Join us for a weekend celebrating 31 years of mouth-watering vegetarian cooking. The BRC recipes were first published in Quiet Food, now in its 6th reprint. The sequel to that book, The Cake the Buddha Ate, launched this year, has also proved to be a run-away success. Daniel will demonstrate recipes from The Cake in this retreat which will be an entertaining and instructive exploration of food preparation as integral to our health and well-being. We will learn to prepare some of those delightful favourites for which the BRC is renowned, as well as taking time to engage in meditation and Chi Kung practice. Book early!

This is a hands-on workshop in which you will be able to explore your outer perceptions and inner reflections of the world through the medium of paint. You will discover the magic of mixing colours and experimenting with different painting techniques. Painting material will be provided, but you may like to bring your own brushes if you wish. Painting experience is not essential.

This workshop introduces participants to the ancient tradition of Tai Chi and Chi Kung - practices which generate a profound sense of composure and balance through slow, gentle body movements. These are designed to release our Life Force, the Chi, which is visualised as a current of energy that can be made to circulate without obstruction through our bodies and minds, bringing with it a deep sense of well-being, vigour and health. These movements have been fine-tuned over many centuries and are performed in a relaxed, meditative manner. They are elegant and exact, simple and flowing and can be learnt by anybody.

Join Louis and Anthony in this unique experience of Shibuie: the ancient Japanese concept of accidental beauty; unselfconscious creativity, where the artist is simply one ingredient in a number of dynamic interacting natural processes, the outcome of which is delightfully unpredictable, but strangely beautiful - beauty that is uncontrived; not ego-driven or deliberate. Louis will teach participants the classical Japanese brush painting techniques (sumie) as they are applied to traditional subjects, such as landscape, bamboo and flower studies. We will use the genuine materials: solid pine-soot ink, a hollowed-out slate to liquefy it, a deer-hair bamboo-stemmed brush and absorbent mulberry paper. These can be either hired (R.75) or purchased (R.700) from the BRC. On the last day, each retreatant will receive a bisk-fired tea bowl to sumie-decorate and glaze. Anthony will then fire up the kiln. We will watch the magic as the pots emerge triumphantly, beautifully, from their ordeal of having been subjected to 1000ºC heat, smothered in sawdust and immersed in cold water. A traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony will be conducted – using the tea bowls made at the retreat and which you can take home.

The Paramitas are the ten beautiful qualities of the awakened heart and mind. We will explore these together in this silent retreat in a setting of mindfulness and insight so that we can cultivate and embody them more in our lives. There will be periods of instruction, sitting, walking and loving kindness and opportunities for discussion.

Life consists of comings and goings, births and deaths, decay and renewal, stops and starts. Some of it pleases us. Much we find appalling. It all seems rather random, unpredictable and meaningless. But maybe there is a deeper wisdom lurking behind all this – maybe we are not meant to be so choosy and opinionated about where this universe is taking us; where things have come from; and play along with the whole of it and embrace the only thing that is truly real in all this: the ever-fleeting, ungraspable moment. This is a good time of the year to contemplate this moment to moment, here-now reality in all its fullness and welcome the New Year with a renewed willingness to take life on the chin and simply do the best we can. We will celebrate the New Year with a Buddhist slant and fly hot air sky lanterns on New Year’s Eve: there goes 2011. Apart from the discussion periods and ceremonies, this retreat will be held in an atmosphere of Noble Silence.

The integration of the disparate elements of our mental and bodily experiences into a single undivided harmonious whole has been a very ancient ambition. Yoga comes from the Sanskrit root ‘Yug’, which means to ‘yoke together’ – like one does a span of horses to ensure that they all pull in the same direction. One often feels the need for that in one’s own life – where our body, emotions and thoughts often work to the detriment of one another and need to be harnessed to work in tandem so that a deeper, calmer sense of self can emerge. This retreat will combine meditation, simple, gentle yoga postures and discussions about the process of individuation to indicate that a profound experience of wholeness is achievable.

