I awake and sit on the edge of the bed, looking out over the Strait of Georgia at the dark purple Canadian mountains being crested by the morning sun. I think of waking up at home when the sun pulls itself over Hualalai Mountain. I remember when life was so wonderful. I would awake in the morning and I would smile and mentally note that I had a wonderful day before me. I would vow to live each moment of this day fully and to treat all with kindness and compassion. Today has the possibility of being a wonderful day.
I begin early and catch the second Crofton ferry to Salt Spring Island, a short 20 minute boat trip. I drive across the island to a tasty little breakfast at Barb's Buns in the rustic little hamlet of Ganges. Ganges and its folks look interesting, sort of like old hippies. I decide to find out a bit about this place and these people. To get my information I head for the local bookstore. Where better to determine the tone of a village than by what they read. The visit to the store and the talk with the owner is quite enlightening. It seems that my destination, the Buddhist Retreat located near here, had had some political controversy. It's interesting gossip but I'm headed there anyhow. I thank the bookstore owner and head on down the road.
So, I'm off to visit Kunzang Dechen Osel Ling (KDOL) operated by the Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling sect of Vajrayana Buddhism. It's a Buddhist retreat that my friends suggested that I might want to visit. After a quite long drive down what can best be described as a logging road at speeds of 10-15 mph I arrive at their compound.
I drive up to the group of rather dilapidated buildings and saw nary a person. I park and warily enter the largest building. There I find a man preparing the lunch I knew I would be getting. The kitchen was quite rustic but the food looked good and smelled great. He was expecting me and sends me out and around the building to find Robi, my hostess and guide.
Robi and I have a very nice chat and a look around. She shows me the male and the female retreat compounds, also very rundown. Then we visit what might best be described as one of the primo meditation spot in the world. I could see myself perched upon one of these giant boulders overlooking the ocean, without a manmade noise for miles, being serenaded only by the sounds of nature. Robi said she spends many hours here in her meditation practice. I can see myself in this place, except.
We return at the bell, the bell of mindfulness, for a fine outdoor lunch and an interesting talk with the Lama, who happens to be from Nepal and speaks little English. As it turns out, the Lama has little interest in teaching anyone about his Buddhism but it happy to live here in peace, with occassional retreat visitors. If my goal is to come here to learn of Vajrayana Buddhism, that's not likely to happen. It appears that I'm headed for the exit. As I expected, the lunch was delicious. The only part of the meal that was not freshly picked was the wok-fried tofu. The fresh veggies couched in mild spices were so good. What man can do with no electric gadgets is amazing.
However, this is an intrguing place with much potential. If any of you are interested in a rewarding project in an especially cerebral place, it might be for you. But, it's not for me. I bid my farewell and head back down that long, dusty road . Next stop, Victoria.
I begin early and catch the second Crofton ferry to Salt Spring Island, a short 20 minute boat trip. I drive across the island to a tasty little breakfast at Barb's Buns in the rustic little hamlet of Ganges. Ganges and its folks look interesting, sort of like old hippies. I decide to find out a bit about this place and these people. To get my information I head for the local bookstore. Where better to determine the tone of a village than by what they read. The visit to the store and the talk with the owner is quite enlightening. It seems that my destination, the Buddhist Retreat located near here, had had some political controversy. It's interesting gossip but I'm headed there anyhow. I thank the bookstore owner and head on down the road.
So, I'm off to visit Kunzang Dechen Osel Ling (KDOL) operated by the Kagyu Kunkhyab Chuling sect of Vajrayana Buddhism. It's a Buddhist retreat that my friends suggested that I might want to visit. After a quite long drive down what can best be described as a logging road at speeds of 10-15 mph I arrive at their compound.
I drive up to the group of rather dilapidated buildings and saw nary a person. I park and warily enter the largest building. There I find a man preparing the lunch I knew I would be getting. The kitchen was quite rustic but the food looked good and smelled great. He was expecting me and sends me out and around the building to find Robi, my hostess and guide.
Robi and I have a very nice chat and a look around. She shows me the male and the female retreat compounds, also very rundown. Then we visit what might best be described as one of the primo meditation spot in the world. I could see myself perched upon one of these giant boulders overlooking the ocean, without a manmade noise for miles, being serenaded only by the sounds of nature. Robi said she spends many hours here in her meditation practice. I can see myself in this place, except.
We return at the bell, the bell of mindfulness, for a fine outdoor lunch and an interesting talk with the Lama, who happens to be from Nepal and speaks little English. As it turns out, the Lama has little interest in teaching anyone about his Buddhism but it happy to live here in peace, with occassional retreat visitors. If my goal is to come here to learn of Vajrayana Buddhism, that's not likely to happen. It appears that I'm headed for the exit. As I expected, the lunch was delicious. The only part of the meal that was not freshly picked was the wok-fried tofu. The fresh veggies couched in mild spices were so good. What man can do with no electric gadgets is amazing.
However, this is an intrguing place with much potential. If any of you are interested in a rewarding project in an especially cerebral place, it might be for you. But, it's not for me. I bid my farewell and head back down that long, dusty road . Next stop, Victoria.
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