Nanpantan Hall 2021

We connected at a level which required no language as we shared a love and curiosity of the present moment. Open to all which would arise and fall in that held-space, discoveries were made, lessons were learned, tears were shed - whether for what needed to be released or simply for the intensity of gratitude in a given moment didn't matter - the beauty of being comfortable with the unknown - it just is what it is! The peace and stillness I was left with at the end of the week has settled within me - anchoring the resilience which grows with the ever-increasing periods of observing with an open heart and noticing with neutrality. If we could all slow down, be quiet awhile and connect in this way there really would be world peace! 'They say I'm a dreamer .....' well now I've experienced I'm not the only one! 

 

Below is a poem I wrote about the silence - The Stillness of Silence - which I was invited to share with the group one evening during meditation and one which I wrote whilst experiencing the silence - Nanpantan Hall. 

 

A dog’s bark echoes down the valley 

A screeching bird of prey, leaves its perch, takes flight 

Butterflies dance in twos and threes 

On a breeze both warm and light 

 

Wasps land on my toes, not one but two 

With a twitch of the foot they buzz off 

The screeching buzzard makes its presence known 

Whilst pollinating bees, busy busy, can’t get enough 

 

Sitting, being, with life as it is 

A cooler breeze blows in unjudged 

The clouds, like my thoughts are distant, yet there 

Simply observed in their passing, not begrudged 

 

The bell is soon to toll, formal sitting time beckons 

Wise words will be absorbed and heard 

The silence - before and aft - speaks volumes, loud and clear 

Shared energy – as free as a bird! by Sam Hall 

Nanpantan Hall, Retreat