Scientists maintain that the leading cause of disease is not hypertension, diabetes or cancer, but stress. Stress is the underlying cause of disease. We can endure short periods of enormous stress, but not extended amounts of prolonged stress. In this retreat we use the tools of yoga, pranayama, qigong, meditation and yoga nidra or guided meditation to calm the nervous system, to soften and open up the body and allow it to re-calibrate after the stress of daily life. Most often we find we are not able to sustain regular practice of yoga or meditation due to the “flood” of stress in our daily lives. Sometimes we simply haven’t been shown the tools to learn to cope with these pressures. However, the body has an amazing ability to re-balance and, in doing so, to heal itself. Just two nights away can give your mind a rest, calm the sympathetic nervous system, regulate blood pressure and re-balance your body to restore health and well-being. The retreat is suitable for everyone and lays the foundation for deeper practice, cleansing and energizing.
SoulCollage® is a creative, intuitive process that grants you the gift of insight into yourself. Using images, imagination and intuition, you will create individual collage cards that represent pieces of your soul. By using these cards, you will connect with the many aspects of yourself and learn to access the wisdom that is held within you. Be ready to unleash your inner creativity and to delve into the labyrinth of your being.
The SoulCollage® workshop opened a new path for self-discovery and reflection for me. It was an enlightening experience, with Keryn as a knowledgeable and compassionate guide – K.S. Workshop participant
Are you ready for a life shift? John Homewood and Michelle McClunan bring their combined forty years of facilitating experience to this two-part retreat, providing you with a gentle, yet powerful process that will shift, awaken and nourish your whole being. You will leave this retreat greatly refreshed with a new and awakened perspective in life, taking with you practical tools to apply in shifting all areas of your life.
The retreat will integrate transformational, yet practical spiritual teachings of Presence, Awakening and Creative Art Processes. This integration will help you clear blockages that may have prevented you from living a healthy, peaceful and abundant life. All creative experiences are process-driven, as opposed to being outcome-based, so no artistic experience or skill is required. You will leave with a deeper sense of peace; a more focused sense of life purpose and rekindled joy and with greater emotional and spiritual intelligence to navigate life’s challenges.
Should you only be able to attend the weekend, Part 1, you will still gain much. However, investing in the whole 4 days will provide you the space to integrate and apply this Shift even deeper and more fully into your awareness.
For more info on their work see www.journesyofawakening.com
Michelle McClunan is an astrologer, Life Coach and Process Art Facilitator and uses a multi-faceted approach to help people to understand themselves, and to navigate their lives and rediscover their true purpose and potential. Using her own non-outcome based creatively experiential methods, she will guide you into a receptive state, where you are able to receive signals and messages from the intuitive intelligence that resides within you. As you engage in this work, you start to shift old patterns of thought or behaviour that may be blocking you from living the rich and fulfilling life you deserve. Michelle counsels and coaches one-on-one and has facilitated workshops and retreats for eighteen years.
Are you ready for a life shift? John Homewood and Michelle McClunan bring their combined forty years of facilitating experience to this two-part retreat, providing you with a gentle, yet powerful process that will shift, awaken and nourish your whole being. You will leave this retreat greatly refreshed with a new and awakened perspective in life, taking with you practical tools to apply in shifting all areas of your life.
The retreat will integrate transformational, yet practical spiritual teachings of Presence, Awakening and Creative Art Processes. This integration will help you clear blockages that may have prevented you from living a healthy, peaceful and abundant life. All creative experiences are process-driven, as opposed to being outcome-based, so no artistic experience or skill is required.
Part 2 will provide you the space to integrate and apply this Shift more deeply and more fully into your awareness. You will leave with a deeper sense of peace; a more focused sense of life purpose and rekindled joy and with greater emotional and spiritual intelligence to navigate life’s challenges.
For more info on their work see www.journesyofawakening.com
Michelle McClunan is an astrologer, Life Coach and Process Art Facilitator and uses a multi-faceted approach to help people to understand themselves, and to navigate their lives and rediscover their true purpose and potential. Using her own non-outcome based creatively experiential methods, she will guide you into a receptive state, where you are able to receive signals and messages from the intuitive intelligence that resides within you. As you engage in this work, you start to shift old patterns of thought or behaviour that may be blocking you from living the rich and fulfilling life you deserve. Michelle counsels and coaches one-on-one and has facilitated workshops and retreats for eighteen years.
Heavy is the root of light,
Stillness is the master of movement.
Who can by stillness, little by little
make what is troubled grow clear?
Who can by movement, little by little
make what is still grow quick?
To follow the Way
is not to need fulfilment.
