Dharmagarage
Utrecht & Digital Open Dharma
Welcome to the Dharmagarage – we became an online home for practicing meditation together in an open and collaborative way, during the pandemic.
The Dharmagarage is an international, online community. We’ve explored a wide range of practices and since it 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.
We became a place for shared learning, inspiration and friendship; exploring the mysteries of life together and practicing for the benefit of all beings.
The Dharmagarage was started in Utrecht, the Netherlands, by Joost Vervoort. All artwork on the website was also created by Joost.
Meditation, Guidance and Shared Imaginal Practice
A home for silent and guided meditation as well as group discussions; Joost has guided many sessions opening up different aspects of the depths of experience in fun and explorative ways.
Listen to guidance from previous meditations >
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 emotions, concepts and experience itself. It’s also a lot of fun. You can read more about in on Rosa’s website >
The 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.
We 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. Listen here >
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 spirituality, 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, who also teaches as part of the Dharmagarage.
The Dharmagarage is a part of The Journey That Opens the World – a project that is exploring the potential of the imaginal realm and how it can be propagated for the benefit of all beings.
Join the Dharmagarage
The Dharmagarage group is in WhatsApp. It’s a group of over 50 practitioners, with an ebb and flow of people who join the online sits regularly and those who just hang out watching the chat.
If you would like to join, message Joost with a short intro saying where you heard about the Dharmagarage and with your WhatsApp phone number.
Email: dharmagarage.utrecht@gmail.com
Send a message on: Twitter