BRC Newsflash - February 2024

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The Buddhist Retreat Centre
Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa		For people of all religions
BRC Newsflash: February 2024 Dear Retreatants,

Say Om… To go on retreat does not imply simplistic withdrawal or a weary disengagement from things. It is more strategic than that. It means that one responds to the need to pause, to reflect and refresh oneself before moving on again. To retreat after a period of activity is as natural and necessary as resting after a day’s work or exhaling after breathing in. There is profound wisdom in retreating. It has nothing to do with defeat. Rather, it ensures that creative energy remains available at all times to do a full day of meaningful living.

Pause and reflect		Image: Angela Buckland
A spiritual retreat adds yet another dimension to the idea that it is possible to restore one’s power to fully engage life. There is, indeed, more to retreating than simply resting before becoming physically active again. To retreat in a spiritual sense adds introspective depth to whatever one is engaged in and allows insight and perspective to emerge. It enables one to see causal connections and wholes that would otherwise remain hidden. Without these insights, wisdom is lacking and one’s worldly actions remain shallow and superficial. The quality and mystery of being human is never experienced. Buddhism particularly offers a profound and philosophical method to understand consciousness at all levels of human experience through the practice of meditation. What makes a Buddhist spiritual retreat attractive for those born into a western mind-set is that the Buddhist form of introspection is not simply a withdrawal from the world of experience or a momentary still space between periods of worldly engagement. In Zen particular emphasis is placed on fusing meditative forms of awareness seamlessly with daily life situations: physical reality and contemplative understanding are not different; they are – or can become – a single, all-embracing experience.

Om		Image: Sharlene Lupke
For this reason, a spiritual retreat in the Buddhist tradition may take the form of strict sitting and walking practice in silence, or it may involve art, brush painting, qigong and ceremonial tea drinking. Spiritual practice has more to do with cultivating a noble and insightful quality of mind – one that becomes immediately evident in the way one comes across in the world – rather than something that is only done in a special place at a special time, in isolation and divorced from the ordinary circumstances of life. The retreats offered at the Centre for the first half of the year reflect this tradition. Come and experience it first-hand. We look forward to welcoming you to the green hills of Ixopo. With Metta, Louis

Stand tall like a tree	Image: Charlene Lupke
There are still a few spaces left on the following January retreats: ☸ indicates retreats held in noble silence Ten Day Vipassana Retreat Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg \| 10 days \| 15- 25 January The retreat starts with an introduction on Monday evening and follows the original Stages of Insight for ten full days of meditation. The aim of insight meditation is to understand reality, to see things as they really are. The main tool of insight meditation is mindfulness: mindfulness of body, feelings and mind. Retreatants are required to practise approximately ten hours per day (between 5 am and 10 pm), follow the Buddhist precepts and maintain respectful silence throughout the retreat. The BRC staff and teachers will provide their whole-hearted support, including daily reporting, loving-kindness meditation (Metta) and Dhamma talks. Maximum 12 students. This retreat will overlap with the weekend retreat (19-21 Jan) and the 4 day retreat (21-25 Jan). Read more Vipassana Meditation: How To Realise Ever-Present Mindfulness Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg \| Weekend \| 19-21 January Vipassana (Insight) meditation is based on mindfulness, which is always available, everywhere, without limit or cost. The challenge is how to realise it. The answer was provided by the Buddha. He taught ways to cultivate mindfulness that lead to insight and awakening. This retreat is an invitation for beginners to start meditating and for experienced meditators to deepen their insight. The weekend will be held in silence. Retreatants are welcome to join the subsequent 4-day meditation retreat. Read more A Vipassana Retreat: The Search For Truth Jonathan Preboy and Anna Scharfenberg \| 4 days \| 21-25 January Vipassana (Insight) meditation uses mindfulness to search for the mental and emotional patterns that cause suffering. The aim is not merely to overcome suffering but to learn how to wake up and be fully alive in the present moment. This four-day retreat is an opportunity to deepen your meditation practice. Mindfulness is developed by regular walking and sitting practice (both in the meditation hall and outside in the forest), by maintaining awareness during normal activities such as eating, showering, dressing and supported by daily interviews with a teacher. The retreat will be held in silence. Read more Vinyāsa Yoga And Meditation Hannelize Robinson \| Weekend \| 26- 28 January Yoga teaches us the ability to remain present, calm and stable no matter what situation we find ourselves in. It is not about perfecting the shape of the pose or increasing flexibility - it is about knowing what the shapes do and how they impact our physiology, our energy and our mind. In yoga we use the body to connect with the breath (asana), the breath to connect with the mind (pranayama) and the mind to connect back to Source (meditation). Previous yoga practice is recommended; however, beginners are welcome. Please bring your own yoga mat. Read more