Unfulfilled, one may live on
needing no renewal - Lao Tzu, Tao Te Ching (interpretation by Ursula K. Le Guin)
In this retreat, participants can expect to be guided gently through the process of becoming mindful through meditation and movement. Dave will lead sitting meditation in the Zendo, as well as walking and moving meditation in the inspiring and nourishing sanctuary of space that the BRC offers. He will also facilitate intentional open discussions around the fire to stoke the wholesome sparks of enquiry and deep listening. Whether you are a beginner or committed practitioner, this process will empower you to cultivate presence, clarity, adaptability, creativity and patience. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of noble silence and introspection.
During this silent retreat you will be introduced to a style of Zen that combines Just Sitting (zazen), High-Energy Chanting (okyo), Vocalized Movements (Mu-I-Tai) to cultivate strong Ki’ai (energy) and quiet awareness (Mindfulness) that will enable you to face your fears until they disappear. The retreat will commence and close with a short tea ceremony. The sessions will alternate between zazen, walking meditation, chanting and movement.
On the Saturday night in union with Buddhists around the world, we will hold a traditional Wesak ceremony - a lantern-lit circumambulation around the Buddha Rupa. Wesak is the most important day on the Buddhist calendar, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha nearly 2500 years ago and is traditionally held on the full moon of May.
Nikki's immersive retreat will focus on finding and tasting weeds found in the garden. You will learn to identify various tasty edibles and surprise your palate while you forage for free food. Her books Mnandi – A Taste Of Mpophomeni celebrates the cooks and gardeners of Mpophomeni township in KZN Midlands and Wild About Weeds is an introduction to uncultivated food and a guide to the most common edible weeds and uncultivated foods found in South Africa. Her retreat is intended to stimulate curiosity and encourage foodies to explore and make the most of the delicious abundance in your area and to lighten your load on our planet.
The gentle movements that you will learn to do on this relaxed course will help to build your immune system and improve your general well-being. The mindful way in which you move will work on your internal organs as you generate energy 'qi'. You will also have time to roam the beautiful grounds of the BRC as you take time out to relax and recharge.
This course will flow from the first qigong course should you wish to stay and enjoy the full 5 days at the BRC. Although qigong predates Traditional Chinese Medicine, the movements we do in qigong today are also related to the energy 'qi' systems of meridians and acupuncture points, and work with the Five Elements and the related body organs. While mindfully practising these movements, you can strengthen your inner reserves and find serenity. Reward yourself by taking some time out to enjoy the BRC during the free time available during this retreat.
"What we have become is frequently the chief obstacle to our journey - an assemblage of defense mechanisms and anxiety management systems" -James Hollis, Jungian psychologist and author
"Knowing thyself" is the first step towards enlightenment, according to traditional wisdom. This interactive weekend retreat will take you on an exciting journey of self-discovery, supporting you in peeling back the layers of conditioning that have constructed your current identity. Explore the timeless teachings of Rumi, Buddha, Krishnamurti, Jung, and others to learn more about the limitless potential of your unconditioned spirit. During this retreat, we will look into the present state of our mind, heart, body, and spirit, as well as learn about emotional intelligence and mindfulness to help you navigate this ever-changing and complex world in balance and harmony.
We all have inner guidance and knowledge, but we don't always know how to access it and use it as the incredible gift it is. We are constantly trying to keep up with the ever-increasing pace and demands of our lives which leaves us with high stress levels and exhausted. On this retreat we will fortify our spirit, embrace our personal power, and allow our light to shine brightly again, the way the universe intended. Through talks, meditation, group work, transformational exercises, relaxation and conversation, we will journey back to our centre - to our most natural and balanced state of being. Deepening our connection with our inner self allows us to stand strong in our own personal power in the here and now. We will learn to listen less to the limiting, fear-based voices of our mind, and start aligning with our intuition, to our core that already knows that we are born as an unstoppable and magnificent force.
The aim of this workshop is to develop the tools that enable us to arrive gently and lucidly in the present moment, being aware of the ebb and flow of our moods and emotions and learning to be mindful instead of reactive in our interactions with others. Using the techniques presented, we will learn to train our minds to be centered on the present so that we can flow with the river of life instead of fighting against the current of our conditioning. There is great joy in being present, no matter what is happening. We will explore Kundalini yoga, which is a combination of stationary and dynamic poses, qigong (chi kung), breathwork and experience gong washing and a sound journey with crystal bowls. These practices increase our energy level and give us the capacity to be fully present and integrated in our bodies and minds. This is a meditation-centered practice - not a physical yoga practice. The workshop will be varied to allow retreatants of all ages and levels of experience to derive great benefit from this very old tradition. Bring comfortable clothing and a sun hat.
Parents and children are invited to join a three-day retreat in the rolling hills of the BRC. Anisha will instill an appreciation of simple pleasures, joy and gratitude. The days will be filled with drumming, making art, mandalas and wind-chimes, nature walks, ubuntu story-telling and toasting marshmellows under the stars. Children of school-going age (8 years and up) must be accompanied by an adult.
