Sunshine Coast Retreat House

. . . the bliss of uncertainty
Weather-wise, we didn’t have much of a winter, and until yesterday, we weren’t
having much of a spring. And then the sun came out . . . AH!
So far, the return of the seasons is dependable, sort of. And yet. It is not a
secret that all of our assumptions can be overthrown in a heartbeat. It’s
happening all over our home planet and to many of our Dharma brothers and
sisters; it’s happening to us. Uncertainty makes everyone uncomfortable, and
some become fearful. Learning to be with uncertainty fully, joyfully, in all its
uncomfortableness is a big part of freedom.

When we purchased the Retreat House eight years ago, there was a stunted tree
in the back garden, some kind of pear tree, we were told. For four years, it was
an ugly stick that produced only a few withered leaves. Year five brought forth
three blossoms. They didn’t amount to anything . . . except for being a source of
wonder and joy! This morning there are over 50 baby pears on that tree.

Gray day? Only on the outside! Thanks for this image go to Keith Shaw, aspiring
master of light.

There is so much changing in our lives, we are living day-to-day, with glee. So
far, it’s all working, and we are deeply grateful to all those whose practical support
makes it possible. We are only able to continue because of your generosity. Deep
bows!

. . . looking back
Deep Retreat 2010 had a strongly Kiwi flavour, and we like that! Every year the
power of practice done here amazes and delights us.
In addition to daily guidance for meditators, Bonni was able to offer a very full
season of teachings during the three month retreat period. This was only possible
because so many others stepped up to help: Sara Fitzpatrick as Retreat House
assistant, Alison Lindsay, Sandy Quinn, Luinda Bleakley, Kathleen Thacker, Sarju
Sooch and Carrie Shaw as cooks and the merry band of 15 local students that
planned, postered and served to make the public classes such a wonderful
doorway for others. Thanks and deep bows to you all.

Matthew has been teaching the Meditation on Breathing with the intention of
giving new students a good base for their practice. What is truly splendid is that
many of the “old” students are finding them valuable as well. This Sunday
morning class has evolved into deepening group practice.

. . . and ahead
Our Summer Program (Part 1) was announced today. You should be able to find it
at www.retreathouse.bc.ca within the next day or so if you’d like to see what we’re
offering. Since there is no longer a Retreat House assistant, what teaching is
possible will be limited by the physical energy it takes for Bonni to keep the
garden thriving, the fish in the pond happy and Mila the dog cared for. Since he is
now 13, he is very opinionated about what that looks like!

. . . next stop, Boise
Bonni leaves for teaching in Boise this week. A very full city program of morning
explorations of the meditation on Peace, evening classes on the theme “Putting
Others First” and a weekend workshop focussed on the traditional vows and
commitments will be followed by a residential retreat based on the Namgyal
Sadhana. For more info, e-mail Cyrese Lingard at pclingard@juno.com

. . . another year of Deep Retreat
It seems safe to commit to this, since Deep Retreat 2011 has been pretty close to
full for a while. Please let us know if you would like to practice here next year by
June 1, and we’ll let you know what space is available.Email the Retreat House at retreathouse@dccnet.com
Right now we are uncertain about offering four spaces, or hoping that someone will come forward to
fill the role of assistant.

. . . beyond that
who knows? Impermanence, yes! That probably means things get better and
better and better, yes? So far, so good.

the world is my cloister!

. . . enjoying the fruits
In January (even with no snow so far) that might seem an odd heading! We are
into the second week of Deep Retreat 2009, appreciating the very special
atmosphere that comes over this place when the focus is on supporting committed
meditators. The period following emergence from our own three month retreat
was externally quite chaotic (“living in Murphy”s Law,” Bonni called it) so this shift
to a different flavour is lovely indeed.

This year the core group of students has taken responsibility for supporting the
needs of the Retreat House and the organization of public teachings, building on
the excellent outcome of last year’s efforts. Deep bows to all for these acts of
generosity of time, talent, energy and material support. Many all beings
experience the deep satisfaction of commitment to the Dharma!
The new space that Matthew has created from the former tool storage room is
beautiful indeed, and Sara Fitzpatrick is now living in it, helping with regular tasks
and other projects as her work schedule permits. The extra pair of hands is a
splendid gift! (The downside is that we will be living with a huge storage container
in the driveway until a new equipment space can be built in the spring.)

. . . the year ahead
Part of the chaos of the last few months arose from this entire year’s scheduling
wanting to happen all at once. There are some dates that may still shift a wee bit,
but the basic structure looks like this:

January — Deep Retreat (fully booked) at the Retreat House and
Path of Peace-sponsored public teachings on the Sunshine Coast. Go
www.pathofpeace.ca for details.

