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Thursday, December 6, 2012

So much to share, so little time...

Hello!
I have had to cut my trip short due to illness from the food & water in Nepal.  I am currently in the Hong Kong Airport on my way home.  I am so glad I made the trip here & have learned so much about life, myself, & of course, Buddhism, the purpose of the trip.

I have many stories to post that I will share from my time learning Buddhism at Kopan Monastery over the course of the past month. 

Please sign up at the right of the page to receive e mail alerts for posts as I expect a bit of jet lag with the 12 hr time difference before I write about my Buddhism experiences....

My final Namaste from Asian soil....
Annie

Saturday, November 10, 2012

When in Rome....Henna

 
Couldn't resist.  Ate lunch in "Jesse James" restaurant & ink seemed like a good idea.....

Friday, November 9, 2012

The Colors of Nature at Kopan Monastery

I'm no photographer (or at least I never thought so) and  I've always complained that my camera takes really crappy pictures.  I took these at just the right time today when the dew was still wet & the morning sunlight kissed the petals perfectly....Another testament to how magical this place is
  

 
 

 
 




 

 




 
 
 



 

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

30 Days to Nirvana (My 1st 24 hrs in the Monastery)....

 

From the moment you walk into Kopan, you know you’re not in Kathmandu (well, technically, you  are,  I guess). The energy is simply so serene & peaceful  it could have something to do with the fact that you are utterly surrounded by gorgeous gardens & nature everywhere you turn.  It could have something to do with the fact that this is a very holy place with 380monks running around.   And as for the daytime weather,, it still gets into the 70’s & is always sunny.   

It’s so nice being one of the 1st to arrive for the retreat.  I’m getting to know & connect with fellow retreaters.  we kind of have the place to ourselves, before the throngs of people arrive (220 expected). I’m so looking forward to seeing what type of people are drawn to do this type of thing.   I’ve met people from Germany, Sweden, Canada, Switzerland,  & England.

So far, I’m the only “beginner” amongst the seasoned Buddhist veterans.  Everyone drops names of famous Buddhists I wouldn’t begin to know & mentions retreat names I can’t  even pronounce.  I’m not intimidated.  I just ask questions.  I learned what being a “refugee” means in Buddhism

I’d say this will be  like living in a combination of a museum (with all the amazing statues & artifacts), botanical gardens (a children’s’ field trip came through yesterday as it’s open to the public), & a convent with all the robes…… While camping.  My bathroom is outside as is the shower & I am in my sleeping bag.  After 50 days of this,   I’m either going to love camping even more as it will give me fond memories of my experience here, or never want to do it again.  The temp’s already dropping  into the 40’s at night….there’s nothing  better to  convert one to an “instant” morning person, than stepping out of a shower into that.

Within 10 min. of being in my room, I spotted a beetle, roach, i.e.  Something scary & hairy on the wall, bigger than anything I’ve seen other than in the jungles of mexico.   Since I of course bought industrial strength bug spray, I doused it.  I  was about to pass out from the fumes & it didn’t even flinch, happily crawling along. Time to come to terms with my bug issues (got another nasty  spider bite the other day,  which isn’t looking good & am going to the clinic on site this afternoon)

 I toured their different rooms with my fellow retreaters.  As we came across the dormitory bathroom.  I  stopped dead in my tracks as I saw a reflection of myself.  A mirror!  I guess it’s a testament to my lack of vanity that I haven’t seen myself in a mirror for 7 weeks & it hasn’t even phased me.

Still waiting to learn Buddhism:   we had tea with the monk from Australia who will be teaching our course.  He said that most of the learning will happen after the retreat when we  are back in our “real lives.”  I understand & that makes  sense, but feel like I’ve already waited ½ the trip to begin. I guess it’s that patience thing people talk about.

So much to manifest, so little time…
….A great home to find easily &  move into upon my return, an amazing & fulfilling work life, the man & relationship of my dreams. (Oops, there goes the “to do” list again). Good thing I’m here…..

Be Well....
Annie
 

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

"Buddhist Boot Camp"Phase 1:What my next month looks like....

Daily Schedule for the One Month Course 2012

I check in today (Tues. Nov. 6) & am free to come & go as I please...
 
Then, on Nov. 11, no cell phones, no computers, just lots of Buddhism....yeah!! (zenn-ness, here I come!)
 
Here's a pic of the inside of the Stupa (temple) where I hope to be spending a lot of time...The pic. doesn't do it justice.
 
 
 
11. November 2012  First day

5..00 pm Tea in the dining room

6.00 pm  Introductory session

7.00 pm  Dinner

8.00 pm  First meditations
 
Weekly Schedule  (Monday - Saturday)

6.30 am           Morning meditation

7.30 am           Breakfast

9 am                Teaching and meditation (break at 10.30 am)

11.30               Lunch

2 pm                Discussion group

3.30pm            Teaching

5.00 pm           Tea break

6 pm                Lam Rim meditation

7 pm                Dinner

8 pm                Evening meditation.

 There is a possibility that every Sunday will be a full day of meditation in complete silence. This will be decided closer to the time.

There is no break or free day during the course.

 During the courses, a one day pilgrimage is planned to the Great two stupas in Nepal, Boudhanath and Svoyambu. Dates will be announced during the course.

11. December, Last day

6.30 am meditation

7.30 am breakfast

9.00 am Last teaching, and possibly refuge ceremony

 12.00  picnic lunch for all in the court yard


Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Appreciating American Pharmacies....

A Pokhara Pharmacy closed for the Dassain Holiday....(yes, it is a garage door)


 
And they are about 1/4 the depth of a garage

Thursday, October 25, 2012

"The many faces of Nepal......"

 
My Mini Monks I teach English to
Annual Deej Women's Festival  in Sept. where the young girls dance for husbands
Boudhanath-Stupa Boudha in Kathmandu
Bimala applying a Tika to Alex at the Hindu Temple in Kalanki
Swayambhunath ("Monkey") Temple in Kathmandu
 
Durbar Square in Kathmandu
 
And this is why they call it The Monkey Temple...
At Seti River Gorge,Pokahara
Drumming during Chanting at Sadhanna Yoga Retreat
Downtown in the tourist area of Pokhara
Oct. 24, the last day of the Dassain Festival
Downtown Pokhara
 
The closest I've been to a live Cobra when it wasn't behind glass at the
 zoo.  Some Dutch girls came up & asked him if  the "toxins" had been taken
out of the snake. He nodded & said, "Oh yes, the toxins have been removed.
He's harmless. Come sit down."  Guess that's why he's called a "charmer."
 
1) Tourist taunts Oxen.  2)  Tourist gets chased by Oxen.
And, last but not least....he came right up to me...actually
thought he was posing for me.
 


Tuesday, October 23, 2012

A PIC IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS: PART ii

 (down the street from my Guesthouse)
Fewa Lake in Pokhara, Nepal
 
(one of the cooks at the Yoga Retreat. Not sure if she speaks English)
In case you can't read the T Shirt...it says "Party Naked"
 
A man carrying a baby & a  dead chicken....
Something you don't really see in the Western World
 
At a T Shirt  Store...
May have something to do with why
I haven't seen a McDonald's yet in Nepal? (They do have KFC)
Bamboo tree (I believe) structure for building..
This is the size of a Taxi...
Typical street:  Some tourists, some cars, some oxen with their owners...
Last, but not least.....