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The Caritas Corner

In a library we are surrounded

By many hundreds of dear friends

Imprisoned by an enchanter in paper and leathern boxes

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

A warm welcome to our first contribution in the Temenos Spring Newsletter!  Flora, the Goddess of flowers and the season of spring, is indeed upon us! 

My vision for the Caritas Corner is to introduce you to some of our books (some of our ‘friends’ have nestled quite comfortably in our midst whilst others have just touched down on our shelves) and just to share with you some of the ‘going-ons’ between the four walls of Caritas.  Your contributions, suggestions would really be the cherry on top. 

It is Marcus T. Cicero who said: ‘A room without books is like a body without a soul’.  When you walk into Caritas undoubtedly the soulfulness is felt.  This would not have been possible without the generous contributors of our books, our visitors and guests to Temenos. Sincerest gratitude to all of you!

Agatha Christie expresses a home of books so beautifully:

It was clear that the books owned the shop

Rather than the other way about.

Everywhere they had run wild and taken possession of their habitat,

Breeding and multiplying and clearly lacking any strong hand to keep them down

Lets start with my ‘must read for spring’.  Freshly arrived is The Forty Rules of Love (a novel of Rumi). The Turkish author Elif Shafak wrote the novel in English first. Then translated it into Turkish, after which she rewrote the translation.  After that she went back to the English version and rewrote that too.  So in a way the novel was written 3 times.

The good news is that you do not have to be a devotee or follower of Rumi to enjoy this most inspiring book.  It is a very different story which is written in 2 parallels – one set in the 13^th century Middle East (Rumi’s encounter with his spiritual mentor Shams) and the other part in modern day (fictitious Ella, an unhappily 40 year old American housewife who is trying to find the meaning of life and love).   Elif has woven a captivating and wise tale of love of spiritual longing, universal desire for love with another human being and ultimately Divine Love.  Both stories are woven into Rumi’s timeless message of love - the only path to enlightenment.

Sham’s 40 Rules which he spreads to the world are genuine gems and as you start on the 1^st step of your Rule journey, you cannot wait to arrive to read the next one! For me personally, Rule 40 unifies the author’s message:

‘A life without love is of no account.  Don’t ask yourself what kind of love you should seek, spiritual or material, divine or mundane, Eastern or Western…Divisions only lead to more divisions.  Love has no labels, no definitions.  It is what it is, pure and simple.  Love is the water of life. And a lover is a soul of fire 

The universe turns differently when fire loves water’.

Enjoy Temenos & Caritas and have continuous joyous encounters with our beloved authors and their labours of love. And please let us hear from you. Cell no. 073 215 2214 and e-mail address here

Until next time take care of yourselves!

Love

Fran

_____________________________________________________________________

A blessing from Tania, a frequent guest at Temenos.

May there always be a canopy of peace over this beloved space.

May there always be a Temore, to remind me of my inner light and a Well, to remind me of my dreamtime shadow.

May there always be doves to soften my heart and peacocks to lift my spirits.

May there always be Buddhas and angels, scrolls and offerings, to remind me I am a multidimensional being.

May there always be bees overhead, teaching me that work and play and creativity and contribution are all one energy.

May there always be books to stimulate my thinking and brooks to wash my thinking away.

May there always be trees, whispering their ancient secret and cosmos flaunting nature’s beauty and bounty.

May there always be chickens falling off their perches and ducks mating in the swimming pool, to remind me to laugh and laugh and laugh!

May there always be a stone on a bench, to teach me communication is simple.

And may

I forever

be reminded

that it is in the silence,

in the solitude,

in the beauty

and in the peace

that I will find my spirit.

And….

May there always be a Dawn, to hold all the threads together with gentle, quiet, loving efficiency.

May there always be a Michael, to awaken my tastebuds with loving reverence.

May there always be a Margaret, to step out silently in to the blustery morning and to hold me in loving generosity.

May there always be an Annemarie, to breathe me, stretch me and centre me.

May there always be a Rose, to anchor the love and creativity of this, her beloved home.

May there always be an Indivar, to show me that I can be naked and vulnerable, but feel totally safe.

May there always be a Lizelle, to nurture me and touch me and heal the little one who lacked mothering.

May there always be the quiet hands of gardeners, cooks, cleaners and helpers, who tend every corner in loving contribution.

And….

May there always be a Billy, to nurture my spirit, to expand my consciousness and to forever hold the vision, that is Temenos.

Thank you all!

e-mail from one of our visitors...

and here are a few comments from our Visitor's Book...

"Thank you for sharing this wonderful haven of peace with us. Our stay far too short but we hope to be back 'er long. Bless you all"

 Eleanor & Alison March 2009

"We were incredibly priveledged to walk around your glorious garden.  Thank you for affording us this special experience - we will cherish it for a long time"

 G & G  March 2009

"Thank you for letting us walk around the gardens - what a treat! Thank you for all the love enfused into this special place"

 March 2009

"I feel I can breathe again! My heart is full and open. I love your special space and place. The gardens are a balm for my soul as is the gentleness of all who live and work here. I look forward to being with you all again.
Go peacefully and lotsa luv"

 Kim  February 2009

"Thank you for the lovely space to breathe & relax. Totally enjoyed myself.

Thank you"

Karis February 2009

"You have made a wonderful peaceful haven, that I wish I could have stayed longer at. Thank you".
Jean Belshaw, Canada  February 2009

"Thank you very much for the lovely stay here. It was a great pleasure to discover Temenos and its quiet places. We will be back - definitely (and hope Picasso will share the bed with us again). Best wishes for you and Temenos"
Kirsten and Chris February 2009

"The best eggs I have had in S Africa! Seriously. Try the Benedict-ish! Maybe...add some spinach - it's good for the soul! Thank you!"

Sioshen XX December 2008

"To the Temenos team: Thank you for a stunning weekend! Was divine just to be! Will be back"
Michelle December 2008

"The most stunning setting to do a workshop. The attention to detail for our stay, food and accommodation was fantastic. A divine sanctuary!"

David P. UK November 2008

"Simply breathtaking! Thank you for sharing this wonderful paradise."  

Linda September 2008

"For the gift of this heavenly garden bless you and thank you."

Mariet Symons August 2008

"This has been a spiritual, uplifting, relaxing and fun experience - we will be back often to clear our minds and recharge our souls."

Liz and Nancy April 2008

"Thank you for introducing Temenos into our lives. We love the peaceful atmosphere and will recommend it to anyone who needs love within."

Jacek and Yasmine March 2008

"Wow! Amazing hier by julle - mens voel die feetjies rondsweef! God bless!."

Mike + Lettie, Gauteng  March 2008