gone to the forest

Deep Ecology: Coffs Harbour, with John Seed and Friends

Fri, 11 Sep 2026 19:00:00 +1000

A three-day experiential deep ecology workshop (11–13 September), co-facilitated by John Seed with Br. Tenzin and Niamh Murray, following the Work That Reconnects framework — gratitude, honouring pain for the world, seeing with new eyes, and going forth — including the Council of All Beings ritual. Vegetarian meals provided; 25% of proceeds support the Rainforest Information Centre.

Practice Day: Calm Abiding and Lovingkindness

Sat, 29 Aug 2026 09:30:00 +1000

A full-day practice session (9:30am–4:00pm) on Calm Abiding (śamatha) meditation and Lovingkindness (metta) practice, led by Br. Tenzin.

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14fBboAbKcz/

Presentation: Exploration of Calm Abiding Meditation and Loving Kindness

Fri, 28 Aug 2026 18:30:00 +1000

An evening presentation by Br. Tenzin exploring Calm Abiding (śamatha) meditation and Loving Kindness (metta) practice.

For more information visit: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/14fBboAbKcz/

Mindfulness in Nature

Sun, 23 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +1000

A guided outdoor mindfulness session led by Br. Tenzin, exploring Buddhist principles of compassion and wisdom through meditation practices that deepen connection with nature — inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings. Hosted by the City of Coffs Harbour.

CV

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alexander Anderson)

Get in touch

Biosketch

My academic research and employment has focussed on a scientific understanding of interdependence (see Google Scholar profile), giving me the opportunity to develop an understanding of forest ecology, especially impacts of climate change on biodiversity, as well as skills in data analysis, interpretation and communication, and in education as a lecturer and field demonstrator.

Through my research I also endeavoured to link biodiversity conservation and sustainable development via participatory research, including integrating traditional and western scientific knowledge. Later I also focussed on attributes relating to resilience of tropical forest communities to global change and landscape modification.

Privacy Policy

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Who we are

This is the personal website of Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson), at tenzin.gaiaforest.org. It is run independently, though Tenzin is also affiliated with the Gaia Forest Project, which has its own separate privacy policy covering its own services.

What personal data we collect, and why

Contact form

When you use the contact form, we collect your name, email address, and whatever you write in the message, so that we can reply to you. Submissions are handled by Netlify Forms and delivered to a private inbox — they are not visible publicly, not added to any mailing list, and not shared with anyone else.

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Thank You

Sat, 22 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Your message has been received. I’ll do my best to respond soon.

Support

Fri, 21 Aug 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Thank you for considering a donation. As a monastic, I endeavour to continue the ancient principle that places the Dharma beyond price. As such I offer whatever teachings and practices I have had the good fortune to receive from my teachers, and have understood to be helpful, completely free of charge. If you find it beneficial also, please consider making an offering. Any amount is much appreciated, and accepted in a spirit of “no giver, no receiver”. Small repeated offerings are even more helpful. The generosity of the community is my only support for continued study and practice.

Walking in Peace: 2-Day Mindfulness Retreat

Sat, 15 Aug 2026 15:00:00 +0800

A 2-day immersive retreat led by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson), hosted by KFBG. Included mindful forest walks, meditation at Kwun Yam Shan, and gentle qigong with body awareness practices — centred on returning to the present moment through breathing, sensing, and reconnecting with nature. A follow-up to a well-received evening retreat the previous year.

Foundations of Mindfulness and Mettā – Loving Kindness at IBA Kathmandu

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

With Ven. Tenzin (Alex Anderson) and Christian Bernert.

An immersive 7-day retreat exploring the profound teachings of Satipatthāna, the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, and Mettā, the practice of loving kindness — based on the Satipatthāna Sutta, one of the most celebrated and widely studied discourses in the Pāli Canon of Theravāda Buddhism. Complemented by the cultivation of mettā, through guided meditation sessions and Dharma talks, supported by the practice of noble silence.

