1st Jewel of Buddhism
Taking refuge in the Buddha
Namaste,
Welcome to our Hawaii Dharma Talk Tour. Now that you have traveled as far as you can from the rest of the world, let us take you on a journey to find something life-changing inside you, that might have eluded you all your life.
For many practicioners before us, Inner Silence has been a refuge, a teacher, a method, and a way of life to mention a few of its powerful features. Yet, most people have no relationship, or cannot imagine any use for Mindful Practices (Meditation) and finding Silence within.
These Dharma Talks tours, are created to introduce and explain Silence and various Mindful Practices. Whether to ignite or further develop one's efforts to cultivate consciousness, as long as help and guidance is useful, Dharma Talks will be appropriate. We all need help, until we don't. Then Silence takes over.
I am your guide, Andrew. They say... “a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one.” I am 50 years old, I was born on the other side of the world and I have seen and experienced enough of the practical world to be more than qualified to talk about it. Until the age of 27 I was determined to find the essence, that life can be reduced to, so as everybody else, I got stuck at the level of Quantum Physics and AI. Story in short, "I thought so deep, that I broke my mind." Instead of finding any objective Truth, something much more powerful found me. We can call it "being bitten by the spiritual bug", I have seen and realized things that cannot be unseen and un-realized - however those things would fundamentally change who I believed I was and what is going on here. I consumed (still) everything that was out there spiritually, philosophically, and in any way, shape or form that can explain this existence. To be fair, of all the traditions and belief systems I have encountered, most of the answers came from Buddhism and more specifically Non-Dualism or Advaita.
A good reason one would like to come to this program, because of wanting to be quiet, open to almost anything, non-comparing or judgmental, not feeling entitled, not wanting to get the best deal, and sit in the best seat. This is ideal for those who are ready to let go and to see something new or in a different way. We may talk about the Buddha, but Jesus or Quantum Physics is just as appropriate to consider. The important thing is to be open and patient.
In these talks, our touchstone, our base is our tangible, every day, practical lives. In the beginning, mountains are mountains and rivers are rivers. This is why we are not worried about being silent here. This is where we talk and interact. Here we use words, narratives, emotions and notice our judgements. We use words and talking to actually try weaving the Dharma Talk into a tapestry that reveals a deeper existence for consciousness to discover.
Tentative Itenirary
The group meets at Reed's Bay to assemble. From here, considering the weather, we decide where to go, from all the available options.
9:00 - 9:30 Meeting at Reed's Bay - This is a beautiful park near the port and the airport for convenience of our guests
10:30 -12:30 Volcano National Park and its active volano is the main reason most visitors come to the island. There are steam vents, lava tubes and many amazing hiking trails in VNP.
1:30 - 2:30 Akaka Falls - One of the most iconic sites to visit on the Bid Island among its many waterfalls.
3:00 - 4:00 Honoli'i Beach - A local favorite beach for its surfing and serene atmosphere.
4:00 - 5:00 Richardson or Carlsmith (4 miles) Beach - This beach has many features (including a Jungle) and snorkling for visitors to enjoy, nearby the meeting place.
Buddha