After researching places that could accommodate a solitary retreat in Spain, Scotland, the UK, Newfoundland, VT, MA, CO, Costa Rica, and Malaysia I decided that the Triratna Community Buddhist Retreat Centre at Sudarshanaloka, Coromandel Area, on the North Island of New Zealand would be best. It could not have been further from my New England home.

I stayed in a little 10’ x 10’ hut called Abhaya (Fearless). It had a two burner stove, small single bed, shrine area, a small desk and an outside toilet. There was running (cold) water from a rainwater tank and a solar shower outside. There was no refrigerator since the hut survives on 12 voltages of solar electricity. I looked forward to the wonderful deck for walking meditation and the sitting area for lunchtime reflection. A wonderful aspect of staying at Sudarshanaloka is the glorious 30’ stupa to Dhardo Rimpoche about 15 minutes from my small hut. 

In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed from NH, so my July birthday came in winter and New Year’s Day was in hot summer. Although I spent a week in New Zealand during 1992 lecturing on Kimono History, the land, animals and birds would all be new to me, as well as the Southern sky. After a year, they have become friends. That same Full Moon shines on me and you, wherever we are in this world.