BRC Newsflash - July 2024

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The Buddhist Retreat Centre
Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa		For people of all religions
BRC Newsflash: July 2024 Dear Friends,

Handfuls Of Quietness		Image: Nelson Alvares
Handfuls Of Quietness Self-described as a ‘professing Christian and a functional atheist’ the Protestant theologian W. Paul Jones decided to put his paradoxical position to the test by living as a monk for three months in a Trappist monastery high up in the mountains of Colorado. The diary he kept was published as The Province Beyond the River. Spending a great deal of the time in silence was part of the deal and at one point Jones meditates on these lines from the Bible: ‘Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil.’ (Ecclesiastes 4:6). He also speaks of discovering how much the transcendent - God, the Dharma, or whatever label (or none) you wish to attach - speaks to us through our experience of and interaction with the natural world. The Buddhist Retreat Centre with its beautiful gardens offering vistas of valleys and hills provides us with a similar setting to that of Jones in which to interact with nature, often within the frame of silent retreats, whether long or short they are generous handfuls of quietness.

Stupa under dramatic skies		Image: Andrew Brown
In Buddhism what is called ‘Noble Silence’ gives us the opportunity - and in the context of a retreat, the permission - to experience the world around us without the distraction of chatter. Talking with others often diverts and distracts, diluting our experience. The practice of noble silence allows us to put down our masks and listen more attentively to the world around us and to our inner selves, making us a little more porous to their promptings. But let’s not make a meal out of silence. Being silent on retreat doesn’t mean sensory deprivation. And is a silent retreat really all that silent? Silence will really mean the absence of conversation and even then we will still contribute our fair quota of sounds, either when practising in the zendo - sneezing, coughs, stomachs gurgling - or when eating together: the incidental music of plates and cutlery, the crunching of toast. We will also hear the sounds of nature: birds singing, the liquid piping of the orioles, the chanting of the doves and cuckoos, monkeys barking, the chirping of frogs and insects, the creaking of trees in the wind, the drumming of rain on the roof. Offered a handful of quietness, grab it, pay attention, listen carefully, and perhaps, as in the old Zen poem, you will hear: An old pine preaching wisdom A wild bird crying the truth Stephen Coan

Autumn colours		Image: Andrew Brown
A Fresh Start Our July retreats are worth exploring as they all offer affirmation of life’s immense opportunities and a fresh perspective on how one can bring depth and meaning to our daily existence for the rest of this year. We are offering a 10% discount on all June and July bookings. Please continue to support us by: Booking for a retreat - we have a wonderful range of interesting retreats on offer Offering a donation Pledging a monthly contribution of R50 or more Joining our Paid up Yogi scheme which involves paying a contribution forward as credit for future retreats Gifting a voucher to a friend or family member Supporting our film “Bodhi Is Light” Purchasing our popular recipe books Posting about the BRC on your social media platforms for a wider reach Warmly, Chrisi
There are still a few spaces left on the following June retreats: Going With The Flow: Integrating Meditation And Mindfulness Into Our Daily Life Bruce van Dongen \| Weekend \| 21-23 June The aim of this workshop is to develop the tools that enable us to arrive gently and lucidly in the present moment, being aware of the ebb and flow of our moods and emotions and learning to be mindful instead of reactive in our interactions with others. Using the techniques presented, we will learn to train our minds to be centered on the present so that we can flow with the river of life instead of fighting against the current of our conditioning. We will explore Kundalini yoga, which is a combination of stationary and dynamic poses, qigong (chi kung), breathwork and experience gong washing and a sound journey with crystal bowls. These practices increase our energy level and give us the capacity to be fully present and integrated in our bodies and minds.. View teacher details The BRC Goes Juvenile: A Family Retreat With Children In Mind Anisha Maharaj \| 3 days \| 24-27 June Children's rate at 50% of the cost 15% discount for adults Parents and children are invited to join a three-day retreat in the rolling hills of the BRC. Anisha will instil an appreciation of simple pleasures, joy and gratitude. The days will be filled with drumming, art, mandalas and wind-chimes, nature walks, ubuntu story-telling and toasting marshmallows under the stars. Children of school-going age (8 years and up) must be accompanied by an adult. View teacher details Iyengar Yoga: Nudging The Body Into Shape And Health Judy Farah \| 2 days or 7 days \| 28-30 June or 28 June-5 July Get moving again. The upsurge of interest in the ancient practice of yoga attests to its proven physiological and psychological benefits. Our sedentary, western lifestyle has stiffened our limbs and spine to such an extent that many people find the yoga asanas (poses) difficult to perform. Iyengar yoga evolved to deal with this problem - safely, without forcing the body into harmful contortions. Iyengar yoga uses simple, but carefully calibrated props and other supports to achieve postures that would otherwise be unattainable except after years of practice. This retreat is suitable for beginners and for those who may have practised other forms of yoga. For those who wish to consolidate their practice to a deeper level, the additional 5-day retreat is strongly recommended (30 June to 5 July). View teacher details

