silence

last week i went to the Buddhist Retreat Center in Ixopo

for a 4 day silent retreat. 

i'm not Buddhist but i deeply resonate with their philosophy, 

their way of life and the message they share with the world. 

- i probably have photographed this Stupa a 100 time 

over the years. it is so beautiful in all the different lights. -

at the beginning of the year when the BRC announced their retreat program 

i followed my intuition and booked those 4 silent days guided by Sue Cooper

and i am so glad i did!

 firstly the BRC is a little piece of heaven on Earth,

the autumn colors made it even more exquisite.

the food, the care and all the little touches make it a place of gentle nurturing. 

secondly Sue's wisdom and guidance was mind blowing

and thirdly the silence was unbelievably soothing. 

don't get me wrong, it wasn't all smooth sailing.

i hit some very bumpy patches on day two and three...

my body and my mind became terribly restless during meditation,

and while i tried very hard to fight my way through the discomfort 

it became obvious that the only way out was to surrender;

 to be gentle with myself, to be patient and to settle into the present moment one breath at a time...

a huge life lesson for me.