Reading Buddhist Priory

I very much enjoyed my trip to the Isle of Wight last week. Thanks very much to Dave for organising everything - it makes such a difference to me, and to those attending the retreat, when someone takes such good care of all the arrangements for the day.

Yesterday (Monday) was my renewal day. I usually have Thursday afternoon, Sunday afternoon and evening and all day Monday as renewal time. Renewal is a different concept to rest. Renewal is a change of pace, time out from the usual routine of work, an opportunity to relax, yes, but in skilful ways that keep the training going and allow it to be expressed in other ways. It is a chance to ask 'what would it be good to do that would renew/refresh me in mind and body?'

This Monday I decided to spend a few hours in the retreat hut at the bottom of the garden, doing some spiritual reading and meditating. I often find it helpful to get out of the house as, otherwise, I can be reminded of so many things that I would like to get done, and out-of-sight can really help with out-of-mind! I had a late lunch - I like to cook myself a good lunch each day - and then went for a walk up towards the university and took the opportunity to register with the university dental practice (which has recently started taking local people). When I got back I fetched a bucket and collected up all the small apples that had been recently blown off the tree and put them in the garden waste recycling bin. I also sorted out a bedcover for the bed in the retreat hut, a beautiful patchwork quilt made and given by a lay trainee when I was at Throssel - it looks just right in the wooden cabin. After a shower and a simple supper I read for the evening, a novel this time, and got an early night.

So, renewal time can include pleasant, relaxing activities, getting some fresh air and exercise, taking the opportunity to do some extra meditation, working on personal projects, and doing some chores when they are done in a way that is free of the compulsive quality that can often be driving us. Of course, when circumstances are such that one has to work for all, or part of, what was to have been a renewal day it is necessary to accept it, let go of anything one may have been intending to do, and just do what needs to be done. It is important, though, to spot when you are using work as an avoidance mechanism, and it is also important to recognise that renewal time is a different, but nonetheless valuable, aspect of training.

After a few weeks of a pretty full diary, this week is looking more spacious and I hope to catch up on a few things in the office and around the Priory.