Newsletter January 2008 from Sonia
The theme for this year‘s programme running through all the teachings is the taming of the monkey mind, releasing grasping and freeing mind.
My intention is that this study will set a stable foundation from which we can then explore the many aspects of how the mind get caught in grasping despite ‘knowing better’ and how to cultivate the many methods of freeing the mind.
In 2008 I am offering in each term a new format of a ten-day period split into two parts.
Time after time I found that after a five-day course students
are ready, have more ease and gentleness to go deeper into the practice.
The first few days being the more demanding part as it takes time to drop
the worldly concerns, settle into a rhythm and focus on the practice in the
here and now. This new format consists of the first five days dedicated to
inputs, teachings and exercises; the second five days will offer conditions
of a silent retreat to support the deepening of the practice introduced. During
the retreat part there will be a two-hour session a day with the teacher,
while the rest of the day will be for personal practice with group sittings
and opportunity to meet with the teacher individually.
The first retreat offered in March will set the tone with this format.
There will be another ten day retreat in July and one in November.
Another new format for 2008 is entitled ’ weekend practice’.
My wish is that more and more students of the Buddha Way take time to cultivate, to refine and deepen the qualities of awareness, loving kindness and wisdom that they contact through the teachings.
These weekends are an opportunity to be with the sangha and receive and offer your gift of turning the mind to the wholesome states.
In 2007 we received many retreatants, ranging for a period of one day to 6 months. So there is always a core of students in practice. Ad and I are more available and offer spontaneous teachings or join in the sittings as students of the Buddha Way.
The Orchard sole existence
is for the training of mind and the cessation of suffering for oneself
and for the many sentient beings.
Ad and I have received over many years extensive teachings from John Garrie
Roshi and from the Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche as our principal teachers, together
with their blessings for the teachings we offer and the conditions we’ve created.
Our aspiration is that the Orchard continues to be a place of refuge, a
place where you can take a breath and let go of your pain and limitations,
a place where the teachings refresh you and give you strength back in your
home life.