Monkey face		Image: Andrew Brown
Conducted Retreats July 2024 The Intersection Between Mindful Meditation And Integrative Clinical Psychotherapy - An Online Course CPD Points: Eleven Beatrice Kidd \| 3-18 July \| Donation of R500 This online course has been put together in six sessions online for Psychologists, Social Workers, Medical Personnel and any other interested persons who want to further their understanding of these two different operating systems which function to ameliorate pain, develop insight and ease unnecessary suffering. Participants will contribute and learn from the material and each other. SESSION ONE: WEDNESDAY 3 JULY - 10.00 am - 12.30 pm SESSION TWO: THURSDAY 4 JULY - 10.00 am - 12.30 pm SESSION THREE: WEDNESDAY 10 JULY - 10.00 am - 12.30 pm SESSION FOUR: THURSDAY 11 JULY - 10.00 am - 12.30 pm SESSION FIVE: WEDNESDAY 17 JULY - 10.00 am - 12.30 pm SESSION SIX: THURSDAY 18 JULY - 10.00 am - 12.30 pm Read more Self-Care And Centredness - Finding And Keeping Your Centre Tessa Pretorius \| Weekend \| 5-7 July Why is it so difficult for us to be kind or gentle or good to ourselves? Perhaps it is because we have grown up within the paradigm that ‘good people put the needs of others first’. But what if caring for ourselves wasn’t that difficult? What if, by a few simple adjustments or re-tuning of your emotions, thoughts or attitude patterns, we could find that calm place on the merry-go-round where we were at our best and could deal with and handle what life throws at us with style. The Buddha’s teachings emphasise the importance of taking care of ourselves in order to be of service to others. The wisdom of this teaching tells us that when we are kind and good to ourselves, we are automatically much more so to others. Read more A Calligraphy Course - A Meditative Arts Experience Sana-Bella Ebrahim \| 2 days \| 9-11 July Join Sana-Bella for a mid-week 2-day Calligraphy workshop. "The letter-form contours create a symphony on the page that is at once mesmerising, traditional and aesthetically elaborate," says Sana-Bella. Participants will make an impression by advancing their skills in decorative handwriting in a process which is meditative and self-affirming. A calligraphy pen and notebook will be provided. See www.facebook.com/ArtScribesGlobalGalaxy Read more The Healing Power Of Music, Movement And Nature Christel Andersen, Anja Gerbers and Harold Epstein \| Weekend \| 12-14 July We invite you to a weekend of tuning your instrument (your body heart and soul) through sacred and celebratory music, meditation and contemplation, morning attunement through breath, voice and prayer accompanied by the beautiful harmonic sound of the monochord. Incorporated will be chi kung, hatha yoga, dances of Universal peace and Song Circles and guided meditations and toning (tree of life - Kabbalah). There will be ample time to enjoy the peace and beauty of the BRC and, of course, the delicious meals. It is in the participation of the shared experience of sound which brings great peace and healing into our hearts and to the world. Read more Traditional Hatha And Raja Yoga Duncan Rice \| Weekend \| 19-21 July Join Duncan for a weekend of reflection, rejuvenation, relaxation and restoration. The retreat is based on the ancient practices of hatha and raja yoga and is open to all levels of ability, including beginners, who wish to understand the fundamentals of yoga and develop, or deepen, their own practice. We will discover how shatkarmas (cleansing techniques), asanas (postures), pranayama (control of the breath), mudra (gestures to manipulate and stimulate the energies in the body), bandhas (energy locks with the body) bring us into equilibrium. These traditional practices will help us to develop awareness of body, mind and breath. As the body gently opens like a lotus flower, and we start to release our past impressions, so the mind becomes relaxed preparing us for meditation. Read more Find Your Way Back To Nature For Self-Healing Bernard Chatikobo \| 2 days \| 24- 26 July Escape to the tranquil and nurturing environment of the BRC for a transformative and personal healing experience with Reiki Master, Bernard Chatikobo. Take your first step to self-healing and explore the benefits of water, food, exercise and most importantly breath in talks infused with live, soothing musical vibrations of mbira music. This unique two-day healing retreat is tailored for individuals to take away seven daily breathing exercises, conscious basking in the ambience of forests as tools for self-healing and a one-on-one energy healing session for improved relaxation, vitality and well-being. Read more The Roots Of Sacred Drumming: Exploring Natural Rhythms Richard Ellis and Marc Kress \| Weekend \| 26-28 July Drumming and music-making are ancient ways of transcending our routine lifestyle, opening ourselves to spiritual realms of healing and creativity, which is experienced as liberating and rejuvenating. This is because the universe is a flux of pulsating rhythms and drumming connects us to these rhythms, thus facilitating a change in consciousness and a sense of belonging and well-being, which, in turn, promotes deep relaxation and healing. In this retreat, we will learn basic drumming techniques and explore rhythmic creativity including a segment on Shamanic, Celtic, and Nordic Viking drum patterns which will be combined with meditation practice and contemplation. A Sound Journey meditation using exotic instruments will also be included. The objective of this retreat is to find a balance between the hands-on experience of drumming and its more profound spiritual effects on the human psyche. Read more Qigong For Healing And Vitality Marc Kress \| 1-4 days \| 29 July 2024 - 1 August Qigong involves using gentle exercises to optimize energy within the body, mind, and spirit, with the goal of improving and maintaining health and well-being and developing a calm, meditative state of mind. Join Marc for daily sessions of qigong and enjoy the tranquil, nurturing space of the BRC. Read more A Self Retreat Think peace over pressure and serenity over stress. Enjoy some time at the BRC mid-week, with nourishing vegetarian meals, sunrise meditation and nature's healing embrace to colour the mood of your day. There is no better place than the BRC to rejuvenate the body and mind to guide you into presence and stillness. Read more

