Updated BRC NewsFlash - December 2018
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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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Dear Retreatant BRC Newsflash: 30 November 2018 to 1 January 2019
The new BRC calendar of retreats from November 2018 to July 2019 is published on our website. You will find it at www.brcixopo.co.za |
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| Visiting Tibetan monks at the BRC | Image:Geraldine Machin | |
Exotic Tibet In Rural IxopoWe had the privilege of welcoming four Tibetan monks to the Buddhist Retreat Centre recently. They were accompanied by two Tibetan Doctors, practitioners of traditional Tibetan Medicine and Astro Science. Amongst them was Geshe-la Lobsang, an impressive lama who radiated a profound spirituality and yet had an easy accessibility that is so characteristic of Tibetan culture and the way they have interpreted and applied the Buddha’s teachings. The medical doctors gave us insightful pointers to how Tibetan traditional medicine and the ancient empirical science on which it is based have for many centuries proved to be effective aids in restoring and maintaining one’s health. Like similar ancient healing modalities, the Tibetan system is based not, as we do in western medical science, on laboratory analysis and experimentation - but on direct human experience, in addition to a caring patient observation of the patient’s symptoms, as these change and as the body responds to treatment. Geshe-la thoughtfully explained the philosophical and psychological envelope into which this science fits. It was such a blessing to have them visit us! Their chants and prayers reverberated across the Ixopo valleys and hills to reach the furthest homesteads. It reminded me of the time, over 50 years ago, when I first came across the Tibetan refugees in Nepal and India. Among them were the first monks, nuns, lamas and medical doctors who had managed to escape the invading Chinese communist soldiers. Meeting these Tibetans at that time consolidated my decision to become a Buddhist. Compared to how we in the western world tend to respond to such hardships, these Tibetans had every reason to be angry and hateful towards the Chinese. I saw none of that. They demonstrated forcefully that such negative emotions would have been debilitating and useless. Instead, they channelled their energies into setting themselves up as well as they could and soon became thriving communities. |
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| Buddha Boma | Image: Chantal Flores | |
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That same humble, generous, joyful spirit was evident in the Tibetans we welcomed at the BRC. They led a consecration ceremony - in full colourful traditional regalia, dorjes and bells accompanying their chanting - of our Pagoda on Stupa Hill and the Buddha Rupa (statue) in our central garden. Both represent symbolically the totality of the Buddha and his teachings. Many thanks are due to Elizabeth Gaywood for having facilitated their visit to the BRC - as she has done so many times. May she be blessed for having helped to keep the Dharma wheels turning and the Tibetan cause alive in Africa for so many years. Christiane Amanpour of CNN recently interviewed the renowned author, Yuval Harari, about his latest book 21 Lessons for the 21st Century. What struck me was his comment that he attends a two-month silent meditation retreat annually. He implied that in his life he is always talking, consulting, thinking. So he needs time to switch off and get to know the mind that is doing all that. We are all in that situation, are we not? Indeed - where, is that mind that is doing all the thinking? And where, who, am I - hiding out there, somewhere, in the midst of all that thought? Or is this all I am: a relentless onslaught of thought - coming from nowhere and going nowhere? |
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| Dietes grandiflora/Fairy iris | Image: Al Nicoll | |
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This, of course, has been an ancient quest. The Greek temples urged all those entering through its portals to "Know Thyself". Many sages, thinkers and philosophers cautioned that if we approach such conundrums with lazy rejection and cynicism, we will block insights that could significantly enhance the meaning and quality of our lived experience. Indeed, it has been shown in numerous studies that our mental, emotional and physical well-being is, to a great extent, dependent upon our ability to inculcate such spiritual curiosity into our lives before we die. We won’t necessarily arrive at any conclusive answers, but it will make that dense ego-shell we carry around with us more transparent and translucent. The Dalai Lama recently reminded us that: A Calm Mind (Samatha) brings inner strength and self- confidence. This is very important for good health. He was simply echoing the Buddha who had made this a fundamental issue in his teachings. The Buddha, 25 centuries ago, analysed this extensively when he pointed out that our reality is an experience of Nama Rupa (Body-Mind) - an indivisible, interdependent assembly of material, psychological and mental elements and interacting processes, each conditioning the others and, in turn, being affected by them. Our task in life, he said, is to bring these into a single, dynamic, harmoniously functioning whole. Harari noted that in our fast, technology-driven lives, amidst endless disruptions and frustrations, we should occasionally get off that treadmill. That was my motivation in establishing the BRC: to give people (and myself….) the space and stillness to dismount from that not-so-merry-go-round - to take the opportunity to be still and quiet; to know ourselves beyond our humdrum daily life. So - back to basics - the healthy way. Louis |
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There are still a few spaces left on the following retreats in November: |
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Plentiful: The Big Book Of Buddha Food |
Images: Angela Shaw | |