A sound journey with Bruce van Dongen		Image: Lien Duvenage
Conducted Retreats February 2024 ☸ indicates retreats held in noble silence Healing Balm Retreat - Restoring Balance And Calm Patti Good \| 2 days \| 30 January -1 February Are you longing for some quiet time with yourself away from this crazy world to nourish and replenish your body and your mind? This gentle mid-week retreat is a beautiful way to open your heart, mind and body and come home to the peace that is always available within. We will create a space for you to simply “be” with yourself which will include spending time in meditation, Sacred Resting, healing process work, journalling and communing with nature. You will leave rested, restored with a sense of calm you long for. Read more Creative Intuition Theresa Hardman \| Weekend \| 2-4 February Theresa will re-introduce you to the world of intuition, which was your primal and most natural way of knowing the world as a child. We will withdraw from the world of busyness and hustle and slow down. The intuitive way of being has been the focus of Theresa’s attention over the last fifteen years during which she has tried to understand the fleeting and fragile experience of intuition during the creative process which occurs when we surrender and let go of the thinking mind. The experience of creative intuition is characterised by moments of mysterious potentiality and open-ended suggestiveness which generate new and original thoughts, sounds, images and actions. It is to these original and highly personal points of potential that you, a creative person, will constantly return for inspiration as you attempt to express in the medium of your choice (words, paint, music) your original contribution to the world Read more The Intersection Between Mindfulness Meditation And Integrative Psycho-Therapy - an online course Beatrice Kidd \| 6-22 February \| Donation of R1000 to support the BRC Join Beatrice Kidd, a Clinical Transaction Analyst and Integrative Psychotherapist, for six sessions over three weeks - online. This course has been put together for Psychologists, Social Workers and other interested persons, who want to further their understanding of these two different operating systems that function to ameliorate pain and develop insight; engender compassion for self and others, and ease unnecessary suffering, mental distress and relational conflict. Read more Healing Qigong For Health And Vitality Dr Hu Jin-Yun \| Weekend \| 9-11 February Explore this ancient Chinese practice that boosts one’s health and vitality. Participants will learn the key techniques of how to master qigong and incorporate it into their daily lives, effortlessly. These techniques are easy to learn, are useful and powerful. The healing power of qigong works on both the physical and spiritual level - if it is done correctly. These techniques include breathing, timing, warm ups, postures, movement and mind projection. Dr Hu will also introduce some Chinese medicine for detoxing, lowering cholesterol, decreasing body fat and relieving water retention. This retreat is designed to suit beginners, as well as those who have practised qigong previously. Read more Regaining The Centre Ajahn Sucitto \| 7 days \| 11-18 February Our lifestyles seem to require us to direct our attention and energies into an external world that although involving us, also overwhelms and extends beyond our reach. We need to find a steady centre to our lives. Meditation builds internal qualities of calm and steadiness, but the training also encourages a wise focus and response to the external world. From this comes the Middle Way, a dynamic open centre within action and stillness. Finding and abiding in that centre is the theme of the retreat. The retreat will include periods of sitting, walking and standing, along with qigong and chanting. Read more Getting To Know The Birds At The BRC : 160 Birds Of A Feather Steve Davis \| Weekend \| 23-25 February Join Steve for an enjoyable weekend of identifying some of the BRC’s 160 species of birds - including the summer residents, the rare Blue Swallow, Knysna Turaco and Emerald Cuckoo. Wake up to birdsong and walk the verdant hills close to where the Blue Swallows nest. The BRC has been awarded “Private Nature Reserve” status by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for its conservation of the Blue Swallow and its pristine mistbelt grasslands. Included will be talks, slide shows, meditation and some quiet time communing with nature. Bring your binoculars and a sunhat. Read more A Self Retreat Think peace over pressure and serenity over stress. Enjoy some time at the BRC mid-week, with nourishing vegetarian meals, sunrise meditation and nature's healing embrace to colour the mood of your day. There is no better place than the BRC to rejuvenate the body and mind to guide you into presence and stillness. Read more

Greater double collared sunbird		Image: Andrew Brown
About the BRC Perched 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 forty four 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. The BRC was awarded Natural Heritage status in 1995 under the auspices of the Department of Environmental Affairs and received a certificate to that effect signed by President Nelson Mandela for turning an eroded farm into the natural paradise it has become - thousands of indigenous trees were planted by retreatants under the supervision of Mervyn Croft - 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. Recently, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife granted the BRC “Private Nature Reserve” for the conservation of the rare Blue Swallow and Mistbelt Grassland. The BRC facilitated the founding of Woza Moya, the community-based NGO, located in Ufafa Valley, twenty-two years ago, on the estate. Their vision is for all people in the community to be healthy and.productive, to live in a safe and clean environment, with good access to services and social justice. The Centre continues to support the organisation by showcasing their crafts in the shop and sponsoring their trainers and consultants. We have been very touched by your appreciative letters, emails and friendship towards the BRC - your spiritual home from home. We are deeply grateful for your generous gifts to the Centre in the form of PUY and Monthly contributions, new beds and bases, office chairs and a desk, a new refrigerator, microwave oven, bathroom towels, indigenous trees and seedlings, books for our library, a generator, garden benches, pillows, towels and linen, geyser insulation blankets, clothing and Dana for our staff, an inverter and beautiful antique scrolls and Imari platters and ceramics, framed prints and Thankas, new tablecloths and serviettes, signage for our forest paths - and so much more. Thank you to all of you who continue to support our work in Ixopo with monthly and Paid Up Yogi contributions and donations, with gifts, or with skills and time. And, of course, to everyone who comes to the Centre - you keep us open and viable - and to our teachers who keep the Dharma wheels turning. We are deeply grateful for your generosity towards us; it encourages us to continue Louis’ beautiful vision and legacy for the future. Please continue to support the BRC by becoming a friend of the Buddhist Retreat Centre (a registered non-profit organisation) and find out more about the BRC's Paid-Up-Yogi and Sangha Friends’ projects. Chrisi Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc.
www.brcixopo.co.za \| 087 809 1687 \| 082 579 3037 \| 031 2095995 Share: \| Follow us:
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