Emoyeni

My destination was Emoyeni, a Buddhist retreat nestled in the folds of the Magliesburg Nature Reserve foothills which is, according to one guest, "one of the best kept secrets in Gauteng". (Incidentally this guest inquired as to whether or not it was absolutely necessary that I write this review as he wants it to stay that way). Emoyeni, which means "Place of the Spirit", hosts various weekend getaways and guided retreats, this past weekend's theme being yoga, sound and silence.
The retreat in question was a laid-back, un-rushed and hosted by one Paul Whellock, a yoga, chi-gung and tai-chi teacher with a passion for acoustic musical instruments and the voice. Incidentally Paul also spent 6 months in private retreat at Emoyeni. The weekend's activities included early morning chi-gung exercises, meditation sessions (both silent and guided sound meditation), yoga and instructional sessions on over-tone chanting. Was it relaxing and invigorating to my mind and body? Oh yes. Yes it was. But I digress. Let me get back to the place that made all of this possible.

Emoyeni is owned by the Emoyeni Trust which functions as a non-profit and which acquired the property for the centre in 2000. There are a group of permanent residents who maintain the property and day to day maintenance of the lodge. This weekend was facilitated by Meryn Croft, Johann van Schalkwyk, Martin Randall and John Strydom who are all permanent residents.
The Emoyeni lodge and reception includes a reading lounge with a small library (with books on how to sit and do nothing amongst other things), a kitchen and dining area. Retreat costs cover your accommodation and include three veggie meals a day which are expertly prepared by the permanent residents. The food is simple and light and virtually everybody went back for seconds at every meal.
The out buildings are modest, yet very comfortable in there clean layout. Most of the rooms are single to facilitate the process of silent contemplation and there is space enough for 12 guests. If you feel the need to get a little be more down to earth there is camping space for tents and an outdoor shower if you don't mind voyeuristic monkeys.
The main activity room is where most of the discussions and more active activities take place and there is also a shaded, flat grass area for things like outdoor yoga or tai chi. The main hub of Emoyeni however is the Godwin Samararatne meditation hall. Named after one teachers that inspired the creation of Emoyeni, this serene carpeted thatch building is the perfect place for meditation and quite teachings. I assume it must be from all of the previous meditation sessions imbuing the place with zen but it just seemed much easier for me to sit and quietly still my mind in that rondavel than it has been anywhere else.
Other things that make Emoyeni different from the rest of the Magliesburg getaways are the observance of noble silence from 8pm to 8am, which basically means no unnecessary talking (and when you think about it most of it is unnecessary), and short morning work sessions including gardening, simple building and helping with food preparation. The work sessions were the most therapeutic activity for me and I have since been inspired to take up gardening outside my garden cottage.

Emoyeni caters for group and private retreats and endeavours to offer all of its facilities to anyone who is looking for some sole-searching or self reflection. Seriously, visit the web site, email or call, book a date, and make a commitment to send some time with yourself.

Emoyeni lodge contact details:
email: retreat@emoyeni.org.za
telephone:+27 (0)14 574 3662

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What Others Said

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Louise said
on 01 June 2009

Lovely article about a very special place - but where is the pic of the meditation rondavel and where is the sub-editor? Spelling - oh dear!!