Quinta das Águias

Calming and awakening the mind

2011-10-08T16:56:00.001+01:00

Meditation retreat according to the Buddha´s path
With Paulo Borges
Quinta das Águias - October 21-23

Program

October 21 – Friday

17.00 – 19.00 - Arrival and check-in
19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner
21.00 – 22.00 – What is a retreat according to the path of the Buddha?

October 22 – Saturday
07.30 – 09.00 – Why and how to meditate? The 4 noble Truth´s and the eightfold noble path
09.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast
10.00 – 13.00 (with pause) – Sitting and walking meditation sessions with theory and practice. Shamatha – developing mindfullness on feelings, breathing and the flow of emotioins/thoughts and external phenomena.
13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch
15.00 - 19.00 (com intervalo) – Sitting and walking meditation sessions with theory and practice. Introduction to Vipassana – A profound vision of the nature of the mind and external and internal perceptions.
19.30 – 20.30 – dinner
21.00 – 22.00 – Meditation session shamatha-vipassana

October 23 – Sunday
07.30 – 09.00 – Meditation session shamatha-vipassana
09.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast
10.00 - 13.00 (with pause) – A triple confidence and engagement. The practice of exchange: alchemy of emotions and opening the heart towards all beings.
13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch
15.00 - 17.00 – The five mindfulness trainings: living in a world for the wellbeing of all. Meditation with mantras.

The retreat is part of the activities of the Order of Interbeing and proposes an open practice of the Buddha´s path, inspired by Teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, that can be followed by non-believers and followers of different religions.

Paulo Borges

The retreat is facilitated by Paulo Borges, practitioner since 1983 and responsible, since 1999, for seminars, trainings and retreats on Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. Translator of Buddhist books and translator of Buddhist teachers. Author, amongst others, of O Budismo e a Natureza da Mente (com Matthieu Ricard e Carlos João Correia), O Buda e o Budismo no Ocidente e na Cultura Portuguesa (com Duarte Braga) e Descobrir Buda. Professor in Philosophy at the University of Lisbon and President of the União Budista Portuguesa. For more information on Paulo Ctrl. + click here.

Quinta das Águias

A peaceful retreat centre in the middle of nature in the countryside near Paredes de Coura in the North of Portugal, with woodland, meadows and garden. This 6ha large old farm comprises and restored antique stone-house that is now in use as guesthouse and a practice hall. The Quinta has a much appreciated vegetarian kitchen.

Options for lodging:

- In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge 16 guests in bedrooms for 2, 4 e 6 people.

- Contacts for other lodging facilities outside the centre are available on request.

After enrolment the participants receive by e-mail with a route description to Quinta das Águias

The guests are requested for the duration of their stay:

- Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals are vegetarian.

- Not to smoke, drink alcohol or bring other intoxicants to Quinta das Águias.

- To respect the precepts of Quinta das Águias that they receive after enrolment.

Costs and enrolment:

- Cost of the retreat (including lodging in the guesthouse and fullboard): € 145

- Guests lodging outside the centre (exclusive lodging, inclusive all meals): €120

For enrolment and payment contact: quintadasaguias@gmail.com

The following applies for organizational reasons:
- In order to participate prior enrolment is required
- Reservations are effective only after payment
- Payments will not be reimbursed

We appreciate your understanding

For every participant an amount of 10 € will be donated to Associação Animais de Rua, with the intention to benefit all sentient beings.

For more information:

Blog: www.quintadasaguias.blogspot.com

e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Tel: Ivone Ingen Housz (+351)91 430 44 13

Keeping a valuable tradition alive

2011-08-31T18:04:00.001+01:00

Recently Ivone, who is responsible for the bakery at Quinta das Águias, got from our friend Isabel the original recipe for Broa, traditional Portuguese bread made with corn flower, sometimes mixed with rye or wheat. The recipe was passed to Isabel by her grandmother who had kept this tradition alive.

When the right (organic, whole) flours are used the Broa is not only a very tasty but also nutritious and healthy. Last night Ivone took the recipe and made the Broa. She used a mix of corn-, rye- and spelt flour.

The result you see here:

We, who had the fortune to taste the bread can assure you: it was a great interpretation of this traditional recipe with as result one of the best Broas we ever tasted. In combination with Joep´s veggie pâté (see Joeps Veggie Pâté), a real gastronomic treat. That this tradition may live long!

Satish Kumar, Monday September 5, talk on Sustainability, Porto

2011-08-23T15:42:00.000+01:00

Satish Kumar at Quinta das Águias; September 3 – 4 Soil, Soul and Society

2011-08-22T16:10:00.001+01:00

We are very happy to announce you that Satish Kumar will be for a workshop at Quinta das Águias Saturday September 3 and Sunday September 4. Satish Kumar is a world authority regarding sustainable living and a leading representative of the green movement.

The crisis that is presently engulfing the world, is forcing us into a simpler lifestyle. Either we suffer from it or we enjoy it as an opportunity for a more happy and balanced life. Satish Kumar teaches us how a life of, what he calls “ Elegant Simplicity” is a blessing for ourselves, for others and for our planet Earth. With Satish Kumar we can learn how to turn the present crisis into an opportunity for happiness.

Program:

Saturday, September 3

18.00 arrival at Quinta das Águias
19.00 Vegetarian Dinner
20.00 Evening talk

Sunday, September 4

8.30 Breakfast
9.30 Morning talk
11.00 Questions and Answers
12.30 Vegetarian lunch
13.30 Free time
15.00 Afternoon talk
16.30 Questions and Answers
17.30 Departure from Quinta das Águias

- Satish Kumar speaks in English, translation into Portuguese is available

- Only a limited number of places available!

