Dharmagarage
Utrecht & Digital Open Dharma
Welcome to the Dharmagarage – an online home for practicing meditation together in an open and collaborative way.
We are an international, online community of academics and practitioners who have explored a wide range of practices and since Dharmagarage was started in 2019, our own flavour of Dharma emerged; combining deep embodiment, rich imagination, radical inclusivity of all experience, joyful darkness and profound connection.
The Dharmagarage was started in Utrecht, the Netherlands, by Joost Vervoort. All the artwork on the website was also created by Joost.
Guided Meditation
The Dharmagrage is a home for silent and guided meditation as well as group discussions and explorations.
Joost has guided many sessions, opening up different aspects of the depths of experience in fun and explorative ways.
You can listen to recorded meditations here
Shared Imaginal Practice
Shared Imaginal Practice – a brand new interpersonal practice that is based in embodied imagination – was created by Rosa Lewis and pioneered in the Dharmagarage.
The practice has the power to be deeply transformational and can change how you relate to experience. It’s also a lot of fun. You can read more about it on Rosa’s website.
The Dharmagarage Story
Joost and Rosa recorded a conversation in February 2021, capturing the story and inspiration behind the Dharmagarage and talking about some of the explorations that were going on around that time.
It’s a really nice way to get a sense of the vibe of the Dharmagarage.
Rosa and Joost also record a regular podcast, Nouveau Shamanic Cinema, where we watch films as if they are dreams or imaginal practice and use this as a platform to explore dharma and the nature of reality.
Dharma Inspiration
The unique flavour of Dharmagarage dharma has been inspired by a wide range of sources, not limited to traditional meditation techniques.
From video games to heavy metal to cult movies, the Dharmagarage is a cultural melting pot of inspiration.
Within contemplative practice, it has been influenced by the wave of Pragmatic Dharma, in particular Daniel Ingram, Michael Taft, Kenneth Folk and Vince Horn; the Chan Buddhist teachings of Ton Lathouwers; and the emptiness and soul-making teachings of Rob Burbea.
Joost’s personal journey has been deeply influenced by his teachers Jeff Shore and Rosa Lewis.
The Dharmagarage is a part of The Imaginal Realm Project – a collaborative project exploring how humans can access the imaginal realm on a global scale.