My old car has just failed its MOT, it has changed from being a ‘car’ to being a collection of scrap metal. The garage spoke to me kindly, in a gentle voice, like a relative or pet had just died. We went through the list of its ailments, with the… Read More »…and so we adapt!
For a number of reasons I have, in the last few days, had to write some papers concerning Growth and Development. It is interesting to reflect on Growth in general, especially as we start to move into spring. Daffodils and snowdrops are emerging and there are again signs of new… Read More »Growth and Development
Looking back over the past year 2020, I can see much sadness and desperation. The COVID pandemic has meant, for many of us, great disruption to our lives. We started the year as usual, thinking all would plod along as normal and maybe we would adjust our lives a little… Read More »Seeing Beyond the Familiar
My family expectantly listened to the news recently. They were waiting, like many, for the details of what the Covid restrictions would be in-force over the winter holiday period. The childish enthusiasm and excitement my grown-up daughters have for this event has not waned over the many years we have… Read More »A different (Christmas) presence
Autumn is now upon us, giving a hint of the winter weather to come. I always find this time of year beautiful. The trees putting on a show of autumn colour can sometimes stop me in my tracks, making me realise how beautiful the world around me can be. It… Read More »See the Beauty
From lockdown to enlightenment Since early on in the history of Buddhism there has been a notion that you need a certain set of good conditions to achieve Nirvana or Enlightenment. In some of the Asian Buddhist countries, such as China, Korea and Japan, this was taken to the extreme.… Read More »From lockdown to enlightenment
Many years ago, when we where a very agrarian society, it was the Spring that signalled the start of new things. In our modern society it seems to be that September and the end of Summer is the time when we think about starting new training or taking up new… Read More »The start of new things
We have just held our first online retreat. It was a great success for those for whom it was their first retreat and for those that have been to many Sangha retreats. Obviously, some elements of a physical retreat are missing. But the online retreat gave many advantages as you… Read More »Lockdown doesn’t stop us!
I was looking forward to the Centre opening its doors at the beginning of July. The government had said with the continued reduction in the infection rate, then places of worship can open. However, with the 2-metre distancing in place, we can only allow 8 people into the Centre. With… Read More »Go beyond the waiting
As I am sure you are aware, the UK has been in ‘lock-down’ for 10 weeks now. For some of us that means not being able to go to work, not going out, staying in one place, maybe spending far more time on your own or with only a few… Read More »‘Retreat’ in lockdown