Costs:

- Lodging in the guesthouse of Quinta das Águias, including 3 meals and workshop participation fee: € 75 per person

- Camping at Quinta das Águias, including 3 meals and workshop participation fee: € 65 per person

- Lodging outside Quinta das Águias, including 3 meals and workshop participation fee: € 62,50 per person

Reservation:

Reservations are accepted in the order of reception, when done as follows:
- Transfer of the participation fee to the following bank account: Bank Montepio Geral,

        NIB 0036.0125.99100015556.83- Ivone and Joep Ingen Housz
- Send an e-mail with your name, address and details of the transfer to
    quintadasaguias@gmail.com
-     We will send a confirmation of your reservation by e-mail, a route description
      and other information important for your participation.
N.B. For organizational reasons, reservation payments are not refundable.

Satish Kumar:

Satish Kumar is the editor of Resurgence magazine he has been in the editor’s chair since 1973. Under his editorship Resurgence has become, according to the Guardian newspaper, “The spiritual and artistic flagship of the green movement”.

When he was only nine years old, Satish Kumar renounced the world and joined the wandering brotherhood of Jain monks. Dissuaded from his path by an inner voice at the age of eighteen, he left the monastic order and became a campaigner for land reform, working to turn Gandhi’s vision of a peaceful world into reality.

Fired by the example of Bertrand Russell, he undertook an 8,000 mile peace pilgrimage, walking from India to America without any money, through deserts, mountains, storms and snow. It was an adventure during which he was thrown into jail in France, faced a loaded gun in America – and delivered packets of ‘peace tea’ to the leaders of the four nuclear powers.

In 1973, he settled in England. He is the guiding spirit behind a number of ecological, spiritual and educational ventures in Britain. He founded the Small School in Hartland, a pioneering secondary school, which brings into its curriculum ecological and spiritual values. In 1991, Schumacher College, a residential international centre for the study of ecological and spiritual values, was founded, of which he is now a Visiting Fellow.

Following Indian tradition, in his fiftieth year, he undertook another pilgrimage: again carrying no money, he walked 2,000 miles to the holy places of Britain – Glastonbury, Canterbury, Lindisfarne and Iona. Meeting old friends and making new ones along the way, this pilgrimage was a celebration of his love of life and nature.

In July 2000, Satish Kumar was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education from the University of Plymouth. In July 2001 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Literature from the University of Lancaster. In July 2009 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Law from Exeter University.

In November 2001, Satish Kumar was presented with the Jamnalal Bajaj International Award for Promoting Gandhian Values Abroad.

His autobiography, No Destination, has sold 50,000 copies and is published by Green Books. Satish’s three other books, You Are, Therefore I Am – A Declaration of Dependence, The Buddha and the Terrorist, Spiritual Compass and his new book Earth Pilgrim are published by Green Books.

In 2008, Satish Kumar presented a 50-minute documentary for the BBC as part of the Natural World series. In the programme Satish introduced the Dartmoor scenes and sights that most inspire him and contemplated the lessons they hold for humanity. A highly acclaimed documentary that mixed eastern philosophy with the western landscape of Dartmoor; the programme was watched by over 3.6 million people.

From March to May 2008 Satish was invited as Des Lee visiting Professor of Global Awareness at Webster University, St Louis, Missouri. Satish teaches lectures and runs workshops internationally on reverential ecology, holistic education and voluntary simplicity.

Quinta das Águias

Options for lodging:

- In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge 16 guests in bedrooms for 2, 4 e 6 people.

- Camping at the Quinta

- Contacts for other lodging facilities outside the centre are available on request.

The guests are requested for the duration of their stay:

- Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals are vegetarian.

- Not to smoke, drink alcohol or bring other intoxicants to Quinta das Águias.

- To respect the precepts of Quinta das Águias that they receive after enrolment.

For more information:

e-mail: quintadasaguias@gmail.com
tel. 914304413 (Ivone Ingen Housz)/914303200 (Joep Ingen Housz)

Upcoming Events at Quinta das Águias

2011-06-03T11:44:00.000+01:00

June 10 - 12 Yoga retreat ´Ashtanga Vinyasa` with Tomas Zorzo. For more information and reservations: click on Dharmabindu

June 23 - 26 Retreat on Yoga Sutras from Vedas and Vedanta with Gloria Arieira. For more information and reservations: click on Dharmabindu

July 1 - 3 Simples Mente

For more information and reservations: 93 9940591, 91 7990358

www.projetosimplesmente.blogspot.com

projetosimplesmente@gmail.com

July 16 closed retreat

July 22 - 24 Sónia Rodrigues: Koot Balam Retreat according to authentic Maya Tradition.
For more information and reservation click here: Maya Nimaja

July 30 - August 6 Wild Flower Zen Summer Retreat with Amy Hollowell Sensei. For more information and reservations: e-mail to: wildflower.pt@gmail.com.

CALMING AND AWAKENING THE MIND Buddhist meditation retreat with Paulo Borges

2011-03-09T11:20:00.000Z

Quinta das Águias - April 1-3

An agitated mind is source of continuous dissatisfaction and, obscured by concepts and conflicting emotions, cannot see clearly the profound reality of itself, all living beings and everything that we encounter. According to Buddha, meditation renders the mind serene and gives rise to physical and psychological wellbeing. It allows a profound experience of the nature of the mind, the Buddha nature that is present in all of us. The objective of the retreat is to encounter the experience of a calm and clear mind, that can be mainained in daily life to benefit all beings.

Program

Friday, April 1

18.00 – 19.00 – Arrival at Quinta das Águias and accommodation

19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner

21.00 – 22.00 – Introduction and objectives of the retreat: hy and how to meditate

Saturday, April 2

07.30 – 09.00 –Meditation

09.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast

10.00 – 13.00 (with interval) – Shamatha – Mindfulness with the stream of mental phenomena and external phenomena. Meditation with and without support.

13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch

15.00 – 19.00 (with interval) – Review of shamatha. and introduction to vipassana –

Understanding the profound nature of internal and external phenomena.

19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner

21.00 – 22.00 – Meditation session shamatha-vipassana

Sunday, April 3

07.30 – 08.30 – Meditation

08.30– 09.30 – Breakfast

09.30 – 13.00 (with break) – The four boundless meditation: love, compassion, joy and imparciality. How to integrate positive nad negative experiences on the path of awakening. Exchange/Tonglen transforming emotions benefitting all beings.

