CELIA-----even more intrigued~~~

[barbaranoela]

Your post just held my Xcitement for U and your hubby---

And it will be 3 years???? Thats awesome----

So what has brought U and your hubby to continue your lives in the Buddist Monestery??? Is this to enhance your lives---thoughts---ways of being???? Is there a mission in your lives that U both are seeking??? Is it to fullfill your spirituality----
And after this will U come back to the states????

I would luve to hear more---so many things to ask but I know how busy U are----

This has to be a very thrilling---I know I was so Xcited telling Lou what your plans are----

And of course he said to me,*I am sure U are going to ask Celia a zillion questions.*

If I had the time I would---

I wish I could sit and listen to U tell me of all your plans---and all the etc.'s----too

I surely envy the way U 2 are going---

I am Roman Catholic----and have really* not* been moved by my parish--
@ home--but in AZ. we attend services @ this Pantano Christian Parish--and it has been quite an Xperience for Lou and I----there is joy---

Well enuf with the 3rd degree of your venture.
I do hope U can fill us in here and there---

When do U Xpect to be leaving??? LAST question!!!

I wish U and your hubby a time of complete wisdom and fullfillment--

luve.
Barbara

[celia]

Hi Barbara,

I love your enthusiasm!

To put it very simply, the Dalai Lama says that his "religion is kindness". The aim for me is to settle my mind more and more through meditation, and develop more kindness and compassion for myself and others. I've been on this spiritual path since 1984.

This retreat is a special opportunity to devote all my time, heart, and soul to uninterrupted spiritual practice. Like Polly said, how wonderful to have three years to contemplate!!!! In a way, it's like going to a university for three years to study Buddhism, but with a focus on spiritual practice as well. There will be 200+ of us, primarily Westerners, and primarily from Europe, the US, and Australia.

I'm planning to leave around July 10 to go to Germany to see my husband's family. Then we leave for the south of France for the first part of our program which involves the inauguration of our temple by the Dalai Lama. This is followed by a wider retreat, and then our three year retreat begins toward the end of July.

I'm very excited, although I know it will be challenging too. The whole point of retreat is transformating the mind and the heart, and that always means really facing yourself.

I hope everyone has a chance to find their own spritual joy in whatever tradition is best suited to them!

Thanks for your encouragement and excitement.

Lots of love, Celia

[barbaranoela]

and the Dalai Lama----my word----so very thrilling!!! and I can feel MY XCiTEMENT zooming for U and hubby!!!!

Thank U for taking this time to go into detail---
So very true in all that U have posted----

Facing oneself is a hugh CHALLANGE~~~~~and for me---doing yoga and tai-chi has been of great help in looking inside myself--

Still have a long way to go and hoping that I can be FREE of all the anger that festers in my body!!!!!

Many,many thanks Celia---you are truly an inspiration---
*namaste*
Barbara