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~ December & January Newsletter
(Para ir a la versión castellano desplázate al Rincón Latino situado al final de la página.)
(Photo: by Nico.)
In this newsletter
~ News
~ The Monthly Theme--Why I Have Lived in India All These Years, by Jaya
~ Good Books in 2013
~ Interesting Links
~ Photos
~ Abundance at Dharmaloca, by Re
~ Upcoming Events
~ Rincón Latino
~ News
At Year's End
We welcome your holiday and year-end gifts to Open Dharma, tax-deductible in the US. Our website, scholarships, online talks and meditations, skype support, radio talks, and retreats love your generosity!
First Ever OD Streaming Retreat Online
Wherever you are, you can meditate this weekend with Jaya and Gemma! You don't have to travel to India or Spain to see and hear us on 7 and 8 December. How often have we heard this from people?-- "I wish we all lived nearby so we could meet more often."
The first breakthrough online retreat is an experiment in streaming us all into the same neighborhood for two days of meditation and teachings.
Video and audio! Yoga and meditation! One-to-one interviews! Dharma talks and guided meditations! Silence!
For more information about the retreat, click here. Even if you cannot join, we want your input--feel free to fill out the questionnaire, too.
In a few days, a whole new section of the website, the Open Dharma Streaming Retreat Center, will open to bring you into the stream.
Many, many thanks to Ernest Conill for making all this possible.
Interviews
On 9, 12 and 16 December, from 10-11:30am and 3:30-4:15pm (GMT +1) Jaya will offer interviews. These are some of the times Jaya can offer one-to-one meetings on skype or by phone, but Jaya is happy to offer as many one-to-one meetings as are requested in December. 10-15 minute interviews are offered on a completely donation basis, and 25-30 minute interviews are offered on a donation basis with a suggested sliding scale of 25-50 Euros. But we intend not to turn anyone away because of financial lack. Please email: interviews(@)opendharma.org to schedule a time to meet one-to-one with Jaya via Skype. Jaya will not offer interviews in January.
On 11 and 18 December, Gemma will offer personal interviews from 10-11:30am and 3:30-4:15pm (GMT +1). Please email: interviews(@)opendharma.org to schedule a time to meet one-to-one with Gemma via Skype. Gemma will not offer interviews in January.
Radio Dharma
Jaya will give a radio dharma talk over the free internet radio site blogtalkradio.com on December 12 at 11:30am-noon (GMT +1). Please go to blogtalkradio.com and search for "Jaya Ashmore" to join. And if you don't want to miss these events, then click on "follow," just under the Open Dharma logo.
Taking Care
There is space for one caretaker at Dharmaloca, our eco-hermitage in Catalonia, Spain, from the beginning of February until the end of March. The caretaker lives, works, and apprentices at Dharmaloca--helping with the permaculture garden and facilities, welcoming guests, keeping an eye on the horses, and other essential work depending on your abilities and the needs of the time and place. There is time for your own practice, and much solitude in winter. Please email Gemma for more information: gemmaji(at)gmail.com.
India-immersion
Denis Robberechts, who has taught with Open Dharma in India and Spain, will lead a group to India for meditations and meetings with teachers from different traditions--Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, Jain, and Sikh.
In February, 2014, this India-immersion is for anyone who wants a genuine introduction to Spiritual India but who does not want to travel alone or rough it too much.
~ The Monthly Theme
Jaya offers the monthly practice theme for December & January ~ Why I Have Lived in India All These Years
Why I have lived in India all these years, or half of it, is the afternoons.
The afternoon light this autumn in Catalonia has started acting like the afternoon light in India does all year. Breathtaking, the light saturates every object. It brings out the heart-stopping character in whatever it touches, without idealizing anything. It makes everything beloved. The light reveals and makes delicious, without leaving anything out. Even shadows are enriched.
This is not only a metaphor.
It is not clear--does the light eat the rock or the rock eat the light? Or does my eye feed on the light-filled rock, the rock-filled light?
What does the light do--does it reveal itself, or unveil the objects? Or is it how the space around everything is alive with exchange? There is a boundlessness--is it within each thing; in the space around the things?
But one thing is clear: afternoon seems to last forever--trees are moving in the breeze, people are walking on cement or among olives, but time has stopped. The mind is quiet; thinking is without breath.
Our felt-knowing is allowed to breathe. We can feel and hear the line of the birds' flight before we see it or name it.
We can more easily feel the underground belly-knowing of beauty; our knowing as organism, as visitor, as host. As organism, we can feel, in belly or heart of skin, what is important and nourishing even if it does not makes sense. And also even if it does. We can feel the non-mental tectonic shifts, called insight, which no one can honestly put words to.
