The Heartland Retreat Center

First Official Work Weekend

Wow! What a difference three days can make! While preparing the cabin on Thursday for the first official work weekend which involved refinishing the floors, removing one of the culverts and repairing the gravel road leading here, a recurring question arose. What if we could somehow expand the meditation space (tibetan – gompa) without expanding the cabin? A solution was finally discovered.

Initially we planned a $25,000 extension off of the existing structure that would meet our initial needs as a retreat center, but by making a few clever cuts and applying a bit of know-how and elbow grease we managed to triple the size of the gompa  in a few days and all for under $250, 1% of our initial estimate! Like many elegant solutions provide, many problems were solved in the process, some that weren’t even apparent yet. The location of the masonry stove became obvious, it will now be built in the very center of the house under the stairway. Being accessible from both the gompa and living quarters it will better heat the whole house and provide a cozy center piece. With the upcoming addition of glass walls and a door it is now possible to seal the meditation room from noise while still keeping the open interior views that are so unique to the original cabin design.

A kitchen and dining room were set up in the garage so we could eat in a dust free environment and everything that wasn’t nailed down (and a few things that were) were moved into storage. The floors on the main level received a major sanding and are now being sealed and finished with Tung oil. This type of finish will preserve and protect our now buttery smooth floors while providing a warm amber glow and a hint of nutty scent to our already pleasant cedar bouquet. The finish is so ecologically safe that it has been approved by the FDA for human consumption. The washed out culvert was fully removed and now the stream flows freely and naturally through the land. With the addition of a natural log bridge and beautifying landscaping we will have a lovely entrance to the back of the property. Paint was touched up, lawn and trails mowed, weeds cut back, road repaired, lumber salvaged and stored for future projects, and somehow we also found time to enjoy some practice together each day. On Sunday afternoon we held our first meditation session in our new gompa. It was quite an inspiring way to cap off the weekend.

Aside from the obvious outer benefits that came from this weekend, many deeper results came about as well. Many people saw that what they previously not thought possible was not only doable but that we had the capability of accomplishing it ourselves. All sixteen of the people in attendance worked diligently and probably all went home with some new practical skills and a strong sense of accomplishment. It was truly inspiring to see what we can do when we work together as friends for the benefit of all. Deepest gratitude to Karmapa and Lama Ole and all that made this possible.

Spontaneous Work Weekend

As mentioned in the previous post, during Carlos’ Midwest tour, a video presentation was made showing the past, present and future projects here at the HRC. Eighty four acres and a house takes a lot of effort to maintain let alone to develop the property further and many have little idea what is going on here on a day to day basis, so it was great to be able to show our friends what’s been happening. A lot of people were obviously touched by the activity here as evidenced by 16 from all over the region spontaneously coming the weekend of July 17th and tackling monumental tasks. The road was repaired and crowned from our house all the way down, a gravel parking lot built, the cabin was sealed from rain, closets and storage spaces organized, the garage cleaned and tools organized, the library has new shelves for the books and looks very fine now, the trails and campsites were mowed, and many other small tasks were completed. The days activities were sealed by solid meditation sessions in the morning and evening helping everyone keep the highest view of their work. We also had our first family stay here through the whole weekend, a young couple from Minneapolis and their 8 month old daughter, who were all seeing it for their first time. It went so well for them, they said it would be no problem to do it again. No parties happened as most were probably tired from the days work, but we did sit intimately around the cabin and discuss future projects and fundraising ideas over some wine. Sunday we arose early and while some went for a run on the land others did some personal practice, then we all came together for another group meditation session before breakfast and farewells. Everyone was quite pleased with the program and I’m sure we will have a fantastic turnout for our first official work weekend.

Be the pulse of the Heartland

With many projects to complete before the snow falls again the new theme of our activity here at the HRC is “Be the pulse of the Heartland. Many friends from centers all over the Midwest expressed interest in coming for work weekends. We decided to get a bit more organized in order to accomplish bigger projects like refinishing the floor and installing a masonry stove. The goal is to have all the materials and food purchased before we arrive, so we don’t waste so much time getting organized. Our first official work weekend will be July 30-1, but everyone is welcome any time they have an open day!

Carlos, a traveling teacher from Columbia, stopped by the HRC on July 8th to get a feel for the land. Several friends from the region joined him as he did a tour through the Midwest. We enjoyed walking the land and doing a Loving Eyes meditation together while enjoying the expansive view. Later in the evening we gathered for an impromptu Q & A session.

