BRC Newsflash

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The Buddhist Retreat Centre
Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa		For people of all religions
BRC Newsflash
Forthcoming retreats from March 2020 to January 2021 have been updated on our website: www.brcixopo.co.za The BRC printed brochure February 2020 to January 2021 was posted at the end of January Quiet Food and Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food are available in the shop. They can also be posted to you. Please contact the BRC office Teacher's Dana. Without our retreatants' support and attendance, there would be no BRC, and without our teachers, the Centre would be unthinkable. In keeping with ancient Buddhist tradition, the Dharma is offered at no charge, and teachers are not paid a fee for their teachings. Some teachers rely solely on Dana for their living expenses. We therefore encourage you to offer Teacher's Dana (Generosity) from your heart at the end of your stay, with an awareness that it is your generous financial support/ Dana which enables our teachers to continue offering their teachings at our Centre Tree Appeal for our 40th year: The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now. We invite you to be part of our 40th year anniversary by planting an indigenous tree, and visiting it annually. Own a small piece of Ixopo and contribute to greening the landscape. Twenty years ago, come April 2020, Woza Moya was launched at the BRC by Executive Director, Sue Hedden. Now a thriving community-based organisation, improving the lives of close on 10,000 people in the Ufafa Valley Community, Woza Moya has gained a global reputation. Celebrating 20 years, Sue is travelling around South Africa (in Cape Town in March and in the UK in May) telling the Woza Moya Story, meeting old friends and making new connections. Please invite Sue to your home, a coffee shop, school, community hall, church, club house, where 4/40/400 people are gathered. By bringing friends together, and then friends of friends - having fun, sharing the Woza Moya Story, touching hearts - retelling our story and generating goodwill - will help us to make significant connections to raise the funds to remain sustainable. Nowadays it is ALL about who you know! Please contact Sue on: Join Christopher Dalzell on a 5 night, 6 day tour from 11-16, 18-23 August, 2020 of one of the true wonders on the world, Namaqualand. Every spring this dry landscape comes alive for 6 weeks of the year with carpets of flowers that is a scene not to be missed. Contact Chris on his email: or call him on 0845539832

Light and at ease		Image: Chantelle Flores
Dear BRC Friends The BRC is uniquely positioned to confront the Covid 19 pandemic in a way that reflects the special mindset that the philosophy of the Buddha formulated to deal with such challenges. During the Buddha’s life and throughout his career as a magnificent teacher, he explored the many dimensions of human suffering and articulated wise responses to it. In his time there were wars and conflicts as well as natural disasters and epidemics that took a huge toll on people. His teachings advocated Calmness and Clarity to deal with the anxiety and fear that we are experiencing at the moment: to stop the mind from going into panic mode and to stay centred on the problems and their solutions. Therefore, let us all define an effective attitude to deal with this challenge by remaining as positive as we can, staying calm and caring for ourselves and one another. With the country-wide lockdown, the Centre is closed and we will review the situation as it unfolds and keep you informed. Our resident staff will hold the BRC space until such time that we will be able to open and resume retreats again.

Moody clouds over the stupa		Image: Gavin de Kock
We have rescheduled Sue Cooper’s “Open the heart and still the mind” to 29 July to 2 August ; Hannelize Robinson’s “Vinyasa yoga” to 24-26 July and Richard Chippindall’s “ Saying yes to life” to 9-11 October. We will also reschedule Dr Hu’s “ Healing qigong” for a later date. All these new dates have been published on our website: www.brcixopo.co.za. As a non-profit organisation, the BRC relies on income to pay wages to our local staff - and cover the many other costs involved in running the centre. After 40 years, it would be a tragedy if it had to close permanently due to a financial crisis. So in the spirit of goodwill which you have always shown towards the BRC over these many years, we appeal to you to leave your deposit payments with us, as a credit, rollover or voucher to use once we are able to resume retreats and workshops. Changing the date of a booked stay or booking for retreats ahead could be the kindest thing to do right now to ensure the survival of the Centre. For those of you who would like to help the Centre through these next few crucial months, please consider making a contribution as a Paid Up Yogi to be used as a credit in the future. This would help us enormously to survive. We wish you health and safety, and look forward to welcoming you back to the green hills of Ixopo in better times. Be at ease and safe, With Metta, Louis