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 evolved to deal with this problem - safely, without forcing the body into harmful contortions. 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. It is an introduction to the Iyengar method. For those who wish to consolidate their practice to a deeper level, the additional 5-day retreat is strongly recommended (30 June to 5 July)).
For those who wish to consolidate and deepen their yoga practice, this 5-day intensive retreat is highly recommended. Apart from increased levels of fitness and vitality, you will reap the benefits of being in the tranquil, natural environment of Ixopo. You will leave feeling stretched, relaxed and fit for life.
Why is it so difficult for us to be kind or gentle or good to ourselves? Perhaps it is because we have grown up within the paradigm that ‘good people put the needs of others first’. In other words, we believe that we need to sacrifice ourselves in order to show we care. Or, it could just be that finding time for self-care just means one more thing on the already unobtainable to-do-list. But what if caring for ourselves wasn’t that difficult? What if, by a few simple adjustments or re-tuning of your emotions, thoughts or attitude patterns, we could find that calm place on the merry-go-round where we were at our best and could deal with and handle what life throws at us with style. The Buddha’s teachings emphasise the importance of taking care of ourselves in order to be of service to others. The wisdom of this teaching tells us that when we are kind and good to ourselves, we are automatically much more so to others.
Join Sana-Bella for a mid-week 2-day Calligraphy workshop which will harness your creativity. The BRC will provide the ideal backdrop for bamboo and glass pen swirlings.
This English Calligraphy course will cover the Italic, Uncial, and Gothic - Lucida Blackletter scripts. "The letter-form contours create a symphony on the page that is at once mesmerising, traditional and aesthetically elaborate," says Sana-Bella. "Participants will make an impression by advancing their skills in decorative handwriting. The process is meditative and self-affirming." Writing personal names with an elegant glass pen will add to the enchantment. A calligraphy pen and notebook will be provided. See www.facebook.com/ArtScribesGlobalGalaxy
We invite you to a weekend of tuning your instrument (your body heart and soul) through Sacred and Celebratory Music, Meditation and Contemplation, Morning attunement through breath, voice and prayer accompanied by the beautiful harmonic sound of the monochord. Incorporated will be:
Gentle body movement - Chi Kung and Hatha Yoga (an elementary experience)
Dances of Universal peace and Song Circles
Goethean Nature Observation
GIM - Guided Imagery and Music Journey with art process
Guided meditations and toning (tree of life - Kabbalah)
During the weekend we will spend time singing and dancing to sacred and celebratory songs and chants from various spiritual and universal traditions. No experience in dancing or singing is required. The essence of the Dances of Universal peace, are that they are heart-focussed and acknowledge the presence of the divine in each person. There will be ample time to enjoy the peace and beauty in the extensive gardens of the Buddhist Retreat Centre,and, of course, the delicious meals. It is in the participation of the shared experience of sound which brings great peace and healing into our hearts and to the world.
Anja Gerbers and Harold Epstein reside in Cape Town. They have been leading sacred song circles and the Dances of Universal Peace for numerous years. They are also founders of the Sacred Music and Dance Festival held in McGregor, Western Cape. Anja is a compassionate counsellor dedicated to healing trauma. She is passionate about supporting deep soul inquiry for holistic personal growth. She is an elder in the systemic constellations work in South Africa and holds a postgraduate certificate in Reflective Social Practice.
Join Duncan for a weekend of reflection, rejuvenation, relaxation and restoration. The retreat is based on the ancient practices of hatha and raja yoga and is open to all levels of ability, including beginners, who wish to understand the fundamentals of yoga and develop, or deepen, their own practice. In the tranquil environment of the Buddhist Retreat Centre, we will discover how shatkarmas (cleansing techniques), asanas (postures), pranayama (control of the breath), mudra (gestures to manipulate and stimulate the energies in the body), bandhas (energy locks with the body) bring us into equilibrium. These traditional practices will help us to develop awareness of body, mind and breath. As the body gently opens like a lotus flower, and we start to release our past impressions, so the mind becomes relaxed preparing us for meditation. We will follow traditional guided meditation techniques in the meditation hall and in the labyrinth to quieten the mind, calm anxieties, recover balance in life and enhance creativity, insight and self-reflection.
Escape to the tranquil and nurturing environment of the BRC for a transformative, highly interactive and personal healing experience with Reiki Master, Bernard Chatikobo. Take take your first step to self-healing and explore the benefits of water, food, exercise and most importantly breath in talks infused with live, soothing musical vibrations of mbira music. This unique two-day healing retreat is tailored for individuals to take away seven daily breathing exercises, conscious basking in the ambience of forests as tools for self-healing and a one-on-one energy healing session for improved relaxation, vitality and well-being. Make every step count when you join Bernard to greet the sunrise on early morning trail walks and find inner serenity to feel "I AM."
