BRC NewsFlash - April 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: 29 March to 29 April 2018
The new BRC calendar of retreats from October 2017 to October 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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| Wind chime at the Buddha Boma | Image by: Chantel Flores | |
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“If you wanna lend a hand - seize this moment!” This was the headline in The Natal Mercury by Justin Foxton, founder of The Peace Agency, in which he analysed the many interacting political, social and economic changes we hope will happen in South Africa under our new President. Cyril Ramaphosa quoted Hugh Masekela’s song in his opening speech: “I wanna be there when the people start to turn it around…. I wanna lend a hand”. In these lines, the President inspired us all to join him in his mission “to help turn things around”. This requires us all to think about what we, as individuals, can do to “lend a hand” and make a difference in other people’s lives. These changes have, of course, been gestating for a long time: Sharpeville, Mandela, the Democratic elections and everything else that followed in their wake - culminating in the New South Africa we are now all part of. |
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| Path to the Buddha Boma | Image: Chantelle Flores | |
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It is an incomplete project. Indeed, South Africa has not turned out to be the Utopia many of us may have hoped for. But we need to remind ourselves that ideal societies have been envisaged - and experimented with - for millennia. None of them succeeded. They all collapsed under the weight of the “Three Poisons” which the Buddha identified as deeply entrenched flaws in human nature in its unenlightened state. They are Greed, Hatred and Delusion. These can trigger all manner of negative mind states and actions that follow in their wake. Our task, therefore, is to drag ourselves out of our unenlightened condition and set in motion the psychological mechanisms and mental training that lead us to that ultimate state of human perfection and fulfilment: a Buddha. Indeed, the message that permeates the Buddha’s teachings is that it is our primary duty in life, for our own welfare and that of others, to identify and neutralise these poisons and replace them with their wholesome counterparts: Generosity, Love and Wise Knowing. This has wider ramifications: in bringing about such a shift in ourselves, we will trigger the same process in others. Because, once these Three Wholesome Characteristics have become entrenched in us, they become contagious and affect others. They will therefore bring about major shifts in society as a whole. Perhaps we can reflect on the words of Rev Theophilus Msimangu in Alan Paton’s Cry The Beloved Country: “I see only hope for our country, and that is when white men and black men, desiring neither power nor money, but desiring only the good for their country, come together to work for it.” Live kindly. Louis |
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Images: Angela Shaw from "Plentiful" |
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There are still a few spaces left on the following retreats: Wave hands like the clouds: Tai chi in the everyday | Alex and Jeremy Lister-James | 9-11 March; |
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| Labyrinth | Image: Chantelle Flores | |
Forthcoming Retreats: 29 March to 29 April, 2018People, often say that they yearn for an opportunity to recalibrate their lives and to spend some time in quiet reflection among like- minded people. The BRC provides such a refuge: a beautiful natural environment of rolling hills and acres of indigenous forests, where people meet to engage in a range of unusually interesting activities, from talks on Eastern and Western philosophy, psychology and science, to yoga and Buddhist meditation and art. Surely this should set at ease even the most agitated mind? Re-Treat yourself to an Easter break with Sue Cooper in a nurturing atmosphere of contemplation: opening the heart and stilling the mind. Incorporate meditation in your life as a tool to transform the mind so that your life experiences become more meaningful. John Homewood returns with his inspiring retreat The Shift Experience followed by a retreat encompassing the heart of healing. Yogis live longer: a yoga retreat will enhance your energy levels and stamina. Alternatively, drop into stillness on a Self-Retreat where you can wake up to bird song, walk in the mist, rake the Zen sand garden, listen to the wind chimes or meditate in the Japanese garden with the mossy Buddha. Open The Heart And Still The Mind: A Path Of Courage And CompassionThis 4-day introspective Easter retreat will incorporate meditation and teachings which will help to cultivate calm and compassionate awareness. We will explore different ways to heal and integrate the fragmented body, heart and mind. Meditation For BeginnersThis contemplative retreat is designed to help the beginner to understand and experience the basics of meditation practice as a tool to transform the mind. The Awakening Shift Experience - Realise Your MagnificenceThis transformational workshop is a liberating and powerful experience which changes not only the way we see ourselves, but also the way we see others and the world as a whole. The course includes wisdom teachings, guided meditations, yogic breathing and quiet stillness. Going Deeper Into "The Awakening"This retreat offers participants deeper "Awakening Shift" teachings and counseling time, and will provide tools and insights to break through the blockages in practical ways to allow the joy of life to flow once more. There will be guided meditations and chi kung. The Heart Of Healing: A Weekend Of Deep Inner HealingThis powerful retreat focuses on healing at four levels, with a special focus on dealing with cancer: Body (mechanistic, diet and supplements); Mind (body-mind connection); Soul (energy) and Spirit (transpersonal/ miraculous healing). The workshop will bring balance to the mind and emotions, and allow life to flow fully again. Yogis Live Longer: Hatha Yoga For Health And ResilienceYoga asanas enhance energy levels and stamina, flexibility and agility of the body and mind, enabling you to lead a more active and creative life. Take yoga off the mat and into your life. The Profundity Of Solitude - The Enjoyment Of Being Still And AloneEnjoy some “alone” time on a Self-Retreat in the beautiful, indigenous setting of the BRC with chi kung, meditation, walks, communing with nature, and enjoy the delicious vegetarian food for which the BRC is renowned. |
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Chrisi |
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Buddha Boma
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Image: Chantal 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-eight 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, antbear and indigenous forests. The Centre was also given the special status of “Custodian” of the Blue Swallow for its work in preserving the breeding areas of this endangered bird. The BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa Valley, seventeen years ago on the estate. 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. Become a friend of the Centre and find out more about the BRC's "Paid-Up-Yogi and Sangha Friends" projects all of which help to ensure the continuity of this non- profit organisation. Ixopo is on the literary map in Lindy Stiebel and Niall McNulty’s “A Literary Guide To KZN” (UKZN Press) in which there are 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 Ixopo. sitting at the Rocks The Blue Swallows are back, and the eggs have hatched, the chicks have fledged and flown! With soaking rains, the beautiful, rolling hills of the valley have greened up. The Gardenia and Agapanthus 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 Turaco/Lourie has now become a “garden“ bird and is 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 months in the form of “Paid-Up-Yogis” and Sangha Friends’ contributions which have enabled us to refurbish the ladies’ Lodge bathroom, tile the entrance to the dining room and install a tea station in the Lodge for those hot cups of milo on the cooler misty nights. We are grateful for the truck-load of indigenous 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 marvellous collection of illustrated books on the Sumie tradition, some of which have been long out of print , a beautiful silk scarf for Louis from Sikkhim to use during the Chinese tea ceremony, Elsa Pooley's book on flowers for the library, a generous donation towards installing LED lights to reduce our energy consumption and stunning photographs from "Fairlady" magazine featuring the BRC. We have been so touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship for the BRC - your spiritual home from home. The "Buddha Buzz" 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 away from the buildings, and to relocate 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 2017/18 brought a wonderful resurgence to the flora, especially the Halleria Lucida (Tree Fuschia) which abounds at the Centre, and so far we harvested 350 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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