Still water, still mind		Image: Chantelle Flores
Memories Then And Now Memories 35 years ago: Fran Saunders In 1984 cell phones were still a surprise waiting for most of us. I had often driven past the Buddhist Retreat sign on the D64 inland from Durban, and with Zen Mind Beginner’s Mind as my only reference, sufficiently piqued curiosity made me find a number and call. A young slightly aloof voice (June can be cautious) gave me the distinct impression that the Retreat just ‘may’ be open to outsiders. Fast forward. I booked a weekend beginner’s retreat with Louis and arrived after dark in thick mist, unable to call for confirmation that I was on the right road, praying all the way that I would not miss the sign - to be welcomed by Clifford who appeared like Merlin illumined by a pinprick of flashlight in the grey blanket. A bit like van Loon on his first visit to the farm in the rain, I had no real idea where I was because my car lights only picked out snippets of the road ahead. The area felt and smelt like forest but my immersion was directionless. And the next morning Nirodha Farm revealed itself as the layers evaporated: newly planted trees and brushes, buildings in the process of being completed; a small well-ordered sanctuary in the wild interior. I could see Ofafa valley, I could now guess the location; a veritable unfolding. Louis’ introduction was everything I hoped for: erudite and insightful. I was a clumsy Buddhist beginner (TM my only go-to meditation technique), and cold to boot - but the hook was in. My subsequent visits to the BRC over the last 35 years and opportunities to be a privileged facilitator in a few retreats, have been a lifeline to Buddhism without which I cannot imagine the world to make much sense. I have seen the trees grow from saplings to giants, I have met wonderful teachers and retreatants. I am still in touch with the Centre through Louis and Chrisi and Junaq is still there - and the trees around the giant Buddha still rustle in the wind.
Sun-drenched zen garden		Image: Chantelle Flores
Memories Now: Neil Swanepoel I have just completed another 4-day stay at the BRC and like all the previous ones - it was incredible. I live a typically busy and stressful city life and no matter how hard I try or should try to maintain balance in my life, I inevitably find myself reaching a stage where I simply have to switch off, reboot and do some serious self nurturing. Strange beings we are…Drew Barrymore once said : “Sometimes you just have to touch the stove to see how hot it is.” Well there I was, tiniest little blister on my forefinger, running back to my Ixopo to have it kissed better. Despite all the obvious reasons for this place to be as bliss as it is (the rolling green hills of the Midlands, the moss, the trees, monkeys, the glorious food prepared by the friendly staff) there is always something extra that just gently envelops one and stops one in one’s tracks. It’s in the air. It’s as if everything becomes body temperature and you lose your skin - you become one with the place, with the moment and by feeling present, you all of a sudden open yourself up to the infinite calmness, wisdom, healing and comfort huddled in the mountains, amongst the trees and in something as simple as smelling homemade bread, the chirping of the monkeys or just the nearly unbearable, naked, louder than a rock concert…silence. It is then that I remember how many good intentions I have and that the work is never done. Time to focus again. BE HERE NOW, the rest will follow. Barefoot and happy amongst the gods. And then after a few days I feel rejuvenated and ready again, time to go home, which I always do with as much joy as when I arrive, because I feel like I’m the best version of myself again and I can hopefully contribute instead of just taking and expecting. Then I unpack my bag and smell a t shirt or scarf with the hope of catching just a bit of the pine, moss, red wet soil or fresh air, but alas. But then I look into my love’s eyes or smell my dogs after their park and dam run and realise I did after all bring it with me. In fact, it’s always here and wherever I go…just find it. Thank you to the BRC for this haven, may you stay and be safe in these times to come, be responsible and wise and I wish you all mountains of blessings. Remembering the BRC: Bernadine Willis I feel in my heart to say this and it comes from a place of love. The BRC is part of a network of good people. At this stage everyone is so inwardly focused as they contemplate their survival; however, this will settle. It is when this settles that our outward light will return. May we all find hope and peace by remembering the path we have walked. Remember the Centre where we have found solace - revisit it in your minds - sending out a ray of sunshine to connect to this sacred sanctuary. Practice Dhamma-dana with those around you in need, as it is at this time of despair that we truly find our pure love.

