November 2002
Newsletter
Walking among the sculptured, mushroom-shaped rocks higher up the mountain, there is a great feeling of space and timelessness. This is some of the most ancient rock on the planet, being formed by titanic geological events over 2 billion years ago. What stories would these rocks tell? To sit silently with them is to feel the power of their timeless presence, to hear them speak of the ceaseless process of change and to be reminded of the universal law of inter-dependance that connects these rocks with us and with everything else on this planet. Just being here at Emoyeni, taking the time to be quiet in this ancient landscape and to appreciate the nuturing qualities of the environment, has away of touching our inner being. When we are quiet, all of our self-centred wants and don't-wants, plans and worries, hopes and disappointments, can be experienced against this timeless landscape. It is then that we can sense why so many sages in the past spent time living in wilderness environments.
Some good news from Emoyeni! After many months of trying, there is an excellent chance that the farm on our western boundary will be purchased by a friend of the Retreat Centre. All of the details have not yet been finalised, but it is looking positive. It will be a great boon to have friends on both sides of Emoyeni, making for a greater sense of space and ensuring the preservation of the bushveld environment.
Rocky, our entrepid and much loved dog, nearly ended his days recently after contracting billary followed immediately by tick bite fever. He just survived one particularly bad night, and after a short recovery period, was back again sniffing for intruding animals and chasing reedbuck up the mountain! There must be plenty of porcupines over the first ridge, with new holes appearing every so often where they have been digging for roots.
BUILDING FUND APPEAL
As we move into the fullness of summer with so much abundant growth in nature, the Emoyeni Retreat Centre is also preparing to embark on the next phase of it's growth - the construction of a fully functional retreat centre, set in a beautiful secluded valley higher up the mountain. This is a substantial project and we will need much encouragement and support to bring it into being. A fundraising brochure, the Building Fund Appeal, will be sent out shortly to everyone on our mailing list, giving details of the project and setting out various ways that you could contribute to the Building Fund. If you have any advice or suggestions or contacts as to additional methods that we could use to raise funds for the new buildings, please let us know.
JOIN THE RESIDENT COMMUNITY
Are you interested in coming to live and work at Emoyeni? As the Centre is much busier these days, we would like to find someone to join the Resident Community. Some cooking experience and an interest in gardening would be a big plus for the Centre. If you are interested in joining the community please contact Mervyn or Johann at Emoyeni (014) 574-3662 for more information.
EMOYENI LIBRARY
Books for the Library: Any books on Buddhism or related subjects that you would care to part with would be much appreciated to improve our library.
Mervyn
JOHANNESBURG SANGHA
97, 12th Street, Parkhurst ~ Tel: 447-0149 or 072-137-7037
You are invited to join the Johannesburg group in Parkhurst on Sunday evenings for meditation practice and some discussion. Please give the group your support - a strong group benefits everyone, it provides an opportunity to practice with spiritual friends, to find out about good books to read and to discuss with others any topic that is relevant to your practice.
WEEKLY MEDITATION: Sundays at 6.00 p.m.
PS: Please note the change of venue from 111 to 97, 12th Street, Parkhurst.
The WEEKLY MEDITATIONS will resume on Sunday, 12th January 2003.