BRC Newsletter - July 2026

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The Buddhist Retreat Centre
Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa		For people of all religions
BRC Newsletter: July 2026 Dear Friends,

A late afternoon stupa		Image: Andrew Brown
The Wisdom Of Wintering: A Time to Retreat and Renew As 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.

The wisdom of wintering		Image: Andrew Brown
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

The dam in winter		Image: Lennart Eriksson
There are still a few spaces left for: From Seeking To Seeing - The Heart Of Meditation Dave Gardner \| Weekend \| 26-28 June A Deepening Of Practice - The Heart Of Meditation Dave Gardener \| 3 days \| 28 June-1 July Participants can expect to be guided gently through the process of becoming mindful through meditation and movement. David will lead sitting meditation as well as walking and moving meditation in the inspiring and nourishing sanctuary of the BRC. He will also facilitate intentional open discussions around the fire to stoke the wholesome sparks of enquiry and deep listening. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of noble silence and introspection. Read more

Raku		Image:Andrew Brown
Conducted Retreats July 2026 Iyengar Yoga: Nudging The Body Into Shape And Health Judy Farah \| 2 or 7 days \| 3-5-10 July Get moving again! The upsurge of interest in the ancient practice of yoga attests to its proven physiological and psychological benefits. Our sedentary, western lifestyle has stiffened our limbs and spine to such an extent that many people find the yoga asanas (poses) difficult to perform. Iyengar yoga uses simple, but carefully calibrated props and other supports to achieve postures that would otherwise be unattainable except after years of practice. This retreat is suitable for beginners and for those who may have practised other forms of yoga. For those who wish to consolidate their practice to a deeper level, the additional 5-day retreat is strongly recommended (5-10 July). Read more Pixels And Precepts: Navigating Mindfulness And Technology Shogan Parker \| 2 days \| 10-12 July We live online - scrolling, swiping, clicking, posting. Tech isn’t optional anymore; it’s the air we breathe. But what if the same devices that fragment our attention could also wake us up? This retreat goes straight into the digital fire. Phones and devices aren’t banned - they are part of the practice. We will meditate with them, use them, and examine the way they wire our choices and shape our sense of self. Expect meditation, silent reflection, mindful app use, and sharp discussion. Bring your phone. Bring your habits. Bring your curiosity. Read more No Cure For You: If Buddha Were Your Psychoanalyst Dr Jason Ross \| 4 days \| 12-16 July Through a merging of concepts from Existential Psychoanalysis and Secular Buddhism, this retreat explores Buddhism as a form of therapeutic living and will take us from the concept of inherent “lack” (sunyata), through “longing” (“tanha”), to “love” (metta). Along this journey, we will consider the implications of the Buddhist notion of “non-self” (anatta) for the practice of psychotherapy and its practical application to our everyday lives. This retreat involves philosophical discussion, therapeutic engagement, a variety of sitting practices, walking meditation, basic yoga (no experience needed), written reflection and group discussion. Read more Fear To Fundamental Well-Being: Healing Relaxation, Yoga And Meditation Albert Osel \| 2 or 3 days \| 17-20 July Albert will offer a relaxation retreat with methods to soothe and balance the nervous system, and heal the mind from excessive negative thought patterns. Counteracting the contractions of chronic stress will help participants access states of bliss, clarity, peace and kindness. Read more Money As Spiritual Practice - Learn How Money Can Bridge Your Material And Spiritual Life And Become A Form Of Spiritual Practice Felicity Hart \| 2 days \| 21- 23 July Engaging with money often feels stressful, regardless of our financial situation. It frequently evokes fear and anxiety, with our minds focusing on worries about scarcity, loss, or depletion. Join Felicity Joan to discover how money can serve as a bridge between your material and spiritual life, transforming it into an integral part of your spiritual practice. This retreat will help you reshape your beliefs about money, establish a healthy relationship with it, learn how to assign money its rightful place in your life. Read more Embracing Impermanence : A Raku Workshop – With A Taste Of Forest Bathing, Sound Therapy And Reflexology Sharon Paterson, Bernard Chatikobo, Belinda Best and Shogan Parker \| 2 or 5 days \| 24 -29 July Join Sharon for a unique and meditative ceramics/pottery workshop, where we will explore the ancient art of Raku, a traditional Japanese technique which celebrates the beauty of imperfection and impermanence. Participants will learn the basics of Raku, from preparing and shaping the clay to glazing and firing. Included will be an organic saggar firing where participants will be shaping and burnishing their pots. 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. Read more Reset for The Latter Half Of 2026: Meditation, Qigong, Yoga And Healing Treatments Brendon Small, Kugan Naidoo, Warren Horsley and Nolwazi Bandezi \| Weekend \| 31 -2 August If you are yearning for a serene environment to explore the possibilities that await you in the second half of 2026, this largely unstructured weekend promises to be enriching and rejuvenating. Immerse yourself in the calming practices of qigong, meditation, and hatha yoga guided by skilled instructors Brendon, Kugan and Warren. Additionally, Nolwazi Bandezi, a qualified therapist, will be available for personalized healing therapies by appointment, enhancing your journey of self-discovery. The BRC offers the perfect backdrop for you to embrace the art of simply "being," Read more A Personal Retreat : Rest, Reflect, and Restore – 15% discount mid-week Join 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. Read more

Namaste		Image: Odette Ryan
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-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. 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 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: Booking for a retreat – we have a broad range of retreats on offer until the end of January 2027 Offering a donation Pledging a monthly contribution of R50 or more Joining our Paid Up Yogi scheme which involves paying a contribution forward whereby your credit can be used at any time in the future towards a retreat, with a 10% discount Gifting a voucher to a friend or family member Supporting our film “Bodhi Is Light” Purchasing our popular recipe books Organising a group visit midweek Supporting our GoodMoodFood take-away prepared meals Booking a mid-week self-retreat with the option of qigong, yoga and meditation 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.
www.brcixopo.co.za \| 066 395 4682 \| 082 579 3037 Share: \| Follow us:
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