July 2001

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=80 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #336600;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05c8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>Emoyeni Retreat Centre</B></div> <div> <A HREF="newsletters.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Newsletters"><B>Back</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2f484070.png" border=0 width="900" height="7" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I><B>July 2001</B></I></div> <div> <B>Newsletter</B></div> <div> <I> </I></div> <div> <IMG SRC="0d08ac40.jpg" border=0 width="138" height="196" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="15" VSPACE="0">Over the past few weeks winter has really begun to bite, with some icy cold snaps and freezing winds pushing up from the Antarctic - a time of leafless trees, frosted lawns and much of the natural world withdrawn in hibernation.  This is a good time of year to go outside on a crispy cold evening and enjoy the breathtaking clarity and brilliance of the stars blanketing the winter sky - you can clearly see the red light of Mars shining brightly next to the huge constellation of Scorpio.  The clarity and beauty and vastness of the cosmos has a special way of touching the human spirit, somehow lifting us up and outward from our confined, self-centered concerns and awakening that intuitive sense of being part of and inseparably connected to an unimaginably vast web of life.</div> <bR> <div> The past week has brought with it, like the dropping of ripened fruit, two pieces of delicious news.  Firstly, the Department of Conservation gave full approval to the Environmental Impact Assessment of Emoyeni and granted permission for the Retreat Centre to be developed on what was previously agricultural land.  This decision means that the establishment of the Emoyeni Retreat Centre is now secured, and that when we are ready we can move with confidence into the next phase - the construction of the new Retreat Centre buildings in the beautiful valley higher up the mountain.  </div> <bR> <div> The second piece of welcome news was the acceptance, by the owner of the neighbouring farm, of the offer to purchase the farm - made by Martin, a friend of Emoyeni, in partnership with Mervyn.  This 85 hectare farm, with a bubbling stream running through it and lots of substantial trees, will be an excellent companion piece of land to Emoyeni.  It will allow for many more short walks and quiet places within easy reach of the Retreat Centre buildings, and a friendly presence next door.  To ease the financial pressure that has been taken on to secure the farm, they will be looking for a third person to jointly own the farm in partnership with them.  So, if you are interested in becoming a partner, please contact us at Emoyeni for more information.        </div> <div>   </div> <div> We have been making further progress with the renovations on the main house and have nearly completed turning the long, enclosed back verandah into two bedrooms, a laundry and a storeroom for tools.  This means that together with the bungalow we will soon accommodate 6 people at the Centre.  Next on the list is to transform the shell of the old house past the vegetable garden, so that hopefully by November (just over a year after taking occupation of Emoyeni), we can look forward to holding regular retreats with accommodation for 10.</div> <div> The Retreat Programme at Emoyeni will begin in a simple way in August, September and October, when a meditation retreat, "Quiet Mountain, Clear Sky", will be conducted on the third weekend of each month.  From November a fuller and more diverse programme will begin to emerge, when together with mainstream Buddhist philosophy and meditation retreats, there will be courses on many related subjects such as ecology, art, tai chi, psychology, working with negative emotions, etc.  As a preview, Stephen & Martine Batchelor (internationally renowned authors and meditation teachers) will be conducting a weekend retreat from 1 - 3 February next year and Rob Nairn a 4-day retreat a little later in the year.  In our next newsletter there will be more information on these and other retreats that we will be offering.</div> <bR> <div> The burning of firebreaks that we are busy with on Emoyeni and several of the neighbouring farms is nearly at an end, despite many delays caused by the strong winds in recent weeks. Meanwhile, the vegetable garden is producing well - the duiker are eating the lettuce and we are eating strawberries, carrots, beetroot and spinach, with many others on the way.  There have also been a number of very welcome gifts to Emoyeni, a sewing machine and other useful items from Heather, 4 meditation cushions from the Buddhist Retreat Centre, and many other forms of warmth and generosity that are so helpful and encouraging.  Thanks to you all.  </div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B>FUND RAISING</B></div> <bR> <div> Since October last year, when we took possession of a rather run-down farm, a huge amount of progress has been made in getting the Centre established and soon we will be reaching the stage of running a programme of regular retreats.  Many people have contributed to this process of helping Emoyeni to get onto its feet and tentatively begin its life as a new retreat centre - much like the pleasure one gets in watching a young tree send out its tender roots and extend its first leaves.  Like the young tree, Emoyeni has a long period of growth ahead of it in order to become a fully functioning Retreat Centre, and this process too will require much support and nourishment.</div> <bR> <div> Now that the development of the Retreat Centre has been approved by the Department of Conservation, we can take the next step:  to consider a wide range of ideas and practical suggestions that will enable us to raise the funds necessary to construct the new facilities - such as the meditation hall, the library, the  diningroom/kitchen, accommodation for 20 retreatants, etc.  This process will, of course, take time and there is no need to unnaturally force the pace.  What is certain, is that to realise this long-term vision for Emoyeni,  we are going to need all the help and expertise and enthusiasm that is offered.  You are all invited to share your ideas or volunteer to help us put together a wide-ranging plan to finance the new facilities at Emoyeni.  If you would like to contribute please let us know by phone or email.  No need to be shy!</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Mervyn</B></I></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>