Intention is Everything
2020, a new decade, a leap year, a year that began for me in a small room on top of a roof on North Galiano Island during a 4-month Abhidhamma retreat. I remember New Year’s Eve and quiet moments reflecting on the Bodhisattva vow. The great intent. The seed that brings forth mountains of merit. The seed and fruit of awakening.
Soon after the retreat ended my mind got entangled in forecasting the year. Expectations of a bigger team, exciting projects, more flexibility in my work, and plans to travel and visiting my family abroad. More retreats, perhaps a road trip in the summer. Of course we all know what happened next.
Throughout this time with Covid, we have all had our sufferings to bear, our fears, frustrations, concerns about loved ones, loneliness. But this is not what I wish to talk about. What I wish to share is one of the most precious memories of this year, of a summer evening at the end of July when the DCC hosted our first retreat of the season: ’Building Merit’. Merit built by intent.
COVID signs were put up in all the appropriate places, sanitizers had been purchased, masks were at hand, the orientation had a special COVID chapter. Marta had lovingly prepared individual meals served on compostable plates for everybody. A gazebo was erected on the lawn north of Main House with the help of volunteers. Much work and preparation had proceeded this first retreat. All built by intent.
Tryg, Trudy and Terry were opening the retreat together and we sat listening to the significance of elements and deeper meanings of our sacred Dharma Centre monuments. The group of participants was spread out under the screened plastic roof, socially distanced but brought together by a common purpose, brought together by intent. We practiced together as the dusk settled in and the candles lit in our midst were casting a soft light.
When Marta and I walked back ‘home’ to Hill House after the opening session, I remember the magic of that night. We remarked on how wonderful it was to have people back on property. Our hearts were joyful and our lives meaningful. That night was such a strong reminder of the gift of being at the Dharma Centre. To support beings who choose to do this worthy work of embarking on a deep inner journey. To support awakening. To build merit.
Recollecting the intention from that New Year’s Eve at the beginning of the year I can see that the seed has sprouted. Within the choppiness of all the surface patterns, the great ocean continues to support us all. The Dharma continues to flow. Teachers continue to come and teach. Beings continue to come to the Centre to do retreats. Circumstances and conditions provide us with ample food for practice and with opportunities to be patient, to be diligent, to have great compassion. And we can derive strength from noticing that small, minute changes bring about giant leaps. All born from intent.
Marion Herlet