Jill Segal's Newsletter

Winter 2011 - 2012

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Dear Friends,

I want to wish you all a very happy, healthy, joyful and peaceful Holiday Season and New Year. At this time of the year as the days become shorter and darker in the Northern Hemisphere it brings me joy to see the decorative Christmas and Hannukah lights.

This year I was in India at the time of their Festival of lights, called Diwali. I was invited  to celebrated with an Indian family and it was such an honour to share in their traditions as they lit their candles, chanted their prayers and ate their traditional sweets.

REFLECTIONS ON MY TRIP TO INDIA
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2011

I have recently returned from a month long journey (Pilgrimage) to India. The trip was organized and led by Norman Feldman, who leads Insight Meditation retreats and study classes in Buddhist texts world wide, and has been accompanying groups on pilgrimage to the most sacred sites of Buddhism for many years.

We were a small intimate group of 8 like minded souls and we visited and explored; Delhi; Varanasi, the ancient, sacred Hindu city ;  Agra, site of the Taj Mahal, as well as  the four places suggested by the Buddha as Pilgrimage Sites: his birthplace, Lumbini in Nepal; Bodh Gaya, where he attained his enlightenment; Sarnath, where he gave his first discourse; and Kushinagar, where he passed away,  as well as,  Nalanda, Rajgir, and Sravasti, where the Buddha spent considerable time and gave many important discourses.

At each of the sacred sites Norman gave teachings, led meditations and described the Buddha's life. As well, there was time for discussion and opportunity to meet with local people involved in wonderful humanitarian work and learn about the local culture.

This trip was a real adventure and learning experience, and since my return I have been reflecting on what this experience was for me both as an outer and inner journey.

Pilgrimage, for me meant leaving the safety and comfort of home and the familiar, stepping into the unknown and being open to whatever arose.

In my classes I have often used the following quote when teaching about the creative process. My trip to India really helped me to embody the meaning of this.

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you’ll discover will be wonderful. What you’ll discover is yourself.”
~ Alan Alda

Going to India from North America is a real culture shock. Friends had told me about it but I was not really prepared for the mass of humanity all around, the extreme poverty, the dirt, squalor, dust, pollution, unpleasant odours, tenacious, heart wrenching beggars, constant noise, chaotic traffic and road system, and the continual contrasts of pleasure and aversion. E.g. The beautiful women in their exquisite colourful saris amidst so much dirt and squalor.

The constant noise at pilgrimage sites, created by loudspeakers blaring, ardent pilgrims and monks chanting, stray, mangy dogs barking, cars honking, and then suddenly the beautiful singing of the birds in the Bodhi trees.

The opulence and splendor of the Buddhist temples, surrounded by dirty, run down dusty dwellings.

The  bright colours of the fabrics, crafts, fruit and vegetable markets, prayer flags, against the drabness created by poverty, pollution and dust.

I felt like Siddartha Guatama (The Buddha) who left his palace and went into the world, seeing for the first time, suffering, poverty, dirt, squalor, aging, sickness and death. (There were many times when I wanted to go rushing back to the “Palace").

The pilgrimage sites, and India itself, aroused my emotions in many ways, and provided an opportunity to explore myself, my beliefs, and my relationship to life, enabling me to come to some liberating insights. Above all, it really made me feel extreme gratitude and appreciation for my privileged life in Canada and all that this country and life has to offer me.

I learnt about the resiliency of the human spirit, and the ability and drive to survive even in really bad conditions.

In my dealing with the beggars, I learnt how difficult it was for me to see them and to say no to them firmly and compassionately, so that they would leave me alone. They could sense that my 'no' was ambivalent, wavering and not assertive and they would come after me with great tenacity. This was extremely energy draining. It made me look at my own life and question “Who or what are the metaphorical beggars in my life that drain my energy. How do I protect myself and learn to say no with firmness and compassion).

Amongst all the poverty and hardship experienced, I had the privilege to meet amazing people whose purpose in life is to help others and contribute to the end of suffering. The wonderful, warm, compassionate, humble souls of Sister Mary, working to empower and educate the poorest women in the rural villages, and Dr Jain and Sister Sobha working so hard to help to educate the poorest of the village children.

Meeting these people deepened my desire to somehow give back, contribute and make a difference to the lives of others.

As I reflect on my trip I am aware of the many insights and life lessons that I learned both through the Buddhist teachings and the day to day experiences.

I learned:

The meaning of patience and surrender of control

Click Here to Read More & See More Photographs

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UPCOMING CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS

A) CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS WITH ACRYLIC AND COLLAGE (Intermediate / Advanced)

Date: March 22 - May 24 (8 classes: no classes on May 3 and May 10 )
Time: Thursdays 9:30am - 1:00pm
Fee: $280
Location: My Studio

In this course we will continue to explore creative expression, using acrylic (Fluid and heavy body) and collage. Teaching by demonstration, discussion, individual attention and critique. Alternate weeks may be an independent study session, following on from the previous week’s assignment. Students will also have the opportunity to work on their own projects if they want to. Creativity, fun, uniqueness and personal expression will be emphasized.

B) CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS WITH ACRYLIC AND COLLAGE (Intermediate / Advanced) Independent Studies

Date: June 14 & 21
Time: 9:30am - 3:30pm
Fee: $120
Location: My Studio (The garden is beautiful at that time of the year.)

This is a great opportunity to work on the subject of your choice in the medium of your choice, with like minded artists. You will be encouraged to think about yourself as an artist, and what you would like to express in a series, through your art. Individual guidance and direction will be given, and each person will be encouraged to express their own unique concepts and style of expression. Each class will include group discussion and sharing.

C) CREATIVE EXPLORATIONS WITH YOGA AND ART
(Weekend Workshop)

Date: Saturday June 19
Time: 9:30am - 4:00pm
Fee: $70 plus material fee of $15 if you don’t have your own supplies.
Location: My Studio (The garden is beautiful at that time of the year.)

In this workshop, you will be introduced to Gentle Kripalu Yoga, which facilitates relaxation, connection to your body and self compassion. It calms the mind and allows you to connect with your authentic Creative Self. From this “Centred Place” you will have the opportunity to explore your creativity, and reconnect with the joy of self expression, in a funfilled, non-judgemental environment, using acrylic paint, oil-pastels and watercolour crayons.

Wear comfy clothes, and bring your own lunch. Bring your own supplies if you have them or use the ones supplied.

SUMMER COURSES

HALIBURTON SCHOOL OF THE ARTS

Website: www.HaliburtonSchoolofTheArts.ca
To register: (705) 457-1680

A) COLLAGE AND ACRYLIC EXPLORATIONS
Date: July 4 - July 8, 2012

B) ACRYLIC, COLLAGE AND YOGA
Date: July 18 - 22, 2012.

Register early for all classes as class sizes are limited. A deposit of $25 is required with registration. Please contact me at jill@jillsegal.com if you are interested in any of these classes.

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INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES

Sowing Sweet Seeds
“Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious.” ~Bill Meyer

What creative seeds can you plant now and harvest in the New year?

I send you all my love and invite you to set an intention
to be more loving, gentle and kind to yourselves and
to others, as we move into the New Year, 2012.

Once again best wishes for a
wonderful holiday season and New Year.

Jill Segal

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Please contact me at Jill@jillsegal.com or 905-731-3834 if you are interested in any of these classes.