Gudhara Holistic Sanctuary
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Australia's Leading Provider of Eco-Spiritual Workshops




Gudhara Holistic Sanctuary
Southern Highlands
P: 0403 203 963
(9am to 5pm Mon-Fri)



About Us










Gudhara Holistic Sanctuary is a not-for-profit organisation run by a small group of people under the principles of social, economic and environmental sustainability. Our weekend workshops are conducted in various locations in the Southern Highlands by experienced facilitators with an emphasis on raising consciousness for personal and global transformation. We are based on a model of sustainability and each guest is encouraged to undertake some environmental practice such as organic gardening or bush regeneration. This provides a balanced perspective during the weekend and inspires them to live more sustainably when they return to their everyday life.

What is valued most in life at Gudhara is:

  • Equality, friendship and compassion
  • Open communication and resolution of conflict
  • Integrity in business and personal exchanges
  • Living in harmony with the natural environment
  • Health and spiritual growth
  • Creativity and a zest for life


Your Hosts








Greg O'Donnell B. Arch. (Hons)
Greg has been teaching meditation and conducting transformational workshops for the last 20 years. He has run ashrams around Australia, founded Sydney Confesters and The Interfaith Forum and has taught meditation at Alcoa Australia and The Green Building Council of Australia. Greg is also a spiritual architect whose works include the Peace Pavillion at the Sydney Olympics, a Hindu Temple in Sydney's Western Suburbs and many residential projects. He takes his clients through a spiritual design process including visualisations, mind mapping and earth energy attunement to produce unique designs which are environmentally sensitive and nourishing for the soul. Greg regularly conducts workshops on topics including Soul Destiny, Life Purpose and Spiritual Design and is currently undertaking a course in White Magic and Spiritual Creativity based on esoteric traditions. He has lectured in design at UTS and presented workshops in Australia, India and Europe.He recently presented at the Parliament of the World Religions in Melbourne and organised the 2010 Earth Hour Vigil at Sydney's Observatory Hill. Greg is co-founder of Gudhara Holistic Sanctuary.









Alison Parr
B.A. (Visual Art), B.App.Sc. (Env.Hlth)
Alison grew up on Wirradjirri country in western NSW and has always had an affinity with the land. She has worked in environmental planning, management and education in sustainability for over 15 years, is a committee member of the Wingecarribee Climate Action Network and is co-founder of Gudhara Holistic Sanctuary. Alison is also a graphic designer and fine arts practitioner and has an active interest in deep ecology and shamanism. She has studied Native American, Aboriginal and Vodun shamanic traditions and is an experienced ecoshamanism facilitator and uses shamanic practices to help reconnect people with nature and mother earth. She inspires others by living sustainably, intimately and genuinely with our earth.


Workshop Presenters

Gudhara is privilged to have a team of world class presenters for our workshops and retreats. They carry a vast amount of experience and knowledge in their specialist fields and share a common enthusiasm to help create a more harmonius and sustainable planet. We express gratitude and thanks for their support.

David Rapaport (B. Arch, B. Sc)
David is Director of Heartwood Consultants specialising in ecologically sensitive alterations and additions to urban dwellings. He has worked with, and for indigenous Australians and is also Director of Emergency Architects Australia, a non profit voluntary organization which assists with emergency relief and reconstruction programs in developing countries within the Asia Pacific Region. David's life’s work embraces multi media artwork and installations, furniture design and sculpture inspired by the Kabbalah (teachings of Jewish mysticism) and sustainability principles. His recent works include the design of an outdoor meditation circle to Kabalistic and Feng Shui principles and an enclosure for the Tora (Jewish sacred book) at a Sydney Synagogue.

Paulien Gort
Paulien moved to Sydney three years ago from Holland where she studied healing with shamans and healers from all over the world (Native American, Joruba tradition, Siberian, Maori, Eric Berglund). She goes back to Holland regularly to study with Dancing Thunder, leader of the Susquehannock tribe. Paulien also studied several healing modalities in Holland and continues to do so in Australia. She is passionate about subtle energy, spirituality and music."Shamanism takes me back to who I really am, close to nature and to my heart". Paulien recently organised the Australian tour Blue Star a Dutch Shaman and clan mother of the Native Indian Church of the Pan American Indian Association.

Michael Stone
After a 2 year journey from Mexico to Chile, Michael worked at The New York Open Center, the largest centre for holistic learning in the United States. During this time he consolidated sacred indigenous teachings learnt during his travels, and continued studying with teachers and shamanic practitioners from around the world (including Core/Neo Shamanism, Celtic, Tibetan, Mayan, Incan, Toltec, and Native American). It was during this time that he had a profound personal experience as a participant on the ‘Embrace of the Earth’ weekend (facilitated by James Endredy and Manolo Cetina, Toltec practitioners), and was inspired to facilitate this journey for others. After being away for 7 years, Michael returned home to Australia in 2003. Since then, he has shared his passions in the shamanic traditions with others seeking to deepen their connection to the elements of nature. Michael’s shamanism website is www.spiritualpage.com.au/shamanism . He has presented at various events and gatherings, and regularly facilitates shamanic workshops, as well as men’s talking circles. He is also the founder and director of Holistic Services Group, Australia's number one provider of corporate holistic services.

Peter Hickson
Peter is a builder who specialises in earth building in the Shoalhaven area. Peter has completed over fifty earth projects in the 25 years he has been working in the construction industry. He has been conducting earth building workshops for 9 years, has written many articles and presented papers on earth building. He has completed 4 assignments in the Philippines introducing Earth Building Technology. Peter has recently been involved with the research and testing of earth structures with the Design, Architecture and Building Faculty at UTS. He is now moving into the area of earth building education and consultancy and has served for many years on the committee of the Earth Building Association of Australia and is currently President of EBAA.

Victor Sultas
Victor is a facilitator of energy, light and awareness. He practices Meditation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Kinesiology, Touch For Health, Muscle Therapy, Reiki, Polarity Therapy, Flower Remedies, Acupressure, Crystals, Intuitive Healing, Shamanism, Master Energy Work, Chakra Healing and Alchemy Journey. Victor has lectured at Nature Care College and Australasian College of Natural Therapies and is a corporate consultant, group leader, coach, and change catalyst. He has 20 years knowledge and experience developing, designing, facilitating, delivering and implementing workplace organisational programs in Africa, India, USA, Europe, UK, and the Asia Pacific Region.
Victor is also Director of Strategic Business Coaching.

Anthony Ashworth
Anthony is a building designer, and international speaker & researcher. He has written & presented courses at University of Technology Sydney , Architecture and Building Faculty as well as the International School of Feng Shui in Sydney. He has also lectured in Australia and overseas including, Feng Shui conferences in America and Italy and the 2006 & 2009 International Ayurvedic and Yoga Conference. Anthony is Director of Chrysalis Dwelling Natural Architecture and is a Vastu and Feng Shui Consultant.

Mark Shakeshaft
Mark is an accredited designer and installer of Photovoltaic (solar) Power Systems with the Business Council for Sustainable Energy (BCSE). He has been actively working as a professional in the solar power industry for the last 10 years and has presented papers and workshops on solar technology in Australia and overseas. Prior to that he studied Renewable Energy Technology and had the practical experience of living in a solar energy household. After several years acting as the National Manager of Kyocera Solar Australia, Mark is now the National Business Development Manager of Solar Inverters.


 
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