Drumming and music-making are ancient ways of transcending our routine lifestyle, opening ourselves to spiritual realms of healing and creativity, which is experienced as liberating and rejuvenating. This is because the universe is a flux of pulsating rhythms and drumming connects us to these rhythms, thus facilitating a change in consciousness and a sense of belonging and well-being, which, in turn, promotes deep relaxation and healing. In this retreat, we will learn basic drumming techniques and explore rhythmic creativity including a segment on Shamanic, Celtic, and Nordic Viking drum patterns which will be combined with meditation practice and contemplation. A Sound Journey meditation using exotic instruments will also be included. The objective of this retreat is to find a balance between the hands-on experience of drumming and its more profound spiritual effects on the human psyche.
Marc Kress has been playing drums and percussion for more than 20 years and has been extensively involved in corporate team building and drum circle events. Marc has played in various bands such as the Interitmo Drummers and Mlilo. He has also collaborated with Richard Ellis in various percussion projects, sound-journey workshops and The Durban Drumbeat Festival. Marc believes that much like in the practice of yoga, drumming can lead to higher states of awareness, stilling the mind and transforming consciousness.
The practice of yoga brings the mind and body together, grounding us in the present, connecting us with where we are and what our body tells us about ourselves. Yoga is a process of re-connecting to our body and breath, coming back into the present moment. The ancient yogis realized that in order to be able to meditate effectively requires a healthy, strong body, so they developed yoga postures (asanas), cleansing techniques and breathing exercises (pranayama). Through regular practise of asanas, pranayama and meditation, yoga unlocks the deeper levels of our being. It is a way of moving into stillness in order to experience the truth of who we are. This retreat is open to beginners and experienced students. Please bring a yoga mat.
This 3-day retreat will focus on the practice of drawing freehand mandalas, and was developed over years of teaching practice. The archetypal form of the mandala helps on a number of levels in education, starting with the innate sense of geometry and harmony we can develop in the young child and in higher grades the practice itself which calls forth concentration. It is a wonderful tool to either centre a child who is lost in the periphery, or widening the horizon of a child who is clinging to their centre. The results are always beautiful and meaningful.
As a practice for adults, the mandala reveals a "snapshot" of our inner cosmos and allows us to create order and centeredness in place of chaos. Clémence will present her study of the mandala through human experience (religion, psychology, astronomy) and we will then explore the polarities of centre and periphery, curved and straight lines, order and chaos, through movement and drawing. We will follow several methods of structuring a mandala to experience the different results they produce in our inner space. No previous drawing experience is needed. Basic equipment, some colour mediums and papers will be provided. It is advised, however, to bring your favourite art medium and suitable paper (watercolour, acrylics, pencils, ink, charcoal) should you be already practised in artwork. Venessa will lead the morning and evening meditation sessions, To end the workshop, we will contemplate our gallery of artworks and reflect on the practice of creating meaning and beauty in our daily lives.
Venessa will lead morning and evening meditation session. With its gifts of focus, stillness and serenity, mindfulness can be seen as the spiritual equivalent of a physical mandala where we become attuned to the "content" of the landscpe around us.
"Nature dwells in both directions, not just outside us. Our inner world is also nature. Our minds and bodies are manifestations of the evolution of the living earth.” Rewilding - Micah Mortallis,
Through mindful movement and yoga - at times challenging and at times playful - we will ground ourselves into the body. Through mindfulness based meditation, with careful, considered attention and compassion, we will explore the mind. With joy, we will immerse ourselves in nature - making simple crafts and playing games, teasing our inner child out - and perhaps find a hidden gem.
Everybody experiences tranquility from time to time, because this open quality of mind is natural to us all. Yet, often our bodies and minds tighten and freeze to life’s challenges and stresses, even though creative solutions and expansive ideas are most likely to arise from a relaxed state. Healing Relaxation - designed by the late Akong Tulku Rinpoche, a wise Tibetan Buddhist healer - is a simple, highly practical, yet profound programme which helps people repair the strains and tensions resulting from the conditions of modern life, and prevents them from developing in the first place. Relaxation and awareness practices can enhance our ability to access calm, expansive states of mind intentionally throughout our day. In this workshop, we will explore the benefits of developing calmer states of mind, and learn effective relaxation, breathing and visualisation techniques.
The five elements provide a dynamic system of understanding life. They make up the world around us and are in all living organisms - only the proportions differ. When the elements are in balance there is ease and harmony, when out of balance there is dis-ease and disharmony. The balance is constantly changing within and around us.
To help us learn how to work with this ever-changing balance of the elements in a positive way, we first have to get to know them. In this retreat we will become familiar with the characteristics and qualities of each, and observe their interaction. At the same time, we learn to observe our mind-body states in relation to the elements. There will be guided relaxation and creative work around each element, including observation and creative activities. Optional gentle mindful movement before breakfast will be offered. Please bring loose, comfortable clothing suitable for outdoor activities.