On July 10th some friends from Chicago spontaneously dropped in for the night. There was a good balance between meditation in the morning and work in the afternoon. The spring project was started when many huge rocks were discovered in the ground in the middle of our trail. The plan is to build a natural staircase, with rocks from our land, leading down to the source of the spring. There we will create a pool where we can gather water using a filter. Down stream a ways we plan to dig another pool that will be used for washing up. With our new campsite up at Pine Cove, the outhouse, and fresh water bubbling out of the ground we will be able to fully use our land for deep meditation!

Deepening our connection with the land

The weekend of June 18 – 20 was a special one at the HRC. Over a dozen friends gathered to camp for the first time on the back of the land, the reason why we bought the property in the first place. Organic unfolding was the theme of the weekend.

Friday everyone gathered as usual and spent the night in the cabin. Saturday morning the ‘wide range of activities’ was set into motion. Friends from Texas met with some from the Midwest to go over course planning details, others began lugging materials to the camp site in the pine grove, and the rest picked up provisions. In the early afternoon everyone hiked out together with packs on backs, and set up camp. The locals had already mowed a nice area, set up a fire ring with a grill, and cut down some trees for firewood beforehand.

Some who came had never camped before and those that had experience shared some advice to make it more comfortable and helped prepare planning for trips to courses in Europe. Then an exciting thing happened. Everyone feeling at home in this location, realized that it would be useful to capitalize on our successful PooParty and build an outhouse to make it easier for people to camp in the pine grove not only this weekend, but in the future as well. The hole was dug, an apparatus with a seat set on top, a tent placed around with some tarps, and viola. Everyone enjoyed the view, so when we finish building around it we’ll put in some windows for an unusually peaceful and pleasant experience. Thanks to the fundraising effort in Minneapolis we still have plenty left to build a few others where they will be needed.

Living out on the land, gathering the water from the spring, not needing to leave the area gave a strong impression that this is really our place and that we are our own kings and queens. Many enjoyed meditation sessions and a one on one Ngondro explanation turned into a small group teaching. We did discover that in the future it would be smart to have a separate location for meditation to preserve the quietness, and already people had identified the first hill as a likely setting. People have already been meditating out there since spring, it is easily accessible from both the cabin and the pine grove campsite, has great views to the west, and is protected by a ring of trees.

The plan is to continue following along the lines of allowing the land to reveal itself, how best to make use, but also to focus during the summer on developing the camping area and meditation station. The thought arose that if we manage to do all that work during the summer, then instead of Labor for Labor Day, we just enjoy the Fruits of our Labor. . .

Fun fundraising season

Recently a contingent from the Northeast visited the HRC for a weekend program with Tass & pregnant, dancing Carlinde. Tass had made a tour through the region and all proceeds were donated to the NRC, culminating with a nation-wide fundraising party which generated around $5,000 in one evening!

Everyone enjoyed great teachings focusing deeply on elements of the 16th Karmapa meditation. The place felt much more spacious than before with most everyone choosing to camp out near the cabin. It was so great to have another broad regional presence, and we look very much forward to this trend continuing. Please feel welcome to descend with your crew!

The following two weekends also focused on fundraising, but not at the HRC itself. Many gathered in Madison to volunteer at BratFest (as in Bratwurst). Those sweaty, greasy efforts should generate a thousand dollars or more which will be shared between the HRC and NRC. Last weekend the region gathered in Minneapolis with a fundraising party specifically focused on raising funds for septic/outhouse systems at the HRC. As usual, a portion will go to the NRC as well.

In this midst of those weekend activities, Adam spent some time at the HRC and built the first of several outdoor inclined prostrations boards which can double as flat sitting meditation platforms. To give ‘em a try, feel welcome to swing by this weekend where we’ll have some meditation & teaching sessions on the back of the land as we do some camping training.

Project page coming soon; keep your eyes peeled!

Green, first EC guest, and much to do.

The HRC has turned green! Spring has certainly set in, with plants blooming everywhere. This also means that ticks are active and the time to mow has arrived.  Surely our newly acquired used mower will come into full force. Hopefully it can make the long treks throughout the back of the land. Otherwise we may need to acquire a scythe. . .

