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Zingdad's "Forest Meditations" are an out-door meditation experience available to visitors and residents of Knysna and The Garden Route area of South Africa.
Two meditations are offered each month. A “Forest Full Moon Meditation” which takes place at full moon and a “Bonfire Forest Meditation” which takes place at new moon.
Info about the “Forest Full Moon Meditation”? ______________________________________
Info about the “Forest Full Moon Meditation”? We all meet at about sundown at Zingdad’s home which is a small farm up in the Gouna forests near Knysna (directions below). As the sun begins to set we gather as a group in a safe, comfortable clearing surrounded by the beauty and grace of the forests. As the sun drops below the horizon we begin to release our own ego energy and find peace and serenity listening to the evening forest sounds. As it darkens Zingdad leads the guided meditation. Each journey is unique but invariably takes you to a safe place within yourself where you can meet and interact with your Guides and Angels. Such journeys allow for new awakenings, realisations and spiritual growth. All of which will ultimately lead to a more healthy, balanced and joyful life generally.
There is something magical and special about the forest at full moon. It’s full of bird, animal and insect noises and the fireflies seem to put on an extra effort. At this time the life-energy of the forest is at a high ebb and this is palpable to anyone that is prepared to sit still long enough to feel it. It is an energy that you can tap into and become a part of. You can use it to energise your own being, to heal and balance yourself. It is a good time for powerful inner-work. And, quite simply, the full moon when observed from within the tranquil forest setting is a thing of special beauty and splendour!
After the meditation you are invited to join Zingdad up at his house for a cup of tea and a short discussion about your experiences during the meditation. ______________________________________
Info about the “Bonfire Forest Meditation”? It must be stressed, first of all, that the fire is lit in the safest possible way. It is in a large clearing and in a well prepared “fire-pit”.
On the eve of the new-moon we gather around the fire-pit in a large clearing on Zingdad's farm in the Gouna forests. As the sun sets, the fire is lit and we fall into a peaceful silence as we watch the stars come out in all their glory. The profound darkness of the moonless night in the forest setting is offset by the stars and the cloud-like glow of the milky way. It is a time of peace and stillness… of quite contemplation. As the darkness deepens, Zingdad leads a guided mediation journey though our own psyches towards greater understanding of the Self. New choices are powerfully chosen which leads to a more harmonious and joyful life.
New moon is the time of ending the old and beginning the new. It is a wonderful time to engage in inner-transformation and to choose new paths and directions. The forest at new moon seems to have an extra depth of peace and serenity. It has a willingness to accept and cleanse any energy we might wish to release to it. This is a very good time and place for letting go of that which no longer serves us.
After the meditation you are invited to join Zingdad up at his house for a cup of tea and a short discussion about your experiences during the meditation. ______________________________________
As can be expected, the timing of these events is dependant on the phases of the moon. Below is a list of the dates upon which the forest meditations will take place for the next few months. The “time” column indicates sunset. You should ideally aim to arrive a little before sunset so that you can enjoy the view and settle in. As the twilight deepens to dusk the meditation starts and so people arriving more than 30 minutes after sunset will not be permitted to join as they will disturb the meditation and the gate will be locked.
The meditation itself is about 30 to 45 minutes in duration.
Most people like to stay afterwards for a cup of tea and a short discussion. But in terms of you planning, you can probably plan to be leaving for your return trip roughly 2 hours after sunset.
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What to bring to a forest meditation? If you wish to sit then you will need to bring something to sit on: a camp chair, a cushion or similar. If you wish to lie down then you will need to bring a blanket, a ground sheet, a yoga mat or similar. And probably a pillow for your head.
You should wear something comfortable and warm. A loose fitting tracksuit is a good start but also bring another very warm jacket along. Meditating outdoors always causes the body to cool down a lot more than you would expect. A warm hat or beanie is not a bad idea. A blanket to cover up with is a good idea too. Some people like to bring a sleeping bag which is an even better idea. Bottom line – even after a hot day – make sure you are going to be warm enough.
