One thing leads to another.
If you like playing golf you will probably have played most of the iconic Murray River courses.
If you like art you will have visited Victoria’s regional or state galleries and others.
If you like stained-glass windows you might have visited all the Cathedrals of England and Europe and if you have read Daphne du Maurier, you must have visited and fallen in love with Cornwall.
Early this year a carload of us visited Bendigo Art Gallery to see the Piinpi: Contemporary Indigenous Fashion exhibition, the first of its kind.
It blew us away with its colour and unique high-fashion designs that would be at home on any international catwalk.
Afterwards we visited the Great Stupa of Universal Compassion on the outskirts of Bendigo.
This eight-story Buddhist Temple is now the largest temple in the western world.
Its white facade exaggerates its already huge presence.
In 2007 His Holiness the Delai Lama visited Bendigo to bless commencement of its construction.
While the outside is finished the interior is still a “works in progress”.
By implication the surrounding Peace Park is young, but its landscaping and design is clearly evident.
It is all built using volunteer labour and donations.
Within its forested surrounds is the Atisha Centre.
A Tibetan Buddhist meditation centre.
This centre has been developing for more than 40 years and now provides an opportunity for study to find a spritual path towards wisdom and compassion, and meditation.
I have just experienced a four-night/five-day meditation retreat staying on-site.
It was a wonderful and unique experience less than two hours from home.
There are several buildings, three are rammed earth surrounded by their own beautiful garden.
One is the monastery for the nine resident monks, the most honourable is Geshe Rabten, a Tibetan monk.
A new monastery for the resident nuns is yet to be built.
Our accommodation was comfortable and there were options for a range of budgets.
The meditation sessions began at 6am in the Gompa or teaching hall.
There were five sessions each day, the last finishing at 8pm.
I was asleep each night by 8.02pm.
The dining room, office, gift shop and alfresco area is most attractive.
It allowed all of us as much privacy or social interaction as we wished.
Some were Buddhists conducting their own additional practise of silence, but all gave this away after a couple of days.
A retreat is not for everyone.
It is not a holiday camp, but it was just what I needed to learn how to meditate, unwind and relax. I loved it.
The Atisha Centre has a range of residential and day courses ranging from in-depth teachings on the Introduction to Buddhism, Gradual Path to Enlightenment and Advanced Buddhist studies.
There is also meditation for beginners, Hatha Yoga, or sessions concerning physical wellbeing and health, death and dying.
Each Sunday there is a one-hour guided meditation for beginners between 10 and 11am.
To find out more, phone Atisha Centre on 5446 3336 or visit www.atishacentre.org.au
At the end of October there is a three-night beginners Buddhism retreat with meditation.
As much as I would love to go back its a bit soon, but I will go back.
The Great Stupa has recently been closed because of COVID-19 restrictions, I suggest phoning first if you plan to visit on 5446 7568.
This wonderful experience is all becase of a fabulous day trip.
— Suzie Pearce