The Buddhist Retreat Centre |
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Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa |
For people of all religions |
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BRC Newsflash: October 2024 Dear Friends, |
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Buddha in Zululand | Image: Andrew Brown | |
Spring UnfoldsAs spring unfolds, we are reminded of the beauty of new beginnings and the profound connection between nature and spirituality. This season of renewal invites us to reflect on the cycles of life, encouraging us to shed the old and embrace new opportunities for growth. Just as the blossoms emerge, we too can cultivate our inner selves through mindfulness and compassion. Let’s honour this vibrant time by nurturing our spiritual practice and celebrating the awakening of life around us, finding inspiration in every leaf and flower. There may be the tendency to sideline our spiritual well-being, but that is a short-sighted particularly in times of change and renewal. The Buddha’s teachings help us to engage and interact creatively and heroically with life. The Retreat Centre is a space that gives us an opportunity to find our spiritual core. We hope that our spring and summer retreats will inspire you to seize the days in Ixopo With Metta, Chrisi |
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Reconnect with nature | ||
The BRC Needs Your HelpThe BRC has faced challenging times before and we have found that with the help of our BRC Friends and Supporters we have been able to continue to offer the Centre as a place for self-reflection and spiritual growth. We are again facing challenging times, and we need your help. With unavoidable maintenance costs to rethatch the 3 chalets which were leaking over the rainy season as well as punitive borehole repairs, compounded by the low attendance of our retreats over the last 4 months the Centre is under serious financial constraint. Being a non-profit organisation reliant on income from donations and retreat accommodation we need to break even each month to cover our expenses. We are not doing that at the moment. We are fervently appealing to you, our Friends and Supporters, who care deeply about the Centre, to help us keep the doors open. These are the many ways you can help us through this difficult time. ● Booking for a retreat as we step into spring and summer - we have a wonderful range The continued existence of the Centre as a sanctuary for Buddhist philosophy and teachings is dependent on the goodwill and support of our Sangha. It would be a sad day if the Centre were to close in our 45th year of operating. |
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Our banking detailsBank deposit: For international payments: |
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Spring entrance |
Image: Andrew Brown | |
Looking AheadOur programme for the first half of 2025 has been set and we have much to look forward to. We are blessed to have celebrated teachers, local and abroad, from secular and monastic traditions, leading retreats during the first quarter of 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to practise with these iconic teachers.
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Sunbird in flight | Image: Andrew Brown | |
There are still a few spaces left on the following September retreats:We are offering a 10% discount. Thoughts, Words, Breath And Blood - A Story Writing RetreatDorian Haarhoff | Weekend | 13-15 September Write Away At The BRCDorian Haarhoff | 2 days accommodation | 15-17 September Somatic Movement - Ease of BeingLisa Firer | Weekend | 20-22 September Chi Kung - Standing Like A Tree To Power Up Your ChiPaul Dorrian | 2 days | 24-26 September Somatic Movement RelaxationLisa Firer | Weekend | 27-29 September |
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Grey headed Bush Shrike | Image: Andrew Brown | |
Conducted Retreats October 2024☸ indicates retreats held in noble silence The Moon In The WaterStephen Coan | Weekend | 4-6 October A Yoga, Breathwork And Mindfulness RetreatMarrion Clarke and Carey Would | 3 days | 10-13 October Finding Meaning And Purpose - Buddhist Insights Into The Nature Of MindVen Khenpo Jamyang Gompo | Weekend | 18-20 October Buddhanalysis: What If Buddha Was Your Psychoanalyst?Jason Ross | 3 days | 25-28 October This retreat involves philosophical discussion, therapeutic engagement, a variety of sitting practices, walking meditation, basic yoga (no experience needed), written reflection and group discussion. It is an ideal retreat for those interested in a practical, therapeutic and atheist (non-soteriological) approach to Buddhism. A Self Retreat Midweek: Think Peace Over Pressure And Serenity Over StressFor those who would like to book for a personal retreat, Krishia Schilz, a resident member of staff, is offering daily yoga, pranayama and meditation. Enjoy some time at the BRC midweek, with nourishing vegetarian meals, sunrise meditation and gentle yoga and nature's healing embrace. |
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Happy smiling faces | Image: Andrew Brown | |
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 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. 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. 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 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, a brand new Magimix, 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. |
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