This workshop will explore our inner world of dreams; our world of unconscious self-knowledge; a world that is waiting to be revealed and acknowledged. Dreams give us messages. Techniques such as painting, drawing, writing, discussion, reflection and meditation can help us to explore this unknown territory and promote personal growth and a sense of wholeness and belonging. The facilitators of this workshop contribute their experience of narrative therapy, psychology, art and meditation. Bring recently recorded dreams with which to work. If you have problems remembering dreams, bring a story, a myth – some theme which is significant for you. Together, we will explore its meaning in your life. Bring a note book and pencil. Painting materials will be provided.

This is the first of two midweek photography retreats which take a particular season, as present in nature at the BRC, as its primary subject. Professional and amateur photographers who wish to improve their photographic skills are welcome to attend. Technical issues will only be discussed where these have a direct relevance to taking quality pictures. Participants will be encouraged to tune into the Centre’s constantly changing conditions of light and shade, and will include night photography and painting with light. To avoid overcrowding, only 12 participants may join. Participants are welcome to bring an indigenous tree (please check which trees will grow at the BRC) which will be planted (and photographed) on the last day of the retreat. Bring your eye (one is enough), camera, notebook, download cable, memory stick and some blank CD’s and, if you have them, a laptop, lenses and a tripod. Items that may come in handy: a small blanket or towel, rain coat, walking shoes, and a plastic cover or umbrella to cover your camera in wet conditions.

The rhythmic drumbeat of the African Djembe is the most primal of sounds. Our mother’s heartbeat soothed us before we were born, triggering the rhythms of our cells, organs and endocrine systems. It is no wonder, then, that we experience the drumbeat as nurturing wholeness, well-being and relaxation. When the drum stills the critical mind and ever-active internal dialogue, a deep sense of mental and physical relief is experienced. Since ancient times, the drum has been associated with states of consciousness that connect us to deeper grounds of being. Indeed, the leader of this retreat successfully uses drumming to induce deep states of relaxation, boosting the immune system. The retreat will explore basic drumming techniques, combined with meditation practice and discussion.

In a world where many traditional beliefs and superstitions have disappeared, we have become rudderless and cynical. Life is often not much more than a meaningless journey from birth to certain death. Whilst it lasts, we try to acquire some happiness - however this is defined - and to avoid suffering as much as is possible. Is that all there is to it? Or is life what religions ask us to believe it is or what science describes? Alternately, does life happen “when we are busy making other plans”, as John Lennon memorably said? Buddhism shows us that we are not living realistically; we are missing some fundamental truths about ourselves and the world we live in that distort and obscure what is really going on in our lives. This retreat explores these issues.

Chi Kung is a powerful yet gentle ancient health practice. Chi is the vital energy that permeates all life and is conceived as flowing through the body along a multitude of energy channels and meridians. The practice of Chi Kung stimulates this energy flow, balancing and harmonising our entire being. This is done by combining simple flowing movements with breathing, posture and mental focus. The movements are gentle and easy to learn and everyone, whatever their age or state of fitness, can perform them and benefit from this ancient, most fundamental martial art form.

This photography workshop re-examines the process of taking pictures. It is directed at those who know the fundamentals of photography but wish to improve their visual awareness and develop a more creative, personal vision. We will re-examine the process of making photographs and what makes a fine print by examining important photographers’ work. Through assignments, presentations, critiques and film screenings we will be able to discover our own unique photographic perspective. We will close with a small group exhibition. Bring digital cameras, tripods, laptop, card reader, flash discs. The group is limited to 8 people. For course fee and additional details visit the Photogarage website:www.photogarage.co.za or e-mail:angelabuckland@yebo.co.za.

