Photograph by kamisoka

Śarana means refuge, and in these challenging, divisive times, we can continue to come together to listen deeply, rest in being and celebrate all forms of wholeness, beauty and interconnectedness 

Anne Overzee: ‘I am an End-of-Life doula, clinical supervisor and mentor for those involved in health and palliative care contexts, having worked with individuals and groups most of my life as a Core Process psychotherapist, including as a trainer for Karuna Institute in Devon, UK. It is a joy to have been running courses and retreats in Italy since 2004. My spiritual approach, while rooted in Vajrayana practice, has the intention of being interspiritual and inclusive. Previously I studied Theology and Religious Studies, initially at Cambridge University, before living in India studying eastern spiritual traditions and then working in Further and Higher Education in the U.K. My doctorate was published as The Body Divine: Cambridge University Press, 1986.’

My intention in setting up Sarana was to create provisional contemplative communities of people coming together, both face to face and online, to practice, enquire and share together, whether for an hour or for extended periods of time

What I offer, while essentially contemplative, is on an inclusive and accessible basis - everyone is welcome, and payment has been optional for all online sessions throughout these first two years. 

The common thread throughout the practices offered here in different contexts (see ‘offerings’) is the cultivation of embodied and heart centred presence, a resting in natural awareness, and the establishing - however briefly and provisionally - of a community of lay contemplatives seeking to alleviate suffering.

How things are now: after several years of exploratory offerings, mainly online, I am letting this website stand as an ongoing space for these values and intentions to be visible, and for any further developments to unfold. I shall update it occasionally.
If you would like to get in touch or to request a series of online sessions for your group in any of the contexts given, please do get in touch and I would be very happy to respond.

Background context: Śarana is envisioned as a fluid, provisional community of people wanting to ground our lives and connect with each other through contemplative practice, which is is viewed as crucial for open-heartedly engaging in the world to relieve suffering.

We may or may not already be involved in a spiritual or religious tradition, and in addition many of us span different life paths historically or concurrently. Whatever our worldview we can often gain insights and support from those with different experiences and understandings from our own.

Śarana welcomes diversity and chooses communities of difference, including of spirituality or religion, sex, disability, gender identity, race, culture and age.

The door is open for you to come to any online or in person courses, retreats and gatherings. No commitment is needed other than to your own journey of heart. Offerings through Sarana are all made in the context of valuing communities of difference; between us there will always be a rich diversity of experience and understandings to share. Santi!