As visitors, we can flow with change, we can leave behind what is gone and be blank as light for what is now. Like light, we can meet fully, and be met.
As hosts, we can welcome it all and feel friendly. Already all the world is us, eats us, is our food, in this light.
by Jaya
(Photo: Botanical garden, by Jaya.)
Good Books in 2013
Jaya writes: "Some of the books I am grateful for--gifts, recommendations, and good purchases-- in 2013. Thank you Jessica, Nico, Caroline, Rob, Susan, Evan, Anton, and life!"
~ All the Time in the World, by Jessica Kerwin Jenkins. (Way to go, Jessicaji!)
~Awakening the Spine, by Vanda Scaravelli.
~Like a Flower, by Sandra Sabatini.
~Short Notes from the Long History of Happiness, by Michael Leunig.
~A Handmade Life: In Search of Simplicity, by Wm. S. Coperthwaite.
~Sabbaths, by Wendell Berry.
~New Collected Poems, Wendell Berry.
~The Path to No-Self, by Bernadette Roberts.
~Denise Levertov: A Poet’s Life, by Dana Greene. (Way to go Dana.)
~Unfolding Meaning, by David Bohm.
~The Ending of Time, by J. Krishnamurti and David Bohm.
~Islamic Mystical Poetry: Sufi Verse from the Early Mystics to Rumi (Penguin Classics, Ed. Mahmood Jamal from Lucknow, India!)
~Waking the Tiger, by Peter Levine
~ Interesting Links
~Jessica wrote this article in the New York Times in favor of wandering, daydreaming and resting, and quoting Robert Louis Stevenson who diagnosed extreme busyness as a "symptom of deficient vitality."....Here's the link!
~And here are three interesting links that have been making the rounds....The first is on teaching kids to daydream. The second is about the movement towards mindfulness. And finally one about why it might be that we are kind for "no reason."
~Photos
Here photos from the retreats in Oz...
Jaya, Mitra and Anton in Australia...
An Australian Gum tree...
Jess & Jaya at the seaside...and Aboriginal works from a gallery in Melbourne.
~ Abundance at Dharmaloca
Re from Brazil, the caretaker at Dharmaloca until the end of January writes on her time there...
Back in October; when there was a group of people staying here on retreat, I wrote:
"So much abundance; the air is sweet with the aroma of flowers, fruits and herbs; the warm sunshine everyday is a blessing not only for us but also for the gorgeous garden filled with flowers, fruit and vegetables. There are so many delicious and elaborate dishes to sample from the kitchen and fresh spring water to quench our thirst. The immense sky above us is filled with so many bright stars and the moon that makes our evenings so inspiring; there are wild horses, foxes, deer, rabbits & boars roaming the countryside. The birds sing throughout the day and at night we are chanting together to our hearts delight. I love it here!"
I’ve been at Dharmaloca for just over two months now and I still find it difficult to describe the kind of energy of complete peace that surrounds this place. It is a place of immense beauty where Rocky Mountains are adorned by countless olive trees, almond trees, fig trees and vines. Nature here is strong and powerful and yet it is also a place where to go for a walk is to breathe in the tranquillity of this enchanted area.
I feel blessed to be here right now and to have the chance to be so close to nature in such a unique setting. Blessings to all.
Re (Regina)
(Photo: Re in the snow at Dharmaloca.)
~ Upcoming Retreat Dates & Details
7 - 8 December, 2013, Cyber weekend retreat wherever you are, with internet.
Teachings will be in English
Facilitator: Jaya
Gemma will offer some of the teachings
For information and registration, write to:
online(at)opendharma.org
4 - 11 and 12 - 19 January, 2014, 2 silent meditation retreats at Anantha Niketan Ashram near Tiruvannamalai, India.
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitator: Jaya
For information and registration, write to:
manager (at) opendharma.org
7 - 9 February, 2014, Diving into meditation retreat in Eastbourne, UK.
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitator: Gemma.
For information and registration, write to: info (at) retreattogayles.co.uk
1 March, 2014, Day long retreat in Barcelona, Spain
Teachings will be in Spanish or Catalan and English if needed.
Facilitators:Gemma.
For information and registration, write to: hedykramer (at) yahoo.es
1 - 8 and 9 - 16 April, 2014, Deep rest and meditation retreats in Sat Tal, North India.
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitator: Jaya
For information and registration, write to:
opendharmainfo(at)yahoo.com
7 - 21 May, 2014, 2-week retreat at at Dharmaloca, Spain
Teachings will be in English and Spanish if needed.