13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch

15.00 – 17.00 – Introduction to meditation with visualization and mantras.

17.00 - Departure from Quinta das Águias

Paulo Borges

The retreat will be facilitated by Paulo Borges, Buddhist practitioner since 1983 and since 1999 conducting seminars and monthly trainings on theory and practice of Buddhism and Buddhist meditation. Translator of Buddhist books and translator/interpretor for Buddhist Teachers including H.H. Dalai Lama. Author of, amongst others, " Budismo e a Natureza da Mente" (with Matthieu Ricard and Carlos João Correia) and " O Buda e o Budismo no Ocidente e na Cultura Portuguesa" (with Duarte Braga). Professor in Philosophy at the University of Lisbon and President of the União Budista Portuguesa. For more about Paulo Borges click here.

Quinta das Águias

Options for lodging:

- In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge 16 guests in bedrooms for 2, 4 e 6 people.

- Contacts for other lodging facilities outside the centre are available on request.

After enrolment the participants receive by e-mail with a route description to Quinta das Águias

The guests are requested for the duration of their stay:

- Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals are vegetarian.

- Not to smoke, drink alcohol or bring other intoxicants to Quinta das Águias.

- To respect the precepts of Quinta das Águias that they receive after enrolment.

Costs and enrolment:

- Cost of the retreat (including lodging in the guesthouse and fullboard): € 145

- Guests lodging outside the centre (exclusive lodging, inclusive all meals): €120

For enrolment and payment contact: quintadasaguias@gmail.com

The following applies for organizational reasons:
- In order to participate prior enrolment is required
- Reservations are effective only after payment
- Payments will not be reimbursed

We appreciate your understanding

For every participant an amount of 10 € will be donated to Associação Animais de Rua, with the intention to benefit all sentient beings.

For more information:

Blog: www.quintadasaguias.blogspot.com

e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Tel: Ivone Ingen Housz (+351)91 430 44 13

Retreat wit Ana Taboada and João Mateus; May 20, 21 and 22

2011-03-07T11:34:00.000Z

Retreat in the Nature of Quinta das Àguias

Vinyasa Yoga
Tog Chod - The sword of Wisdom
Lu Jong
Meditation and contemplation
Tai-Yoga massage and Yoga in pairs
Dance of the 5 elements and other surprises!

Enrollment and Information: ana@anataboada.com

Journey for Self Discovery, July 1,2 and 3

2011-03-03T16:31:00.001Z

Journey for Self Discovery

Dance, Breathing and Meditation

2011, July 1, 2 and 3

These 3 unique days offer the opportunity to go deep inside yourself. A real journey of self discovery. Through different techniques like dancing, breathing, meditation and group dynamics one can experience different states that permit to discover ones own potential and so transforming to become a more fullfilled, complete and clear being. Join us in this journey.

GRANT YOURSELF THIS OPPORTUNITY!

The Facilitator

Rui Bizarro

Was influenced by his teachers and facilitators who helped him to progress in his proces of self knowledge and transformation, during his years of learning in Portugal and other cultures like in the Amazonian jungle of Brasil, Peru, USA and India,

His intention is to share his own lifetime experience with others and being able to contribute for the realization of the human being.

The Place

Quinta das Águias

Rubiães - Paredes de Coura – Portugal

GPS 41°53'41" N / 8°36'53" W

http://quintadasaguias.blogspot.com/

Prices

In order to secure your participation it is necessary to enroll by paying 30% of the price of the workshop.

The are 3 phases:

Phase 1 – until April 15 – 135€

Phase 2 – until June 15 – 150€

Phase 3 – until June 30 – 165€

Information and Contacs

93 9940591

91 7990358

www.projetosimplesmente.blogspot.com

projetosimplesmente@gmail.com

WORKSHOP VEGETARIAN COOKING

2010-11-07T19:13:00.036Z

Quinta das Águias – December 3 - 5, 2010

In response to the many requests from guests of Quinta das Águias, Ivone and Joep will share their experience in a workshop vegetarian cooking. The workshop is practice oriented so that participants, when they go back home, will be able to prepare tasty, well balanced and healthy vegetarian meals without extraordinary effort.

Vegetarian cooking is an act of love and compassion:

· It ends intense unnecessary suffering of countless animals

· It improves health of body and mind of those who eat

· It helps our life system, the precious planet Earth to survive

· More food will be available for those who are starving today

In spite of the great benefits, changing for a vegetarian lifestyle is a big step that many find difficult to take. If one knows how to make the change it becomes easy to enjoy the benefits.

The right support can make all the difference. Therefore Ivone and Joep decided to share what they have learned in their years of vegetarian practice and study, in order to offer support to those who want it.

This workshop focuses mainly on the practice of preparing vegetarian meals with recipes that can serve as a basis to create one’s own variations. In the workshop attention will also be given to other important issues that one will encounter when taking the step to become vegetarian. There will be sufficient room for answering questions and exchange experience.

Program:

· What is left to to eat once the meat is gone from your plate?

· The different ingredients of a vegetarian diet and their properties: fruits,
vegetables, legumes, cereals, nuts, dried fruits and seeds, herbs and spices.

· How to compose balanced meals that gives the body all it needs

· The importance of organic food

· The practice of preparing vegetarian meals – executing the recipes

o making bread, breakfast, soymilk, rice milk etc.

o veggie pâtés

o The power of fruit and vegetable juices and smoothies

o Soups, salads and other starters

o Main dishes: curries, pies, sautéed dishes, veggie lasagna, tofu and seitan
dishes, veggie burgers etc.

o Deserts

o Healing with herbal tea

· Why being a vegetarian?

· Altering eating habits, a process of change

· How to deal with non-vegetarian family and friends

· Eating out and at work

At Quinta das Águias we observe the following principles for meals:

1. Easy to prepare

2. Healthy for body and mind

3. Not harming other beings or the environment

4. A joy to eat

The workshop starts Friday December 3 at 16.00 hrs and will end Sunday December 5 at 16.30.

