BRC NewsFlash - January 2018
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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: 1 - 28 January 2018
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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| BRC Buddha | Image: Chantel Flores | |
"I Feel - Therefore I Am ”
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| Stupa | Image: Lisa de Venter | |
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That, of course, is precisely what our Buddhist meditation practice is about. Indeed, the most impressive awakening from such existential darkness and confusion happened to Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, 25 centuries ago. In recent years, meditation practice has made its way into the secular world as a means of promoting calmness and general well-being, and mindfulness and compassion are now practised everywhere. The current “Scientific American” magazine explores “The Mysteries of the Mind”, with major emphasis placed on Louis |
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There are still a few spaces left on: On Giving Good Ear: The Zen Of Listening | Wanda Hennig | 8-10 December |
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| Labyrinth | Image: Chantelle Flores | |
Forthcoming Retreats: 1 to 28 January, 2018Embrace the new year with Mindfulness, Meditation, Ayurveda and Yoga, all the positive modalities to put a spring into your step and your new year intentions. Get to know the birds and trees at the BRC, and spot a soaring Blue Swallow near the Stupa. Alternatively, take time out to tune into what lies ahead for 2018, and opt for a Self-Retreat where you can rake the sand gardens, walk the indigenous forests, listen to the wind chimes and revel in the Piet-my-vrou call of the red-chested cuckoo or meditate in the Zen garden with the mossy Buddha. Time To Reminisce, Reflect And Re-Assess - We Will Give you The SpaceIf you feel like a gentle, uncluttered space to tune into what lies ahead in 2018, this largely unstructured weekend will prove useful. Therapist, Deborah Don, will be on hand to offer aromatherapy, massage and reflexology to enhance your well-being. The Art And Heart Of Writing Your StoryThis is a hands-on inspirational retreat for those who have a burning story to write, but need help finding the fire-starter. For course information and fee, contact Elana Bregin: Mindfulness - Always Available, Everywhere. A Vipassana Retreat“Thoughts are about what is not happening”. In an introspective atmosphere, learn to practise Vipassana or Insight meditation as a way to cultivate mindfulness and awareness at every moment. New Year Intentions And Yoga RetreatTake the opportunity to reflect on the year gone-by and set intentions for the future. Learn to connect with what brings us joy and makes us feel alive! Ayurveda, Yoga and Meditation Retreat: A Return To WholenessExplore the fundamental principles of Ayurveda - the ancient Indian healing-health system of which yoga and meditation are an integral part. This retreat will also offer chi kung, guided visualisations and breathing practices. The Profundity Of Solitude - The Enjoyment Of Being Still And AloneEnjoy some “alone” time in the beautiful, indigenous setting of the BRC with chi kung and meditation, walks and communing with nature. |
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| Path from the Buddha Boma | Image: Chantel Flores | |
Visiting International Teachers at the BRCMeditation: The Path to UnderstandingDon't miss this rare opportunity to attend a retreat with Bhikkhu Sukhacitto and American teacher, Janet Surrey, to explore the possibilities of a fully engaged co-meditation practice.
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Chrisi |
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Vegetable Garden
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Image: Chantel Flores | |
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. 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. 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 and promoting their wonderful crafts in the shop. Ixopo is on the literary map in Lindy Stiebel and Niall McNulty’s “A Literary Guide To KZN” (UKZNPress). As a result of the city’s literary culture manifest via poetry festivals, book shops and literary tourism, Durban has received a UNESCO award, making it a City of Literature - Africa’s first. In Lindy’s book, there is a picture of the rolling Ixopo hills and poems written by Stephen Coan about " the spirit of place" that happens to be the Buddhist Retreat Centre. “There is a lovely road that runs from Ixopo into the hills. These hills are grass-covered and rolling, and they are lovely beyond any singing of it. The road climbs seven miles into them to Carisbrooke; and from there, if there is no mist, you look down on one of the fairest valleys of Africa”. These lines by Alan Paton are a beautiful depiction of the scenic beauty of the landscape that compel so many people to visit the Centre. sitting at the Rocks The Blue Swallows are back, and their nests ready. Recently, we were privileged to have a Japanese film crew visit the BRC to see the Blue Swallow. Needless-to-say, the birds did not oblige, so Malcolm Gimmel, a birding expert, took them to another area where they were able to film the birds at a water hole. Summer has arrived with soaking rains, and the beautiful, rolling hills of the valley have greened up. The Bottlebrush and Protea are in full flower, attracting birds galore. The hills are alive with the sound of the cuckoos - Black, Emerald, Red-chested, Diedericks and Klaas’ are all ‘competing’ for attention. The Knysna Lourie is now a “garden “ bird and quite brazen in its appearances in the Zen garden. It certainly is a great time to visit and do some birdwatching. The best way is standing still and letting the birds come to you! 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, thirty-five beautiful beige towels, a marvelous collection of illustrated books on the Sumie tradition, some of which have been long out of print and stunning photographs from "Fairlady" magazine. We have been so touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship for the BRC - your spiritual home from home. 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. Grateful thanks to Ans van der Walt for her dedication in keeping our library so professionally organized and well presented. We have a wonderful array of books thanks to her commitment and our many donors, so take the opportunity to browse! 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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