Updated: BRC NewsFlash - October 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: 5 to 28 October 2018
The new BRC calendar of retreats from September 2018 to July 2019 is published on our website. You will find it at www.brcixopo.co.za |
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| Valley view from Nalanda Rocks | Image: Angela Shaw | |
Birthdays, Bar Mitzvahs and ZenThe BRC was privileged to host Antony and Margie Osler’s “Stoep Zen: Living a Zen life in South Africa” in August. Apart from the profound teachings that they offer, it was good to reminisce with my old friend Tony (although he is much younger than I am) when I turned 83. We had some good laughs as we reminisced about our early years when we lived at the Centre in ramshackle tool sheds whilst we were trying to get the place ready for our first retreat - helped by some sturdy men and women from the Chibini village. We relived the time when we decided to “go primitive” and become pioneers as we felled the wild wattle trees with a blunt bowsaw and an even blunter axe and cleared acres of bugweed and bramble with a spade and hoe. We developed blisters and sore backs and shouted “TIMBER!” when a big tree finally crashed to the ground. And we chuckled when we recalled how the brakes on the ancient Landrover had failed and careered off the road and down the hill before crashing into our tool shed. We needed a span of oxen, expertly coaxed by our Induna, Mbanjwa, to pull it out of the building. |
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| Louis and gong | Image: Angela Shaw | |
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The Zen retreat conducted with such levity and wisdom by the Oslers was magnificent - as always. This is their special skill: to be able to present a version of Zen that is firmly rooted in the traditions of China, Korea and Japan, but with an overlay of Ubuntu - how these ancient ways of living the Buddha’s teachings can be made to apply to this continent. Meeting them this time round was tinged with some sadness because we won’t be seeing them back at the BRC for the foreseeable future. They need to come down to their roots again at their Karoo base - at Poplar Grove. There they will continue to deepen their “veld practice”, as they call it, whilst they tend to their sheep, and Margie carries on with her teaching and benevolent work amongst the local children, and Tony concentrates on his easy-going, evocative writing. May the skies therefore remain blue and the veld open and wide for them! At my birthday celebration, I was treated to beautiful songs and dancing by our Zulu staff. This rooted us in the rhythm and heartbeat of Africa which is so evident in so many other ways at the BRC. Ah, I thought, this is why I uprooted from pretty, but cold and damp Amsterdam - almost 62 years ago! I feel so blessed…. |
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| Lantern Light | Image: Beena Hatcher | |
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My friend, Corinne Abel, reminded me that this birthday, in the Jewish tradition, is my second “Bar Mitzvah”, three score and 10 plus 13 years - the second “coming of age”, and an opportunity for new beginnings. I feel lucky to experience this, and somehow all the things that assailed me in life, I don’t seem to mind so much anymore. Tony, in his usual inimitable way wrote a poem for me on this occasion: FOR LOUIS ON HIS EIGHTY-THIRD BIRTHDAY There's a man on his back watching the sky Surely, for this, together with his other writings, Tony should be recognised as one of South Africa’s gems. He certainly has brought this country‘s unique personality alive through his writings. Live kindly Louis |
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| Pretty in pink | Images: Beena Hatcher | |
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There are still a few spaces left on the following retreats in September: A taste of Mindfulness | Lisa Firer and Craig Henen | 28-30 September |
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| Spring blossoms | Image: Angela Shaw | |
Forthcoming Retreats: 5 to 28 October 2018People often 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? "The Genius Programme" introduces new, liberating tools that rebirth our intuitive and creative sides, while Biodanza and Nia are an invitation to dance with life. Dorian Haarhoff is offering two ‘writing-being’ and meditation retreats which encourage writing with the ear, eye and heart. Listen to talks on Tibetan traditional medicine and Tibetan Astro Science and explore the relationship between these two disciplines. Alternatively, drop into stillness on a Self-Retreat where you can wake up to bird song, walk in the mist, rake the sand garden, listen to the wind chimes or meditate in the Zen garden with the mossy Buddha. Biodanza: The Still Point Of The DanceBiodanza uses music and movement to create a space in which to taste the joy of living; to experience yourself deeply and to open up more fully to others and the world around you. Tibetan Medicine And Tibetan Astro ScienceThis workshop will explore the principles of these ancient disciplines and how they can play a role in our daily lives.There will be an evening talk and discussion as well as a sunrise chi kung and a morning meditation. The Genius ProgrammeThe retreat will help you to move from habit thinking to genius living, to innovate yourself and live with a younger mind. Zen Pen: A Writing-Being And Meditation RetreatIn this retreat we will explore the connection between writing and meditation, Mirror, Lens And WindowIn this retreat, you will be introduced to the art of journaling: the word journey through our innner and outer landscapes. Nia TechniqueNia will generate the sensation of loving and appreciating your body through music, movement, dance and martial arts. 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, communing with nature, and enjoying the delicious vegetarian food for which the BRC is justly renowned. |
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| A pop of colour | Image: Angela Shaw | |
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Chrisi |
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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 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, eighteen years ago, on the estate. Their vision is for all people in the community to be healthy and productive, living in a safe and clean environment, with good access to services and social justice. The Centre 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 such as the sock monkeys, cushions, bags, scarves, beanies and stationery. The Woza Moya Crafters are local women who receive ongoing training and support to enable them to create these unique and charming best sellers. This year as a result of retreatants' Dana (Generosity), the BRC was able to donate R18,000 to Woza Moyà to further enable their good work among the community. 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. 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, garden tools, books for our library, beautiful beige towels, soft new pillows, Woollies duvet covers, a coffee plunger, 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 Andrew Brown and "Fairlady" magazine featuring the BRC. Recently the Centre received a marvellous donation of tables, crockery, ceramics, pillows, cushions, curtains and lanterns. We welcomed a Bosch power drill, and the high-back oak chairs that now grace our meditation hall and a generous donation towards the re-paving of the entrance road to the BRC. We have been so touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship towards 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 450 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. We thank our resident staff, our patrons, retreatants and teachers for their on-going support in keeping the Dharma wheels turning. 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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