Walking Back

Walking back from the Colchester Buddhist Centre, Jimi Hendrix’s ‘Rainy Day, Dream Away’ pounded through my brain. Storm Eunice had been reduced to mere rain on my journey. It was that miserable, soul-grinding rain which England is famed for. However, despite the cold on my hands, the dampness of my lower trouser-legs, I wasn’t despairing, or even unhappy as I carried my shopping back from Aldi, which is rapidly becoming my favourite supermarket.

There was something, a tiny bit of bliss which lingered after a morning at the afore-mentioned Centre. It was a certain something which coloured the following afternoon with an ever-so slight rosy tint.

Saturday had seen us back on the 'Vision & Transformation' course, after a week's break when the Centre was closed (last Saturday) because of various attendees being on 'retreat'. I've not yet found the will to go on retreat, but I'm easing myself into the idea, slowly. Instead I have promised myself a holiday, a break away from ‘This precious stone set in the silver sea’ well, a working holiday, possibly in Sri Lanka, to visit some artist friends, Buddhist temples and the home of Theravāda Buddhism. Quite possibly next month. Then to devote an entire issue of The Blue Lotus magazine to my findings.

As we near the end of the course, we end this batch of learning concerning an introduction to the Buddhist 'Eightfold Path' the 'Four Noble Truths' and the 'Five Precepts' or ethical guidelines. I have enjoyed the very creative way the course has been presented, as well as the interactions and knowledge sharing.

Learning really does depend on the teacher every bit as much as on the student. I have been lucky. I have encountered a few really good 'teachers' throughout my years of study, from Art School days through university and right up until this present course. Of course I am not leaving the learning there. I’m (well tentatively) signed up for a (possible) four years of further study concerning Triratna Buddhism. Watch this space.

Winter edges towards Spring. Dawn gets earlier, Dusk later. Daily I am up at 6am meditating. Candle and incense burn as I enjoy my wrestle with my "monkey mind'. Then coffee and the day begins…