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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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BRC Newsletter: June/July 2026 Dear Friends, |
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| A late afternoon stupa | Image: Andrew Brown | |
The Wisdom Of Wintering: A Time to Retreat and RenewAs winter settles in, we are reminded of something the mind can easily forget in busy seasons: change is not the enemy of peace. It is often the doorway. In Buddhist practice, winter can be understood as a natural teacher. The world slows. The outer landscape changes. And, in that quiet shift, we begin to notice what has always been there - our breath, our interior landscape, and the possibility of turning inward. Wintering is about the wisdom of rest, the courage to pause, and the willingness to reset. In the same way the earth renews beneath the surface, we too can return to what is steady and true - so that the rest of the year can unfold with greater clarity, steadiness, and ease. |
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| The wisdom of wintering |
Image: Andrew Brown | |
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Why retreat now? Because retreat is a moment to stop and start listening. To practise the simple yet profound essentials of sitting with the mind as it is and walking with awareness; resting without rush and reconnecting with intention for what comes next. Many people carry the sense that they are “almost there” , but that something needs recalibrating. Winter offers a natural invitation to do exactly that - to take a gentle step back and let the mind settle. We invite you to retreat with us this winter - whether you come alone or with a friend - to slow down, deepen your practice, and renew your spirit for the remainder of the year. We can highly recommend Dave Gardner’s ‘'From Seeking to Seeing - The Heart Of Meditation” from 26-28 June. Chrisi |
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| The dam in winter |
Image: Lennart Eriksson | |
There are still a few spaces left on the following June retreats:Wisdom of Wintering - A Yoga RetreatCarey Would and Christie Holt | Weekend | 19-21 June Mid-year Solstice Immersion - Clarity through ConstellationsKaren Verburgh | 3 days | 22-25 June
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| Raku | Image:Andrew Brown | |
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Conducted Retreats July 2026 Iyengar Yoga: Nudging The Body Into Shape And HealthJudy Farah | 2 or 7 days | 3-5 -10 July Pixels And Precepts: Navigating Mindfulness And TechnologyShogan Parker | 2 days | 10-12 July No Cure For You: If Buddha Were Your Psychoanalyst Dr Jason Ross | 4 days | 12-16 July Fear To Fundamental Well-Being: Healing Relaxation, Yoga And Meditation Albert Osel | 2 or 3 days | 17-20 July Money As Spiritual Practice - Learn How Money Can Bridge Your Material And Spiritual Life And Become A Form Of Spiritual PracticeFelicity Hart | 2 days | 21- 23 July Embracing Impermanence : A Raku Workshop – With A Taste Of Forest Bathing, Sound Therapy And ReflexologySharon Paterson, Bernard Chatikobo, Belinda Best and Shogan Parker | 2 or 5 days | 24 -29 July Through this creative journey, we will cultivate mindfulness - letting go of expectation and embracing the present moment. No prior ceramics experience is necessary – just an open heart and mind. For an immersive and holistic experience, Bernard Chatikobo will be offering forest walks and introducing 'forest bathing' with traditional Mbira music for healing and harmony Belinda Best from “White Lotus Oneness” will be offering Reflexology blended with Himalayan Sound Alchemy and Rife Frequency therapy. Shogan will be offering a traditional Japanese Tea Ceremony on the final evening. Reset for The Latter Half Of 2026: Meditation, Qigong, Yoga And Healing TreatmentsBrendon Small, Kugan Naidoo, Warren Horsley and Nolwazi Bandezi | Weekend | 31 -2 August The BRC offers the perfect backdrop for you to embrace the art of simply "being," A Personal Retreat : Rest, Reflect, and Restore – 15% discount mid-weekJoin our qualified resident staff, Keelan, Robyn and Dirk on a personal mid-week retreat for some gentle yoga and meditation. Enjoy the tranquillity of the space and embrace the art of doing nothing – seriously. This time out offers a slower rhythm, allowing you to step back from the busyness of life and find peace within. |
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| Namaste | Image: Odette Ryan | |
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-six 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 and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife proclaimed part of the estate as “Nirodha 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 - six 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 deeply touched by the many generous gifts received in the form of linen and towels, furniture, indigenous trees, a Kenwood mixer and food processor, vacuum cleaners and Buddha statues. How you can help to keep the Dharma wheels turning at the BRC and to continue its legacy for the future: Become a Spiritual friend by:
The continued existence of the Centre as a sanctuary for healing is dependent on the goodwill and support of our Sangha. Chrisi Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc. |
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