BRC NewsFlash - November 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: 2 November to 2 December 2018
The new BRC calendar of retreats from November 2018 to July 2019 is published on our website. You will find it at www.brcixopo.co.za |
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| Sun and shade | Image: Lisa de Venter | |
“Wisdom Rises Out Of Wonder” - SocratesChrisi and I have just returned from Mykonos - that sliver of a Greek island in the Mediterranean that, for us, restores us like no other place is able to do. It is indefinable what it is that has this exhilarating "youthening" effect on us. It may not be so for others.... Indeed, we have often been asked why we return annually to "that rock in the ocean". But one must not expect this Mediterranean island to be covered by vineyards and cypress trees - pretty like a postcard. It has these things in places, but in quiet moderation. In many ways it is the opposite. There, you can get delirious on the last rays of a setting sun reflecting off some glimmering volcanic rocks in an aquamarine sea - placed so artistically that they could have been put there there by a Zen artist-priest. Not everybody can get high on that sort of thing. |
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| Green summer hills and valley views | Image: Angela Shaw | |
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When you do this, you subconsciously imbibe the inner spirit of the place. Because you then experience your “at-onement” with it rather than simply revelling in its beauty. |
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| Sugarbird in Spring | Image: Al Nicoll | |
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Zen maintains that Enlightenment is like looking at something very intensively. Then closing your eyes, causing that thing to disappear. When you open your eyes: Wow! There is that thing again - as if for the first time. Real wisdom, to the ancient Greek philosophers, was something like that: reality engaged exactly as it presents itself to you - just for that fleeting moment - and the next and the next - each moment disappearing into nothingness. Somehow, this comes naturally to us when we are in Greece. But nothing prevents us from cultivating a sense of wonder, even in the everyday events of our lives. Indeed, this is what Zen practice encourages us to cultivate. Live kindly Louis |
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There are still a few spaces left on the following retreats in October: Introduction to the science of traditional Tibetan astrology, and Tibetan Medicine and its impact on the West | Tenzin Lhamo and Dr Tenzin Lhanzey | 10-11 October; |
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| Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food | Images: Angela Shaw | |
Forthcoming Retreats: 2 November to 2 December 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 ease the most agitated mind? The November programme invites you to step into Spring with stargazing sessions, sunrise yoga and the ancient tradition of chi kung and tai chi which generate vital energy and boost one’s health; to embrace a more mindful approach to eating and creating a healthy relationship with food, and to ground yourself on a “no frills, “bare-bones” Zen-style meditation retreat. 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. “You Can’t Fill The Hole In Your Heart With Food” - Jan Chozen BaysIn this retreat the focus is on creating a healthy relationship with food and developing a mindful approach to eating, using a non-judgmental and compassionate approach. An Introduction To Chi KungThrough slow, gentle and flowing movements, this ancient Chinese practice will help boost your health and longevity. Astrology: Mapping Out Your BlueprintLearn how the cycles of the celestial world affect you personally and how your unique blueprint - your astrological birth chart - can help you live to your fullest potential. A Pilates RetreatThis retreat will incorporate a series of core-strengthening movements to stabilize your spine, improve your posture, balance and flexibility. Eyes Horizontal, Nose Vertical: A Weekend Of Meditation PracticeBy simply being quiet, attentive, moment to moment, can have profound consequences: reconnecting us with our deepest selves, to others and the natural world around us. Playing A Lute With No String: A Meditation Practice RetreatA 4-day “bare-bones” Zen-style retreat consisting of sitting and walking meditation which will be held in a supportive space of Noble Silence. Grounded In Space: A Tai Chi - Chi Kung Retreat“Hands wave like clouds” in this retreat which introduces participants to an ancient tradition which generates a profound sense of composure and balance. 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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| Sunlight on the vegetable garden | Image: Chantell Flores | |
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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, seedlings 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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