Hello everyone. A bit of an update from us to you.
We have had quite a busy Summer of weekend and day retreats, welcoming old and new folk to the group.
Ingen Breen
A huge big THANK YOU to Ingen Breen for supporting us through quite a diary of events this summer. We have had a mixture of evening, day and weekend talks and retreats which has brought a diversity and depth to our group. We have been learning more form and service too, for those in the group that are interested. This has proved a rich way to bring practice alive and deeply study ourselves in our resistance, terror and/or playfulness that arises, when sat behind the bells for the first time! The deepening of commitment and stillness through Ingen's repeated return to us has been beautiful indeed. Thanks Ingen.
Catherine Gammon
A big THANK YOU to Catherine too, who came to visit us for a few days in November. We did a mixture of sitting and writing retreats which were enjoyed by many, and left a trail of inspiration and creativity. We also visited the Parsonage in Haworth to see the home of the Bronte's. The stormy, howling moorland weather again prevented us from visiting Top Withins which allegedly inspired Wuthering Heights. Next time maybe Catherine?
Brad Warner
We are really grateful that Brad managed to fit us into his visit to Europe. It was a bit last minute, but we had a very interesting and stimulating talk and then mini mid week Sesshin with him. Also, most importantly, fitting some comic buying in for him to meet his love of 70's comics.
It has been really useful to spend the "in between times" the spaces between the retreats.with Ingen, Catherine and Brad too. We have been hiring the hostel in Hebden Bridge for some events and having a space to share breakfasts, coffee, prebedtime chats and walks to the town, has given a more intimate but ordinary time for all that have been around. This has often been with people that have not been on the retreats but passing through the hostel as travellers.
Use of New Room
As a bit of an experiment in April this year we started to rent a room for Hebden Bridge Zen Groups sole use. We did not know if we would be able to sustain this but wanted to give it a go. For the first few months we needed to top up the rent as we did not get enough from Dana. However with the increased use over the Summer we have managed to fully fund the space for the last few months and so have decided to carry on for the next 6 months. Other groups are also hiring the space for yoga and meditation during the week. Sister Kovida visited us again whilst stopping with a friends in the town. She is a Theravadan nun who some have sat with before and whose teachings many people find really useful.
Looking Forward
We are holding an all night sit on 7th ~ 8th December to celebrate the Buddha's Enlightenment. We have done this before and it was a really beautiful night. Especially connecting was the personal stories people shared of why they felt it is important to bring some stillness and peace to the dark hours. Recognising that night spaces can at times be especially difficult to navigate.
February Retreat
Ingen Breen will lead a 5 day retreat in Hebden Bridge 19th ~ 24th February. Please contact Rebecca for more details and to book a place on this:
07970 425932, rebeccahabs@googlemail.com
It will be residential with all food included, running from the www.hebdenbridgehostel.co.uk. Price to be confirmed soon.
October Zen in the Sun
Ingen Breen will be leading a retreat in Lefkada,Greece.
6th ~ 13th October 2012
Please contact Rebecca for details. There will options of shared and single rooms. Payment can be in installments for this event. Still finalising details, but do contact for information.
We continue to meet twice a week on Sunday and Wednesday, all welcome.
The development of the chapel space in the Birchcliffe Centre is moving along well. You can see this at: www.pennine-horizons.org.uk. Click on the flickr account to see photos. This space will be able to support much larger groups meeting for longer periods. If anyone wants to organise visits from other teachers to England, please get in touch with us, and we can see how we could support each other to do this.
We hope to sit with some of you soon. Happy winter stilling and fermenting, retreating and reflecting.
Rebecca
What you ignore persists, what you look
at disappears. N.D. Walsh.
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