington and the whole of Aotearoa, New Zealand. Other formative places, people and events have been the Erskine chapel in Island Bay, Germaine Greer's visit in 1972, being a member of the Aubert, Baxter, Merton, Kirk community in Featherston since 1975, a year in a Thai Buddhist monastery in 1979, meeting Thinly Norbu Rinpoche and Mother Theresa later that year, returning to Catholic roots through the teachings of Tessa Bielecki (now a hermit in Colorado) and the Carmelite Spiritual Life Institute.

In addition, she has worked for 25 years in senior positions within the disability sector and became a Spiritual Director in 2006. Since then she has completed a six month sabbatical and been on retreat with Thich Nant Hanh, Br David Steindl-Rast, Cynthia Bourgeault and Gregory Kramer. She is a member of the Contemplative Network, Aotearoa.

"In my early 20's - which were in the early 70s, I sought deeper contemplative teachings within Catholicism. I found little there at the time but did find plenty within Buddhism.

In the 90s I returned to small 'c' catholicism, as my experience has been that Life or God or whatever we find ourselves calling the 'Heart of Hearts' - knows no bounds and it is we who limit and discriminate.

However, culturally or by choice we will be drawn to different teachings and practices. When my brother died in 2008 I realised that life is short and it is important we do the work required to free us from all the 'ties that bind'. I have met people who have gone through the 'fire' of transformation and they personify clarity, simplicity, compassion and freedom while remaining even more idiosyncratically human as well.

I am therefore interested to sit beside people as they walk, stroll, run, dance, meander, stumble, plod, hop, trip, skip and sometimes jump into exploring what deeply interests and sustains them".