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Friday, 27 July 2012

VILLAGE DES PRUNIERS

For seven years I have dreamed about and visualised walking among the plum trees with Thich Nhat Hanh in his exiled home of France. I cannot believe I am actually about to make this dream come true. In a few hours I hope to board a plane that will take me to Bergerac airport and thence, onwards, to the monastic settlement in Plum Village.
We returned home late tonight from Gloucester where we said our final goodbyes to Aunty Saida. One final flurry of activity awaits before the pace of my life changes beyond all recognition. Everything I do will be in mindfulness harnessed by good, strong, clear energy, and when I eat, I will chew at least thirty times, like my grandfather taught us when we were little (and we never listened! There were games to be played! Comics to be read! Who had time to chew?).
Now I will chew. Think of me, as I will be thinking of you.
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10 comments:

  1. Sherry Blue Sky27 July 2012 at 02:26

    I am THRILLED for you, going to Plum Village. Think of me one time while you are listening to Thay, or while you are all doing walking meditation together.........then I will be, for that moment, there myself.

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  2. Ruth27 July 2012 at 10:55

    Beautiful, Shaista. I pray we will all be there with you.

    I also trust the plum trees are bearing fruit this year in Plum Village, unlike our own wedding plum whose fruit was killed by a harsh spring, along with all apples and pears. I will walk with you in Plum Village and chew on that grief and then swallow it.

    xoxo

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  3. Marcoantonio Arellano (Nene)27 July 2012 at 15:45

    I echo Sherry and Ruth. I also hope that if you read this you will, but for a moment, be cognizant of my presence so when you sit in front of Thich Nhat Hanh
    you will take the breath of my spirit with you.

    I wish your Aunty a comfortable trip to her next destiny.

    Gracias, Shaista

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  4. Andrew28 July 2012 at 11:32

    All the very best to you dear one.

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  5. Marion28 July 2012 at 20:48

    I hope it is all you have wished for. Yes, I will think fondly of you.

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  6. Robby29 July 2012 at 14:03

    Have a wonderful time! Gosh I'm jumping out of my skin imagining it.

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  7. SG29 July 2012 at 15:21

    Wow! Have a great time there. I hope and pray that this trip gives you all that you want.... I hope I'd make this trip someday. :-)

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  8. Unknown31 July 2012 at 12:38

    It looks beautiful there, have an amazing time! I truly wish I could go there too!

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  9. A Cuban In London31 July 2012 at 15:40

    I'll be thinking of you and marvellous energy, your knack with words and your beautiful poems. Many thanks and I wish you the best of luck.

    Greetings from London.

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  10. Jeanne-ming Brantingham31 July 2012 at 19:52

    I am chewing my lunch and thinking of you....28...29....30....

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