BRC NewsFlash - May 2017
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The Buddhist Retreat Centre |
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Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
For people of all religions |
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Dear Retreatant BRC Newsflash: May 2017“Man – Know Yourself”Inscription on the entrance portals of ancient Greek temples of learning“Most of us are most happy when we are absorbed in something, and forget the time; and most of us are least happy when we’re all over the place, scattered and distracted”. Pico Iyer The BRC was established to enable people to do exactly that: to provide a beautiful, quiet space, away from our familiar environments, where it is possible, momentarily, to set aside our busy, often stressful office and home lives and reflect on the multitude of things that crowd our lives in those places. This is important because without a reprieve from such pressured environments, we never get to know who it is that is so busy; what this manic living is really all about. It is then likely that, by the time we die, we have never found out who has been doing all this living. We have been too busy to find out. |
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Image: Sean Laurenz |
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Is this why we were born? To live a life of lots of hectic doing – rather than plenty of living and being? In March and April, the BRC featured retreats that gave us the opportunity to explore ways of getting to know ourselves and, in the process, enhance the quality of our lives, physically as well as emotionally and – for want of a better word – spiritually. Indeed, these retreats showed how Buddhism has penetrated into every aspect of modern society, even though they are based on mental and physical disciplines that are 2500 years old, as so elegantly and persuasively set out by the Buddha. This was clearly reflected in the retreats in March when Christine Withiel and Howard Lipschitz showed us the roots of the type of Hatha Yoga that was practised at the time of the Buddha and which has endured to this day: Yogis Live Longer – Hatha Yoga For Health And Resilience. A similar mental and physical discipline that originated in China is Chi Kung which has also become a staple offering at the BRC. We are fortunate in that we have an excellent “in-house” teacher in Colin Kemery, who conducted Chi Whiz: An Introduction To Chi Kung. |
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Image: Angela Shaw |
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The scope of meditative, reflective, quality living extends, of course, beyond the practice of simply sitting in meditation. Indeed, in the Buddha’s time and, even more, after he had died, there was vigorous debate and intellectual discussion between the monks during which they explored the subtleties of the Dharma, the Buddha’s teachings, and compared their explorations of profound states of consciousness achieved in their meditations as they could be – and should be – fused into our daily living. This resulted in a range of wonderful additional literature and manuals of practice which are available to us today in excellent translations. Louis van Loon will explore this in his retreat Sitting Quietly – Doing Nothing. An excellent retreat that introduced newcomers to the basic elements of meditation practice was conducted by Elisabeth Gaywood Meditation for Beginners during which the fundamental elements of Mindfulness (Sati) and Analytical Introspection (Vipassana) were explored to a sufficient degree to enable participants to continue their own practice. Thank you for your support over these past months! |
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There are still a few spaces left on: |
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Images: Sean Laurenz |
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Forthcoming Retreats: April 28 to May 28, 2017The retreats offered at the BRC during May highlight the primary focus of the Buddha’s teachings: to take a fresh look at oneself – the way we have become as a result of the living we have done in the past, since birth – and identify the areas where we have become stuck – physically, emotionally and mentally. These retreats encourage us to look at stress caused by negative states of mind; to learn to be your own best friend; to deal with stress at home, at work and in interpersonal relationships and to experience how the mysterious primal power of drumming can heal. The fundamental teachings of the Buddha and the kernel of meditation practice are honoured at Wesak, the full moon of May, when the Buddha achieved Bodhi – his Enlightenment. Join us and the Buddhist Sangha worldwide in celebrating this occasion. The Zen Of Recovery: Twelve Steps To Wholeness And Well-BeingRecovery speaks to any aspect of self that needs to heal. However, not everyone knows how to go about that in a way that will lead to a positive shift. Using the 12 step programme, any injury to self can be addressed. Being Our Own Best Friend In This Crazy WorldUsing insights from both psychology and the Buddha's teachings, we will explore what keeps us trapped in cycles of negativity and how we can restore ourselves into a more natural state of ease and well-being. Sacred Drumming: Exploring Natural RhythmsIn this retreat, we will be learning basic drumming techniques and exploring rhythmic creativity, which will be combined with meditation practice and contemplation. Make Life Your Guru: An Introduction To Buddhism And MeditationThe present moment is our only reality; that is where we do our living. In this retreat we will explore how the ancient teachings of the Buddha translate into modern life. Why Does The Buddha Smile? Wesak: Celebrating 25 Centuries Of BuddhismOver this special retreat, we will hold a Wesak ceremony with traditional chanting and a candle-lit circumambulation,over the Full Moon in May – as people throughout the Buddhist world will be doing. This will be a time of contemplation and reflection on the Buddha’s life and teachings. |
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Sumie workshop
Louis van Loon is offering another one of his popular workshops on Sumie: Japanese brush painting "Make the brush dance and the ink sing!" in Durban on 1 and 2 July 2017. Participants will learn how to make the traditional strokes to paint plant and landscape studies with a special, imported deer-hair brush - dipped in Pine-soot ink on mulberry paper. Advance NoticeSHIBUIE: The Accidental Beauty of Ink - on Paper and Clay: May 2017An introduction to Japanese Brush Painting (Sumi-e) & Raku Pottery: Cape Town 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. The workshops will be held in a magnificent studio – at “Art in the Forest” near Constantia Nek, Cape Town. Following the second workshop – on Saturday 13th May, there will be an exhibition of ceramics at the gallery, entitled "Klei/Clay” by several potters – including Raku-fired pots by Anthony Shapiro, decorated by Louis van Loon. Please see the attached flyers for details. Contact Erika on to book. Chrisi |
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Image: Angela Shaw
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About the BRCPerched 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. |
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www.brcixopo.co.za | 039 834 1863 | 087 809 1687 | 082 579 3037 | 031 2095995
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