The number of participants is limited to 10!

The fee for the workshop is € 150. The fee includes also two nights lodging, use of the facilities at Quinta das Águias, and all the meals.

Quinta das Águias is a 6 HA retreat centre in the middle of nature near Paredes de Coura in northern Portugal. The old stone farmhouse is now guesthouse lodging up to 16 guests in bedrooms for 6, 4 and 2, bathrooms, a dining room and kitchenette. There is a practice hall for meditation, yoga, teachings and other activities.

For more information and reservations:

e-mail quintadasaguias@gmail.com
Tel: Ivone Ingen Housz (+351)91 430 44 13

Buddhist meditation - controlling conflicting emotions

2010-11-07T18:21:00.007Z

Retreat with Paulo Borges

Quinta das Àguias - December 10-12

In search for happiness we are confronted with obstacles that are the result of our conflicting emotions like anger, desire, jealousy and pride. The Buddhist tradition offers us effective means to recognize the nature of our emotions, to reduce and eventually eliminate their destructive influence. During this retreat Paulo Borges will teach the theory and guide the meditation practices that help to liberate the mind from imprisonment of our emotions.

Program

Friday, December 10

17.00 – 19.00 – Arrival at Quinta das Águias and accommodation

19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner

21.00 – 22.00 – Introduction and objectives of the retreat: How to manage conflicting emotions

Saturday, December 11

07.30 – 08.30 –Meditation

08.30 – 09.30 – Breakfast

09.30 – 13.00 (with interval) – The 6 conflicting emotions: attachment, pride, jealousy, greed and stinginess, anger and hatred, metal indifference. How to transform them using the method of antidotes: the four limitless meditations: loving kindness, compassion, joy and impartiality.

Sessions of theory and of sitting and walking meditation practice. Shamata –settling the mind with awareness of physical sensations, the breathing and of the flux of emotions and thoughts.

13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch

15.00 – 19.00 (with interval) –Sessions of theory and practicing sitting and walking meditation. Vipassana – The self liberation of conflicting emotions.

.19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner

21.00 – 22.00 – Meditation

Sunday, December 12

07.30 – 08.30 – Meditation

08.30– 09.30 – Breakfast

09.30 – 13.00 (with break) – Review of the two methods for controlling emotions. Exchange/Tonglen

13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch

15.00 – 17.00 – Introduction to meditation with visualization and mantras.

17.00 - Departure from Quinta das Águias

Paulo Borges

Quinta das Águias

Options for lodging:

- In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge 16 guests in bedrooms for 2, 4 e 6 people.

- Contacts for other lodging facilities outside the centre are available on request.

After enrolment the participants receive by e-mail with a route description to Quinta das Águias

The guests are requested for the duration of their stay:

- Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals are vegetarian.

- Not to smoke, drink alcohol or bring other intoxicants to Quinta das Águias.

- To respect the precepts of Quinta das Águias that they receive after enrolment.

Costs and enrolment:

- Cost of the retreat (including lodging in the guesthouse and fullboard): € 140

- Guests lodging outside the centre (exclusive lodging, inclusive all meals: €115

For enrolment and payment contact: quintadasaguias@gmail.com

The following applies for organizational reasons:
- In order to participate prior enrolment is required
- Reservations are effective only after payment
- Payments will not be reimbursed

We appreciate your understanding

For every participant an amount of 10 € will be donated to Associação Animais de Rua, with the intention to benefit all sentient beings.

For more information:

Blog: www.quintadasaguias.blogspot.com

e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Tel: Ivone Ingen Housz (+351)91 430 44 13

Discovering BUDDHA

2010-08-30T10:27:00.015+01:00

Introduction to Buddhism and Buddhist meditation

retreat with Paulo Borges

Quinta das Àguias - September 10-12

In search for profound happiness and meaning of life, many have found the Buddhist philosophy and practice as their path. An increasing number of people show interest to know what Buddhism and Buddhist meditation can mean for them. Therefore we areb happy to announce this retreat with Paulo Borges for them who want to know more about the Buddhist path. The combination of teachings and practice may also be of interest for them who are already on the Buddhist path.

Program

Friday, September 10

17.00 – 19.00 – Arrival and accomodation

19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner

21.00 – 22.00 – Introduction and objectives of the retreat: the four noble truths and the Buddha in us

Saturday, September 11

07.30 – 09.00 – Introduction to Buddhist meditation

09.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast

10.00 – 13.00 (with interval) - Shamatha –mindfulness to body, to breath, to emotions and thoughts and to external phenomena.

13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch

15.00 – 19.00 (with interval) – Review of shamatha. Introduction to vipassana –

Understanding the true nature of internal and external phenomena.

19.30 – 20.30 – Dinner

21.00 – 22.00 – Meditation

Dia 12 – Domingo

07.30 – 09.00 – Meditation shamatha-vipassana

09.00 – 10.00 – Breakfast

10.00 – 13.00 (with break) – Four boundless meditations: loving kindness, compassion, joy and impartiallity. How to integrate pleasant and unpleasant experiences on the path

of liberation. Exchange/Tonglen: transformation of emotions for the benefit of all beings.

13.30 – 14.30 – Lunch

15.00 – 17.00 – Introduction to meditaion with visualization and mantras. Discovering Buda.

17.00 Regresso da Quinta das Águias

Paulo Borges

Quinta das Águias

A peaceful retreat centre in the middle of nature in the countryside near Paredes de Coura in the North of Portugal, with woodland, meadows and garden. This 6ha large old farm comprises and restored antique stonehouse that is now in use as guesthouse and a practrice hall.The Quinta has a much appreciated vegetarian kitchen.

Options for lodging:

- In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge 16 guests in bedrooms for 2, 4 e 6 people.

- Camping at the farm with use of the facilities of the guesthouse.

- Contacts for other lodging facilities outside the centre are available on request.

After enrollment the participants receive by e-mail with a route description to Quinta das Águias

The guests are requested for the duration of their stay:

- Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals are vegetarian.

