Center of Solitude

10/07/2025

Most New Zealand adults consume more protein than the recommended amount. They could reduce meat without risking inadequate protein intake.

10/07/2025

10/07/2025

A heartfelt bow to all who came to the Heart Sutra Retreat this past weekend especially our Teachers

10/07/2025

The Heart Sutra
The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara
while practicing deeply with
the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore,
suddenly discovered that
all of the five Skandhas are equally empty,
and with this realisation
he overcame all Ill-being.

“Listen Sariputra,
this Body itself is Emptiness
and Emptiness itself is this Body.
This Body is not other than Emptiness
and Emptiness is not other than this Body.
The same is true of Feelings,
Perceptions, Mental Formations,
and Consciousness.

“Listen Sariputra,
all phenomena bear the mark of Emptiness;
their true nature is the nature of
no Birth no Death,
no Being no Non-being,
no Defilement no Purity,
no Increasing no Decreasing.

“That is why in Emptiness,
Body, Feelings, Perceptions,
Mental Formations and Consciousness
are not separate self entities.

The Eighteen Realms of Phenomena
which are the six Sense Organs,
the six Sense Objects,
and the six Consciousnesses
are also not separate self entities.

The Twelve Links of Interdependent Arising
and their Extinction
are also not separate self entities.
Ill-being, the Causes of Ill-being,
the End of Ill-being, the Path,
insight and attainment,
are also not separate self entities.

Whoever can see this
no longer needs anything to attain.

Bodhisattvas who practice
the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore
see no more obstacles in their mind,
and because there
are no more obstacles in their mind,
they can overcome all fear,
destroy all wrong perceptions
and realize Perfect Nirvana.

“All Buddhas in the past, present and future
by practicing
the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore
are all capable of attaining
Authentic and Perfect Enlightenment.

“Therefore Sariputra,
it should be known that
the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore
is a Great Mantra,
the most illuminating mantra,
the highest mantra,
a mantra beyond compare,
the True Wisdom that has the power
to put an end to all kinds of suffering.
Therefore let us proclaim
a mantra to praise
the Insight that Brings Us to the Other Shore.

Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha!
Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha!
Gate, Gate, Paragate, Parasamgate, Bodhi Svaha

09/08/2025

Big Thanks to Everyone who came out and supported our Peaceful Harvest Benefit

07/10/2025

Come and stay in our peaceful cabin for a few nights or a week or longer to find center again

07/09/2025

Say hello to our new pond friend

09/06/2024

Here is a preview of some items available this Saturday at our End of Summer Picnic!

Specialty Roasted Coffee and Mug
Donated by Jay Wallin

09/06/2024

Here is a preview of some items that will be in the auction this Saturday at our End of Summer Picnic!

Financial Coaching
Donated by Chris DiMarino Lane from Mind Over Money Consulting.

09/06/2024

Here is a preview of some items that will be in the auction this Saturday at our End of Summer Picnic!

Bona Spirit Basket
Donated by Lori Bright Hamed and Mark Hamed

09/06/2024

Here is a preview of some items that will be in the auction this Saturday at our End of Summer Picnic!

Aromatherapy Basket
Donated by Erika Reilly Friedman and Scott Friedman