Shortly after coming back from Poland (and wondering what I do to fill in my time in the foreseeable future) I get an invitation to go to Provence to help look after my Buddhist group's European centre. Buddhism and the South of France two of my favourite things rolled into one package. "I'll think about it" Half an hour later I call back. "Yes I'm up for it."
It's a timely opportunity to serve others, let go of the past and build a stronger platform for the future. It is tiring, humungously so, especially when there are courses (of 150 people) in - but in between the two courses we have three days to clean and maintain the centre, and by extension do the same with our own lives. Over the course of a week the three of us start to work together as a real team, anticipating each others needs, covering for each other when we are tired and encouraging each other through bad patches. We eat well, share experiences, chant lots and usually get up before 6. I get to speak French every day with the staff, volunteers and contractors and have to act as translator at some points.
In a week I get to chant more
daimoku than I have in the past two months and come home brimming with energy and a new sense of purpose- standing tall and strong. This buddhism certainly is good medicine. The difficult thing is to remember that in the good times as well as the bad ones.
Shortly after coming back from Poland (and wondering what I do to fill in my time in the foreseeable future) I get an invitation to go to Provence to help look after my Buddhist group's European centre. Buddhism and the South of France two of my favourite things rolled into one package. "I'll think about it" Half an hour later I call back. "Yes I'm up for it." 
It's a timely opportunity to serve others, let go of the past and build a stronger platform for the future. It is tiring, humungously so, especially when there are courses (of 150 people) in - but in between the two courses we have three days to clean and maintain the centre, and by extension do the same with our own lives. Over the course of a week the three of us start to work together as a real team, anticipating each others needs, covering for each other when we are tired and encouraging each other through bad patches. We eat well, share experiences, chant lots and usually get up before 6. I get to speak French every day with the staff, volunteers and contractors and have to act as translator at some points.
In a week I get to chant more daimoku than I have in the past two months and come home brimming with energy and a new sense of purpose- standing tall and strong. This buddhism certainly is good medicine. The difficult thing is to remember that in the good times as well as the bad ones.
1 comment:
Welcome back. What beautiful surroundings :-)
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