We are happy to have received JC, our first guest from the EC. He visited after his travels with Lama Ole throughout the Americas and contributed a lot to the discussions that ensued throughout the weekend. Here’s to international connections!

Amongst other things Ian has been busy with construction of a compost area, hauling rocks for a walkway, removing trash, building a workbench, transplanting plants, making neighborly contact, and holding down the fort. For sure he is aware of a few other things that could be done around the place, which will be shared during the weekend when Tass is here. Along with enjoying the retreat land this summer, everyone is invited to join in the various tasks that need attention. The fulfillment of helping in such a way can simply not be measured. ;+)

Three Pillars Weekend with Klaus Neukirchen & Updated HRC Fundraising Goal

On the weekend of March 26th, friends from across the Heartland spent an inspiring three days together with German traveling teacher Klaus. With his unending good humor and insightful stories, Klaus gave us a gift we are thankful for: he showed the result of three decades of using our powerful Diamond Way methods. A thank you to all who helped make this happen!

In addition to teachings, meals together and socializing, we had conversation around our HRC Gompa Vision project and refined our plan together. As we live on the land we are discovering more and more refinements that are needed to make it suitable for retreats and other Dharma activity. Major items on the list are below. In short, LET’S DO THIS THING! We have lots of funds to raise and need everyone’s efforts to reach our goal of an inspiring $84,000, one thousand for each acre of Heartland, each disturbing emotion, and each teaching to transform. Fundraising events will continue throughout the region. See your HRC Fundraising point person in your center for more info.

HRC Gompa Project
gompa & dormitory extension
alter & large statue
repave driveway  & finish parking area (gravel)
sufficient septic/outhouses
washer/dryer
screen doors
window treatments
prostration boards
furniture (dining chairs, lounge chairs/couch)
camping/meditation platforms
landscaping/shrubs and privacy trees
russian stove
lawn furniture
picnic tables
patio by fire
grill
cookware

Spring findings

As the snow melted away, much was revealed about the property that hadn’t been noticed before, ranging from plainly inspiring to intriguing to challenging. A field of impressive skunk cabbage peeked through the snow at the base a large rock outcropping with water flowing out constantly. Another area between the main roadways onto the back of the land which had already been cleared out was seen as being an ideal place to gather. Cougar presence on the land was confirmed, both when Ian heard its eerie cry and by several scat findings. The driveway & parking area turned out to be quite muddy and will need reinforcement to handle anticipated traffic, and a junkyard was discovered by the creek. Friends did some work insulating the windows and preparing trails through the woods. Productive conversations about budgeting and planning ahead took place as well. All in all a smooth transition with the seasons, with plenty of joyful work that lie ahead.

Breadth of the US

We all knew going into the open weekend with Daria that we’d have a great time with a healthy balance of meditation, teachings, work & play, but some pleasant unexpected themes also arose thanks to a few who came from greater distances. The cozy group of around 20 friends included not only locals from most of our centers in the Heartland, but also a few from the Northwest, Northeast, and Texas. The collective miles traveled so that we could all join for the weekend was impressive: over one thousand North-South and over three thousand East-West! Having the friends gather from such distances was greatly inspiring for all and provided a stronger basis for working together not just regionally, but also nationally. We look forward to this trend’s continuation!

First center-hosted weekend

Friends from nearly every center in the region came together at the HRC this weekend to take part in our first center-hosted weekend. Until now various individuals had worked together to support programs, but this time one center took care of all the details (including taking the trash and recycling to the local drop off point). The group in Chicago keenly borrowed the idea from the EC Country Weekends, and it was a huge success. This weekend was dedicated to meditation practice, but still a lot of productive work necessary for the place to be able to function was joyfully accomplished during the breaks.

It was so fun that we can not keep the joy to ourselves and invite your center or region to host a program at the HRC sometime. Already the group in La Crosse plans to host a work weekend with an emphasis on lumberjack efforts, and friends from Texas have also indicated the wish to host a weekend. We feel that this style, where one center or region works together to host programs at the HRC, will go a long way in ensuring that the place remains national. Of course, just like at the EC, people familiar with the place will help share information about what needs to be taken into account, but the idea is that the hosting group manage everything. We also have the hunch that doing this here already now will help prepare us to host an Americas Week at the EC sometime in the next couple years.

Attached you can view some photos. The lack of gompa/meditation photos is due to the fact that everyone was practicing during those sessions;+)

Enjoy and come soon!