Facilitators: Jaya and Gemma
For information and registration, write to:
dharmalocaretreat (at) opendharma.org
24 May, 2014, Day long retreat in Barcelona, Spain. Deep rest, mediation, silence and teachings
Teachings will be in Spanish or Catalan and English if needed.
Facilitators:Gemma.
For information and registration, write to:
hedykramer (at) yahoo.es
30 May - 1 June, 2014, Weekend retreat in Israel
Teachings will be in English
Facilitator: Jaya
For more information write to:
tovana(at)tovana.org.il
29 May, 2014, Dharma evening in Israel
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitator: Jaya
For more information write to:
tovana(at)tovana.org.il
1 - 7 June, 2014, Weeklong retreat in Israel
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitators: Jaya
For more information write to:
tovana(at)tovana.org.il
13 - 15 June, 2014, Meditation with horses retreat at Dharmaloca, Spain
Teachings will be in English & Spanish.
Facilitator: Gemma
For information and registration, write to:
gemmaji(at)gmail.com
23 - 28 June, 2014, Deep rest and meditation at Le Moulin, France
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitators: Jaya
For more information write to:
mail(at)moulindechaves.org
2 - 6 July, 2014, Diving into meditation retreat in Eastbourne, UK
Teachings will be in English.
Facilitators: Gemma
For more information write to:
info(at) retreattogayles.co.uk
12 - 19 July, 2014, Deep rest and meditation retreat at Ter Apel, Holland
Teachings will be in English
Facilitator: Gemma
For information and registration, write to:
opendharmaholland(at)hotmail.com
10 - 12 October, 2014, Meditation with horses retreat at Dharmaloca, Spain
Teachings will be in English and Spanish if needed
Facilitator: Gemma
For information and registration, write to:
gemmaji(at)gmail.com
24 - 26 or 24-29 October, 2014, A weekend and a weeklong retreat at the Montseny mountains, Catalunya, Spain
Teachings will be in Spanish and English if needed
Facilitator: Gemma
For information and registration, write to:
retirosopendharma(at)gmail.com For more information about retreats organized by our sister organizations visit www.SanghaCalendar.org
~ Welcome to Everyone
We would love to share your inspiration in an upcoming newsletter. Photos! Poems! Drawings! Musings! Reflections on a recent--or not so recent--retreat! (You can even tell us that you'd like to contribute anonymously.) Please feel free to send any contributions to: newsletter (at) opencentre.es
Rincón Latino
En esta newsletter
~ Noticias
~ Reflexión mensual por Gemma
~ Hacer de mi vida mi ilusión, por Hedy
~ Próximos eventos
~Noticias
Entrevistas Personales
Gemma ofrecerá entrevistas personales de unos 20-30 minutos a través de Skype o teléfono los días 11 y 18 de Diciembre de 10 a 11:30h y de 3:30 a 16:30h. Las entrevistas se ofrecen a través de donaciones pero proponemos un intercambio a escoger entre 50 y 25 Euros para poder seguir ofreciéndolas. Si deseas concretar día y hora manda un email a gemmaji(@)gmail.com
Cuidador de Dharmaloca
Hay una plaza libre para hacer de cuidador o cuidadora de Dharmaloca de principios de febrero a finales de marzo. Se trata del privilegio de hacer una experiencia de conocerse a uno mismo en contacto con la naturaleza y haciendo unas horas de trabajo de manutención del eco-centro a cambio de la estancia y la comida. Para más información: gemmaji (@) gmail.com.
~Reflexión Mensual por Gemma
Vida, muerte
Recuerdo de pequeña que de vez en cuando, de la nada, la palabra VIDA surgía como de las entrañas, así de repente y paralizaba todo o que estaba pasando.
Era como si de repente todo se volviera sin sentido, efímero, secundario, y algo de una gran magnitud tomase lugar, algo con sabor a auténtico y real, intrínseco, inesquivable, algo que ES a pesar de todo y más allá de todo.
Curiosamente esta palabra, VIDA, que tenía el poder de ponerme en contacto directamente con lo esencial, se convirtió más adelante en otra palabra: MUERTE, y parecía cargar con el mismo poder centrador, reconectador más allá de las apariencias y las ideas.
Mirar cara a cara la vida es mirar cara a cara la muerte. Andar sin esquivar, sin relativizar, sin escapar…para abrazar lo que ES más allá de la imaginación.
