Ruru Hui (English)

Ruru Hui is a gathering in a circle – a space of meeting, of truly seeing and recognizing one another. It is a space where something new is allowed to emerge, and where each person, in their own unique way, brings light, love, and healing into the field, thereby supporting and nourishing the entire group. It is a time to learn something new about yourself, to replenish your strength, and to deepen your connection with your family on a spiritual level. It offers you the opportunity to grow and carries the wisdom of your ancestors and elders to you, so that you may find an anchor and a sense of home here on Earth within a spiritual family.

Ruru Hui is love, honesty, and deep exchange for anyone who is seeking exactly that. It is a place where people come together for a positive vision of the future, for connection, for celebrating life, and for exchange between generations – grounded in mutual respect and appreciation, free from restriction. It is also a place to meet in love, to share your gifts from the heart, your messages, and your visions. As mentioned before: a place to celebrate life in its fullness, free from fear. And it is, in a way, also a school, where we can all learn from one another and support each other on the path forward into a new world.

At its core, it is about being present in the here and now, listening, being heard, sharing, and connecting with the ancestors. It is about open-hearted, honest expression – equal and on eyelevel. Together, we undertake shamanic journeys, either guided by personal themes that arise or by shared intentions. It is about simply being and observing what unfolds.

At the beginning, on the first evening, the gateways to the spiritual realms are opened. The ancestors are invited, as well as spirit guides, spirits, and all beings from the spiritual realms who wish to come – those who support us, or those who seek support themselves. They arrive and contribute to the processes that unfold. These processes can be profound and transformative, bringing us closer to our true selves.

The intention of Ruru Hui is to allow whatever wants to happen to happen – whatever is important in that moment, in the now – for the benefit of all participants. It takes place within a protected space, in connection with the ancestors and benevolent beings of the spiritual realms. It is a space to find answers and to discover oneself – each person within their own boundaries and possibilities, in a way that feels right and supportive. At times, the processes may gently invite you beyond your comfort zone. This is where the group, the circle, provides a safe and holding container – a space you can surrender into and be supported by.

At any time, even outside of Ruru Hui, there is also the opportunity to reach out to Klaus in trust.

It may be that, from the moment you decide to attend Ruru Hui, something within you already begins to open or shift. For some, this starts weeks in advance; for others, when they begin their journey to Ruru Hui. And for some, it begins only once they come into contact with the ancestors, spirits, guides, nature beings, dragons, guardians from different dimensions, or the fields of memory and experience. Between sharing circles, there are drum journeys or journeys accompanied by the sound of the didgeridoo, allowing participants to dive deeper into their inner worlds and themes – to see what else wishes to emerge and be seen.

In between, there is singing and music, laughter and tears. Everything that arises is welcome. There is no fixed idea of how things should be or what should happen. Everything unfolds in the present moment. What is needed will reveal itself, will come, and will be lived. And so we walk this path together and individually, immersing ourselves in processes and experiences as our senses begin to open.

For some, Ruru Hui ends when the gates are closed again and all ancestors, spirits, and guides return to where they belong. For others, the processes continue, unfolding over days or weeks. Some participants share that their processes extend across several Ruru Hui gatherings. Everything is possible. Everything is allowed to be. And everything is right as it is.

Ruru Hui is a path, a deep immersion, and in many ways a shamanic process. It is not a therapy session. It is deep and open to whatever wants to arise – a reflection of life in all its diversity and many facets.

As some of you may (perhaps) know, I met Wai in 2005 and subsequently spent several very intense years with her in Europe and in Aotearoa (New Zealand). And although, right from the beginning, she told me: “I cannot be your teacher,” I learned an incredible amount from her and from Dave. This was through all the events, workshops, and LSP (Long Term Study Program) elements I attended and assisted in, as well as through all the Hikoi (journeys organized by Wai to her roots and to deepen the understanding of Māori culture and tradition) that I took part in.

Over time, I also took on organizational responsibilities. Initially for Koha Aroha (“gift of love”) from 2007 onwards, and later also for Hikoi. Throughout all these years, we were in close exchange, and she allowed me insight into the motivations behind many of her decisions. One of her intentions for Koha Aroha was to create a space where all the people she had met through her LSP programs, workshops, and readings could come together, connect, and share.

The last time Wai came to Europe was in 2014, and it was her wish that Koha Aroha would continue. I was happy to honor this wish from 2015 until 2023. In the autumn of 2023, I felt a strong impulse for change – to open the circle to people who had never heard of Wai before. From my heart, a memory arose: In 2010, in Otaki, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Wai began holding gatherings – teachings that were open to anyone interested, with the intention of guiding people back to their own inner source and strength, to find themselves within, and to recognize and live their own gifts.

