BRC NewsFlash - November 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: November 2017
The new BRC calendar of retreats from October 2017 to September 2018 is published on our website for those who have opted not to receive the printed brochure by post. You will find it at www.brcixopo.co.za |
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| Stupa in Autumn | Image: Lisa de Venter | |
"The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time” – Bertrand RussellAs a ten-year old, I remember coming across Russell’s books on philosophy at a second-hand book market in Amsterdam shortly after the Second World War. That was when people started to clear out their cellars and attics of stuff that had been lying there for years. I am sure it was part of a healing process: a therapy to put aside things that had been cluttering their lives and start afresh. Ponderous philosophical musings on the meaning of life was a waste of time when the struggle to survive and live just another day was of paramount importance. But Russell seemed to me to be a refreshing voice. He became a hero amongst us young, aspiring hippies because he was campaigning to “Ban The Bomb”. This referred to the American government’s decision to decisively end World War II by annihilating the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by dropping atomic bombs on them. Their reasoning was that they would thereby save thousands of American soldiers’ lives who would otherwise have to flush out the fanatical remnants of the Japanese army. These soldiers had dug themselves into “fox-holes” in the ground from where they would continue to fight until, somehow they could be dislodged or, more likely, killed. |
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| Aloe Candelabra | Image: Lisa de Venter | |
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Here was a philosopher who seemed to be in touch with real life and death issues, rather than with speculation about the temperature of hell or, like other philosophers of his day, whether you could be absolutely sure, walking around in your garden, that a book you had left in your bedroom would still be there even though you could not prove that because you could not, at that moment, actually see or touch it. Louis |
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| Images: L de Venter and L van Loon | ||
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There are still a few spaces left on: |
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| Image: Lisa de Venter | ||
Forthcoming Retreats: 3 to 26 November, 2017In November, explore what it means - as women - to pay radical attention to all our relationships, with ourselves, others and the world. Enjoy healing and invigorating chi kung at sunrise or give yourself the gift of pausing, during introspective retreats with experienced meditation teacher, Stephen Coan. Integrate yoga and Zen meditation "to wake up". 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 forests, listen to the wind chimes or meditate in the Zen garden with the mossy Buddha. S.O.S: Awakening To Self, Other And Sisterhood. A Retreat For WomenIn this retreat we will enquire into the question: what does it take to engage life fully and open-heartedly; to cultivate what CG Jung called a "kinship with all life"? Chi Whiz: An Introduction To Chi KungCombine aerobic conditioning, meditation and relaxation without the extremes of physical exertion - ideal for people of every age and of all levels of fitness. Coming Home: A Weekend Of Meditation PracticeSupported by a programme of sitting and walking meditation, come on a journey of knowing exactly where you are, moment to moment and thus discover your true home. Silent Music: A Meditation RetreatA simple, no-frills, "bare-bones" Zen-style meditation retreat. Chi Kung: For Health And LongevityBoost your health and longevity though gentle, slow and flowing movements. An introduction to the ancient Chinese practice of chi kung. Integrating Yoga And Zen MeditationThe combined practice of yoga asanas and Zen meditation, awakes us from the dream of who we imagine we are, and what we think we need, and releases the energy to live with a sense of purpose and clarity, joy and commitment. Solitude On A Self-RetreatEnjoy a quiet time in the beautiful, indigenous setting of the BRC with chi kung and meditation, walks and communing with nature. |
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| Light and shadow on the dam | Image: Lisa de Venter | |
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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Many thanks to all our BRC friends for supporting our Silent Auction fund-raiserA magnificent total of R101,000.00 was raised as a result of all your generous bidding. We cannot thank you enough! Additional thanks must go to our wonderful Committee members: Rene and Neil Stephenson, Pam Evans and Rosemary Turner and loyal friend Rob Havemann for all their hard work in making the auction happen. Grateful thanks too must go to all the donors who contributed the beautiful items so willingly for the auction and also the friends who made cash donations. |
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Trailing the Trappists exhibitionA group of Durban artists will hold an exhibition at Mariannhill Monastery from November 5-12 to celebrate the extraordinary impact an obscure Catholic order of monks made in KwaZulu-Natal more than 135 years ago. Please see the attached flyer for details. |
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Meditation Hall
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Image: Lisa de Venter | |
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, a new granite kitchen server, a new canvas parasol for the outside umbrella, kitchen utensils, books for our library and stunning photographs from "Fairlady" magazine. 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. 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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