Es un arte de hecho, andar sobre el fino hilo sin caer a un lado ni a otro. Beber a grandes tragos la vida motivados por la belleza de la vida misma y no por el miedo a ser perseguidos por la muerte. Andar con intensidad sin perdernos en la prisa ni calcular los resultados de nuestras acciones. Vivir, morir, morir, vivir, con pasión y tremenda paciencia, con lentitud y certeza, sin prisa pero sin pausa. Como si fuera hoy el último día y a la vez, disponiendo de toda la eternidad.
por Gemma
(Photos: Dharmaloca.)
Hacer de mi vida mi ilusión
Este mes Hedy comparte un escrito que habla de caminar hacia nuestras ilusiones y deseos.
En momentos de incertidumbre económica muchas personas nos vemos expulsadas de nuestra zona de confort, aquel espacio mental en el que nos sentimos seguros. Nos empiezan a preocupar cosas nuevas y nos vemos obligados a renunciar a cosas que teníamos muy asumidas.
Es en estos momentos muchas personas nos descubrimos preocupándonos por aspectos básicos de la vida y a la vez crece una inquietud interna que nos impulsa a buscar una vida diferente, más acuerdo con nuestros deseos y muchas veces aparentemente insegura a nivel económico.
Así pues, muchos de nosotros nos encontramos debatiéndonos entre aquello que deseamos y aquello que creemos que se tiene que hacer. ¿Hacia donde decantarnos? ¿Qué se lo mejor? Desgraciadamente o por suerte, no hay una respuesta única, y cada cual tenemos nuestra propia, a pesar de que a veces nos cuesta encontrarla. Para escoger nuestros pasos nuestra mejor herramienta es encontrar silencio, escucharnos, dedicarnos tiempo a sentir qué es lo que realmente queremos y como lo queremos.
Algunos se descubren haciendo un cambio de vida radical, otros deciden quedarse con lo que tienen y muchos otros buscan el equilibrio para andar hacia sus deseos poco a poco.
En cualquier caso lo importante es continuar andando siempre en dirección a aquello que deseamos por nuestra vida, cada cual a nuestra manera y a nuestro ritmo.
por Hedy
Próximos Eventos
(Aquí listamos solo los que se harán en castellano y/o catalán)
1 marzo, 2014.
Retiro de un día en Barcelona, España.
Invitar a la meditación a través del profundo descanso y la conexión auténtica con el anhelo.
Las enseñanzas se darán en castellano o catalan y en inglés si es necesario.
Facilitadora: Gemma.
Para más información y para inscribirte, escribe a:
hedykramer(@)yahoo.es
7 - 21 mayo, 2014.
Retiro de dos semanas en Dharmaloca, Tarragona, España.
Meditación a través de la naturaleza, el silencio, la belleza y el apoyo de las enseñanzas.
Las enseñanzas se darán en inglés y castellano.
Facilitadoras: Jaya y Gemma.
Para más información y para inscribirte, escribe a:
dharmalocaretreat(@)opendharma.org
24 mayo, 2014.
Retiro de un día en Barcelona, España.
Invitar a la meditación a través del profundo descanso y la conexión auténtica con el anhelo.
Las enseñanzas se darán en castellano o catalan y en inglés si es necesario.
Facilitadora: Gemma.
Para más información y para inscribirte, escribe a:
hedykramer(@)yahoo.es
13 - 15 junio, 2014.
Retiro de meditación con caballos en Dharmaloca, Tarragona, España.
Las enseñanzas se darán en castellano e inglés.
Facilitadora: Gemma.
Para más información y para inscribirte, escribe a:
gemmaji(@)gmail.com
10 - 12 octubre, 2014.
Retiro de meditación con caballos en Dharmaloca, Tarragona, España.
Las enseñanzas se darán en inglés y castellano.
Facilitadora: Gemma.
Para más información y para inscribirte, escribe a:
gemmaji(@)gmail.com
24 - 26 o 24 - 29 octubre, 2014.
Retiro de fin de semana o de 5 días en las montañas del Montseny, Cataluña, España.
Profundo descanso, meditación, silencio, naturaleza y enseñanzas.
Las enseñanzas se darán en castellano y en inglés si es necesario.
Facilitadora: Gemma.
Para más información y para inscribirte, escribe a:
Bienvenidos a todos!
Nos encantaría compartir tu inspiración en las próximas newsletters. Puedes mandar fotos, poesías, dibujos, reflexiones, comprensiones que vinieron durante o después de un retiro… (lo puedes hacer incluso de una forma anónima y en castellano o catalán). Por favor, manda tus inspiraciones a od.newsletter.latino (@) gmail.com.
Recuerda que si quieres recibir nuestros próximos eventos y posibles actividades de última hora vía email, puedes unirte al grupo informativo enviándonos un correo electrónico en blanco a la dirección: opendharmalatino-subscribe @ yahoogroups.com.
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