- Not to smoke, drink alcohol or bring other intoxicants to Quinta das Àguias.

- To respect the precepts of Quinta das Àguias that they receive after enrollment.

Costs and enrollment:

- Cost of the retreat (including lodging in the guesthouse and fullboard): € 140

- For camping (including use of the facilities of the guesthouse and fullboard): € 120

- Guests lodging outside the centre (exclusive lodging, inclusive all meals: €115

For enrollment and payment contact: quintadasaguias@gmail.com

The following applies for organizational reasons:
- In order to participate prior enrollment is required
- Reservations are effective only after payment
- Payments will not be re-imbursed

We appreciate your understanding

For every participant an amount of 10 € will be donated to Associação Animais de Rua, with the intention to benefit all sentient beings.

For more information:

Blog: www.quintadasaguias.blogspot.com

e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Tel: Ivone Ingen Housz (+351)91 430 44 13

Zen Master Jisu Sunim, July 9 - 11

2010-06-14T13:11:00.006+01:00

It is with great joy that we announce you the venue of Zen Master Jisu Sunim to Portugal to lead a Meditation retreat at Quinta das Águias from July 9 – 11.

Zen (known in Korea as Son) is a school of Mahayana Buddhism. Buddhism came from India to China where it is known under the name of Chán from where it spread to Vietnam, Korea and Japan. Zen is derived from the Sanskrit word Dhyana and means meditation.

According to Zen, meditation and Dharma practice are imperative to the realization of the enlightened mind. Realization through direct experience is far more important than study of the texts. The teachings from the Buddha have been transmitted in a direct line from realized teacher to disciple, in his turn becoming a realized teacher.. In Zen this direct transmission is crucial.

Meeting a authentic Zen Teacher is therefore a privilege of inestimable value, since his transmission, guidance and instructions can help us to become free from the sufferings of Samsara.

Jisu Sunim, born in South Korea, is a Zen Buddhist monk since 1978. He spent a great deal of his life as ordained monk in retreat. He has been teaching occasionally in various countries; UK, Germany, Slovenia, Russia and Portugal. His last visit to Portugal was in 1998. At present Jisu Sunim is resident monk in the Korean Temple, YounHwaSa (meaning Lotus Flower Temple) outside London, UK.

The retreat at Quinta das Águias is a unique opportunity to meet this authentic Zen Teacher and receive his teachings and guidance for meditation.

The teachings will be in English with a simultaneous translation in Português.

Jisu Sunim gave as title for this retreat:
Original Face

Falcon Fly

Trout splash

Arrival at Quinta das Águias Friday July 9th, 17.00 hrs
Departure Sunday July 11th 17.00 hrs

Quinta das Águias

A peaceful retreat centre in the middle of nature, situated in the rural area of Paredes de Coura, Northern Portugal, with woodlands and park. This 6ha. old farm comprises an antique stone building as guesthouse and a practice hall.

All retreat participants receive their vegetarian meals at Quinta das Águias.

Options for lodging:
- In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge up to 16 guests in rooms for 2, 4 and 6 people.
- Camping in the park with use of the guesthouse facilities
- Lodging addresses outside the Quinta are available upon request.

After enrollment participants will receive an e-mail with route description explaining how to reach Quinta das Águias.

Guests are requested during their stay:
• Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals that are vegetarian.
• Not to smoke or bring or use other intoxicants inside the Quinta.
• Respect the norms of the Quinta that they will receive after enrollment

Fee and Payment:
Cost of the retreat (inclusive lodging in guesthouse and meals): 80€
Camping guests (inclusive use of guesthouse facilities and meals): 60€
Guests lodging outside (inclusive use of guesthouse facilities and meals): 55€

Payment of the retreat should be done at the moment of reservation.

For reasons of organization the following applies:

- Reservations are only effective after payment.
- No reimbursement of the amounts paid.
We appreciate your understanding.

For further information and reservations:

e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

2010-04-07T16:50:00.011+01:00

June 25 - 27, Secret Mexican dances and Temazcal (purification ritual) according to the Maya tradition. Facilitators Zen Ordelt and Michaela Petersen from the Czech Republic. Organization Sónia Pereira.

For more information and enrollment: ahkin.maia@gmail.com / tel.93 436 10 11

July 2 - 4, Meditation retreat according to the Vedic tradition with Miguel Homem.

For more information and enrollment: Dharmabindu

July 9 - 12, Zen Meditation Retreat with Korean Zen Master Jisu Sunim.

For For more information and enrollment: Quinta das Aguias

July 24 - 30, Zen Meditation summer retreat with Amy Hollowell Sensei.

For more information and enrollment: e-mail wildflower.pt@gmail.com

July 30 - August 1, Dance of the Totem, shamanic retreat with Maria Margarida Barros.

For more information and enrollment: Margarida Barros

August 2 - 20, Intensive Yoga Training with Pedro Kupfer.

For more information and enrollment: Dharmabindu

Teaching on Love and Compassion and Meditation

2010-03-24T11:48:00.007Z

Geshe Tashi Tsering at Quinta das Águias

May 14 - 16, 2010

According to the Buddhist philosophy, developing an altruïstic mind is essential on the path to free ourselves from suffering and to attain the ultimate happiness of an enlightened mind. Normally the human mind is obscured by disturbing emotions, thoughts and feelings caused by our notion of a self, to which genuine love and compassion are the antidote. Since the notion of the self is universal the antidote is universal too, independent of ones beliefs or religion. Developing true love and compassion is the genuine aspiration that all beings are freed from their suffering and its causes and that they realize true happiness and its cause.

This weekend retreat is for Buddhists and non-Buddhists. During the retreat Geshe Tashi Tsering will teach on the nature of the mind, the importance of an altruistic mind and the way how to develop this. He will teach and guide the participants in the practice of meditation on love and compassion.

