BRC Newsflash - March 2017

The Buddhist Retreat Centre

BRC Newsflash: March 2017

Here we go again - on another Merry-Go-Round!

As has become a tradition during January and February, the retreats and workshops presented at the BRC during these busy months covered a variety of subjects appropriate for that time of the year. The retreats took into account that the arrival of a new year inclines one to reflect, perhaps more deliberately than is usually the case, on what the past year has brought us and what may unfold in the year to come. Like birthdays, the relentless passage of time is brought so much more prominently into focus when your computer, watch and diary remind you that the earth is about to zip you around the sun for yet another 365 days.

As the Buddha pointed out - there is a hidden message - and opportunity - in such musings: “You will”, he said,  “throughout your life, come across Three Marks: they will be imprinted on everything you will experience”.  He implied that they can be adopted to become our personal, resident teachers.

One of them is Dukkha (there will be many circumstances that will displease you; cause you suffering). Another one is Anicca (those circumstances are fickle and don’t last) and Anatta (most of them are largely beyond your control). 

So - how do you intend to deal with those little devils? Your only option, he said, is to be realistic and make  them as workable as you can - intelligently and compassionately - for the benefit of yourself and others.

An evening of entertainment to support the BRC

Enjoy a delicious vegetarian finger supper, music, auction and lucky draw on 24th March at "The Gorge-ous Place", Kloof Gorge. Please see the attached invitation for booking details. Contact: Rene  or Pamela

Plentiful takes the Cake

Our new BRC recipe book: Plentiful - The Big Book Of Buddha Food, was launched in February in Cape Town by Nancy Richards, the well-known radio personality, at Kalk Bay Books to an enthusiastic, capacity crowd. Many books were sold, and many Plentiful dinners planned - there and then. This third BRC recipe book follows the success of Quiet Food and The Cake The Buddha Ate, which is now in its fourth print run. Plentiful is on sale at all the bookstores around the country and in the BRC shop.

Forthcoming Retreats: March 3 to April 2 2017

The retreats offered at the BRC during March offer one the opportunity to enhance energy levels and stamina, achieve a calmer, and more compassionate state of mind through meditation, yoga and chi kung. The centre is a sanctuary for rest and restoration where one can integrate heart, body and mind through grounding oneself in the present moment. Come and try it!

There are still a few spaces left on “Healing relaxation: opening and relaxing the mind” with Pippa Cope and Jayne Pilossof from 24-26 February.

A Neurosurgeon Probes Wellness And Performance

In a series of talks and Mindfulness meditation, Dr Ian Weinberg, a neurosurgeon, will explore the chemistry which mediates the effects of mind states and emotions on the body’s well-being (psychoneuroimmunology).
Ian Weinberg | Weekend: March 3-5

Plentiful Takes The Cake!

Join Paul, the chef behind the recipes in Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food - the BRC’s third recipe book - for a weekend of scrumptious delights and a celebration of vegetarian food.
Paul Atkinson | Weekend: March 10-12

Chi Whiz! An Introduction To Chi Kung

A restorative weekend of chi kung and meditation for people of every age and level of fitness.
Colin Kemery | 2 days: March 14-16

Open The Heart And Still The Mind: A Joyful Awakening

This retreat integrates meditation and the wisdom of Buddhist psychology for healing and transformation.
Sue Cooper | 4 days: March 17-21

Yogis Live Longer

Hatha yoga for health and resilience.
Christine Withiel and Howard Lipschitz | 2 days: March 24-26

Meditation For Beginners

Learn simple, yet effective Mindfulness techniques to assist with the transformative process in daily life.
Elizabeth Gaywood | Weekend: March 31 - April 2

Sumie workshop

Louis van Loon is offering Sumie: Japanese brush painting "Make the brush dance and the ink sing!." in Durban on 25 and 26 March. For more information email: .

Advance Notice

SHIBUIE: The Accident of Beauty in May 2017

An introduction to Japanese Brush Painting (Sumi-e) & Raku Pottery
Join renowned potter Anthony Shapiro and Louis van Loon, founder of The Buddhist Retreat Centre, Ixopo in this fascinating experience of Shibuie – a form of art that relies as much on unpredictable natural processes as it does on the artist directing them at Art in the Forest near Constantia Nek, Cape Town. Please see the attached flyer for details. Contact Erika on

Chrisi

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 more than thirty six 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. 

In 1989, the BRC was awarded Natural Heritage status by President Mandela for turning an eroded farm into the natural paradise it has become with 160 species of birds, including the Blue Swallow, otter, deer and indigenous forests.

The BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa Valley.  It continues to support the organisation  in a variety of ways.

Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc.