Dharmagarage
Utrecht & Digital Open Dharma
Welcome to the Dharmagarage – a home for practicing awakening together in an open and collaborative way.
Since it was started in 2019, the Dharmagarage’s own flavour of dharma emerged, combining deep embodiment, rich imagination, radical inclusivity of all experience, joyful darkness, and profound connection.
The Dharmagarage has taken many forms over the years. During Covid, it was a thriving international online community of academics and practitioners. There are recorded meditations and retreats available to listen to from this time.
We are currently focusing on how we can bring our insights and practice into an academic setting to change the paradigm there, inviting students and teachers to disrupt the status quo and be more wholeheartedly present.
Read an introduction to this view, “Everyone is a mystic poet: the secret trippiness at the heart of systems change.”
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 Dharmagarage has hosted many hours of silent and guided meditation, as well as group discussions and explorations.
Joost has recorded some of his guided sessions. He opens 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 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.