Why stories? Because stories are origins and origins are places that we walk out from. Because stories have many feet and travel several roads at once… because the story conjures the invisible. (Deena Metzger) At the heart of this retreat is our belief that once we raise our Story IQ, we begin to hear and tell our work and personal life in a new and vital way. We open up to transformation and new leadership paths. Like the lotus flower, we bloom and seed new beginnings. We reach into what may be murky depths and produce something of infinite beauty and worth. In so doing, prosperity and abundance take on new meanings. The retreat title is taken from Graham and Dorian’s new book.

The ancient art of Chi Kung aims to cultivate one’s life force and harmonise our body and mind through movement, breath and meditation. Beyond calming, invigorating and healing benefits, the ultimate goal of the practice lies in the refinement and expansion of one’s awareness, culminating in the return to one’s “Original Nature”. During this weekend we will master the new powerful exercises from the Daoyin Yangsheng tradition. Movement will alternate with moments of stillness.

In this retreat we will bring awareness to the three principal energy centres (Dantian) in the Chi Kung tradition - using movement, sound and meditation. An unrestricted, even flow of life force in these centres helps us to cultivate and integrate our somatic vitality (centred in our belly), emotional stability (represented by the heart) and intuitive intelligence (our head). In addition, the rarely taught form of Sitting Chi Kung (“harvesting Chi from the Universe”) will be explained and practised.

This retreat intends to awake our innate sense of wonder and awe about our natural environment and the way we co-exist with it. This is the principle of Permaculture: the practical application of this feeling of kinship with all that lives and breathes. This may involve growing your own vegetables in your backyard or participating in larger interdependent ecological systems that involve entire communities and may, in fact, have global implications. In this retreat we will understand the ecological interactive processes of plants, minerals and animals and their - and our - place in nutrient cycles, the climate and energy systems. This is a hands-on workshop: bring gardening clothes and gumboots so that we can get stuck in.

The Ten Ox-herding Stages are a delightful and profound part of the ancient Chinese Taoist philosophical tradition that traces the trajectory of one’s life as one searches for meaning and fulfilment. These depictions were eagerly adopted by Zen Buddhism which gave them its own special flavour. The pictures show a man coming to terms with the antics of his ox (his stubborn mind; his confused sense of self) blundering around in a world he finds bewildering and fickle; finally arriving at a stage where he feels at ease with his “True Nature” as it flows effortlessly along with the “Ten Thousand Things”. Louis painted his own version of the pictures almost 30 years ago in the style of traditional Chinese brushwork (sumie). He will use these to demonstrate each stage of this journey of self-discovery.

“To awaken is to be intimate with all life” Dogen. In this experiential retreat we explore what it means - as women - to pay radical attention to all our relationships: with ourselves, others, the world. We will enquire into the question: what does it take to engage life fully and open-heartedly; to cultivate what C. G. Jung called a “kinship with all life”? We will spend time in silence, walking in nature, meditating, story-telling and reading poetry, alone and in conversation, journaling, dancing and playing, through which we will cultivate an attitude of befriending our experiences – whatever these happen to be. Inspiration and guidance are drawn from Buddhist wisdom and practices, western psychology (particularly Jungian) and images of the archetypal feminine, through which we can empower ourselves to be more present and awake to the beauty and possibilities of each moment.

This retreat will enable you to explore and deepen you practice of Mindfulness - and learn to apply this in the face of challenge and difficulty. We will bring a gentle and compassionate approach to our time together, enabling us to connect to our common humanity - whilst keeping a focus on taking what we learn on the retreat back out into our lives. This retreat is for all those interested in Mindfulness-Based approaches – whatever their level of experience. It is especially relevant to those working in a stressful and challenging context, such as with people affected by HIV Aids or life-threatening illness. As the process of this retreat may have the potential to touch into personal intensity, it is not suitable for people who have recently experienced a personal crisis, or painful, traumatic event. (Please note: this is not a Mindfulness-Based Teacher Training process).