One-day Retreat: Calm, Cool, and Re-collected — Practices for Being at Home in the World

Sat, 04 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +1000

Building on previous explorations of body and feelings, this session (9:00am–4:30pm) came to the third establishment of mindfulness — contemplation of the mind (Cittānupassanā) — exploring wholesome and unwholesome mental qualities through shamatha and loving-kindness practices, with sitting meditation, dharma talks, and gentle movement. Led by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson). Free, with donations to the teacher welcome.

Glossary and Summary for Morning Meditations — TCP 2026

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Prepared for TCP@IBA Kathmandu, July and August 2026 morning meditation classes, by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson). A trilingual (English / Español / Chinese) glossary and summary covering the Northern Schools perspective, the seven-point posture, and the Nine Stages of śamatha (Navākāra-cittasthiti), with Sanskrit and Tibetan terms.

Download: Glossary and Summary for Morning Meditations (PDF)

Tan Ma Ling — Island of Stability

Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Reposted from Gaia Forest

Help us secure this once-in-a-lifetime place for practice, community and forest restoration

One-day Retreat: Calm, Cool, and Re-collected — Practices for Being at Home in the World

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +1000

Session 2 of a mini-retreat series (9:00am–4:30pm), exploring Vedananupassanā — the second foundation of mindfulness — examining how to work with pleasant and unpleasant feelings, through engaged practices of breath awareness, mindfulness in daily life, and metta (loving kindness). Led by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson). Free, with donations to the teacher welcome. In-person only.

Climate Change & Deep Ecology – A Buddhist Discussion

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 19:00:00 +1100

A discussion with Bhante Sujato and Bhante Tenzin on climate change and deep ecology from a Buddhist perspective. Held in-person and online via Monks in Cyberspace. More info via Lokanta.

Metta Convention: Many Rivers, One Ocean

Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +1100

A two-day convention hosted by the Metta Centre. Br. Tenzin gave the opening talk, plus a talk on Ekayāna and the Lotus Sūtra.

Śamatha and Mettā Retreat - IBA Kathmandu

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A śamatha (calm abiding) and Mettā (loving kindness) retreat at the International Buddhist Academy, co-facilitated with Christian Bernert.

Day of Mindfulness: Walking in Peace 2025

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:00:00 +0800

An immersive mindfulness workshop featuring Qigong movement practices, a contemplative hike to Kwun Yum Shan summit, and a vegetarian dinner — moving from a busy mind to a state of calm through connection with nature. Led by Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson), hosted by KFBG. The well-received predecessor to the 2-day retreat of the same name in August 2026.

Deep Ecology Workshop, Thora

Sat, 26 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +1000

A one-day deep ecology workshop with John Seed (participating remotely) and Karin Raven Steininger, including experiential practices such as the Council of All Beings — exploring ecological identity, evolutionary reflection, and grief work for environmental loss. Vegetarian dinner provided. 25% of proceeds benefited forest protection initiatives.

KEP 2025 Talk Series: Zen and the Ecology of the Unconscious — Mindfulness, Compassion and Insight in a Time of Planetary Polycrisis

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 19:00:00 +0800

A talk exploring the integration of meditation practice with ecological action through Buddhist perspectives on engaged environmental work — how store-consciousness models can be practically engaged as a process of deep healing, individual and collective, drawing on Deep Ecology, Zen Buddhism, and Tibetan traditions. With Ven. Ngawang Tenzin (Dr. Alex Anderson). Free, donations welcomed.

One-day Retreat: Calm, Cool, and Re-collected — Practices for Being at Home in the World

Sat, 18 Jan 2025 09:00:00 +1100

Session 1 of a mini-retreat series with Ven. Tenzin, exploring the cultivation of Śamatha-vipassanā, based on Satipaṭṭhāna (Four Establishments of Mindfulness). Inspired by Northern and Southern schools and the teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh, emphasising engaged practices of breath awareness, mindfulness in daily life, and mettā (loving kindness).

This session: Kāyānupassanā — embodied awareness.

Audio (series): IBA Guided Meditations — Spanish