Images from Dhamma Bhumi

A path at Dhamma Bhumi

The first 5 days, the sky was an impeccable blue with not a trace of cloud. The heat was almost bothersome in the afternoon, though mornings and evenings remained crisp. Sunsets seemed to go on forever - even when returning to our rooms at 9pm, a trace of orange remained on the horizon, almost like the sunsets one sees on an aeroplane.

On the 6th day, clouds started moving in over the Megalong valley and by evening, the sky was filled with volcanic like clouds. At sunset, the sun was partially hidden by the clouds, showing just 3 distinct streaks of light through the grey.

On the 7th day, it began to rain. The whole centre was covered with sheets of mist drifting languidly. The rain was so soft that the droplets felt almost imperceptible. The smell of rain in the bush is pure and unadulterated, as if we were truly living in the wild.

After that, we woke everyday to heavy fog. One could only see as far as the first row of trees at breakfast time, and visibility stretched slowly until one could just make out the edge of the plateau by lunchtime. The valley seemed sleepy with rain then, as if pausing while the bush had a good drink. It continued to rain lightly for the rest of my time there, everything got soggy but it didn't seem to matter.

 

Morning fog across the valley, from outside A block

The walking tracks have been updated since I was last there - the surface stability has improved and there's now a solid little loop around which we walked endlessly during breaks. The main pond has been filled in and turned into a 40,000L capacity rainwater tank which is awesome, since the centre is now mostly self reliant for water and only occasionally goes onto Sydney Water. The side pond under the verandah is now the only pond, but this has been lovingly tended and was full of beautiful water lilies. Who knew that liles go to sleep at night as well, and open up during the day?

The pond.

A lot of work has gone into the landscaping around the centre. While at the centre, gardeners were planting flowers around the female entrance to the main hall and the pagoda. One day we came out of the hall to the sight of dozens of flower pots, which mysteriously got planted bit by bit while we were meditating.

Near the female entrance to the pagoda.

I particularly love these "rock roses" which seem so sturdy and all-weather.

Silence makes one appreciate so many things that one would normally. It makes one realise how much idle chatter there is in life, and how we miss so much because our minds are distracted. The beauty of birds gliding across the sky, of softly falling leaves, of the scent of fresh rain.. it's lovely that I had another opportunity to ponder all this.