The First Principle of Nia is Joy of Movement. It is a fusion of traditional Martial Art, Dance and ancient Healing Arts which can best be described as a celebration of life through joyful, mindful movement of the body. The aim is to connect to the four elements of nature – Earth, Air, Fire and Water – and to bring this awareness into one’s body movements. The exercises combine gentle stretching, breath awareness and graceful dance movements, accompanied by soothing music. These will alternate with meditation sittings. No previous dance experience is necessary as the body movements are simple and natural.

“The essential things in life are seen – not with the eyes, but with the heart” Antoine de Saint-Exupery The expressions used in photography tend to be somewhat militant: “shooting a picture”; “aiming your camera”; “capturing an image” and so on. Catherine sees it differently. To her, in photography, we “receive an image”, seeing deeply into it. When we make a picture, we can then express not only how we see the world, but how the world makes us feel. We connect with the essence of things. In this retreat we will be guided through a series of exercises that hone our ability to use a mcamera as an extension of our deepest feelings about the object we are observing. Participants will also be shown how to create a simple handmade book to house their “Mindful Moments”of photography during the weekend.

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 - beauty that is not ego-driven or deliberate. Louis will teach participants the classical Japanese brush painting techniques (sumie) as they are applied to traditional subjects, such as landscape, bamboo and flower studies. We will use the genuine materials: solid pine-soot ink, a hollowed-out slate to liquefy it, a deer-hair bamboo-stemmed brush and absorbent mulberry paper. These can be either hired (R.75) or purchased (R.700) from the BRC. On the last day, each retreatant will receive a bisque tea bowl to sumie-decorate and glaze. Anthony will then fire up the kiln. We will watch the magic as the pots emerge from their ordeal of having been subjected to 1000ºC heat, smothered in sawdust and immersed in cold water. A traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony will be conducted.

In these difficult times, issues often confront us that may not have required our attention before, such as unemployment and financial insecurity, failing relationships, health problems, etc. To deal effectively with these challenges, we need to develop an ability to stay centred and focussed and connected to whatever confronts us no matter how uncomfortable. This retreat is experiential and practical and aims to equip participants with tools to act with greater calmness, courage and imagination in managing stress, loss, change and transition. We will use our power of imagination and the practise of mindfulness to discover our “hero within” and invite it to play a more powerful role in our life.

Yoga asanas (postures) massage the internal organs, nerves and glands, improving their performance. It enhances energy levels and stamina, flexibility and agility of the body and mind, enabling you to lead a more active and creative life. Sleep and digestion are improved. Yoga’s focus on the body and correct breathing improve energy levels and the immune system. As you let go of resistance and allow the muscles and tendons to release into the postures, you learn to let go of resistance in other areas of life, accepting what is and what cannot be changed, helping you to make better choices. Wear comfortable clothes. Bring a yoga mat or blanket.

We tend to associate a fulfilling and engaged life with a busy mind. If we are not actively fretting or thinking about something or other, we will seek diversion through entertainment to occupy our minds. This never stops. Even at night we will helplessly enter yet another world of fantasy and mental projection: we dream. Buddhist meditation puts us in touch with a deeper sense of awareness from where this frantic mental activity can be seen for what it is: a bubble bath of sensations and emotions. Except for some instructions and fire-side chats in the evening, we will cultivate a state of sustained calmness and clarity in an atmosphere of Noble Silence. This retreat is a foretaste of what traditional, longer, silent retreats are like. The retreat includes a traditional Chinese Tea Ceremony

Wesak is celebrated by Buddhists worldwide during the full moon of May. It recalls the Enlightenment of the Buddha, as well as his birth and death. Wesak is an opportunity to reflect on the nature of Enlightenment: release from ignorance and delusion, greed and posessiveness, hatred and aggression. Enlightenment is defined as a “waking up”: insight into the true nature of things and the consequent flowering of compassion, equanimity and magnanimity. This retreat will explore the nature of Enlightenment in poetry, discussions and informal fireside chats, sitting and walking meditation, a candlelight Wesak ceremony and traditional chanting whilst we release sky lanterns into the night sky.

