BRC NewsFlash - October 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: October 2017
The new calendar from October 2017 to September 2018 is on our website for those who have opted not to receive the printed brochure. Good news for all those who want to make up a trilogy of our cook books! At last, our first recipe book "Quiet Food" is in its 10th reprint, and is back on the BRC shop shelves! |
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| Image: Kim McLeod | ||
"To Be Or Not To Be?"We all agree, don’t we: there is a lot wrong here in South Africa - teetering precariously, as we are, at the southern tip of a Dark Continent. This discontent often blinds us to the magic that is simultaneously happening in our lives, alongside the mayhem, crassness and violence. But if you look at the flow of history, you will find that often the greatest flowering of the human spirit occurred when, simultaneously, a community faced the gravest of dangers to its existence. It tends to lurk there, somewhere under the chaos. This, if it is recognised for what it is, triggers some profound reflections on the meaning of life which can, in turn, express itself in our philosophy and literature, our art and architecture. It happened in ancient Egypt and Greece during major upheavals. Even before that, China and other parts of the world experienced glorious pasts, which were inevitably followed by periods when a darker and more sinister side of the human character emerged and held sway. When this happens, it tends to turn the mind against itself. This is when we wish to destroy ourselves; erase our memory and our past. This is accompanied by an inability to imagine a worthwhile future. Psychologists have identified this phenomenon: Thanatos - a death wish; to do away with ourselves. Hamlet’s dilemma: “To be, or not to be”. |
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| Stupa At Dawn | Image: Hugh Bland | |
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Here in our country, Apartheid was our Dark Age. We were self-harming ourselves. Then, Madiba ushered in the South African equivalent of the Age of Enlightenment. Ah - we were all friends now, all aiming to make each other happy. This of course, does not last. It is invariably followed by yet another descent into darkness. Madiba is our gift to the world - a wider world, beyond the southern tip. This was once again shown when Obama quoted Mandela two months ago in his comments on Charlottesville in Virginia. “Love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite,” he said, “if people can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite”. Let us all live by that. Louis |
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| Images: S. Platt and A. Shaw | ||
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There are still a few spaces left on: |
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| Reclining Buddha | Image: Sean Laurenz | |
Forthcoming Retreats: 1 to 29 October, 2017In October spend some time restoring yourself on a 4-day health retreat which will help to re-energise and re-vitalise your body and your mind, and develop a mindful approach to eating. Explore the art and heart of writing your story on Zen Pen. Experience the liberating sensation of movement with Nia, or the healing and creative rhythms of drumming. Alternatively, opt for a ‘soulful’ Self-Retreat where you can take time out to rake the sand gardens, welcome the Blue Swallows home, walk the indigenous forest trails, listen to the wind chimes or meditate in the Zen garden with the mossy Buddha.. A Mindfulness And Wellness RetreatThis retreat will explore a new way of living through the practice of Mindfulness, and at the same time will help you to release stress, and toxins, and restore energy and vitality. Zen Pen: A Writing-Being And Meditation RetreatExplore the connection between writing and meditation. Mirror, Lens And Window: The Art Of JournallingIn this retreat we will write with ear, eye and heart through the mirror, lens and window of words and silence. Nia Technique: Experience The Joy Of MovementNia will generate the sensation of loving and appreciating your body through music, movement, dance and martial arts. Sacred Drumming: Exploring Natural RhythmsWe will learn basic drumming techniques and explore rhythmic creativity which will be combined with meditation practice and contemplation. You Can't Fill The Hole In Your Heart With FoodThe focus will be on creating a healthy relationship with food and managing our sometimes destructive patterns and habits around eating, food and our bodies. Solitude For The Soul On A Self-RetreatEnjoy a quiet time away in the beautiful setting of the BRC with chi kung and meditation, walks and communing with nature. |
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| Image: Angela Shaw | ||
Visiting International Teachers at the BRCThis is a rare opportunity to attend a retreat with Bhikkhu Sukhacitto and American teacher, Janet Surrey, and to explore the possibilities of a fully engaged co-meditation practice.
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Bhikkhu Sukhacitto and Janet Surrey conduct An Introduction To Insight Dialogue from 12-17 December.Bhikkhu Sukhacitto is an ordained monk since 1990 and an Insight Dialogue Teacher. He has lived at various monasteries in the West, including Dhammapala Monastery in Switzerland for six years and at Amaravati Monastery, UK, for 4 years. Janet Surrey, PhD, is an Insight Dialogue Teacher. She teaches Insight Dialogue retreats worldwide and leads a monthly practice group in Boston, USA. She has studied with a number of Vipassana teachers for over 25 years. She is a practising clinical psychologist and founding scholar of the Jean Baker Miller Training Institute at the Wellesley Centres for Women. She is on the faculty and board of the Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy. Testimonial for Janet Surrey, who will be teaching an Insight Dialogue Retreat with Bhikkhu Sukhacitto at the BRC from 12-17 December In 2013, I attended my first Insight Dialogue Retreat with Janet Surrey in Gloucester, MA, U.S.A I had no idea how to meditate with another person, especially looking right into their eyes. Janet’s presence and knowledge of the Dharma brought us to the contemplation theme “Suffering”, the first Noble Truth. Using the Insight Dialogue guidelines, she led us to an interpersonal, mutual relationship with ourselves and others. Mindful communication has helped transform relationships in my life. It has brought tranquility to my heart and a deeper understanding of people by breaking down walls from habitual tendencies of communication. I am so grateful for Janet Surrey’s teachings and I love attending her Sangha in Cambridge, MA whenever I can. She is a remarkable teacher with so much wisdom and provides a nice refuge for many people. The experience of practising meditation with another human body has taught me how to accept humanity with humility and loving kindness. Marie Rudinsky |
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BRC Apiary Site
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Image: Angela Shaw | |
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 thirty-seven 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, sixteen years ago. It continues to support the organisation in a variety of ways by contributing Dana, sponsoring their trainers, visitors and Directors' accommodation, and showcasing their wonderful crafts in our shop. Thank you for the abundance that has flowed to the BRC over these last two months in the form of PUY contributions and other donations, trees, herbs and plants, and books for our library. We have been so touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship. The good news for friends of the BRC is that we now have pure natural honey produced from the estate. The project started when Rob Pooley, an apiarist from Botha’s Hill, was consulted about the influx of bees into the buildings. He suggested placing catcher boxes to entice the bees and then relocating them to an apiary site above the Deer Park. This worked remarkably well and over 40 hives were relocated to the apiary. However, the drought of 2015/2016 had a devastating effect and with a dearth of food, it led to a reduction of hives to 30. Good rains at the beginning of this year brought a wonderful resurgence to the flora, especially the Halleria Lucida (Tree Fuschia) which abounds at the Centre, and so far this year we have managed to harvest 250 kg of honey. Without the help of Colin and his staff during the drought in helping to feed the bees with a mixture of glucose and water, the results would not be so positive. May our bees remain happy and busy and may the honey flow. Thank you Rob! 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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