A torch is useful (but not essential) for finding your way after the meditation is over.
Some people like to bring and use an insect repellent. This is not essential as there are few mosquitoes and the like here. But this is up to you.
Some also like to have a bottle of water to sip on. Again, this is a matter of choice.
A pen and paper is often a very good idea. Many people return from the meditation with profound insights and realisations. If you don’t “capture” it immediately it can get lost. A bit like waking from a dream that later in the day is like mist though your fingertips that you just can’t grasp. ______________________________________
Where is it and how can I get there? The forest meditations take place at Anandalay, Zingdad’s farm in Gouna, outside of Knysna, South Africa.
Below are GPS coordinates, directions and instructions for those that might not wish to drive the dirt road at night.
GPS co-ordinates: 33°57'43.21"S , 23° 2'24.23"E
Directions: From the N2 (Main Road) through Knysna, heading out of town towards Sedgefield. Just as you leave town and the lagoon appears on your left, you will come to a traffic-light intersection with a road marked “Ou Kaapse Weg, Simola, Eastford”. Take this road, turning off to your right. Follow the road for about 8 or 10 kilometres all the way up past the Simola Golf Estate entrance to where the tar road comes to an end and becomes a dirt road. At this point there is a turn-off to the left signposted “Gouna”. Take this road to Gouna. Follow the road into the forest all the way down to the little bridge over the river, up again around the scenic gorge view. After 5km on the Gouna Road you will come to the first of the Gouna farmsteads which, you will see, is signposted as “Keurkloof”. Continue on the Gouna Road past this and a few other farms until you get to the historic San Ambrosio Church on your left. Here there is an intersection. The branch to the right takes you into the state forest. The road to the left is the one you are going to take, past San Ambrosio into the rest of Gouna. Continue on to a large wooden gate signposted “Gounaland Nature Conservancy”. Drive straight in and continue straight on. You will drive through my neighbours farm and drive right past his house on the left and his helicopter on the right. This might seem strange but it is quite normal for farm-road setups. As you drive past my neighbours house, the entrance to my farm, Anandalay, is straight ahead and signposted as such. Just drive in and park on the grassy area below my house near where we will be gathering for the evening’s meditation.
What if you don't wish to drive the dirt road? ______________________________________
What if the weather doesn’t play along? This is an “outdoor” experience and as a result it is somewhat weather dependant.
If it is overcast on the night of the full moon meditations we will simply light a bonfire and continue as normal.
If it is cold we will probably continue – it is up to you to dress warmly enough or to decide if it is too cold for you. If it is really cold we might be forced to move the meditation inside my house, as we do during the coldest winter months.
In the event of light rain we will move the meditation to the very large veranda of my house. Harder rain will occasion a move indoors.
When possible the meditation will continue but we reserve the right to cancel. If you have booked your place you will be contacted as soon as the decision is made to cancel the event. ______________________________________
The cost for joining the meditation is R200 per person.
If you need a lift from the Simola entrance this must be discussed with Zingdad when you book and the cost for that is an extra R50. ______________________________________
Can I bring…? If you have friends and family members that you would like to bring along to share the experience with then, by all means, please book a place for them and bring them along!
Please do NOT bring people with you that will not be partaking in the meditation. The meditation does not make for a good spectator sport and bored friends do not add a great energy to the proceedings.
Specifically, please do NOT bring anyone too young to engage. Children who will disrupt the event for others are not invited. Pets, for a very similar reason, are also not invited. ______________________________________
Booking is absolutely essential as there is a limited number of places and the event is somewhat weather dependant.
You may book either by contacting Zingdad via the contact form (and he'll get back to you via email) or by calling him on (South African Mobile Phone Number) 082 334 6482 ______________________________________
If there is anything else you would like to know that has not been addressed above please don't hesitate to contact Zingdad directly and ask!
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