Jess Huon

I first met Jaya in Bodghaya, India, around 2001, Gemma a few years later in Australia whilst managing a retreat for Open Dharma.

I was so stirred by Jaya and Gemma's fierce, tender and unrelenting commitment to the Dharma. I've been deeply influenced by their maverick way of supporting people to find their unique entry into contemplative practice - a rare mixture of rigour and fresh creativity. They helped light the fire for my teaching - for the last seventeen years I’ve continued to teach retreats, wilderness walks, offer public talks, collaborate with artists and community leaders, and mentor individual students - bringing this work in from the edges, over the monastery walls to meet the restless heart of modernity. More information can be found on my website.