We are happy to announce that Monica Burr has offered to take over the role of champion of the Friends of TRC. Friends of TRC is the new ‘membership’ option that we have been rolling out for the past few years. Monica will be keeping an eye on our Friends admin, as well as promoting the benefits of supporting the centre.  Monica spent a year volunteering at TRC some 10 years ago, together with her partner Max, and you may remember her from that time, or you may have met Monica at one of the end of year retreats.

Thank you, Monica – we appreciate your willingness to step forward to volunteer and offer your time and energy to the centre. More information about the Friends of TRC may be found here.  Monica may be contacted at friendsoftrc@tararokpacentre.co.za. Here is a short letter of introduction from Monica :

 

Hello from Monica, the new coordinator of Friends of TRC

My first connection to the dharma was during three months of teachings in Bodhgaya with Mingyur Rinpoche. A year later Max and I met on a month-long Mingyur Rinpoche retreat in Minneapolis. Max said there was a very special retreat centre in the bush in South Africa….would I like to do Rob’s November retreat? I said yes!

While we were there Pippa asked us if we would like to be part of the caretaking team for the women’s and men’s 6-month ngöndro retreats. We said yes! What a fabulous year! Caretaking for the two retreats and doing the ngöndro all in one go was a very special experience. Not always smooth going, but what a great blessing.

During the year of working and living with Pippa, Susan, Bev, and Alan, I got to know the staff and their stories, drove the bakkie to do the shopping in Zeerust, met the management team, and learned how the centre runs on various levels. I fell in love with TRC.

Living in Manchester UK, we are near to Samye Ling and Holy Isle. Before covid, we often spent time in both places for teachings and self-practice retreats. We also attended Dónal’s retreats at TRC and on Holy Isle, Mingyur Rinpoche, Ringu Tulku, and Drupon Rinpoche.

TRC is a special place for me and many others. Supporting TRC helps so many others learn about and live the dharma. I have come to realise that dana is not simply giving money or supporting a cause. It is much more than that. And that is why I am taking over the role of coordinating the Friends of TRC.

More about dana later….

Any questions or comments please email me at friendsoftrc@tararokpacentre.co.za