February and March — Deep Retreat (fully booked) at the Retreat House and
Teachings on the Mahayana Seven-Point Mind Training. Those on the local
and Vancouver mailing lists will receive e-mail announcements about these.

April – Venerable Sonam Senge http://www.lionsroar.ca/lr-ven-sonam-senge.html
will teach here. Dates and topics will be announced within the next
few weeks to those on the local and Vancouver mailing lists.

May – Bonni will teach in Idaho.

June and July — Summer Retreat period will be June 19 to July 25. Since last
year’s summer retreat was unable to accommodate everyone who wanted to
practice here, we have added an additional two weeks, and blended the time
together so that those who wish to practice for longer than two weeks have the
opportunity. Since space in Deep Retreat 2011 is substantially spoken for, the
summer may be the only opportunity for some. Therefore, we advise booking
early, understanding that booking space is a commitment to a retreat, not a
hope for one. To review how personal retreats work here, go to the website,
www.retreathouse.bc.ca

Summertime on the Sunshine Coast is a very energetic, extroverted energy, quite
different from the introverted softness and quiet of the rainy Deep Retreat
months. We will be designing the Summer Retreat to take advantage of this
energy, rather than trying to push against it. This might mean occasional car
rides up the mountain, or to the beach!

August — Nothing to announce at the moment, but stay tuned, there are
possibilities in the wind that haven’t landed yet. Matthew and Bonni are
committed to the visit of the re-incarnation (yangsi) of one Tibet’s greatest
contemporary masters, HH Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche with whom Bonni was
fortunate to study. For more information about this, go to
www.lotusspeech.ca/news-events/choktrul.php

September, October and November — Bonni will leave for teaching in New
Zealand and Tasmania (Australia) toward the end of September. For information
about NZ, contact Bridget Musters at (bmamusters@gmail.com) and for Tassie,
contact Chani Grieve (chani_grieve@yahoo.co.uk)

December — TBA, when we finalize travel dates.

. . . Deep Retreat 2011
At this moment, over two-thirds of the space has been booked. One of several
options we are considering is renting an additional house, if a suitable location can
be found.

the world is my cloister!

. . . first there is a mountain
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an
unexpected visitor.
Welcome and attend them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its
furniture, still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out for some new delight.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice, meet them at the door laughing, and
invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes, because each has been sent as a guide from
beyond.
Welcome difficulty.
Learn the alchemy True Human Beings know: the moment you accept what
troubles you’ve been given, the door opens.
Welcome difficulty as a familiar comrade.
Joke with torment brought by a Friend.
Sorrows are the rags of old clothes and jackets that serve to cover, and then are
taken off.
That undressing, and the beautiful naked body underneath, is the sweetness that
comes after grief.
– Rumi

. . . then there is no mountain

. . . then there is
In the name of the daybreak
and the eyelids of morning
and the wayfaring moon
and the night when it departs,
I swear I will not dishonour
my soul with hatred,
but offer myself humbly
as a guardian of nature,
as a healer of misery,
as a messenger of wonder,
as an architect of peace.
In the name of the sun and its mirrors
and the day that embraces it
and the cloud veils drawn over it
and the uttermost night
and the male and the female
and the plants bursting with seed
and the crowning seasons
of the firefly and the apple,
I will honor all life
–wherever and in whatever form
it may dwell — on Earth my home,
and in the mansions of the stars.
– Diane Ackerman

. . . caterpillar sheds his skin

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/alexross/2009/10/messiaen-video.html

Be sure to look at both Parts 1 and 2

As you can see, we don’t have much to say after three months of silent retreat,
and others can say not much so easily! We’ve journeyed inward and outward
together, Matthew, Bonni and Sara, through the sun-drenched richness of
voluptuous August, September’s hints of change and October insisting that all life
concentrate itself deep in the ground.

. . . to find the butterfly within
Transformations will slowly unfold themselves, as we explore the changes that
have emerged as imperatives. We are going to create a living space for Sara, so
that she can continue to assist Bonni and the Retreat House. Matthew will ease
out of his business in Vancouver (and the health-destroying commuting hours that
go with it) in order to have a life and be focussed on Dharma. As for Bonni . . .
she is always full of surprises, so this should be no different.

. . . deep bows
To everyone who has stepped up to ensure that this experiment continue for a
while, and to Cat Stevens (for the section headings.)
the world is my cloister!