in valencia

i'm in valencia for a week after having been at akashavana for the ordination period of the 3 month retreat where 17 women became dharmacharinis. they were from 6 different countries. the retreat is going very well and when we (the preceptors) left they were about to enter a silent phase of more intensive meditation. then they will have a period of 'order induction' and end their retreat with study on the bodhicaryavatara, santideva's wonderful mahayana poem which mixes poetry, metaphysics and practical advice. so, they'll leave the mountain on that note - focussed on the altruistic dimension of their practice and the fact that the world will benefit from more dharma practitioners.

i arrived here in valencia on thursday night. quite a contrast from the tranquility of akashavana! valencia is a busy noisy city and i'm staying in a flat belonging to a dear friend -- right on a busy road. also it's hot and humid unlike the nights on the mountainside which are fresh and even to my mind (or body) cold. took a bit to adjust. of course having lived in valencia for over 12 years it is certainly familiar. friday i spent most of the day with guhyapati who had come down from eco-dharma centre inthe pyrenees to meet with mahamati and i. the three of us have been working together on the programme for the european order convention later in the summer. we met for lunch and then wandered around and sat in a peaceful square catching up and talking about all sorts of things. then we met with mahamati (on his way to guhyaloka) and had a really enjoyable and productive meeting and supper together. it worked really well that all three of us could be in valencia together. more satisfying than skype though i don't knock skype at all. it's one of my main ways of keeping up with people given my lifestyle.

on saturday i went to the fiesta in the new buddhist centre. this was to mark the end of the intensive 7 months of hard work on the renovation of the centre. it is fantastic. i'm so pleased for them. (click the title of this blog entry to go to their web page. it is in spanish but even if you don't read spanish you'll get a sense of it). it really is the venue we dreamed of for years- patios, various meditation / yoga spaces where there can be different activities, a 'cafe' area. the neighbours from upstairs had come along and it was delightful to see them sitting there -- 4 elderly valencianos really enjoying themselves and great to hear saddhakara eloquently thanking them for their patience and kindness during the reforms. i was 'presented' as the new president of the centre and had to make a wee spontaneous speech. just as well my spanish hasn't got too rusty.

on sunday i spent the day at the buddhist centre - the morning with the women mitras who have asked for ordination and the afternoon with the women's chapter.

since then i've been meeting up with people -- a lot of people - and talking - a lot! very enjoyable though tiring. it's been hot and humid and i'm not sleeping as well as i have been recently. it has been great to catch up with people. of course i've talked a lot about bhante's recent document to the order and community both in formal settings and in one -on -one conversations. that's been interesting and i've appreciated the opportunities as each time i talk about it i become a bit clearer myself.

today is my last day here for this trip. this time tomorrow i'll be on the euromed to barcelona and flying back to the uk in the afternoon. tonight i'm giving a talk at the centre but before that there's more people to see, train tickets to buy and a talk to think about.