A midsummer magic retreat

Over New Years at Sudarshanaloka

For the past few years, the Auckland Buddhist Centre has been running a New Year's retreat. It offers a different way of welcoming in the new year, immersing ourselves in the elemental beauty of Sudarshanaloka, coming together with Sangha, and exploring the mystery of new beginnings. The retreat is open to anyone who is already familiar with our meditation practices.

On this retreat we will remind ourselves of the preciousness of this human life and reflect on the heart's longing for freedom. Our attitude and beliefs about life determine how interested and committed we'll be to a spiritual path. If we take each moment as special, to be fully experienced in and of itself. If we don't take for granted that some moment will be our last, and therefore value what we have right now. If we take the initiative in that moment, whether to see its beauty or take a risk, grateful for what it gives rather than always holding out for it to be better before rejoicing in it. Then, we'll find it easier to follow a spiritual path.

These might be called four great windows into the beauty of life, from a Buddhist perspective. They are wake-up calls, jolts to our complacency, the voice of beauty waking us from our slumbers of poverty. As we go through them, we are saying to ourselves, ‘Remember, reflect, wake up to the truth, wake up to the beauty.’

As of 13 December there are camping spaces only left. Please contact the ABC to discuss if you are still interested in attending.