Newsletter January 2007 from Sonia
"The generous heart is the happy heart"
Traditionally there are three kinds of generosity.
The first is the gift of what is needed
to whoever needs it
The second is the gift of fearlessness,
rooted in love and compassion.
The third is the gift of Dharma, or truth.
2500 years of dharma teaching
has risen from generosity.
We bow in gratitude to all those who,
with joy and love, in countless ways
sustain the path of peace and wisdom.
(From Ida S.Taylor)
On this clear, crisp December morning I am reflecting on the year, recollecting
all the beings that I've met here at The Orchard and on my many trips
abroad. The sharing has been so rich and diverse, joyful and inspiring
and at times stretching, mutually changing the teacher, students and the
teaching.
Who is the teacher and who are the students?
When Sonia takes on the role of teacher and you take on the role of students
it is to support an invitation to an exchange, a two way movement of breath,
of energy, of life experiences, of hopes and fears in the knowledge that our
deep aspiration of happiness and free from suffering is possible and can manifest
in the world for the benefit not just of self but of all beings.
Such aspiration IS possible to realize, others before us have realized
it and many are at this moment putting all their effort in doing so and
for that we all need help, support, commitment and loving kindness from one
another. Together as a group of practitioners we can fulfil our aspiration.
This year has taught me so much and this was clearly lived and expressed
in my teaching.
The 10 week retreat generated such positive energy and shifts in the students
that of course it will be scheduled again for '07 in the autumn but
more importantly it demonstrated to both Ad and myself that our vision
of The Orchard as a full time retreat centre is very near, all it needs
is a bit of reorganising, more on this later!
Since building the Zendo in 1995 The Orchard has moved slowly towards becoming
a full time meditation and retreat centre. The teaching of Healing-Shiatsu
which formed the main teaching activities for so long and which has supported
all of the meditation courses and the centre is intentionally being phased
out and replaced by the meditation retreats.
For the past 21 years Ad and I have tirelessly created here at the Orchard
the conditions and conducive environment for the uplifting of suffering
through the teaching of T'ai-Ji, shiatsu and meditation. You the students
have responded beautifully with your dedication and practice over that time.
The autumn retreat was a good representation of our (yours and ours) dedication.
The gift of Dharma, of receiving the Teaching is so precious, the people
and places that encourage and support these wholesome activities are also
rare and precious.
How can it be best nurtured and preserved? As a meditator and teacher of
Dharma this is an important point, how can I best continue to create the conditions
to nurture in myself the gifts of generosity, of fearlessness , of peace and
compassion and in doing so, support others to nurture those gifts too.
This is our commitment here at The Orchard and the autumn retreat has indicated
to us that the time is right for The Orchard and us as meditators and teachers
to change gear yet again!
If we as teachers are to turn our mind fully to teaching and guiding students,
then we cannot give the same amount of time and energy to the running of the
centre. Therefore, we feel ready to look at the possibility to invite The
Orchard Sangha to play a more active role in the running and maintaining of
The Orchard as a retreat centre.
Many details are to be worked out but this is the vision we aspire to and
the strong commitment of mind-heart to our teachers and their gift of the
Dharma. What else is there to do with this precious human life and conducive
conditions we have?
Some of you have heard me talk about such a vision before and now it is
time to pursue it confident and filled with loving kindness.
As soon as I am back from Australia and New Zealand at the end of March
more details will emerge and you¹ll be the first to know about it.
Looking forward to seeing you again at the Orchard and to sharing the many
gifts of Dharma.
In metta. Sonia
