I’m sitting, gratefully basking in the warmth of my wood-burning stove on an unusually wet and cold May evening, with time to reflect on my semi-retired life here in Tara’s valley. I joined Alan’s recent retreat on the Buddhist foundation practices and really benefitted personally. He skilfully and with his usual humility, kindness, and [...]
A few weeks of spring rains have replenished the valley and brought welcome green growth. The weather is however unpredictable and is not following the usual early summer patterns. Layers of clothing seem to go on and off according to the ever-changing temperatures. For me, a recent highlight was attending our recent Green Tara practice [...]
1 September, Spring Day, in the southern hemisphere, was always the day the public swimming pools opened in Johannesburg when I was a child. I’m sitting on my lovely “stoep” catching the last warmth of the setting sun. I tried dipping my feet into my pool and they became completely numb, so no swimming for [...]
In mid-June the cold creeps in as the sunsets. I have just come in from the cold where I braved a bowl of soup while watching the sky colours change and the waxing sickle moon and Venus and Mars growing brighter as the darkness crept in. The welcome wood-burning stove is now glowing, bringing needed [...]
Join Eckhard (and Jennifer) for a bush getaway, where we will explore the Fauna & Flora of Tara Rokpa Centre and the surrounding environment. We will take the opportunity to stargaze under the pristine Bushveld night skies on this new moon weekend. Bring your walking shoes and binoculars, field guides and note books, and swimming [...]
Sunset from top of Temple Hill With mid-summer fast approaching, it is hard to believe that a globally challenging year is drawing to a close. Who knows what the future holds for us? We have certainly entered an ever-growing world of electronic communication with so much being offered on Zoom. Wonderful opportunities for [...]
Lunch is served at the Fierce Compassion Retreat One has to come to the platteland to appreciate the absolute beauty and diversity of our country (#I’m Staying). Watching the news, listening to talk radio, and living in the concrete jungle just does not do it. Especially for me - I am an ex-concrete [...]
An educational trip was organised to Johannesburg for the Tikologo and Rietvaly permaculture trainees by Sustainable Community Development NGO. The group of young people, including 3 men and 4 women were selected as they had all been fully involved in an initial 4-day workshop held both on-site at Tikologo and at the Tirisano crèche site [...]
We continue to enjoy the best summer rains we have had for many years. The rains have led to abundant growth, as well as challenges around maintenance, with leaking buildings, broken lawnmowers, electricity breakdowns on top of load shedding and often impassable dirt roads. But the saturated earth seems to be bursting with thanks. At [...]
Are we held so close to a cacophony A constantly cluttered carry all; finger tight That the truth goes missing? So deafened by the on-screen streaming The strongly selected and over presented - That we are always asking for more - The wild rabbit hole mind – blind Hands full - falling? Even as [...]