The Buddhist teachings tell us that peace in the world is only possible to the extent that we end the war in our own hearts – the war with who we really are, and with the way reality functions. This journey requires a deeper and more enduring bravery than the kind that propels soldiers on to the battlefield. We discover and cultivate this courage through the practice of meditation. At this 13 day intensive retreat, we’ll join Jennifer Woodhull and Johann Verster to examine the meaning of inner peace and its relevance to the world situation. The retreat will include talks, meditation instruction, discussion, contemplation and plenty of meditation practice. It is open to all – beginning and experienced meditators will find rich inspiration for on-going practice, both on the cushion and in the world.

In a series of talks and Mindfulness meditation sessions, we will explore the chemistry which mediates the effects of mind states on the body (psychoneuroimmunology - PNI). The talks and demonstrations will show that we can attain optimal wellness and performance by getting to know our temperament and personality traits; by being more present-minded; and through sensible, informed ways of living and behaving.

(For retreat description: see Life is your Guru write-up for January 27 – 29)

(CPD accredited with HPCSA). We all have an inner well of wisdom and resources; the place inside us that is already free and open. This is the Core. It is always available to us, no matter what our experiences. When empowered, it creates a clear space for enquiry into our feelings, habitual thought patterns and a felt sense of the body. This is known as our Process. When we hold both our Process and Core simultaneously, there is more possibility of healing old wounds and living with greater awareness in our bodies and hearts. This is known as Core Process Psychotherapy. It combines Buddhist awareness practices with western psychotherapy. This retreat is for a maximum of 12 participants and is of interest to people working in the healing professions. It is suitable for beginners as well as those who have done previous Foundation Courses in Core Process Psychotherapy.

(See retreat description for Primal Rhythm: January 20 - 22)

Join us for a weekend celebrating 31 years of mouth-watering vegetarian cooking. The BRC recipes were first published in Quiet Food, now in its 7th reprint. The sequel to that book, The Cake the Buddha Ate, launched this year, has also proved to be a run-away success. Daniel will demonstrate recipes from The Cake in this retreat which will be an entertaining and instructive exploration of food preparation as integral to our health and well-being. We will learn to prepare some of those delightful favourites for which the BRC is renowned, as well as taking time to engage in meditation and Chi Kung practice. Book early!

The upsurge of interest in the ancient practice of yoga attests to its proven physiological and psychological benefits. But our sedentary, western lifestyle has stiffened our limbs and spine to such an extent that many people find the asanas (poses) difficult to perform. Iyengar yoga evolved to deal with this problem – safely, without forcing the body into harmful contortions. Iyengar 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. The weekend retreat (Session 1) is an introduction to the Iyengar method.

See above. For those who wish to consolidate their practice to a deeper level, the additional 4-day retreat (Session 2) is strongly recommended.

The branches of your intelligence grow new leaves in the wind of listening (Rumi) Many of us have, in life’s business, mislaid the sister arts of listening and speaking well. In this retreat we attend to the silence around us paying our respects to breath and heartbeat. We then begin to cultivate a space for the authentic listener and speaker in us. We rediscover our natural resonance, rhythm and sense of timing. It is all about recovering the lost art of conversation in an age of instant response. Who washes his hands in life says whatever he has in his heart. (Sa’di)

Evolutionary Biology and Quantum Physics reveal a universe that is infinitely interconnected and in which every single event that has happened and may potentially happen is embedded. Everything is interconnected and co-arises with a multitude of other things. As living beings we are woven into this unimaginably complex causal network where nothing escapes being recorded – ready to act out whatever needs to be resolved. This is strikingly similar to the Buddha’s teachings on Dependent Origination (Paticca samuppada) and how karma and rebirth are viewed in a number of ancient philosophical and religious traditions. Buddhism in particular developed a profound understanding of the psychic mechanisms that drive this “Wheel of Life”.

