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Visiting Skycliffe...

Nestled in the woods along the Kettle River, in the interior of British Columbia, lie the peaceful 220 acres of ‘Skycliffe,’HÜMÜH’s Monastery and Retreat Centre. Upon entering the main gate, a gently curving gravel road, with prayer flag poles lining both sides, leads visitors into the heart of the property. Quiet and serene, Skycliffe is a sanctuary for people as well as local wildlife.

Everything on the property is arranged to allow visitors the opportunity to release the tensions and strains of their busy lives. Relaxing hiking trails wind through the hills and valleys. The Kettle River, which meanders along the western edge of the property, offers many places to sit and enjoy the sights and sounds of the gently rolling currents. An inlet of the river forms a swimming hole for summer visitors to cool off on sunny mid-afternoons.

For those who like to sit in quiet meditation, there are many ideal spots. The Temple of Enlightenment offers regular hour-long meditation sittings at 7am, 11am, 2pm and 7pm. For less formal or personal meditations, there is a rustic little single-person meditation hut nestled in the woods. Up above the river, at the south-east edge of the property, is Amitabha Hill. With a broad expansive view of the Kettle River Valley, one can take in the scenery while sitting in the silence. There is also a beautiful Mandala Garden surrounding the golden Stupa, where people can sit on one of the many benches or walk the curving path around the Stupa as the Wish-Fulfilling Gem Mantra quietly plays throughout the garden.

'Skycliffe' Updates
 

January, 2010

An atmosphere of silence greets visitors to the HÜMÜH Monastery, no matter what season of the year they arrive, but that is especially true in winter. Nature itself is hushed; the environment settles into a time of lessened activity and interior renewal. It is a season when ‘Skycliffe ‘ Retreat Centre’s guests find it easy to relax into spiritual exploration as a new year begins.

Awareness is heightened by the stark beauty of the season. Inner form reveals itself more easily to the eye; the slightest nuance of sound captures the attention. There is a natural seeking of light, and also a sense of repose and reflection that comes with the quiet that is part of the longer dark. In a recent talk, Wisdom Master Maticintin said, “Silence is that basic place through which all consciousness arises in understanding of anything.”

Often retreatants mention that as their minds and bodies relax in response to winter’s slowing rhythms, they discover sounds they wouldn’t ordinarily notice—the cadence of their own footsteps ‘crunching’ through dry leaves and snow, the rhythm of their breathing in and breathing out as it alters and responds to inner thoughts, outer images, and how those thoughts and images pull up memories that ‘color’ their actions and choices. Small stirrings that ordinarily wouldn’t be noticed in the clamor of busier seasons become flashes of insight, illuminating how they routinely create and operate their world in the interactions of daily life.

This kind of insight, if truly received and lived, offers possibilities for creating a life that genuinely expresses the awakening divinity that is the birth right of each of us. Even the subtle movement of deliberately shifting a habitual viewpoint to embrace new possibilities opens the door for the divine energy to rise out of the inner quiet and consciously create a fresh choice that is uplifting in how it affects all of life, ourselves included. New life arises from this place of inner stillness, in nature, and in us.

‘Skycliffe’ is open to visitors on Sundays and they are invited to attend the 9:45 a.m. Sunday Service. After the service, visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the monastery grounds, including the Forest Temple of Enlightenment, the Golden Healing Stupa*, Amitabha Vista, the River Walk, the Edge Walk, the Labyrinth,the Karma Shedding Pit,
and the Whirling Circle.

Visitation is by donation.

*A Stupa is a sacred monument that houses the ancient spiritual Teachings,
which are at the heart of all religions.
 
For reservations, call: 1.800.336.6015 or e-mail: Reservations@HUMUH.org