The Living Path - A 9-Month Online Meditation Course in New Zealand
An exploration of meditation and life
The Living Path
This 9-month online meditation course has been designed for anyone who wants to establish a life-changing and inspiring meditation practice that will continue to deepen and nourish you for the rest of your life.
Imagine waking each morning with a meditation practice that feels natural, inspiring and deeply supportive.
Not something you start with good intentions and gradually abandon, but a practice that becomes part of the rhythm of your life – bringing greater ease, clarity and unimaginable wonder to your life as it unfolds.
The Living Path was created for people who want more than a introduction to meditation. It is a carefully structured nine-month journey that allows you to learn progressively, ask questions, practise consistently and become part of a supportive and inspired community.
Whether you are completely new to meditation or have attended one of our retreats before, this course provides the guidance and encouragement to establish a practice that will continue to deepen over the journey of your life.
Explore this page –
Course components
Who is the course for?
Dates – Investment – FAQs
Building a Meditation Practice That Endures
Almost everyone has heard that meditation is good for them. Many people download an app, read a book or attend a course. They practise for a few weeks and experience glimpses of greater calm.
Then life gets busy.
The practice slowly fades away.
Usually this isn’t because people lack discipline. It’s because meditation can feel confusing without guidance. The field is too vast.
Questions naturally arise.
“Am I doing this correctly?”
“Why won’t my mind stop thinking?”
“Should meditation feel peaceful?”
“What am I trying to develop?”
Without someone to ask, it’s easy to become discouraged.
Meditation isn’t difficult, but it is nuanced and strategic. Learning alongside an experienced teacher and a supportive group makes all the difference. That is why Retreats NZ created The Living Path.
Meditation will change your life, developing a calmness of mind, a poise of character. It is a foundation for flourishing to your highest potential
Is The Living Path a meditation course?
Yes. The Living Path is a 9-month online guided meditation course and mentorship program designed for beginners and experienced meditators who want to establish a consistent, meaningful meditation practice. Unlike a weekend retreat, you’ll learn gradually through monthly teaching circles, guided practices, community support and ongoing guidance from meditation teacher Susan Allen.
The practices are drawn from the wisdom traditions of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism. They will be taught in a secular context relevant and appropriate to kiwis living in this contemporary age.
Learning with ongoing support
There are many ways to learn meditation – apps, books, online videos, weekend workshops. Each has its value.
The Living Path is the opportunity to learn within an ongoing living relationship – exploring the development of your personal practice, and building a relationship with a teacher and a community.
Over nine months you receive:
Progressive monthly teachings where each month covers a specific skillset and practice technique
A structured home practice plan
Guided meditation recordings to assist your home practice
Reflection and journalling exercises to deepen your learning
Live discussion and questions with Susan Allen 2x/month
Ongoing encouragement and support of an experienced teacher
A supportive community (sangha) in which to hold and enrich your experience
A 9-month structured exploration
Retreats NZ offers many 3,5, 10 day retreats. These are a fabulous introduction to the path of awakening and practice. The deepest learning however doesn’t happen over a weekend – it happens through consistent practice over time.
An immersive retreat covers a lot of ground where many ideas and new practices are introduced. On The Living Path, the map of where we’re going will be the same but the pace more graduated, the content more in-depth, and the interaction a deeply woven fabric. Each month will have a specific practice focus, and over the 9 months we will construct upon a stable foundation, a rich and refined practice. You’ll have time to practise, reflect, ask questions and gradually integrate each stage before moving to the next.
By the end of the program you’ll not only understand meditation more deeply, you’ll have established a practice that is profoundly inspiring, interesting, real and grounded in your everyday life.
What we'll explore
Learning together
Meditation can sometimes feel like a solitary pursuit. Coming together every fortnight for practice, learning in community and sharing experiences is one of the precious offerings of this program.
Over the course of the program you’ll become part of a small community, sangha, where questions are welcomed, experiences are shared and everyone supports one another’s growth.
Many of the challenges we encounter in meditation are universal. Discovering this together is often one of the most encouraging aspects of the journey.
What the meditation course includes
To explore, to grow, to wake up, for these benefits to flow to all beings - surely this is the greatest gift we can give ourselves
Who is this course for?
