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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.
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'Skycliffe'
Updates
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| Previous
Skycliffe Updates: February, March, April,
2009 |
May, 2009
Now that the warmer weather has arrived,
visitors are invited to join us for our 2pm walking
meditation under the glowing, golden dome of the Sacred
Healing Stupa at ‘Skycliffe,’HÜMÜH’s
Monastery and Retreat Centre. The Stupa is located at
the heart of ‘Skycliffe,’in the Mandala Garden,
now coming alive with the flowers of May.
A gentle breeze flutters the prayer
flags above the Stupa, as participants select
a ‘meditation stick,’made from small lengths
of sapling, hand-smoothed, and bound at the “balance
point’with bits of colored ribbon. The stick is
to be held on the hand or forefinger as one walks. As
one holds the stick, the feeling of balance resonates
in the body, quieting and relaxing the mind, into the
natural sounds of bird and wind song.
Amid new clover and the pink
and white blossoms of the surrounding apple trees, the
walking meditation begins as participants listen to the Wish-Fulfilling
Gem Mantra and circumambulate the Stupa, following
a path lined with jewel-toned rocks painted gold,
red, blue, and green. Walking in single file, the meditators
follow the measured cadence of words that seem new to the
ear, but are familiar to the heart.
As the walk continues, one
is aware of the meditation benches nestled off to the sides,
facing the budding white rose bushes and newly planted
bedding flowers. A mound of clover is “home”for
a gurgling fountain where one can sit in silence, bathed
in the welcome warmth of sunlight. Each subtle movement
in the new grass is a signal that even the smallest of
life forms has its home here.
Yielding to the “balance point”of
the meditation stick brings
respite to a busy mind. The sky becomes limitless in the
vast reaches of space, and time is marked only by one’s
attention to the movement of clouds and the flow of the Mantra. It
is a unique opportunity to let go and begin to look out with
gratitude into a world bursting with new life.
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Visitors
are invited to attend the 10:45am Sunday Service at Skycliffe.
After the service, they are welcome to take a Self-Guided
Tour of the monastery grounds, including the Forest Temple
of Enlightenment and the Golden Healing Stupa.*
Visitation is by donation.
*A Stupa is a sacred monument that
houses the ancient spiritual Teachings,
which are at the heart of all religions.
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For
reservations, call: 1.800.336.6015 or e-mail: Reservations@HUMUH.org
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