Photograph by PJ Hamel Years ago I came across the story of Bontche Schweig or Bontche the Silent, written by Isaac L. Peretz. The version that I penned down in my notebook went as follows: Bontche was one of the 36 holy people on whose shoulders the world rested. He was born softly and lived softly. Throughout his difficult life people took advantage of him, but Bontche never complained and worked like a pack mule. Later he walked bent over from all the loads he had carried in his life time and eventually he died as softly as he had lived. The news that he was on his way, sent heaven into a flurry. His arrival was announced by the big trumpet of the Messiah. Even the young angels in their radiant splendour excitedly went to welcome him. Botche was totally overwhelmed. He, a holy man? Now, they told him, you may ask anything, request whatever you want. The gentle Bontche asked: “Anything?” “Anyth...
The Restory is a Retreat Centre nestled against Tafelkop, a singular mountain head near Wakkerstroom, South Africa. Here we live a simple life as contemplatives. It is a place of re-connection: with ourselves, people, Nature, Silence and Creativity. Our retreats are aimed at this. Our conversations, writing and art centre around the univocity of life. We need a place that reminds us that we are all one. The Restory hopes to be such a place and space.