Geshe Tashi Tsering:

Is spiritual director of the Jamyang Centre for meditation and Tibetan Buddhism in the U.K. Born in Tibet, Geshe Tashi Tsering studied for his Geshe degree (the equivalent of a PhD) at Sera-mey Monastic University in South India, qualifying at the highest Lharampa level. He is well-known for his warmth, humor and practical approach to modern-day life. Geshe Tashi teaches in the U.K., USA, Switzerland, Austria and now also Portugal. He is author of several books on Buddhism. Geshe Tashi Tsering will be teaching in English. A Portuguese translation will be given.

Program:

Friday May 14th

17.00 hrs. arrival at Quinta das Águias

17.30 Introduction

19.00 Dinner

20.00 Evening session

Saturday May 15th

7.30 Meditation

8.30 Breakfast

9.30 Teaching

11.30 Tea break

12.00 Meditation

13.00 Lunch

14.30 Questions and answers

16.00 Tea break

16.30 Teaching

19.00 Dinner

20.00 Questions and answers

21.00 Meditation

Sunday May, 16th

7.30 Meditation

8.30 Breakfast

9.30 Teaching

11.30 Tea break

12.00 Meditation

13.00 Lunch

14.30 Questions and answers

15.30 Tea break

16.00 Meditation

17.00 Return from Quinta das Águias

Quinta das Águias

All retreat participants receive their meals at Quinta das Águias.

Options for lodging:

· In the guesthouse with a capacity to lodge up to 16 in rooms for 2, 4 and 6 people.

· Camping in the park with use of the guesthouse facilities

· Lodging addresses outside the Quinta are available upon request.

After enrollment participants will receive an e-mail with route description explaining how to reach Quinta das Águias.

Guests are requested during their stay:

· Not to bring animal products for consumption. All meals that are served are vegetarian.

· Not to smoke or bring or use other intoxicants inside the Quinta.

· Respect the norms of the Quinta that they will receive after enrollment

Fee and Payment:

Cost of the retreat (inclusive lodging in guesthouse and meals): 140€

Camping guests (inclusive use of guesthouse facilities and meals): 120€

Guests lodging outside (inclusive use of guesthouse facilities and meals): 115€

Payment of the retreat is as follows:

75 € at moment of enrollment, the rest before 7 days before the start of the retreat.

For reasons of organization the following applies:

- The enrolments are only effective after payment of the event on time.

- No exceptions to the amounts and dates of payment.

- No reimbursement of the amounts paid.

We appreciate your understanding.

For further information and enrollment:
e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Easter retreat, Yoga & Vedanta

2010-03-24T11:44:00.001Z

Joep´s veggie pâté

2009-04-20T12:29:00.005+01:00

As a vegetarian the question is what to put on your bread. One can put cheese which is of course excluded for vegans and too much cheese is boring and unhealthy for many. So a good alternative is Joep´s veggie pâté. Here follows a basic recipe on which many variations are possible, only limited by your imagination.

Ingredients:

500 gr. firm tofu
150 gr. sunflower seeds
150 gr. pumpkin seeds
1 medium onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 or 2 tablespoons of Tamari or Soy sauce
3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons of organic sunflower oil
Salt and ½ teaspoon of cayenne pepper
1 ½ tablespoon of ginger powder
2 teaspoons of curry powder

Preparation:

Rinse the tofu and cut in small dices.
Put in mixing bowl and mix with olive oil, sunflower oil, tamari, chopped onion, salt, cayenne pepper, ginger powder and curry.
Marinate for ½ - 1 hour.
In the meantime roast the seeds at medium heat constantly stirring until golden brown, and then set aside.
Stir-fry the marinated tofu in a non-stick skillet or wok at high temperature for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
Mix in the seeds and fry for 2 more minutes.
Let the preparation cool until it can be processed.
In the food processor pulse until it becomes a smooth pâté.
When the preparation is too dry add olive oil and sunflower oil in equal parts to smoothen the pâté
Put the pâté in glass containers and keep refrigerated.
Keeps well in the fridge for 5 á 6 days

Variations:

Above is the basic recipe which can serve as a basis for many variations.

· Adding stir-fried vegetables (carrots, broccolis, bell peppers, olives, etc.) maximum 1/3 of the volume of the tofu, to the food processor.

· Adding fresh herbs (parsley, mint, thyme, oregano, rosemary etc) when stir-frying the tofu.

· Adding fresh sprouts to the stir-fry for the last minute.

· Adding different spices (e.g. mix of cumin seeds, cardamom, coriander, black pepper, mustard seeds, fenugreek, dry roasted and ground into powder).

· If your imagination comes with other good results please share with us at quintadasaguias@gmail.com.

Saving Cinzy

2009-04-05T22:39:00.008+01:00

Today the life of our cat Cinzy was saved once more. It was our friend Manuel Barbosa who at risk of his own life saved her. Cinzy is one of the former stray cats living with us at Quinta das Águias. She has been with us for many years now. Her first rescue was long time ago in Porto when she recovered from a poisoning by mal intentioned people, although she has since that time a severe psychic trauma. Since that time she is extremely anxious, afraid of other beings.

Yesterday we found her sitting in an oak tree at ca 15 meter height, asking for help to get out. But we knew from a similar experience last year when she fled for another cat into a pine tree. When we tried to reach her with a ladder she climbed higher and higher. Finally we called the Bombeiros (fire brigade) for help. They managed to get her out of the tree using a huge ladder and cutting the branch on which Cinzy had fled.

Knowing that it would not be easy to rescue her we left her for the night hoping that she might find a way to get down to the food we put under the tree. This morning she had even climbed higher to a more comfortable place to sleep. We decided to call our friend Manuel who was as ever ready to help us. He proposed to climb in the tree trying to catch Cinzy, but we opposed knowing that she would climb even higher, out of reach. Since Manuel insisted we finally agreed that he would try. And indeed when he tried to approach her, Cinzy went even higher.

Manuel climbed after her on dazzling height with his feet on fragile small branches. We kept our breath afraid that he might slip or a branch would break. He finally managed to shake the branch where Cinzy had searched refuge. The cat fell all the way down turning in the air her body in position to land on her feet, exactly like she did last year when the pine branch was cut under her.

