A midsummer magic retreat

Starts 29 Dec 2017

Over New Years at Sudarshanaloka

For the past few years we have been running a New Year's retreat. It offers a different way of welcoming in the new year, immersing ourselves in the elemental beauty of Sudarshanaloka, coming together with Sangha and exploring the mystery of new beginnings. The retreat is open to anyone who is already familiar with our meditation practices.

Last year we explored the four great windows into the beauty of life from a Buddhist perspective. This year we will immerse ourselves in the expansive beauty of the natural elements. We will do this through contemplation and ritual around the ancient Puriri tree and Stupa and by exploring the ever flowing river of conditions that unfold at Sudarshanaloka.

We will spend our time meditating, wandering amongst trees, reflecting beside the river and drawing inspiration from the life and luminosity that manifests from the land of beautiful vision.

Silence
If I could find words worthy enough
I would tell you how the river calls to me
how after a while it seeps right through,

How I swirl in hidden eddies
cascade and dance through shards of light,

How I fall over ledges of freedom
and on through the quiet valley
towards the tidal swell of sea.

If I could find words worthy enough
I would tell you how
the sun, moon and stars are not outside
and dark, velvet space permeates within,

How the depths are not below me
and mind is infinite
and not anywhere I can name.

If I could find words worthy enough
I would tell you how
every feeling, thought and action
has led me to now,

How life is a vast unfolding
a glittering tapestry of jewels
just waiting to be dreamed.

I would tell you how sometimes I contact
such all encompassing beauty
that I wonder if I could dissolve
into the heart beat of emptiness.

Because I can’t find words worthy enough
I will ask you instead to come sit beside the river -

until you discover there is no inside or outside
until you become sunbeams on water
until you glow and breathe through winds of time
until you flow into liquid stillness
melting into the shadows of beyond.

Then you too will see
there are no words worthy enough
only echo upon echo
of the unfathomable music of silence
just waiting to be heard.

by Karunajoti