Galway Advertiser 2002/2002_06_06/GA_06062002_E1_053.pdf 

Extracted text

Zen

BLACK ROBED monks huddle in the cold early morning and gaze out over the waters of Galway Bay. Among them is Alain Leibman, a Frenchman who has dedicated his life to the practice and teaching of Zen Buddhism. Alain has lived in Galway for the past 10 years where he r u n s a meditation centre a n d teaches Shiatsu. He also leads retreats like this one in Lios na Greine House near Inverin. For three days w e live w i t h t h e peaceful exhalations of the s e a , eat wonderful vegetarian food, meditate, and chant Buddhist prayers. After meditation in t h e morning, Alain l e a d s us out for a brisk w a l k by the sea. Alain says that the contact w i t h nature here is very strong. "The West of Ireland is just perfect for meditation," he says in a strong French accent. "It's a nice place, a nice people. Ireland is a naturally spiritual country." Alain was born in Paris is 1945. "My father was from Alsace and my mother from Brittany, so there is Celtic blood in me!" In 1963 he met Master Deshimaru, a Japanese monk and teacher. It was a pivitol event in his life. Deshimaru became his spiritual father and Alain received Zen is a way of getting to know outselves better so that we can live fuller, freer lives, says Alain monk ordination from him.. When he died in Leiberman. 1991 Alain says he wanted to get away from Paris, and Galway's openness and alternative oneself but for everybody. Every morning on the Buddhist, the important thing is to find the Christ scene appealed to him. retreat, before drinking tea, we hold the bowl to He finds people here simple and honest, but or Buddha inside. "A picture of Christ is not Christ. And there is our faces and pray that everybody who suffers how have they responded to Zen? no need to be frightened of a statue of the and is thirsty may find peace. "If you want to leam the fiddle and only spend Buddha. It is just a statue." "In Zen we don't practice meditation for our six months practising, then decide you'll learn the Alain says Zen is not a religion or philosophy, own benefits, but that dosn't mean you will not bodhran, you'll never be any good at any of them. but a way of getting to know outselves better so have benefits. If you practice meditation with a But if you practice the fiddle every day you'll pure mind, without thinking of yourself, you will that we can live fuller, freer lives. The famous improve. It is the same with Zen. It is good for 12th century Zen master Dogen wrote that the have more benefits than you expected." the Irish to learn discipline!" way of Buddha is to study the self, and that to Alain thinks that people are getting greedier, Discipline is a important feature of the three study self is to abandon the ego and recognise our and is disappointed to find evidence here of the day retreat Any notions of a pampered holiday intimate connection with the world. Zen can moneyed arrogance endemic in Paris. People in camp are soon scuppered. We rise at six-thirty reveal strength, peace, and nurture a Ireland have changed very quickly and have not and meditate until our knees and backs ache. But yet learned the balance of the traditional and the there is a real community spirit, as everyone gets compassionate spirit. modem that he sees in Japanese culture. Yet he Zen meditation, called zazen, is an important involved in s o m e task, preparing meals, part of the practice. There are a lot of myths feels at home here, and wants to stay. hoovering, e v e n stuffing meditation cushions! Does he hope to achieve enlightenment soon? surrounding meditation but it is simplicity itself. The delicious food a n d a S h i a t s u session on "1 have abandoned enlightenment. Perhaps You sit on a cushion, keep a straight back, and Sunday afternoon revitalise our spirits. watch the breath entering and leaving the body. when I go to the pub tonight!" At times I feel very still, listening, a s Alain At first your mind is full of plans, fantasies and Alain is running two retreats on Inis Mor in says, to the peaceful prayer of the sea. In the kitchen of Lios na Greine hangs a picture thoughts, but if you sit long enough it calms July and August. For more information contact Bill on 091 585499 or 087 2313798. of Jesus, and on the mantelpiece close by a down and peace enters. Meditation is not about escaping our problems, or achieving paradise, kieran Hayes minature golden statue of the Buddha. Yet they says Alain. It is a selfless practice and the true seem to sit comfortably side by side. Alain religious spirit is to practice awareness not for believes that whether one i s Christian or

W arneyua n Bozlspc i fm na ai c k Anl o inthe Westvvaued at 50
SUNNY DAYS make us all think of holidays, and with! summer just around the corner, Avon reminds us all of] the importance of taking care in the sun. Without protection, the skin can easily bum - bare skin can bum in less than 15 minutes - so be sure always to use sun cream. Avon is reinforcing its "safe sun' message by offering two Galway Advertiser readers the chance to win a set of Avon Bronze suncare products to the brochure value of 50. The family pack includes the new 500ml bottle of| Moisturising Sun Lotion, Sensitive Sun Lotion for Children SPF 40, Protective Hair Spray, Active Sun Lotion Spray, Sunblock Stick for Children SPF 35, Sun Lotion with insect] repellent. Aftersun Aloe Ice Gel and a 500ml bottle of] Aftersun Lotion. The pack represents unbeatable value as Avon launches a summer of fabulous deals to ensure we can all have fun in the sun without paying extra for the maximum protection.

HEALTH cr LEISURE

HOW TOWIN

Bernie Prior is a spiritual t e a c h e r whose s t a t e d vocation is to assist people in awakening to the truth of life. "Bernie travels in Ireland, the UK, New Zealand, and Australia giving talks and holding retreats and workshops. He describes himself as a man who has surrendered to the source of life, and who lives with complete devotion to Love and Truth. "We are all here to allow God's expression to flow through us in our daily life," he says. "To come home to the presence of Love, we have to let go personal agendas, demands, and judgments. It is a moment by moment surrendering to life as we find it." This softening and acceptance makes a space

S iiul sfe i g pt a otn r n
for new life, beyond ego and conditioned thought and feeling. His teaching asks us to engage in pure enquiry into the reality of Being in the moment, beyond judgment and opinion about ourselves, others, or life. Bernie also teaches the Form, a series of Tai-Chi style energy movements performed around a seated recipient. He describes it as a window into stillness and real depth, rather than a technique. Bernie Prior will give a talk in the Body and Sole Centre, Frenchville Lane, on Sunday June 9. at 4pm. More info on 091 539622. For a list of other talks and workshops in Ireland and the UK call 44 (0)1886 85305, or visit www.bcmieprior.org

All you have to do to win the Avon family pack is answer! the following question and send a postcard with your] answer, name, address, and daytime contact number to the Galway Advertiser, Avon suncare competition. 41/42 Eyre Square, Galway. The first two correct answers drawn win the prizes. How long does it take for skin to burn if not properly | protected? 5 minutes? 15 minutes? Deadline for entries is Thursday June 13.

119 dure Equate

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