Thanks to the incredible courage of Manuel and his love for the animals, Cinzy can live the next of her seven lives.

With all our animals, never a dull moment at Quinta das Águias.

Organizing a retreat at Quinta das Águias

2009-03-26T13:04:00.008Z

An increasing number of people that want to organize a retreat discover the special dimension that Quinta das Águias has to offer to make their retreat a success. People generally join a retreat and invest their time and money because they are in search for something that improves their lives and contributes to their wellbeing and happiness. It is not only by learning something but more by experiencing a difference that such transformation can take place.

Most guests experience Quinta das Águias as being different. Almost everybody experiences upon arrival here the peace and harmonious tranquillity of the place and the arousal of their inner peace. The abundant nature and the energy of the place are to a large extent responsible for this experience.

A major difference is also experienced because the care for the Quinta and its guests is ruled by precious values and most of our visitors recognize this. The world changes when love and compassion, non-harming, caring for the wellbeing of people and non-human animals and respect for our precious world are leading values that are put into practice.

As a consequence of our values all food served and allowed is vegetarian. Also non-vegetarians enjoy here the meals that are prepared with love. Guests experience that the care given is intended for their wellbeing instead of a search for profit.

The guesthouse lodging 16 plus in summer the possibility for a modest number of campers, the practice hall and a 6ha natural area for outside activities are at the disposal of the facilitator and his / her group.

Retreats organized here include Buddhism, Hata yoga, Reiki, Laughter yoga, Juice fasting and detox, Meditation and mindfulness, Ayurveda, Vegetarian cooking and others. Retreats from different traditions are welcome provided they embace the principle of non-violence and respect for all creatures.

Looking for a special place to organize your retreat?

New bunnies at the Quinta

2009-03-25T21:20:00.008Z

Associação Animais de Rua recently asked us if we could give shelter to two snowwhite bunnies that where rescued by volunteers of their organization.

They are called Chan tilly and Miss Boo. Integrating new rabbits in an existing household is not easy. Males do not accept other males and existing females do not allow new competition in their midst. But fate was in favor of Chantilly and Miss Boo because our male Roger lost a while ago his companion Bunnie after a short illness. Being alone he was vary happy to share his home with these two good looking girls.

Miss Boo was found in a desparate condition at the beach of Madalena, in Vila Nova de Gaia. Chantilly appeared one day in a garden of a house in Vale de Cambra, threatened to be attacked by the cat of the property. Animais de Rua took care of their medical treatment and neutering to avoid more rabbits to be born in misery. Both girls are now in the early stage of a flourishing relationship with Roger and so helping him to overcome his grieve over Bunnie who died much to early.

At Quinta das Águias we give animals an oportunity to enjoy and live their full lives.
No premature end for them in a frying pan!

Quinta das Águias – Retreat Center

2009-01-24T18:50:00.016Z

The Place

Quinta das Águias is a Dharma and Retreat center, a non-profit institution, for individuals and for groups. For people that search for releave from the stress from our present day society Quinta das Águias offers a perfect setting for developing inner peace, mindfulness and lasting happiness. The place is situated in the middle of nature near Paredes de Coura, in Minho northern Portugal. Here the perfect harmony of nature is not disturbed by the stressfulness of contemporary life, facilitating healing and inner growth.

Objectives and Values

The purpose of Quinta das Águias is to contribute to the wellbeing of all beings, all living creatures including the wellbeing of Planet Earth itself, by promoting awareness about the impact of lifestyle on the wellbeing of oneself and others, and all that lives and by facilitating development of a mindful lifestyle. The following values are our guiding principles in everything we do:

Not harming other beings (people and animals) to the ends of our own comfort of pleasure, but instead,

Being compassionate, respecting that every single being wants to be happy, free from suffering.

Respecting all forms of life, knowing that all living creatures are interrelated enabling present and future life.

In service of others for the sake of their welbeing and happiness, at the same time a prerequisite for our own happiness.

The People

The place and the visitors are been taken care of by Ivone Ingen Housz, psychotherapist and Joep Ingen Housz, ex- business manager and actually vegetarian cook and advocate for healthy enjoyable food. A growing number of recurring guests form together with Ivone and Joep the Quinta das Águias family. Guests from all spiritual traditions are welcome to attend the events.

The Facilities

The guesthouse: a restored typical antique stone house lodges up to 16 guests with bedrooms of 7, 4, 3 and 2 places; a dining room, a kitchenette and 5 showers and WC’s.

Campsite: In summer a limited number of places are available for guests to put up their tents.

Practice-hall: An antique stone barn has been transformed into a 55 m² practice hall, ideal for practicing yoga, meditation, teachings etc.

Nature of the Quinta: consisting of 6 hectares of woods and fields filled with wild plants and trees, a perfect setting to practice walking meditation or just relax in harmony with nature.

Additional Lodging facilities: close to Quinta das Águias are different possibilities for lodging extra guests. On request a list of accommodations can be sent.

The Kitchen

Cooking and eating are acts of love and veneration for life. A meal unites eaters and each eater with all the elements of nature that contributed to the meal. The quality of our food determines the quality of our future life.

The meals at Quinta das Águias are strictly vegetarian, near vegan, using mainly whole foods, vegetables, legumes, grains, fruits, nuts and seeds, mostly organic. The objective is to serve meals that are a joy to eat, prepared with care for health and wellbeing of the guests, avoiding animal cruelty and respecting the wellbeing of our Planet Earth.

Herbal teas grown at the Quinta with properties promoting health and healing are served.

Guests with special dietary restrictions should ask well in advance if it is possible to meet their requirements.

Activities

Group retreats include teachings and practice of Yoga, meditation and mind training, vegetarian cooking etc. Moderators who want to organize a retreat are invited to propose their programs, provided it is in sync with our objectives and values.

Individual retreats for people who want a place to practice in calm isolation for a shorter or longer period.

Individual mindfulness program combining psychotherapy and mindfulness training for those who want to overcome stress and inner conflicts and grow inner peace and develop a healthy lifestyle.