(See retreat description for Workshop 1: January 16 – 20)

Open to newcomers and seasoned meditators alike, this retreat gives participants a taste of the practice of Mindfulness: developing moment-to-moment, non-judgmental awareness. This powerful practice enables one to relate with equanimity to whatever is unfolding before us and makes it possible to work more creatively with the stresses and demands of daily living. Based on the work of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, this retreat combines traditional eastern wisdom with modern science and psychology and aims to generate a greater present-mindedness, less reactivity, and more relaxation, body awareness and self-compassion through mindful exercises, yoga, group discussion and reflection. This unique format enables one to integrate this practice into one’s daily life.

Biodanza is an invitation to dance with life. It uses music and movement to create a space in which to taste the joy of living; to experience yourself deeply and to open up more fully to others and the world around you. It fosters a capacity for creativity and play and confident, heart-centred living. Although the facilitator will give guidance, the movements are spontaneous and entirely your own. There is nothing to get “right”, so experience in dance is not a requirement. The retreat uses mindfulness practice to support participants being present to their experience and will include periods of silence and meditation. We all have, in our own way, what is needed to live a life that is rich and full, vital and present-centred.

The central message in the Buddha’s teaching is enshrined in his Four Noble Truths. These state that we cannot avoid coming across stressful situations in life - situations which we often wished had never happened or could, maybe, have been avoided. So we really suffer from the fact that we wish that things are different from what they are or might have been. Does that help? How realistic or constructive is that? So where does the cause of our suffering lie? Buddhism gives us some excellent guidance and tools to radically change our understanding of and attitude to stress. We can learn to deal with stress and suffering in ways that are realistic and not so punishing on our bodies and minds. We will discuss how Buddhist Mindfulness and Insight meditation practice help us to establish a sense of ease, calmness and clarity even in the most challenging situations.

Stoep Zen means to apply traditional Zen Buddhism to contemporary life in South Africa – to be able to meditate in a chair on a stoep as well as on a cushion in the meditation hall. This is a Zen retreat that makes a bridge between formal Zen practice and daily life. It includes meditation, talks, exercise, interviews and fireside chats and is held in silence throughout. The retreat is suitable for beginners as well as experienced meditators.

In Buddhist Mindfulness practice, we pay close attention to some of our most ordinary experiences, such as breathing, sitting and walking. This is deliberate. It gets one out of a tendency to be trapped in our minds; in compulsive-obsessive thoughts and projections, and taking those to be real. Mindfulness puts one in touch with reality the way it actually happens to be: that one is breathing in, and not out, walking and not sitting. Walking particularly is badly compromised and devalued in our current lifestyles; our cars and lifts carry us where previously we would be walking. We sit a lot, with our bodies frozen in awkward postures. In this retreat we rediscover what it is like to walk with awareness - at ease, naturally, joyfully. Walking can become a journey into sacredness.

Chants, incantations, recitations, intonation of mantras and singing of hymns are found in every religion in some form or the other, including Buddhism. In this retreat we will investigate and experience the transforming power and joy of chanting and listening to chants – after which we will fall still, go inward and connect with that mysterious silence, peacefulness and emptiness from which everything originates.

Looking at your image in a clear stream, you answer the question by your very presence: In this workshop we explore the connection between writing and meditation. We write and meditate on the many changes and transformations we experience as we journey along the river of our lives. We consider how creativity steadies the boat and how writing helps us dip the oars into dark water so we may navigate the river safely.

This Life is so short, this craft so long to learn (Chaucer) This retreat is for those who wish to begin or develop a piece of writing. We listen, observe, attend and allow the text to take us where it wants to go. We get out of the way so we can be spoken and written through. We move between workshop input and silent writing time. Like the potter, we spin, shape and fire our words so that they can find their simple beauty.