The Restory Retreat Centre

  Looking Back On Contemplative Gathering Early morning, where the Blue Cranes were not. The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Friday evening, dinner and welcome in Brown's, the restored old general dealer where we held our sessions.  Barry and Ina van der Merwe Sharon Grussendorff Ronette, assigned to stoke the fire during sessions Bring n Share, Saturday afternoon at The Restory Taize service, Saturday evening in St Mark's, the little Anglican church.  Even though early and cold, we wanted to experience the Blue Cranes Photo: Erik Buiten Music Eric Burton, song-writer and singer of the duo Black Pumas, on what inspired him to write Colors : "How do I write a song that explains the plight of someone who is spiritual trying to find their truth?" It's a good day to be, a good day for me A good day to see my favorite colors, colors My sisters and my brothers, they see 'em like no other All my favorite colors The theme of the first Gathering was "B...

Photo: George Angus When doing stone balancing I wish to be as open and receptive as possible. I do not want to force my ideas or wishes onto the structure taking shape under my hands. It is at root a meditative, creative process with amazement and surprise important elements as well. During our monthly Quiet Day last Saturday, the rock pile I erected down at the river was done against that backdrop. I did not venture far from the big rock that acted as the platform for my structure in search of stones – maybe 5 metres in any direction.  It’s difficult to describe how you know when you have gathered enough stones. I do not count them and do not look for any particular shape. When I feel I have enough I simply stop and start building. And I trust that these rocks came together and that they will settle in such a manner on top of each other that all will be used and what will eventually stand there in the river bed will be a unique expression of this collectio...