Imagination is more important than knowledge - Albert Einstein
As children,we possessed a vivid imagination as we lived in magical worlds of imagery. In our imagination, trees could become beings, and nature spirits could suddenly emerge from behind a tree. Even as adults, we can develop imagery that connects us with our inner strength, enhances our creative potential and supports us, developing skills to deal with uncertainties and a changing world. In this workshop you will learn how to use selected images to heal your heart and to develop meaningful tools, which will enhance your resilience and enrich your life. Guided walks in nature will help to fill you with positive energy and to meditate on your own future and the future of the world. This workshop is for everybody interested in diving into your imagination, and discovering inner pearls to cope with difficult life situations. Professionals - psychotherapists, social workers, educators - and anyone interested in health and well-being are welcome. By focusing on both the theoretical and practical aspects of imagery, this workshop aims to empower individuals and professionals to utilize imagery techniques for both - your clients and your personal life. The retreat will be followed by two zoom meetings supporting you to come home to yourself.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, finding harmony can feel like an elusive dream. But what if we told you that balance is not only achievable but also transformative? Join on a journey to unlock the secrets of mindful living and conscious growth. From navigating work-life balance to nurturing relationships and personal well-being, discover practical tools to cultivate clarity, calmness, and insight. Through affirmations, meditation,journaling, visualizations, and more, immerse yourself in a soul-nourishing experience filledwith enriching discussions and deep rest. Together, let's tap into the power of our minds and forge meaningful connections. Let’s also connect with a growing community dedicated to awakening consciousness and embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and conscious living and discover the limitless potential that resides within you.
Ready to dive deeper into the mysteries of the subconscious mind and unlock your full potential? In Part 2 of our transformative retreat we will explore the profound wisdom of Universal Consciousness. From delving into Quantum Mechanics to unravelling the secrets of Quantum Time, discover life-changing techniques that will empower you to live your “best life”. Join the small number of people who have embraced these ancient teachings and are experiencing newfound freedom and fulfilment. Enjoy this opportunity to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment and create your path to conscious living and boundless possibilities!
head thoughts tumble down
down into the ribbed well of breath.
pure water rises drawn
in the bucket of the heart (Dorian)
How do thoughts and words affect our body? How does the body in a meditative state help us choose the thoughts and words that will nourish us and give us life? How does this dance affect the constant self-talk that happens inside our heads and inside our mouths? Come and explore how a consciousness of story can help us to choose a path of grace.
A word is dead when it is said, some say. I say it just begins to live that day - Emily Dickinson
Are words and ideas stuck in your head? Want to shake them loose? Need inspiration and writing company? Create a word space? Befriend words/let words befriend you? Then this retreat is for you. Create a piece or craft one in process. So come away to the BRC to write away. In this retreat you’ll find encouragement and safe support. Breathe in the hills, dam, trees and walking paths. This retreat offers you:
prompts galore (lit matches)
solo and group time plus one-on-one support
fireside stories
Join Lisa for a deeply relaxing and nourishing weekend of mindfulness-based Clinical Somatic Movement. Exploring the communication between the brain, nervous system and muscular-fascial systems, we will learn about pandiculation, nature's way of releasing built-up tension from the body. Slow down and learn gentle practices to help release chronic muscle tension that underlie pain and stress in body and mind. Develop your inner awareness and bring comfort and ease to your body. Basic Mindfulness practices and meditations will be woven throughout the retreat. This weekend is suitable for everyone and will meet you where you are. All bodies welcome!
Zhan Zhuang (‘Standing like a Tree’) Chi Gung is unlike most other Chi Gung styles, in that with the exception of changing from one static posture to the next, the practitioner remains absolutely still, whilst developing a mind like still water. Regarded by many contemporary Masters as the most powerful of all Chi Gung practices, it opens all of the nine energy portals in the body, and encourages one’s chi (life force) to flow powerfully throughout one’s entire being. In this retreat Paul will teach the Five Posture Zhan Zhuang Set, which assists in developing a strong physical structure as well as creating a greater supply of healing chi to promote health, vitality and an increase in physical energy. The benefits of Zhan Zhuang also include the cultivation of a better posture as well as reducing tension in one’s muscles, thereby assisting the practitioner to live their life in a more relaxed manner.
Stillness is what creates love. Movement is what creates life.
To be still, yet still moving—that is everything! - Do Hyun Choe Japanese Master
Biodanza, mindfulness and somatic movement are blended together in this weekend of dance, meditation and nourishing mindful movement.
Biodanza: an integrative system that combines movement and music in a group setting to support human flourishing.
Mindfulness: the awareness that is revealed when we pay attention in the present moment with openness, curiosity and non-judgement.
Somatic movement: Gentle conscious moving from the inside out to sense and feel the body-mind.
