Spring Newsletter 2023
Dear Friends,
Welcome to Spring!
Yes, another Spring, yet always a new Spring, never quite like the last nor the same as the next!
Spring is only possible after a Winter, it is the natural and normal way of things. Certainly, Spring is a season much appreciated as a significant change from the season that was Winter, unlike Summer that tends to flow on from the warmth that is Spring.
Certainly, here in the Southern Hemisphere, Spring reminds us that we are beyond half of the year and closer to the ending of the year. Spring becomes a time for consolidating the learnings, contemplations and reflections that might have occurred during Winter and to actualise them over the months ahead.
For many of us, we have engaged in the Vassa Retreat period of 2023; a three-month period of Meditation and Wisdom practice, designated as a special time for mental development by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago. The Vassa (Rains Retreat – especially in S.E Asia) falls between the Full Moon of July to the Full Moon of October.
For those that have joined us in the Vassa Retreat 2023, developing the practice of Samma Samadhi – Right Concentration – Meditation, which is the eighth factor of the Eight-Fold Practice Path in Buddhism; I encourage you to develop and maintain your momentum of Meditation. Certainly, the season of Spring calls us to our senses and especially to engage in more outdoor activities; however, we still need to look after our indoor – in mind activities of Meditation Practice.
A calm, clear mind that is present, peaceful and discerning is what is needed for navigating the choices and challenges of contemporary life.
VASSA RETREAT PERIOD 2023
Our Meditation Day Retreats will continue with the yearly Vassa Retreat for 2023.
The Vassa Retreat is traditionally the ‘rainy season’ in Asia where Buddhist monks and nuns spend the 3-month period on Retreat. I have adopted this idea to offer a Non-Residential Vassa Retreat over the 3-month period, with a Sunday Meditation Day monthly, as a way of developing and deepening our Meditation Practice. Those that have attended these Vassa Retreat sessions have found them most useful for their Meditation Practice.
The theme for this years Vassa Retreat period is: Samma Samadhi (Right Meditation) which is the eighth factor on the Buddhas Eight-Fold Path of Practice.
The dates for this year 2023 are:
Sunday 30th July
Sunday 27th August
Sunday 24th September
Sunday 29th October
These Retreat Days are all at Ratanagiri – Farrants Hill NSW and from 9.30am – 3.00pm (unless otherwise specified). Whilst it is good to commit to doing all of the Retreat Days, you can miss some if needed. The main commitment is to your Meditation Practice on a regular basis. I will send out web links to articles to support you over the 3-month period in your Practice.
Please let me know by email if you would like to be part of the Ratanagiri – Vassa Retreat 2023?
WEEKLY MEDITATION GROUP
Our weekly Meditation Group continues at Ratanangiri Farrants Hill on a Thursday Night at 6.30 – 7.30pm. Please let me know if you are attending for the first time?
See details on the website. https://www.wellawareness.com.au/courses-retreats/meditation-groups/
I do encourage you all to make the most of the moments, hours, days, weeks, and months of the year with calm, clarity and care, whilst also enjoying and appreciating the beauty that is Spring.
I offer my Spring verse below.
Metta – Kind Regards
John B.
SPRING REFLECTIONS
There was something in the air;
We felt and sensed,
That Spring was there!
Spring arrived into our day;
Transcending Winter,
As she may.
Flora and Fauna became a rush;
Far from the sound,
Of Winters quiet hush.
Birds and Bees a wonderful sound;
Arising from their time,
In burrow, nest, nook, and ground.
Springs beauty spreads across the land;
Forest, mountain, pasture and paddock,
From coastal to desert sands.
To all Living Life Spring is dear;
Her regenerative powers,
Are so very clear.
Yet the seasons pass as they must;
To the Laws of Nature,
We need to care and Trust.
And through our Life we need to learn;
When Peace and Freedom,
Are what we really yearn.
