Dharmavidya: [206] Belgium

Given its industrial past, Bilbao is a strikingly handsome city. Its renaissance puts me somewhat in mind of what has become of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, another northern industrial city with new arts centred development. In fact the parallels are quite strong. The Basque people, like the Geordies, have a distinctive local culture. The weather here is constantly changing and many of these pictures were taken in low light.

Gaxtelugatxe 29th May 2012

This is a spectacular bay with a spiritual atmosphere. It has probably been a sacred spot since pre-Christian times. At the western end of the bay is a peninsula with a causeway ascent to a small church dedicated to John the Baptist. In the middle of the bay is an island. The shores are rocky pavements with strata at oblique angles. There are over 200 steps down and up. Good exercise. Good for the body and the soul.

Teaching the Other Centred Approach

This past Friday and Saturday I was leading a course for a room full of psychotherapists on Zen Therapy and Buddhist Psychology, especially emphasising the non-self nature of Buddhist thinking and object related work as a methodology. It was a group of mostly very experienced therapists and from the very beginning there was a high energy level in the group. It is a joy to work with a group with such enthusiasm for the business of professional growth.

21 April 2013 in [200] DIARY , [206] Belgium, [210] COURSES | Permalink | Comments (0)

Forest walk in Flanders

04 April 2013 in [200] DIARY , [206] Belgium | Permalink | Comments (0)

Easter Retreat

At Zenshin-In in Oud Turnhout we had what turned out to be a wonderful gathering for our Easter Retreat. This was a Mondo Sesshin. Mondo refers to "question and answer" or to "gate and path". We had much sharing of Dharma in very personal ways and practised the formal ways of Mondo leading to some very touching moment. This is the kind of event that lends energy and momentum to the life of the sangha and this has been evident in the days following. Great to have been there.

04 April 2013 in [200] DIARY , [206] Belgium, [210] COURSES, [520] Buddhism | Permalink | Comments (0)