ELEUSIS Ancient Ways & Sacred Spaces

All we do is follow along as best we can

What we do, what we wear, even our mood is a response to what mother nature has done first.

The feeling of who is in control, the sense of what causes us to do something outside or inside, the experience of Other-ness in this place is different from when we are at TBH. When we arrived the weather was clement. There was alot of clearing, digging, cutting back of vegetation in order to create an environment that enabled us to live in conditions that were pleasant and somewhat comfortable.

And since Sunday afternoon, the weather has changed from sunny and hot to raining and wet. Our activities have been limited to indoor activity though every now and then when the clouds hold back the rain we are able to go outside and move around and get some fresh air.

But overall, the sense is that we are definitely not in control. From when we wake up, the question that we ask is not, what do I feel like doing today? but rather, 'what is the weather doing and what clothes are appropriate' and what has mother nature brought us that we need to deal with - 'cut back the grass so allergy sufferers don't suffer as much, or pull up the rugs in the dharma hall so that they don't get soaked and damaged from the rain' and the list of things to do in response to mother nature's actions is endless but what we do is definitely a response to her first move.

It's like dancing with a very powerful and strong leader who makes certain that we know that we are just doing our best to keep up and follow along.

23 May - Sunset

Sunsets and the experience of watching the sun go down at Amida France is beond description. Even this photo of it doesn't do it justice but I hope you get an idea of the serenity and awe it engenders.

21 May 2008 Full moon Chanting

Last night, the women here (Alena and Susthama) stayed up pretty much most of the night to chant to the Bodhisattva of Compassion Quan Shi Yin.

The night started with the moon blocked by clouds and then slowly and gradually as we stood on the Champs D'avoine chanting Namo Quan Shi Yin Bosat, there was a bright pin hole of light poking through the dense clouds and then the shape of an oriental eye appeared to be watching us chant and then she rose above the clouds and her light softened the field and the trees.

The clouds dissipated and the moon shone brightly as we walked through the different fields and through the wood (got lost in the brambles but then with lots of effort tore through the thick brambles back onto the path) and then down the Roman Road back to the house around 3.30am. Not quite a full night of chanting but enough to experience the compassion and love of the great Quan Shi Yin.

20 May 2008 - Nettle Tea

The birds are singing, the insects buzzing and the cuckoo bird is going Koo Koo, Koo Koo, as I sit here and write this.

It's been nearly a week since we've arrived and it feels good to be living so close to nature. We have been busy rescuing the baby oak trees from the brambles and the strawberries from the stinging nettle, sticky weeds. The oak trees and strawberries have opened up and now stand at least a couple of inches taller. They are breathing out nembutsus.

This afternoon, after a major battle with the nettle we made some nettle tea (perhaps to help our ego not feel so bad about the losing battle).

The fresh air and physical work is tiring but overall we are happy nembutsu-ers. Namo Amida Bu!

SUMMER 2008 EVENTS

This Summer we will be hosting events in France from now until August 20th

May 15 - July 10 Centre open to visitors: Normal schedule, Buddhist practice, summer planting, groundwork, and lots of fun with Susthama and others from The Buddhist House.

The main teaching period this year will focus on  the crossover between Pureland spirituality, society and the arts. This begins with the annual teachings in July which is on Pureland and will continue in practical ways in the arts period. The schedule for the summer is:

July 10-30 Dharmavidya's Teachings: Buddhism and its Application in Society, Culture and the Arts (see below)

August 1-20 Arts in France: Creative Space and Buddhist Practice Time to enjoy exploring your creative side through a variety of media in a relaxed, holiday setting. The arts period gives opportunity for you to share time with others in a spiritually orientated environment. Definitely no need to be artistic. Plenty of inspiration if you want to have a go, but if you'd rather sun-bathe no-one will mind! (click on "continue reading" for details)

18 May 2008 Back to Nature and staying connected

Amida France is a great place to go if you're looking for contact with spirituality through nature.  There is a timelessness and spaciousness that one feels out here and even though I've been here several times the place abounds with a new and special kind of beauty.

From long walks in nature to checking email and staying connected with friends and family using wireless technology there is a lot on offer to put a big smile on one's face.

On our walk around the meditation path and around the property we came across two large mushrooms which Alena looked up and found to be giant field mushrooms, so we cooked them up for supper last night.

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Arrival Summer 2008: Lillies and Irises

The small team arrived at the centre on 15 May only to be welcomed by nature. Everything has been growing - tall grass, bugloss, buttercups along with many other splendid wild flowers. Our delight has been the beautiful yellow irises and water lillies in the pond.