In January 2013 Guhyaloka Retreat Centre will be starting a new phase of its life with the launching of the One Year retreat at 'El Collao'; a property bought exclusively for the purpose of longer term retreats. The land (just under 4 hectares) is 40 minutes walk from the main retreat centre and high up on a south facing hill with vast and stunning views of the mountains all around and the sea in the distance.

 

The land has been cultivated by a local stonemason from Benidorm over the last 25 years. He started with terraces completely overgrown with scrub and pines but has worked it gradually and lovingly into its present state of abundance. There are olive and almond trees in profusion, a wide selection of soft fruits, bee hives and grapes. In the summer every few weeks sees a new fruit ripe for the picking and the olives provide over a hundred litres of oil every year. The grapes could make wine of course but if last year is anything to go by Vasubandhu might press them with his carefully washed foot and serve the juice; ice cold and delicious!

 

There are five of us planning to do this first retreat Vajrapriya, Udara, Jayaraja, Vasubandhu and myself. All of us have long standing connections with Guhyaloka and quite a bit of experience of the three and four month retreats held in the main retreat centre. With this retreat however we will be exploring new territory and learning lessons that we hope will contribute to future retreats and in time to our own Triratna long term retreat tradition.

 

Even if you can't hear the bees buzzing and the wind in the trees, even if you're not praying for rain as we are at this moment maybe you will feel a sense of connection with us. And if you do perhaps you will feel like supporting us through the offer of Dana. And perhaps you''ll even do something like this yourself someday...