Forthcoming Retreats: 30 November 2018 to 1 January 2019People often yearn for an opportunity to recalibrate their lives and to spend some time in quiet reflection among like-minded people. The BRC provides such a refuge: a beautiful natural environment of rolling hills and acres of indigenous forests where people meet to engage in a range of unusually interesting activities, from talks on Eastern and Western philosophy, psychology and science, to yoga and Buddhist meditation and art. Surely this should ease the most agitated mind? The December programme invites you to shape up for summer with tai chi, chi kung and sunrise yoga. Visiting nun, Ven. Robina Courtin, will be leading a weekend “The Heart Sutra” with her usual dynamism. A favourite on the calendar is the Sumie and Raku retreat, a celebration of clay and Japanese brush painting. Treat yourself to a Christmas and New Year retreat - with a difference - in silence. Experience the lantern-lit ceremony around the Buddha Rupa as you welcome the new year. Gong out the old year and ring in 2019 with new intentions. Alternatively, drop into stillness on a Self-Retreat where you can wake up to bird song, walk in the mist, rake the sand garden, listen to the wind chimes or meditate in the Zen garden with the mossy Buddha. Wave Hands Like Clouds: A Tai Chi - Chi Kung RetreatGround yourself in space with the ancient tradition of tai chi and chi kung practices which generate a profound sense of composure and balance. Going With The Flow: Kundalini YogaIn this retreat the focus is on integrating yoga into your life as a daily practice. It will incorporate stationary and dynamic poses that include chanting, yogic breathing and chi kung techniques. The Heart Sutra: How To Find Our True HappinessWe tend to assume that the outside world is to blame for our suffering, but the Heart Sutra in Buddhist philosophy convincingly points out that it is our mental and emotional malfunctioning that is the cause of our suffering. This retreat will suggest ways of working more creatively with this innate tendency. Shibuie: Accidental Beauty - Japanese Brush Painting And PotteryMake the ink sing and the brush dance by learning the classical Japanese art form of Sumie. You will paint landscapes, bamboo and flowers as well as contemporary studies which will be applied to clay bowls and enjoy the pyrotechnics of firing the bowls, Raku-style!. Christmas At The BRC - Stalking The MomentTake time out at the BRC over Christmas to slow down into the moment and find your true home right there! New Year At The BRC: Catching The Ungraspable MomentUsher in the New Year at the BRC with a joyful willingness to take life on the chin and make everything that comes along workable. The Profundity Of Solitude - The Enjoyment Of Being Still And AloneEnjoy some “alone” time on a Self-Retreat in the beautiful, indigenous setting of the BRC with chi kung, meditation, communing with nature, and enjoying the delicious vegetarian food for which the BRC is justly renowned. |
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| Reflections | Image: Chantell Flores | |
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Chrisi |
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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 thirty-eight 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, recently. In 1989, the BRC was awarded Natural Heritage status by President Mandela for turning an eroded farm into the natural paradise it has become 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, eighteen years ago, on the estate. Their vision is for all people in the community to be healthy and productive, living in a safe and clean environment, with good access to services and social justice. The Centre continues to support the organisation in a variety of ways by contributing Dana, sponsoring their trainers', visitors' and Directors' accommodation, and showcasing and promoting their wonderful crafts in the shop such as the sock monkeys, cushions, bags, scarves, beanies and stationery. The Woza Moya Crafters are local women who receive ongoing training and support to enable them to create these unique and charming best sellers. This year as a result of retreatants' Dana (Generosity), the BRC was able to donate R18,000 to Woza Moyà to further enable their good work among the community. Become a friend of the Centre and find out more about the BRC's "Paid-Up-Yogi and Sangha Friends" projects all of which help to ensure the continuity of this non-profit organisation. Thank you for the abundance that has flowed to the BRC over these last months in the form of “Paid-Up-Yogis” and Sangha Friends’ contributions which have enabled us to refurbish the ladies’ Lodge bathroom, tile the entrance to the dining room and install a tea station in the Lodge for those hot cups of milo on the cooler misty nights. We are grateful for the truck-load of indigenous trees, herbs, seedlings and plants, a new granite kitchen server, a new canvas parasol for the outside umbrella, kitchen utensils, garden tools, books for our library, beautiful beige towels, soft new pillows, Woollies duvet covers, a coffee plunger, a marvellous collection of illustrated books on the Sumie tradition, some of which have been long out of print, a beautiful silk scarf for Louis from Sikkhim to use during the Chinese tea ceremony, Elsa Pooley's book on flowers for the library, a generous donation towards installing LED lights to reduce our energy consumption and stunning photographs from Andrew Brown and "Fairlady" magazine featuring the BRC. Recently the Centre received a marvellous donation of tables, crockery, ceramics, pillows, cushions, curtains and lanterns. We welcomed a Bosch power drill, and the high-back oak chairs that now grace our meditation hall and a generous donation towards the re-paving of the entrance road to the BRC. We have been so touched by your appreciative letters, emails, support and friendship towards the BRC - your spiritual home from home. The "Buddha Buzz" is that we now have pure natural honey produced from the estate. The project started when Rob Pooley, an apiarist from Botha’s Hill, was consulted about the influx of bees into the buildings. He suggested placing catcher boxes to entice the bees away from the buildings, and to relocate them to an apiary site above the Deer Park. This worked remarkably well and over 40 hives were relocated to the apiary. However, the drought of 2015/2016 had a devastating effect and with a dearth of food, it led to a reduction of hives to 30. Good rains at the beginning of 2017/18 brought a wonderful resurgence to the flora, especially the Halleria Lucida (Tree Fuschia) which abounds at the Centre, and so far we harvested 450 kg of honey. Without the help of Colin and his staff during the drought in helping to feed the bees with a mixture of glucose and water, the results would not be so positive. May our bees remain happy and busy and may the honey flow. We thank our resident staff, our patrons, retreatants and teachers for their on-going support in keeping the Dharma wheels turning. Visit our website for further information, directions, image gallery etc. |
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| www.brcixopo.co.za | 039 834 1863 | 087 809 1687 | 082 579 3037 | 031 2095995 |
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