By the end of the course
You won’t simply know more about meditation.
You’ll have developed:
- A consistent meditation practice that you can rely on and feel deeply inspired to practice
- Know the map and context of meditation and where it can take you in your life
- Confidence practising without relying on apps
- Greater steadiness during stress and uncertainty
- Practical ways of working with anxiety and overthinking
- A supportive meditation community
- A wish to share these transformative practices with others
- A strong foundation for continuing your practice for years to come
Every day we practice meditation continues to open us up to the wonder of life. Forget the treadmill! It becomes one of our most treasured gems that we protect and nurture. It is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves.
Investment in happiness
$2,200 for the 9 month program
Payment options
a) 4 x $550 payments spread over 6 months, or
b) price discounted to $2,000 for upfront payment
as this significantly reduces our admin collecting payments
Course dates
Every month we meet online for:
1 x Meditation circle – learning and practice – Sundays 1 – 5pm NZT
1 x Sangha gathering – practice and discussion – Wednesdays 7 – 8.30pm NZT
2026
September
Opening circle – Tuesday 15th Sept. 7 – 8.30pm
Meditation circle – Sunday 20th Sept.
October
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 7th Oct.
Meditation circle – Sunday 25th Oct.
November
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 11th Nov.
Meditation circle – Sunday 22nd Nov.
December
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 2nd Dec.
Meditation circle – Sunday 20th Dec.
2027
January
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 6th Jan.
Meditation circle – Sunday 24th Jan.
February
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 3rd Feb.
Meditation circle – Sunday 21st Feb.
March
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 3rd March
Meditation circle – Sunday 21st March
April
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 7th April
Meditation circle – Sunday 25th April
May
Sangha gathering – Wednesday 5th May
Meditation circle – Sunday 9th May
Attendance guidelines
All meditation circles and gatherings will be online via Google Meet. This circle will be a sacred and potent learning ground.
One of the real gems of learning this way is the support and inspiration of travelling a path with others. This course is offered as a live gathering of like-minded people where we can create and build a living, breathing sangha (collective of those devoted to learning and growth).
While all modules and practices will be recorded and made available this course is offered only to those who plan to attend live for all or most sessions. It is not intended as a self-guided set of recordings.
Booking and cancellation policy
These terms are clear and firm, no exceptions.
Once you have registered for the course we do not provide refunds or partial refunds. This enables us to adequately prepare for and organise the structure of the course.
Meet your teacher
Susan Allen has been teaching meditation and yoga in New Zealand for many years and has guided thousands of people through retreats, courses and ongoing practice.
Originally a mechanical engineer, she then founded Yoga Ground studios in Auckland and Wanaka. For the last 15 years she has been facilitating retreats around New Zealand, Bali and India.
Her teaching draws on the Mahamudra and Dzogchen traditions of Tibetan Buddhism while presenting meditation in a practical, grounded and accessible way for modern life.
Students often comment on her ability to explain complex ideas with clarity and structure. Her greatest passion is sharing these life-changing practices with others in a way that transforms lives, from the ground up.
FAQs
Is this meditation course suitable for complete beginners?
Absolutely. The Living Path has been designed for people who are completely new to meditation as well as those who have some previous experience. Everything is taught progressively, beginning with the foundations and gradually building over the nine months. No previous knowledge is required.
How is The Living Path different from using a meditation app?
Meditation apps can be a wonderful introduction and are an excellent way to begin exploring meditation. However, many people eventually discover they have questions that an app can’t answer. The Living Path provides something different: a structured learning journey with an experienced teacher, the opportunity to ask questions, guidance that adapts as your practice develops, and the encouragement of practising alongside a supportive community. Rather than simply listening to guided meditations, you’ll gradually develop the understanding and confidence to establish your own lifelong meditation practice.
What type of meditation will I learn?
The Living Path draws on the timeless meditation traditions of Indo-Tibetan Buddhism of Mahamudra and Dzogchen while presenting these teachings in a practical, secular way for modern life. These traditions aim to understand how the mind works and how understanding this can bring change and flourishing into our daily life. This is their intention.
