SFBC has had a BHAG for several years. We envisioned finding land to create a retreat
center complimenting our urban home with conditions uniquely possible in a beautiful natural setting. Why? An accessible retreat center would serve as a reminder of the immediate possibility and benefits of unplugging from the busy-ness of daily life to restore and find perspective. As a project, it could manifest bodhicitta by creating something all beings can benefit from.
This BHAG has seemed a long way out. We couldn’t afford, nor did it seem right, to purchase the million plus dollar properties that periodically came to our attention. A simple and affordable property was needed to support the general practice of living simply and contentedly and to proceed without financial worries eclipsing the intended benefits.
In November 2010 we unexpectedly had the opportunity to purchase the right property at
auction for $135,000. Five acres and a 1,500 sq. ft. house in the mountains in Kelseyville, near Clear Lake, about a 2 3/4 hour drive North of San Francisco, passing through Napa and Calistoga. The plot has ample flat ground and is open to the sky through the manzanitas, lodgepole pines
and cedars. A nearby lake nature preserve is a wonderful walk.
Volunteer work is underway to get the facility ready to accommodate individuals and small groups for restorative country stays and retreats by April 1, 2011. You are someone we imagine benefitting from this place as we hope you’ve benefitted from the SFBC city center.
If you are inspired to get involved in the project, we would love to explore what would be meaningful to you. Please talk to someone at the Center about it or email us. There’s also further newsletter information on helping out. One need is fundraising for $45K needed in 2011 for work on the facility. If everyone reading this newsletter gave what they were able, maybe even stretched a little with us, we could reach the finish line for the $45K BHAG.
We know this project is doable. The SFBC on Bartlett Street was purchased in 1993 through the collective efforts of those benefitting from what the SFBC offered and it has been a viable and affordable home for our activities and community ever since.
Still, BHAG’s take persistence. You can accomplish many things with teeth gritted, but I believe in fun. The being who fully embodies bodhicitta is described as working tirelessly for beings like it is play. The overall project precept is, “Stretching joyfully to make our hermitage possible.”
Taking on big change in life (retreat center purchases, moving jobs, taking on a meditation practice) brings up oscillations between hope and fear, excitement and anxiety. The Buddha taught a middle way between extremes. Our general theme for programming at the SFBC in 2011 is Mindfulness. I expect mindfulness will serve us all well to find the middle way through all that the coming year has yet to offer to our doorsteps.
Sincerely,
Viveka
SFBC Chairwoman
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