In movement and stillness, we will explore embodiment, self-expression and self-compassion. If you need to move, feel more connected and at ease in your body, cultivate vitality, connection and joy, this is the weekend for you. No experience is needed; all bodies are welcome!
Many religions and philosophies come across as men-only affairs, Buddhism is no exception: male voices dominate, reflecting gender and cultural biases both past and present. During this retreat we will hear the voices of the many women in the Zen Buddhist tradition, from the first millennium to the modern day, including the first female Zen Master Chiyono from the thirteenth century (she dropped a water bucket and found her life) to more recent Zen teachers such as Maurine Stuart. Their thoughts and their luminous poetry will shine a light on our daily lives and support us in our practice throughout this gentle Zen-style silent retreat, which will include sitting and walking meditation, a discussion period, and time to enjoy the beautiful grounds of the Buddhist Retreat Centre.
Patience is a virtue, Virtue is a grace and Grace is a little girl who never washed her face....
Nature's classroom will help us land, grounded in the loving arms of Mother Earth where the wise old trees sway gently in the breeze, whispering secrets of patience, perseverance and presence. Through gentle yoga, breathwork, mindfulness practices and communing with nature, we will explore with curiosity how to cultivate peace. We will collectively cultivate the virtues of patience and perseverance, and look towards nature to show us the art of being fully immersed in each moment's beauty. When we water our soul's garden with these virtues, we create fertile ground for divine grace to flourish within us.
Carey Would has been teaching yoga for over ten years, and is an accredited Mindfulness Facilitator. As her own practice has evolved, so too has her teaching. She teaches inclusively for all levels and at a pace best described as slow, and mindful. Recently, she has also deepened her appreciation of nature by becoming a Nature Facilitator within the Kinship Programme, whose overarching mission is to cultivate a critically conscious community who practise and advocate for sustainable living. Alongside her yoga and mindfulness practice, she is focused on child-led, immersive, inquiry-based learning in nature. Her classes which fuse nature, mindfulness and yogic principles together have been described as ‘a balm for the nervous system’.
We all wish to have happiness and avoid the uncomfortable feelings that seem to dominate our daily life; feelings of dissatisfaction, unease, anxiety that keep us awake at night, our agitation with loved ones and anger towards others. It is times like these that create uncertainty and a feeling of helplessness; we want to be happy, contented and have a sense of peace in our hearts. Khenpo Jamyang Gompo will gently guide participants to a deeper understanding of how these emotions arise and how we can find a sense of meaning and purpose in whatever circumstances we find ourselves.
Many people arrive at a retreat setting with an underlying struggle that they may hope to address. Western Psychology has many diagnostic terms, explanations, and treatment strategies for these struggles. Psycholog has also increasingly incorporated Buddhist methods, primarily “mindfulness”, into its treatment strategies. This, however, introduces a contradiction in how the “self” is understood. Western Psychology conceives of the self as a “thing” that can be treated. Whereas Buddhism views attachment to the idea of this self as a cause of our suffering. In a move away from traditional psychology and through a critical comparison of Existential philosophy and Buddhist practices, this retreat wil explore the sense of self as the “struggle”. We will explore the therapeutic value of sitting, walking and talking, with an attitude of “being with what is”, as a means of addressing this struggle. The retreat is intended as a therapeutic experience and will involve philosophical discussion, sitting and walking practices, basic yoga (no experience required), written reflection, and therapeutic group discussion.
At the heart of Italian culture is food. Food represents life: from the bounty that nature provides into the hands of the skillful cook to create a masterpiece, a skill that is passed down from generation to generation. The respect for and appreciation for the natural source of ingredients in Italian cooking allows for the simplicity in the preparation and the unique taste of each dish prepared. Mother and son duo, Rosetta and Mario, have been passionate about Italian cooking their entire lives; a passion instilled in them from spending valuable time with Nonna Maria in her kitchen from young. In this retreat, we will showcase the simplicity and unique taste of some of Nonna Maria’s vegetarian Italian cooking: from slow-cooked Sugo di Pomodoro (Tomato sauce), fresh egg-pasta and the rich flavours of the Melanzane Parmigiana (Eggplant parmesan) of South Italy, to the more cream and butter-based sweets of North Italy, such as Tiramisù and Biscotti di Limone e Mandorle (almond and lemon biscotti).
This 5 night Open the Heart And Still the Mind retreat is an immersion into nourishing and ennobling silence and is an opportunity to cultivate and deepen your meditation practice with a heart-based focus. Sue offers an integration of the psychological and spiritual dimensions of this path of compassionate awareness, combining her 40 years of meditation practice with her extensive experience as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist.
We will draw on the support of nature and the teachings that are revealed by practising in the exquisite environment of the Buddhist Retreat Centre, where the truths of impermanence and our inter-connectedness with each other and with nature express themselves daily, through the beauty and wisdom of the ever-changing conditions.
