Friday 14 February 2014

SHAMBHALA ANNUAL NINETHUN AT FYNBOS

Guest blog by Shastri Jennifer Woodhull

Shambhala South Africa’s annual ninethün (nine-day meditation retreat) has become a tradition—thanks, in large part, to Johan and Diana providing the ideal venue and support year after year.

This year’s retreat featured visiting teachers Acharya David Hope and Shastri Christina de Block, an English couple who have been living in France. (“Acharya” and “shastri” are the titles of senior teachers in Shambhala International.) The program was called “The Basic Goodness of Being Human”. This is the first section of the three-part Basic Goodness curriculum, and it asks the question, Who am I? The purpose of the course is not to find answers, but to uncover a deeper understanding of ourselves through exploring the question.

Six classes were taught by Acharya Hope, Shastri de Block and myself (Shastri Jennifer Woodhull). The material covered some of the fundamental Buddhist teachings on the development of ego, as well as the Shambhala understanding of basic goodness. The three teachers and 13 participants engaged in meditation and discussion, teasing out the content of each class from the perspective of personal experience. Individual meditation meetings with the teachers supported participants in deepening their own meditation practice, while frequent dialogue sessions helped bring out the personal relevance of the material.

During the program Acharya Hope conducted a traditional Buddhist refuge ceremony, during which vow-takers made a commitment to the path of Buddhist meditation and study. Six people took refuge, after which we celebrated with one of Johan’s fabulous dinners and his equally fabulous wines!


All in all, it was a rich and productive nine days for all concerned (including, I like to think, Diana and Johan themselves). In spite of days of unseasonable torrential rain, we were able to stick to our curriculum while also getting in the odd swim, hike and photo shoot (many of the latter featuring the two young Cape eagle owls who hung out close to the heart of the action).

Left: Acharya David Hope. Right: Group discussion.

Left: Individual exploration. Right: The refuge ceremony.

Left: Group meditation. Right: Refuge ceremony.

Lunch on the main house's front veranda.

Comments

Thank you Diana and Johan for your wonderful hospitality making us feel so at home, for the generous and delectable food , the excellent wine the lovely garden, the life saving pool and your sweet pets ( including osama!) with lots of love 
David Hope

I’m always astonished at how effortlessly our hosts seem to accomplish their high level of service. To provide such sensitive attention with so much genuine ease is a skill in itself, and a rare one at that. And then, of course, the surroundings are exquisite; the pool just the ticket for the summer Swartland heat; and the food out of this world. 
I’m deeply grateful to Johan and Diana for creating this truly heartfelt space, and for inviting us so generously into it. But for that, I’m confident that Shambhala South Africa would still be trundling awkwardly from venue to venue, looking for one where we could relax and be ourselves at last. As it is, Fynbos fits the bill in every imaginable respect. We’ll be back again next year!  
J

Thank you for your incredible generosity of spirit – such a beautiful space to retreat to – with huge appreciation and love for awesome meals and contexts
Pippa

Thank you both for yet another awesome experience here including both crème brule and chocolate mousse! I hope to return many times
Much love Patrick

Thank you once again for the magical space. Johan we are serious about the cook book. Such delicious meals. Diana thanks for just being 
love Pru

Diana and Johan (and the dogs), lovely to see you, thanks for looking after us all, and especially sharing Fynbos house with us with much love and appreciation 
Ralph, Felicity Siena and Patricia

Thank you for the gastronomical/astronomical feast of mind body and Spirit. Your farm is a treasure.  See you again.
Emma

We will meet again, right here some sunny day or maybe raining and misty... Many thanks for you open hospitality and affectionate space. 
Amos

Wonderful place.  Some ` food’ enkosi kakhulu We will be back!
Sydney and Kathy

Most wondrous time thank you
Paul

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