Newsletter May 2004 from Sonia

Sitting by the Lake of Konstanz in Switzerland following a two week teaching in the mountains, I am reflecting on the many seeds that have been planted this year.

In January the new Healing-Shiatsu Post-Graduate Intensive was well received with 19 students inaugurating this 2-week format.
The Medicine Buddha practice was introduced for the first time and we looked at applying its quality into the Healing-Shiatsu Touch. We gave ourselves permission to explore the many aspects that relate to healing and to shiatsu and to becoming a whole practitioner.

In February I returned to Canada for a two week teaching on the Bodhisattva of Wisdom and Right Speech, Manjushri. This was a powerful and healing time, adjusting to the reality of the Dharma Centre without the living presence of the Ven. Namgyal Rinpoche.

In March the Kalyanamitta Group provided more sharing and a strengthening for the participants who now feel better equipped to “go out into the world” sharing their skills for the benefit of beings. The Introductory weekend into Mindfulness Meditation which followed was fully booked with many new faces.

Gill Blair made the big step of moving on the 25th March near The Orchard and is gradually settling into a new rhythm attending to her new home and visiting The Orchard for her daily practice. It already feels very supportive to her and to the Orchard.

Long and short term retreatants continue to come to The Orchard and create an ongoing feeling of Sangha where spontaneous meditation and teaching sessions arise. The themes for the retreats for September and October focus on “training the mind” as it is the mind that is the driving force with the body its servant. When our actions in body, speech and mind come from a mind free from hatred, desire or confusion then the Four Immeasurables, Loving Kindness, Compassion, Joy and Serenity pervade our life and extend to all beings and non-beings we are in contact with. This is the highest aspiration and the reason for practice and retreat.

At the end of the year in November and December Ad and I will be away on retreat. This will take place in Guatemala with a handful of friends from Canada and Switzerland. The Orchard will remain open during that period for personal retreats. Do make sure you contact us before the end of October to make the appropriate arrangements if you wish to come during those 2 months.

I will be at The Orchard over the summer and in the autumn till the 27th October.

We look forward to welcoming you at The Orchard and till then be well and happy and may you continue your exploration of this precious human life with kindness and joy.

Sonia