At the beginning, it was a small group, mainly Māori women, though not exclusively. Wai’s connection to Ruru (owls), also known as her Kaitiaki (guardian or totem), led her to place these teachings under the protection of the owl spirit.

A year later, Wai decided to give these gatherings a foundation rooted in Māori tradition. For the ceremony, she chose four men who symbolically represent the four pillars that hold up the roof of the house: Kaumatua (Elder) Te Waari Carkeek, Kaumatua Dave Hegglun, Kaumatua Charles Matenga, and myself, Klaus Wintersteller.

The name of the house: “Te Whare Ruru Hau,” roughly translated as “the house under the protection of the owl.” After the ceremony, Wai said to me: “Since you are now a part (a pillar) of Te Whare Ruru Hau, you can take the name and the intention connected with it to Europe and use it there.”

I chose the name “Ruru Hui” (Ruru = owl, Hui = gathering, meeting) for several reasons, among them:

• out of gratitude and respect for Wai, Dave, Moe, and the Māori culture
• because through them I found myself, my gifts, and my path
• because I wish to carry forward this intention as a pillar of Te Whare Ruru Hau
• and because, from my own experience, I know how difficult it can be for Europeans to remember Māori words or names, and “Ruru Hui” seemed simpler and more memorable than “Te Whare Ruru Hau.”

Ruru Hui is organized by me, with the intention of creating a framework in space and time in which we can immerse ourselves in the flow of life, in the present moment, and deeply within ourselves…

I was born in 1961. Throughout my life, I have been searching for answers, always learning. I immersed myself in many different paths – both in entanglement and in spiritual development.At some point, I became aware that I perceive the world differently than the people around me, and than most people. That I am connected to a level of awareness that goes beyond the ordinary, everyday consciousness in which most people live and move.

My journey, my development, led me in 2005 to the Māori seer Te Wai Matao Turoa-Morgan and her partner Dave Hegglun, a sculptor and shaman. Until 2014, I traveled intensively with the two of them through Europe and New Zealand – as an assistant and supporter in their workshops and long-term training programs. I feel deep gratitude for everything I was able to receive and learn from them.

I am equally grateful to Wai’s brother, Moe Tatua Turoa, who is my teacher. He not only taught me the art of Haka, but through his stories about Māori culture and life before colonization, he opened the doors for me to connect with my own ancestors. Through him, I was able to reconnect with the Celts and Germanic peoples, and with the cultures that existed in Europe before them.

Through these three and their families, I was able to immerse deeply into the Māori world, and at the same time look into my own past. In doing so, I came to understand the importance of being connected to our ancestors and to the gifts we have brought with us into this life. This has profoundly changed my life.

First Day:
We begin in the late afternoon with a shared meal (optional).
At 19:00, we start with an introduction round, followed by a ritual to open the gateways to the spiritual realms and to invite the ancestors and spirits.

From the second day onwards:
From 08:30 to approximately 09:30, we meet each morning (before breakfast!) for a shamanic journey (with didgeridoo or drum), followed by a sharing round. Afterwards, we have breakfast.
At 11:00, the morning circle begins and lasts approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Time for lunch… followed by a break.
In most cases, there is another circle in the afternoon from 16:00 to 18:00.
18:00 dinner.
At 20:00, we gather again in the circle and allow whatever wants to emerge to be seen and explored.

Last Day:
08:30 shamanic journey
Afterwards breakfast
At 11:00, the final gathering in the circle, including farewells and the closing of the gateways to the spiritual realms.

Usually we finish the closing round on Sunday at around 14:00 to 14:30. Afterwards, there is the option to share a final meal together. Those who need to leave earlier or wish to head home can depart directly after the final circle, before the meal. All of this is only a general framework. Everything may shift and adapt according to what is needed, remaining flexible in order to stay in the flow. The connections we build during this time – with the ancestors, spirit guides, Kaitiaki (totem), and other beings from the spiritual realms – remain. And the experiences we make stay with us.

You are welcome to bring photos or objects that connect you with your ancestors, or with someone who is dear to you from this world or the spiritual realms. Together, we will create a special place for them – a Tapu (sacred space), where we place the items that are meaningful to us, such as stones, photos, crystals, jewelry, wood, flowers, and so on.

We take care of our own food. Sometimes we cook together, sometimes everyone eats what they have brought. There is a kitchen, a refrigerator, and everything we need. Everyone brings the food they like. Ruru Hui is an open circle. Of course, it is ideal and recommended to be present from the beginning to the end.

However, it is important to us that if someone feels called, wants to be part of it, or simply wishes to connect and feel into it, it is also possible to attend for a shorter time. In this case, please get in touch with us in advance. It is important to us that people have the opportunity to participate, even if other commitments prevent them from attending for the full duration.