Joyfully, aspirants and OI members gathered for a retreat at Ascot Priory. There were about 30 of us including 3 monks from Plum Village enjoying breathing and walking, smiling and sitting.

We met on Friday evening and began the weekend with delicious food – soup cooked by Angie . It was tim e to catch up with old friends and meet new ones, Several people had come from the family retreat and they brought with them stillness and joy, not to mention the very special honey for breakfast! Sitting in the dharma hall, it felt good to come home.

Saturday began with a sitting at 6.30 am followed by stick exercises in the grounds led by Brother Michael. Those stretches felt good and I think I woke up some muscles that had been asleep for a while. The morning was spent in largely doing working meditation. The chimes of the clock reminded us at regular intervals to stop and breathe.

Brother Michael then gave a talk about the Shining Light practice. This is a wonderful practice which supports the growth of the Sangha. The Brothers explained that the practice is structured so as to support transformation for individuals and the sangha.

In Plum Village , there is about 30 – 40 mins allowed for the practice for each individual and has been practiced with variable group sizes. Usually the novices are together, the Bhikkus are together and the Dharmacharyas are together. The chosen person who is having a light shone on them will have a chance to share first. They first talk about their strengths. This is followed by others sharing first about strengths, then opportunities for transformation followed by suggestions. The chosen person practices deep listening and does not respond. After the session a small group comes together to write a Shining Light letter to the chosen person. It is good to keep this letter and re-read over a period of tim e and work on issues that have been raised. The Brothers encouraged us to introduce this practice into our lives and our Sangha. It was clear that we will learn with practice and maybe we just have to have a go.

After another fabulous lunch there was tim e to talk about the Being Peace Centre. About £250,000 has already been raised for the centre and the enactment team continue to work hard on the project. There was some discussion about the possible location of the centre and further fundraising activities. We were all encouraged to make contributions by standing orders or direct debits. It was pointed out to us that no matter how small the contribution it will greatly help with the manifestation of this centre. Then there was tim e for Total Relaxation and Touching the Earth.

After another lovely meal in the evening, this tim e cooked by the 5 Recipients of the 14 Minduflness trainings on Sunday. They passed the test – cooking great food. Now there was tim e for a Be-In, tea and sharing. This was followed by teaching in bell practice and an evening sitting.

Sunday was particularly special. We were joined by friends and family of the ordinees for the ceremony at 11 am . The Dharma Hall was full as we breathed together. Yes we were a community in harmony. The ceremony was powerful and moving and it was special to feel part of a strong and growing UK sangha and core community. Afterwards there was tim e for hugging meditation. Then it was tim e to check on the baked potatoes.

Ah, another delicious meal, lunch with all our guests and a really good one it was too. More hugging and it was time to continue on our way.