Nourishing nosh from Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food		Images: Angela Shaw
Forthcoming Retreats People often yearn for an opportunity to recalibrate their lives and to spend some time in quiet reflection among like-minded people. The BRC provides such a refuge - where silence is a precious commodity - and where people meet to engage in a range of talks on Eastern and Western philosophy and psychology. In these challenging times, we need ways to steady our hearts. Focus on staying positive, calm and clear. Choose practices such as yoga, qigong and meditation to centre yourselves. Find effective ways to combat stress. Treat yourself to a personal retreat where you can wake up to bird song, walk in the morning mist, rake the sand garden, listen to the wind chimes and meditate in the company of the mossy Buddha.

Louis: on the teachings from under the bodhi tree		Image: Lisa de Venter
Awakening To Flow: Re-Aligning And Shifting Your Life Awakening to “Flow” is your opportunity to live with joy; to re-align yourself and release fear, anxiety, grief and anger. This retreat will give you the tools to help us transcend the compulsive and worrying mind. John Homewood \| 3 days: April 30-3 May Read more... Going Deeper Into The Flow: Applied Knowledge Creates Wisdom And Flow John Homewood’s insightful wisdom teaching will help clear your mind of its emotional and mental attachment to and “ stuckness” in the past and future, enabling you to move into the “Flow” of abundance, love and the joy of living. This retreat will deepen participants’ understanding of and application of “ Flow” . John Homewood \| 2 days: May 3-5 Read more... Under The Full Moon Of May: Wesak - The BRC Forty Years On Wesak is an important day on the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha 2,500 years ago. This year Wesak has a special significance for us at the BRC as it marks the fortieth year since the Centre opened its doors. Come and commemorate this milestone with us. Stephen Coan and Louis van Loon \| Weekend : May 8-10 Read more... Transforming Fear: How To Turn Stress And Anxiety Into Well-Being To reduce the suffering in the world, we need the skills to reduce our own. Unless it is released, stress gets locked into our bodies, accumulating until it erupts in panic, aggression or illness. Only a bold and brave reorientation can heal the growing epidemic of anxiety and depression. Albert Buhr \| Weekend: May 11-13 Read more... Meditation For Beginners: Learning The Basics Of Meditation Practice This retreat is designed to help the ‘beginner’ to understand and experience the basics of meditation practice so that you can transform the mind and open the heart. The weekend will be held in an atmosphere of silence and contemplation. Elizabeth Gaywood \| Weekend: May 15-17 Read more... Stress: The Disease Of Our Age - The Buddhist Way Out Stress, tension, mental strain and unrealistic expectations cause us intense suffering and a life without peace of mind. The realization that our state of mind is the primary creator of this gives us a way to a different, Buddhist view. Join us for a weekend of meditation and exploration to find a different pathway to dealing with stress effectively. Melanie Polatinski \| Weekend: May 22-24 Read more... Beginner’s Mind, Quiet Mind: Meditation Instruction And Practice For Meaningful Daily Living It is important to take time out from the incessant demand and fast pace of life. The BRC gives us the space to step off the wheel and the time to come home to the quiet, strong refuge which lies at our centre. The time will be silent, quiet and slow. Tsunma Tsondru \| 5 days: May 24-29 Read more... Yogis Live Longer: Hatha Yoga For Health And Resilience Hatha yoga is the balancing of the physical and energetic body and the mind. By bringing balance to these energies, we can bring balance to all aspects of our life so that we can navigate our way with more grace and ease. Join us a for a weekend of asana, pranayama, meditation and chanting. Christine Withiel and Howard Lipschitz \| Weekend: May 29-31 Read more... The Enjoyment Of Being Still And Alone Enjoy some serene “alone” time on a Self-Retreat in the beautiful, indigenous setting of the BRC with chi kung, meditation, communing with nature, enjoying the vistas of the velvet Ixopo hills, and relishing the delicious vegetarian food for which the BRC is justly renowned. Mid-week Read more..

