. . . 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!