EC Blog Archive for December, 2009

Reviews, updates, working groups, ideas…

December 26th, 2009

Two weeks ago the EC hosted a small workshop about reviews, updates and and ideas how to develop and maintain the place.

After a round of last year’s reviews by all friends, we kicked off the workshop with reminding the purpose and vision of the Europe Center. All participants seemed to share one same feeling: in 2009, our EC has developed impressively with the help of many friends from all over the world – from a frenetic construction site into a welcoming, cosy place where one feels good and more relaxed.

After an update from all teams working at the EC (welcome team, finance, gastrotainment, communication, event management, site development, landscaping) we split into groups and worked on 3 main topics - 1-3 things you would improve at the EC, EC events ideas and ways of involving local and international friends into the project. We got a lot of inspiring input and feedback.

On Sunday we were presented the plans and ideas for the future resident building and we also went on with a review of the events calendar for the next 6 months and suggestions for the second half of 2010.

The Europe Center project is not just another Diamond Way center, it is a common activity of all our sanghas around the world. You are thus always very welcome with any ideas, reviews, inputs and suggestions at info@europe-center.org.

By klara

Mantra Stone Carving

December 22nd, 2009

Last weekend we learned a lot about the traditional buddhist craft of carving mantras into marble stones.

Mantras like “Om Mani Peme Hung” or “Karmapa Chenno” are syllables and words in Sanskrit that protect mind of disturbances and connect inner and outer truth. Mantras mostly include the name of a Buddha aspect and are recited while carving the stone to develop the quality of this aspect of enlightenment. Reciting mantras is an important part of buddhist meditation and therefore, mantra stone carving is an activity that helps to develop mind’s full potential.

If you are interested in learning more about this, please mail to: SvenPlamper@web.de

By meike

Goodbye for now…

December 19th, 2009

Yesterday it was once again time to say goodbye to Lama Ole and Caty; after the treatment of his foot injury in Munich & short book retreat at the Europe Center, he left for Budapest. Everyone was happy to see Lama Ole in excellent mood as always – obviously recovering from this week’s surgery very quickly.

Most of us braving the cold, there was a spontaneous little snow party going on outside the villa…

By meike

Pure view :-)

December 5th, 2009

Just another one of those amazingly beautiful sunrises in Allgäu… here’s the view from our gompa over to Bühl and Immenstadt this morning. We just had to share with you!

By meike

Winter has come…

December 3rd, 2009

Monday brought the snow back to Immenstadt – and we found lots of ways to make the most of it already. Energetic snowballfights, romantic walks in sunny Winterwonderland, cosy evenings in our new lounge and a wonderful view into the snowy treetops from our gompa (we try not to be too distracted by this during meditation, of course! )