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Visiting Skycliffe...

Nestled in the woods along the Kettle River, in the interior of British Columbia, lie the peaceful 220 acres of ‘Skycliffe,’HÜMÜH’s Monastery and Retreat Centre. Upon entering the main gate, a gently curving gravel road, with prayer flag poles lining both sides, leads visitors into the heart of the property. Quiet and serene, Skycliffe is a sanctuary for people as well as local wildlife.

Everything on the property is arranged to allow visitors the opportunity to release the tensions and strains of their busy lives. Relaxing hiking trails wind through the hills and valleys. The Kettle River, which meanders along the western edge of the property, offers many places to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the gently rolling currents. An inlet of the river forms a swimming hole for summer visitors to cool off on sunny mid-afternoons.

For those who like to sit in quiet meditation, there are many ideal spots. The Temple of Enlightenment offers regular hour-long meditation sittings at 7am, 11am, 2pm and 7pm. For less formal or personal meditations, there is a rustic little single-person meditation hut nestled in the woods. Up above the river, at the south-east edge of the property, is Amitabha Hill. With a broad expansive view of the Kettle River Valley, one can take in the scenery while sitting in the silence. There is also a beautiful Mandala Garden surrounding the golden Stupa, where people can sit on one of the many benches or walk the curving path around the Stupa as the Wish-Fulfilling Gem Mantra quietly plays throughout the garden.

'Skycliffe' Updates
Previous Updates: Jan. 2010, Mar., April, May, June, July, Aug., Sep., Oct., Nov., Dec.2009

February, 2010

February, hushed in the quiet of winter snow, comes after the New Year’s “resolutions” of January have faded into the routine of daily life, and just before the stirrings of March herald the bright emergence of spring. An interlude between seasons, February offers a unique opportunity for us all to renew the promises we made to ourselves as the year began. It is a time of pause as we consider the true meaning of the word resolution and the empowerment it can bring to everything we do in our lives.

In a recent talk, Wisdom Master Maticintin spoke to retreatants and HÜMÜH students, saying that we often think of a resolution as being something that we will accomplish in the future and is therefore always beyond our reach. Instead, if we see a resolution, not as an unfulfilled promise, but as something that is resolved, our focus is on fulfilling that resolution on deeper and deeper levels. This means that any actions we take NOW are in complete alignment with what we want in our lives, without looking back to reflect on how we did the same thing in the past. With our attention on the completion of what we want, fear evaporates and the struggle is gone.

Resolutions may be made at any moment in life to enrich our relationships, our goals, and our health. For example, a resolution or resolve to have and maintain a healthy body, begins by consistently choosing wholesome foods and avoiding harmful substances. The lunchtime prayer said at ‘Skycliffe’ is an example of an ongoing resolution that says, “I gratefully accept this food to nourish my body, which is a vehicle for the divine consciousness.” This prayer acknowledges the importance of maintaining a healthy body as part of our spiritual development.

Nourishment of the body also comes as we learn to quiet the mind through sitting and walking meditation. Guests coming to ‘Skycliffe’ enjoy moments of gentle repose as they experience the deep peace of the Forest Temple of Enlightenment or a leisurely walk through the garden paths in the sparkling white of winter, the lush green of spring or summer, or the golden glow of fall.

As we come to find a place of inner and outer quiet, we are able to look out of ourselves, feeling the body coming vibrantly alive in the joy of giving wholeheartedly to others. Lived moment to moment, resolutions become a way of life, a gift we give to ourselves as well as to all those we love.

‘Skycliffe’ is open to visitors on Sundays and they are invited to attend the 9:45 a.m. Sunday Service. After the service, visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the monastery grounds, including the Forest Temple of Enlightenment, the Golden Healing Stupa*, Amitabha Vista, the River Walk, the Edge Walk, the Labyrinth,the Karma Shedding Pit,
and the Whirling Circle.

Visitation is by donation.

*A Stupa is a sacred monument that houses the ancient spiritual Teachings,
which are at the heart of all religions.
 
For reservations, call: 1.800.336.6015 or e-mail: Reservations@HUMUH.org