Tara Retreat at Kunselling - by Douglas Dharmasena

This was a seven day retreat led by Julia Lawless. Allowing myself an extra couple of hours to get lost, I headed for Kunselling on the afternoon of Friday the 5^th. of June. I had last been there about five years ago and was not very confident that I could find my way again.

                

Before I set off, I asked Tara for a little help and she obliged. I did not make a single wrong turn. Certainly a good omen and I was there early. A ready prepared meal was waiting, courtesy of Thomas Beaver who was going to be cooking for us.

In previous years, I had often wished that I could have made the time to receive Julia’s instruction. However, it was not to be until now. The retreat began later in the evening with a “Tara Ganapuja.” This was different and along the lines of a retreat in Delhi that Rinpoche had conducted a while back. The versatile Tom Beaver had naturally been present on that occasion.

The next day, Julia, in her relaxed style began by emphasising the universal compassion and path to realization that Tara offered. She explained the essential and main practice (tun) with special attention being paid to pronunciation and melodies. We then settled into a routine of four tuns a day. Two were collective and the other two, individual and personal.

Almost everyone that attended had some familiarity with the practice and this made for a rapid and smoother progression over the week. Indeed Julia felt that when compared to other retreats more time was spent on actual practice.

 Nick Segust coordinated proceedings with great assurance and dealt with general administration, sleeping arrangements and accommodation. Meals and catering were in the very capable hands of Thomas Beaver who was ably assisted by Marie Nege. Thomas surpassed himself with the effort that he put in. We were treated to delicious and wholesome meals even allowing for a few dietary idiosyncrasies.

 A valuable and hopefully productive seven days under Julia’s guidance ended with another ganapuja on Dakini day. The weather had been extremely kind to us and Kunselling stood in all its peaceful glory.

(Photos by Diana Aubrey)

Kumbhaka Course with John Renshaw in Kunselling - by Ewa Michalec

The Kumbhaka course led inspirationally by John Renshaw was a fully immersive and broad-ranging course, covering Yantra yoga, sometimes combined where necessary with other yoga traditions, Ayurveda, Chinese and Tibetan medicine, western science, herbs, neurology and anatomy.

During the five-day course John explained to us how the body works, gave us information on health, diet, movement, exercise and breathing techniques. His teaching approach was very open, encouraging us to find our own way, see everything as useful, open our minds, and accept our limitations. So everyone could take something from the course and experience personal development, whatever their age and level.

During the yoga John adjusted positions to suit all needs and physical limitations, and some of us experienced more physical balance and greater clarity of mind as a result.

We were well looked after by Dariusz whose fantastic cooking carried us through each day. In the evening we enjoyed each other's company in the sitting room by the fireplace and some of us ended up dancing with free movement, helping to release tension and free our minds. There were no limitations in the dance, only our bodies with music and space. This gave us an opportunity to travel as far as we could.

I can fully recommend it to you, especially if you haven't been on a course led by John before -- thanks to his very wide knowledge and sensitive, open-minded teaching it was a fantastic experience.





Photos by Dariusz Piwonski

The London Retreat - by Jon Kwan

It was in October 2013 that Chögyal Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche last gave a retreat in London. A year and a half later and Rinpoche returned last weekend to the Irish Centre in Camden to bestow upon the participants Ati Evolution teachings. It was a sell out!

It was a true joy to hear Rinpoche teaching again with such clarity in his characteristically powerful and unmistakable style. There were both new and old students and it was clear by the end of the retreat that everyone left with a palpable feeling of having learnt something new.

Rinpoche taught, as always, with reference to all the vehicles within Tibetan Buddhism.  He touched upon the various views according to the different paths of Sutrayana, Vajrayana and Dzogchen and the various subsections within them. He spoke about the passing of time and impermanence and spoke at length on the first statement of Garab Dorje and the importance of experiencing and then remaining in the the state of contemplation.

Rinpoche elucidated the importance of everyday presence and gave the example of life being very similar to driving a car. If we drive a car and become distracted we crash. 

On the final day Rinpoche generously gave the lung and some explanations for numerous secondary practices that are used in the Dzogchen community. Practices that can help to reduce negativities, increase long life, improve our capacity as practitioners and many more.

However as always he reminded us that the number one most important practice is the practice Guru Yoga and if we have time the Song of Vajra, and above all do our best.

There were wonderful demonstrations which many students old and new got involved with; Vajra Dance on the Saturday, Yantra Yoga on the Sunday and two sweaty sessions of Khaita Dance on both days. A truly joyful time!

Fundraising thrived at this year’s retreat. Due to the great kindness of donations the ASIA stall was a hive of activity with many people donating as much as they could in exchange for goods from Nepal in order to fundraise for Nepal. Donation buckets were literally overflowing with coins and finally Rinpoche, having donated his very own pendant with Özer Chenma and the Longsal symbol embossed on either side, all meant that £4,500 was raised for Asia. A truly outstanding amount that will be used directly to help the people of Nepal. This seemed to me to a mark the truly compassionate activity of all that attended the retreat.

There was a comprehensive presentation showing some footage and the architectural plans for the new London Centre. There was a lively and competitive auction that raised a whopping £4,903 to help fund the next stage of this vital and historic project.

  

With the London Centre emerging, it was wonderful to witness the depth of love that the community has for the Master, the collaboration of the team, the support and dedication of so many community members, from the UK and abroad, seen and unseen.

Thanks again to everyone involved for your efforts to enable us all to receive these precious teachings and most of all thank you Rinpoche.

Photo by Clive Arrowsmith

Photo by Raf Portas