Generosity

The first Dharma talk of this week's Vipassana meditation workshop was held tonight.

 A theme of the talk was about de-conditioning our need to acquire material things or mental ideas and concepts. One attendee asked about his need to acquire so that he may give, thus focusing more on the giving than the receiving. The reply led into a brief description of one of the perfections of Vipassana practice, known as generosity. In this, giving is spoken of, and emphasizes that it is not what you give or how you give it, but rather with which heart you give. Is there an ulterior motive?

Dimitri, aged 85!

Do you seek a reward? Or are you giving from a place in your heart that is pure and generous? Also, objects given do not have comparable value and there are many reasons why one might give, but all are equal if given from a place of generosity.

Jock gave an example of this practice of generosity. He brought over a plate of white spaghetti to our wonderful neighbor, Dimitri. A little while later, Dimitri returned with a large potted magnolia tree, with one single bloom. Jock was surprised since his lone plate of spaghetti seemed to pale in comparison to this magnificent tree. Jock said, "I just wanted to get rid of the white spaghetti!" to which another attendee replied, "Maybe Dimitri hates magnolias!"

The point of this experience is quite profound. What began as an effort to simply make space in the refrigerator has actually begun an ongoing relationship of generosity. The physical or conceptual values of these gifts are no matter. Instead, these men have given from a place in their hearts that is genuine, pure and whole. I am grateful to hear it and understand.

Kelly G. Fleenor

University of New Orleansa

Holistic Holidays in Greece: Zen Coaching and Yoga

Zen Coaching and Yoga

Tine Vendeløv and I just finished a week of Zen coaching and yoga here at Kalikalos Centre.

We met about two years ago when I attended  one of  Tine's workshops in Stockholm  and we immediately felt a connection. When the opportunity arose to give a workshop together, combining Zen coaching and yoga, we thought it would be a great chance to investigate the merging of these two disciplines and combine it  with a holiday and community living. We had a nice small group and started every day with a long yoga session in the round house, followed by a lovely breakfast of fresh fruit and greek yoghurt.

Then we facilitated a Zen coaching session that would last for about three hours. After lunch it was straight to the beach for a dip in the turquoise sea and for some quality time at the taverna. Early evenings we would be back at Kalikalos for some shared community work in the garden or the kitchen, and, last but not least, share a wonderful dinner together.

Both Zen coaching and yoga bring us back in touch with our own inner core and wisdom, enabling us to be present with whatever is going on in the moment. For more information about Zen coaching just watch the little clip that we made after the workshop. I interviewed Tine and that was kind of fun to evaluate our week in this way together!

It was wonderful for each of us in the workshop to have all this time to focus on our inner process and to also feel the yoga doing its magic on our bodies and minds. I stayed on as a facilitator-in-residence for almost a week after we finished and am so glad I did!

I love to be part of the community in this way and I enjoyed all the company, the laughter and the sharing. This was my second time here at Kalikalos and I know I'll be back again at some point. My bags are packed, I am almost ready to go, feeling deeply nourished by having been soaked in the beauty of the Pelion and the community of Kalikalos, so thank you all!

Lisan Bremmers, Sweden