We will cultivate a safe and nourishing home within, inspired by the wisdom and practices of the Brahma Viharas (the Four Immeasurables), which deepen our capacity for loving- kindness (metta), spacious inner freedom, appreciative joy and compassionate wisdom and action.
In addition to the silent and guided meditations in all postures, there will be daily qigong, gentle, mindful movement and additional, optional massages offered to enhance our embodied experience. Sue will incude short, individual sessions throughout the retreat, as well as time for reflection, journaling, walks in nature and deeply replenishing rest.
This retreat offers a 15% discount on all accommodation, as well as a free Stillmind Journal to members of IMISA (Mindfulness Institute of SA), and carries a teacher's fee for all retreatants, offered on a sliding scale. Please contact Sue directly on for further details and to arrange a recommended pre-retreat session. Her website link is https://stillmindretreats.com/event/retreat-infusing-mindfulness-with-metta-compassionate-wisdom/.
The gentle movements that you will learn to do on this relaxed mid-week course will help to build your immune system and improve your general well-being. The mindful way in which you move will work on your internal organs as you generate energy 'qi'. You will also have time to roam the beautiful grounds of the BRC as you take time out to relax and recharge.
At the best of times our minds run riot leaving us exhausted, stressed and often difficult to live with! The simple act of closing our eyes and focusing on our breath can do wonders for our body and mind, but at the root of our tension and dissatisfaction is something that we should investigate more fully for meditation to be beneficial. This is what we will be experimenting with during the weekend and together with the calming energy and gentle movements of qigong, you will begin to feel more at peace and at ease.
The White Stork Displays Its Wing - A Beginner’s Introduction to Yang Style Tai Chi, or to give it its full name, Tai Chi Chuan, has often been regarded as a dynamic form of Qigong, or ‘the cultivation of energy’ to help regulate one’s system and prevent disease, thereby leading to the development and maintenance of good health and well-being. Most people associate Tai Chi with flowing, graceful movements. Yet there is much more to the practice of this ancient Chinese art. The great Yang Tai Chi Master T.T. Liang (1900-2002), stated that there are four categories into which the principles of Tai Chi fall, namely health, self-defence, mental accomplishment and the road to immortality. In this retreat, Paul will demystify Tai Chi using the Yang style, which can be traced back to Ch’en Wang Ting (1597-1664). Paul’s intention is to inspire retreatants to further investigate Tai Chi and to find a teacher near their home.
“The most common form of despair is not being who you are.” - Kierkegaard
As humans we live here amongst the “family of things,” yet somehow separate. This illusion of separation the Tibetan Buddhists term Maha Bekandze – the Great Suffering. Join Charisse at the BRC to dissolve into the bliss that is your true nature. Together we will practise various forms of meditation. All of life is a meditation in that it calls us to pay attention. In curious mindfulness we will find our playful connection to Life itself.
Through guided conscious dance, process art making, free writing, immersion in nature, sitting in silence, walking, eating, talking, singing, listening deeply, practising yoga and qigong, you will gently be led back to your oneness, your emptiness, which is true love. You will surrender into your natural grace and choose joy.
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 and meadows 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.
Shibuie is the ancient Japanese concept of Accidental Beauty in which the artist is just one ingredient in a number of dynamic interacting natural processes, the outcome of which is delightfully unpredictable, but strangely beautiful - not ego-driven or deliberate.
Ingrid will teach the classical Japanese brush painting techniques - Sumie - as these are applied to traditional subjects, such as landscape, bamboo and flower studies - as well as contemporary subjects. We will use the genuine, traditional materials: solid pine-soot ink, a hollowed-out slate to liquefy it, a deer-hair bamboo-stemmed brush and absorbent mulberry paper. Tools will be provided. Sharon will offer the Raku and explore various glazing and firing techniques. Each retreatant will receive a bisque-fired tea bowl to sumie-decorate and glaze. The kiln will be fired up, after which we will watch the magic as the bowls emerge triumphantly from the scorching heat! Chris will offer qigong sessions and Bernard will be offering forest walks and introducing 'forest bathing' with traditional Mbira music for healing and harmony. A traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony will be held on the final evening.
Sharon Paterson is a potter and stained glass artist . Pottery is her passion. Currently, she teaches pottery at her studio in Ballito and has a retail shop in Salt Rock with 3 of her 4 daughters. The sea and life style influence her style of pottery. She produced a lot of wild life pottery and dinnerware while living in Mpumalanga for thirty-four years. Recently, she and a friend collaborated online and started a website called Curiosity. Their slogan is “Ceramics for Change” and their ambition is to empower local artists and give them a place to work and platform from which to sell their art. Many of our talented artists are living from hand to mouth. We need to support local! See www. refresheddesigns.co.za
Bernard Chatikobo is a part-time ranger in the Hawaan Forest in Durban where he takes people on guided walks, introducing 'forest bathing' and traditional Mbira music for healing and harmony. His passion is trees and birds. He will be leading the walks over this retreat where one can immerse oneself in nature and find inner serenity.
