Kalsang and the Flag!

The first day of the retreat is over in terms of sitting and walking etc., now it's time for the usual amazing feast!   The food at these retreats is usually astonishing!

Here is Kalsang who has been leading our spring retreat now for a few years, he was accompanied by one of the nuns, Rigpa, both are living at Gampo Abbey, and we are very happy to have them with us for 2 days!

This morning we were treated to a recording of a talk given by Pema Chodron, who is in attendance at the Abbey for a part of each year.  We then broke up into pairs and discussed our reactions to the talk.   I was delighted to be paired with David Stinson, he's the chap in the extra shot today....he will be 90 in a few months and is such an amazing character. He has been a buddhist practitioner for over 50 years and has some interesting stories to tell!   After a couple of heart attacks, a few strokes etc....it is astonishing to me that he is still as lively as he is!!!   He still has quite a twinkle in his eye.....a pretty great example of someone who has lived his life with passion.

It's been a glorious day here...warm and sunny.   Even wore my Birkenstocks....altho it was a bit tricky in some spots where it's still pretty mushy underfoot!