Waves of green		Image: Chantelle Flores
Retreats Ahead Please keep the BRC in your hearts and minds and consider booking for some of the recommended retreats below - this will help to keep this sanctuary going. Your Precious Life: Discovering Avenues To Meaning And Purpose: Logotherapy Find your own unique path to meaning and purpose and how it is possible to live life powerfully despite adversity. Samantha Sparkes and Klasie Wessels \| Weekend \| 19-21 June Read more... Finding And Keeping Your Centre: Taking Care Of Ourselves In Order To Be Of Service To Others 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. Tessa Pretorius \| Weekend \| 17-19 July Read more... A Neurosugeon Probes Wellness And Performance: Psychoneuroimmunology In this retreat we will explore the chemistry which mediates the effects of mind states on the body and how we can attain optimal wellness and performance by getting to know our temperament and personality traits. Ian Weinberg \| Weekend \| August 14-16 Read more... Life Writing: A Workshop On Memoir Life writing is not only about developing technical skills. It is also a way to reflect and grow awareness. The tools we need to write about what we know best are tools we need to live more creatively and to deepen our observation. Explore refreshing approaches to put our personal stories down on the page. Dawn Garisch \| 5 days \| August 21-26 Read more... Transformation With The Power Of Awareness: Developing Awareness, Compassion And Insight The silent retreat will be an opportunity to explore Buddhist teachings and meditation practice to develop awareness, compassion and insight. With more calmness and clarity, we will be able to deal with the challenges of life with more acceptance, ease and wisdom. Nolitha Tsengiwe \| Weekend \| September 11-13 Read more... Beginner's Mind, Quiet Mind: Meditation Instruction And Practice For Meaningful Daily Living It is important to take time out from the incessant demand and fast pace of life. The BRC gives us the space to step off the wheel and the time to come home to the quiet, strong refuge which lies at our centre. The time will be silent, quiet and slow. Tsunma Tsondru \| 5 days \| October 4-9 Read more... Deepening Your Emotional Intelligence Through Mindfulness: Gaining Insights Into Your Emotional Intelligence For Resonant Relationships This interactive retreat will support participants in their personal development journey through gaining insights into their emotional intelligence and mindfulness, and identifying behaviour that positively impacts their well-being and relationships - in this volatile, complex and ambiguous world. Shanil Haricharan \| Weekend \| October 30-November 1 Read more...

Dappled light		Image: Chantelle Flores
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 thirty-nine years, people of all religions and none have come to experience peace and tranquility. 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, recently. 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. The BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa Valley, nineteen 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 in a variety of ways by contributing Dana, sponsoring their Directors, trainers and visitors' accommodation, and showcasing and promoting their wonderful crafts in the shop such as the sock monkeys, cushions, bags, scarves, beanies and stationery. The Woza Moya Crafters are local women who receive ongoing training and support to enable them to create these unique and charming best sellers. This year as a result of retreatants' Dana (Generosity), the BRC was able to donate R 24,000 to Woza Moya to further enable their good work among the community and to help support the 50 children who attend the Woza Moya play school. Become a friend of the Buddhist Retreat Centre (a non-profit organisation) and find out more about the BRC's Paid-Up-Yogi and Sangha Friends’ projects which help to ensure the continuity of the Centre. Thank you for the abundance that has flowed to the BRC in the form of Paid-Up-Yogis and Sangha Friends’ contributions which enabled us to complete major projects such as rethatching the library and studio roofs, repaving the entrance roads, refurbishing all the Lodge rooms and bathrooms and replacing all the beds. Thank you too for the plants, trees, books and photographs and bathroom accessories. We are very touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship towards the BRC - your spiritual home from home. Chrisi Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc.
www.brcixopo.co.za \| 087 809 1687 \| 082 579 3037 \| 031 2095995 Share: \| Follow us:
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