Chris Rooke began his journey into complementary health in London in the 1980's studying Zen Shiatsu, Macrobiotics, Taichi and Qigong. In 1992 he emigrated to South Africa and presently practises Iridology and the Trauma Release Process. He also teaches a number of qigong forms in the Upper Highway area such as White Crane, Zhan Zhaung, Chi Lel and Five Yin Organ qigong.
As the year draws to a close, gift yourself the opportunity to embrace the December holiday season with a mindful grounding. Join Bruce in exploring the roots of mindful awareness through Kundalini yoga. Immerse yourself in transformative practices that seamlessly blend into the beauty of nature, with outdoor sessions whenever possible. Engage in meditation, chanting and the gentle resonance of the gong and crystal bowls for healing relaxation. Delve into practices that nurture your mind, body and spirit, allowing you to embrace inner peace and vitality while finding harmony in nature. Take time to rejuvenate and realign as you prepare to welcome the new year ahead. Join us on this journey of self-discovery.
Imagine! Imagine all the people, living life in peace - John Lennon
Christmas is a time of the giving of gifts. All birthdays are honoured with gift-giving. Usually these gifts are of ‘things’. Yet the very best gift we can give is not anything tangible or material. It is to definitively take away the suffering of oneself, and of others. And this, after all, is the reason why we give material gifts in the first place. It’s also the reason why we do the myriad things we do in our lives. It’s because we are constantly in pursuit of this (seemingly unattainable) state of being: peace, happiness, contentment, an absence of ‘niggle’. The unlimited and ultimate gift would be to be happy without end, at peace without end, to give happiness and peace to all, without end. The Four Immeasurable Gifts are the ultimate gift. They are boundless equanimity, loving kindness, compassion, and joy. They define a path and practice leading to all-encompassing peace and happiness. They lead us back to our true nature, which is peace.
Take time out at the BRC this Christmas to slow down into the moment and unwrap the Four Immeasurable Gifts. We will discover them through meditation, contemplation, journaling, and by just being present.
The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of introspection and silence with time for journaling, reflection, and fireside talks.
The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived - Thomas Merton
New Year is a good time of the year to take stock and contemplate our moment-to-moment, here-and-now reality in all its fullness. It’s a traditional time for clarifying our motivations, and for starting afresh with new intentions. A time, in other words, to reboot the system. Give yourself the gift of time over this New Year period to collect the Three Wise Medicines of gratitude, ahimsa and contentment, to reflect on the past year, and uncover how you can best live your life in the coming year. During this time together we will let our body, speech and mind fall silent through the practice of meditation and silence. In working with the Three Wise Medicines, there will also be time for writing and contemplation, walking and ceremony especially outside in nature. We will welcome the New Year with a lantern-lit ceremony in the Zendo, chanting, ringing out the old year with an ancient Chinese temple gong. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of silence and introspection.
The spiritual life is first of all a life. It is not merely something to be known and studied, it is to be lived - Thomas Merton
New Year is a good time of the year to take stock and contemplate our moment-to-moment, here-and-now reality in all its fullness. It’s a traditional time for clarifying our motivations, and for starting afresh with new intentions. A time, in other words, to reboot the system. Give yourself the gift of time over this New Year period to collect the Three Wise Medicines of gratitude, ahimsa and contentment, to reflect on the past year, and uncover how you can best live your life in the coming year. During this time together we will let our body, speech and mind fall silent through the practice of meditation and silence. In working with the Three Wise Medicines, there will also be time for writing and contemplation, walking and ceremony especially outside in nature. We will welcome the New Year with a lantern-lit ceremony in the Zendo, chanting, ringing out the old year with an ancient Chinese temple gong. The retreat will be held in an atmosphere of silence and introspection.
{Toggle}Tsunma Tsondru is a nun ordained by Tai Situ Rinpoche in the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism. She met Buddhism through Louis van Loon at the BRC in the 90's. After working as a lawyer and environmental scientist, she left for Spain for a traditional Kagyu three-and-a-half-year retreat, followed by a second retreat of four years. Returning to Cape Town, she served on the Board of the Southern African Faith Communities Environmental Institute - a multi-faith NGO - for 6 years and as its Executive Director. She later spent a 10-day intensive retreat with Joanna Macy, engaging with Macy’s “Work That Re-Connects”, which she teaches at the BRC and other places, Her particular interest is deep ecology, eco-philosophy and wilderness work, and the role that spirituality, ethics and connection/interdependence can play in transforming us and our economic and social systems in protection of the Earth.{/Toggle}