Throughout the course we’ll explore practices that cultivate stability of attention (shamatha), awareness and insight (vipassana), working skilfully with thoughts and emotions, and discovering the deeper qualities of awareness. The emphasis is always on direct experience rather than belief or philosophy.
Why does this meditation course run over nine months?
A meaningful meditation practice develops gradually. While a retreat can provide a wonderful introduction and a powerful experience, lasting transformation happens through regular practice over time. Nine months allows each aspect of meditation to unfold with a spaciousness. You’ll have time to practise, reflect, ask questions, integrate what you’ve learned, and build a meditation practice that feels genuine and sustainable in everyday life.
How much time should I set aside each week?
Each month includes two live online sessions: a 4-hour Sunday gathering dedicated to meditation, learning and guided practice, and a 90-minute Wednesday evening session for meditation, discussion and connection with the group.
Throughout the nine months, the intention is to gradually establish a regular daily meditation practice that becomes an enjoyable and meaningful part of your life. We’ll begin with around 20 minutes of practice each day, with the option to extend this naturally as your understanding and excitement grows.
You’ll also receive simple journalling and reflection exercises throughout the course. These are designed to deepen your understanding of the teachings, encourage personal insight, and help you integrate meditation into your everyday life.
What If I can't attend all sessions live?
Rather than self-paced learning, this meditation mentorship course offers group learning and group live sessions. It is offered to those who plan to attend all or most of the live sessions. This creation of a sangha and group learning environment where we support each other and grow together is one of the greatest gifts of a course structured like this.
Of course sometimes other responsibilities override our good intentions and we may have to miss a session or two. This is understood as long as each participant understands this is the exception. If you cannot make many of the live sessions then this is not the right time to sign up for this mentorship program.
Can I join if I've never attended one of your retreats?
Yes. The Living Path is open to everyone, whether you’ve attended one of our meditation retreats or are discovering Retreats NZ for the first time. The course begins with the foundations and gradually develops from there, making it suitable for complete beginners as well as those wishing to deepen an existing practice.
What are the benefits of learning meditation in a community (sangha)?
Meditation can sometimes feel like a solitary practice, yet learning alongside others is one of the greatest supports we can have. Throughout the course you’ll become part of a small meditation community where questions are welcomed, experiences are shared, and everyone supports one another’s learning.
Many people discover that the experiences and challenges they encounter in meditation are shared by others.
There is comfort and encouragement in walking the path together.
Is this course religious?
No. People from all backgrounds and beliefs are welcome. While the teachings are inspired by centuries-old Buddhist meditation traditions, they are presented in a secular, practical and accessible way that focuses on direct experience rather than religious belief. The emphasis is on understanding the mind, cultivating awareness and discovering how meditation can bring greater ease, clarity and wellbeing into everyday life.
Why do so many people struggle to maintain a meditation practice?
Most people begin meditation with genuine enthusiasm. They experience moments of calm and clarity, but as life becomes busy the practice often fades away.
In order to stay inspired and interested it is a great advantage to have support of a living group and teacher. Being able to ask questions and get clarity on how your practice is unfolding helps to keep it interesting and progressing. When we are progressing we stay engaged, the excitement at what’s unfolding holds us.
Understanding and seeing how meditation is a progressive practice – seeing the map – is inspiring. Sharing that journey with others, that’s what life is all about.
Why choose a meditation course instead of a meditation retreat?
Meditation retreats and ongoing courses each offer something unique, and many people enjoy experiencing both. A retreat provides the opportunity to step away from everyday life and immerse yourself in meditation over several days. A longer course allows something different: the chance to gradually integrate meditation into your daily life with regular guidance, ongoing support and time to develop each stage of practice.
Upcoming India and New Zealand retreats
Retreats NZ runs meditation and yoga retreats New Zealand wide as well as well as to the spiritual heartland of India. If you are looking to deepen your practice or your intention is simply to have some quiet time to yourself, we’d love to have you join us.
Wanaka
Meditation & Yoga
August, 2026 (TBA)
Auckland
Meditation & Yoga
28 – 30 August, 2026
Wanaka
Meditation & Yoga
4 – 8 November, 2026
The Living Path
Online Mentorship
9 months
India
Yoga & Spirit
9- 20 March 2027