What's up there?	Image:Andrew Brown
About the BRC Perched on a ridge at the head of a valley in the Umkomaas river system in KwaZulu-Natal, the Buddhist Retreat Centre looks out on a vista of indigenous valleys, forests and rolling hills receding like waves in the blue distance. Here, for forty-four years, people of all religions and none have come to experience peace and tranquillity. It is a gentle, sympathetic space where one can be still and get in touch with oneself and reflect on the things that crowd one's life. The BRC was voted by CNN as one of the ten best meditation centres in the world. CNN Travel awarded another feather in the BRC’s cap by voting it as one of the ten best spiritual centres in South Africa. The BRC was awarded Natural Heritage status in 1995 under the auspices of the Department of Environmental Affairs and received a certificate to that effect signed by President Nelson Mandela for turning an eroded farm into the natural paradise it has become - thousands of indigenous trees were planted by retreatants under the supervision of Mervyn Croft - with 160 species of birds, including the Blue Swallow, otter, deer, antbear and indigenous forests. The Centre was also given the special status of “Custodian of the Blue Swallow” for its work in preserving the breeding areas of this endangered bird. Recently, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife granted the BRC “Private Nature Reserve” for the conservation of the rare Blue Swallow and Mistbelt Grassland. The BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa Valley, twenty-two years ago, on the estate. Their vision is for all people in the community to be healthy and productive, to live in a safe and clean environment, with good access to services and social justice. The Centre continues to support the organisation by showcasing their crafts in the shop and sponsoring their trainers and consultants. We have been very touched by your appreciative letters, emails and friendship towards the BRC - your spiritual home from home. We are deeply grateful for your generous gifts to the Centre in the form of PUY and Monthly contributions, new beds and bases, office chairs and a desk, a new refrigerator, microwave oven, bathroom towels, indigenous trees and seedlings, books for our library, a generator, garden benches, pillows, towels and linen, geyser insulation blankets, clothing and Dana for our staff, an inverter and beautiful antique scrolls and Imari platters and ceramics, framed prints and Thankas, new tablecloths and serviettes, a brand new Magimix, signage for our forest paths - and so much more. Thank you to all of you who continue to support our work in Ixopo with monthly and Paid Up Yogi contributions and donations, with gifts, or with skills and time. And, of course, to everyone who comes to the Centre - you keep us open and viable - and to our teachers who keep the Dharma wheels turning. We are deeply grateful for your generosity towards us; it encourages us to continue Louis’ beautiful vision and legacy for the future. Please continue to support the BRC by becoming a friend of the Buddhist Retreat Centre (a registered non-profit organisation) and find out more about the BRC's Paid-Up-Yogi and Sangha Friends’ projects. Chrisi Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc.
www.brcixopo.co.za \| 066 395 4682 \| 082 579 3037 \| 031 2095995 Share: \| Follow us:
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