Individual consultations for psychotherapy including hypnotherapy and counseling.

Yoghurt Cheese (hangop)

2008-11-30T18:45:00.006Z

My mother used to make this delicious desert, and according to my fan club it is the most delicious desert in the world. Thanks Mom.

Ingredients (for four):

1. One litre of home-made yoghurt (see recipe).
2. Whatever you like to add (see below).

Preparation:
Takes 1 minute to prepare and 3 à 4 hours up to one night for draining and a few minutes to finish.

Put a clean cotton cloth (may be a kitchen towel) in a strainer, which is placed over a recipient. Pour the yoghurt in and let drain for 3 à 4 hours, for desert that is sufficient The longer you drain the thicker gets the yoghurt cheese. This yoghurt cheese has many applications. The version of my mother was mixed with fresh orange juice and some sugar, delicious in summer.

One of the versions I prepare is with 4 tablespoons of peach-jam and 1-2 tablespoons of grilled ground almonds. Dependent on the sweetness of the jam add some sugar, not to much otherwise you kill the taste.

Conservation:

If you prepare a small quantity, no way to conserve it for longer than until the meal. Larger quantities one can conserve for 3 – 4 days in the refrigerator not more.

Homemade yoghurt

2008-11-30T18:32:00.007Z

In the beginning when we received lots of guests we bought readymade yoghurts with different flavours. When guests were gone we were left with a pile of plastic, not so ecological. Besides most yoghurts you see in the supermarket contain all kinds of unhealthy artificial additives. We were so lucky that our precious friend Marie-Jose Cunha told us how her mother at the farm used to make her yoghurt. We tried and ….amazing result. Thank you Marie-Jose’s mother!

Ingredients:
1. 4 litres of low-fat or whole organic milk
2. 2 cups of organic natural yoghurt with living culture (not pasteurised or sterilised)

Preparation:
Takes 5 minutes to prepare and 24 hours for the fermentation process

Put the milk in a pan and heat. If the milk is crude bring it to boil, when previously pasteurised just bring the milk to the right temperature. What is the right temperature? Some modern folks use thermometers but Marie-Jose’s mother used her finger. So do I. If you can stick in your (clean!) finger for at least 7 seconds and not more than 10 seconds, than the temperature is right! Not to hot neither to cold.

Stir in the 2 cups of yoghurt and put to rest for 24 hours in a warm box. In the old days people used a box filled with hay. I use a box with a couple of blankets of polar fleece.

So, you see almost no work, less expensive, healthier and a contribution to the health of Mother Earth.

Conservation:
In a glass jar you can keep the yoghurt for about one week in the refrigerator.

Serving:
With some pure unrefined organic cane-sugar; with fresh fruits for breakfast; with some jam.
One can also use the yoghurt as a basis for vinaigrette or countless other sauces. My mother used to make a delicious desert - hangop – or yoghurt cheese (see recipe).

Adopt a sheep project

2008-07-21T18:09:00.012+01:00

Our appeal to help adopting sheep and save them from their usual destination found much response. We received many donations and even quite a number of adoptive parents who donated the entire amount required for one animal.

Now it was time for us to do our part of the project. First we had to prepare the infrastructure in order to be able to receive the sheep and lambs. We found Sr. Manuel prepared to construct the stable in wood and the fence that separates the area of about 2 hectares that we dedicate to the adoptive children. We need the fence also because our generosity does not include the vegetable garden and the herb garden of the Quinta.

At the same time we started our quest to find the animals to be adopted. Our objective was 6 to 8 animals, preferably mother sheep and their lambs. It was not easy because many people we asked already sold their animals. Another handicap we discovered is that the Portuguese government subsidizes breeding and selling sheep under restrictive conditions. Those conditions are not of interest to us since we don’t want produce more animals.

Our searching brought us as far as Parque Nacional de Geres, a beautiful trip without success. However on the way back we decided to stop in a small village nearby Quinta das Águias to inquire. A very kind lady we met in the street told us that her sister might sell some sheep. We went to see the sister who asked us to come back the next day. There we met with her animals who are obviously well treated, but awaiting never the less the same destiny as all lambs and sheep.

Finally we decided to buy 5 female lambs and a mother with a small male of 2 months. But the lady had also another mother with 2 babies a male and a female. We could persuade her to sell those. In this way at least 2 mothers and their children would not be separated. This brings the total to 10 animals, more than the planned maximum of 8. Of course this means a non-foreseen expense but perhaps some people might still want to contribute.

The next problem was to find out how to castrate the male because we have not the intention to put more animals in the world. The vet explained that that is no problem.

The lady even arranged transportation with the lorry of her sun in law. So last Saturday July 19 was the big day of the arrival of the animals. Fearful in the beginning they seem to be happy here at the farm, mothers and their children as well as the other lambs peacefully grazing side by side.

With the sheep Quinta das Águias has even more become a true refuge for animals!

Help to save animal life

2008-06-16T14:12:00.010+01:00

In spring around Quinta das Águias the landscape is filled with sheep and their lambs. Very soon it will be the time that the young lambs will be separated from their mothers, mostly to be slaughtered. Many people delight eating lamb meat even from lambs that are still breastfed by the mother. Looking such an animal in the eyes it is hard to imagine that such a young and innocent life will soon come to a cruel end and that the children will be taken away from the mother.

That is why we got the idea to save the life of at least some of the lambs and their mothers, with the intention that this will help to release all sheep from suffering. At Quinta das Águias we have the space and plenty of grass and herbs to feed them so that they can live here a full life until their natural death. Our idea is to start with 6 to maximum 8 sheep: mothers including their lambs. The experience will learn if there is room for more. In order to be able to realize this project we need support.

In the Buddhist tradition saving and protecting life is considered as one of the most meritorious actions that can help us to liberate karma caused by our negative actions in the past. Therefore we propose to those who are interested in saving lives to participate in the project with a donation. Money is needed to buy the sheep and lambs so that they are not sold to the butchers and also to build a stable for the night and the winter season, and fences to protect the young trees and vegetable garden.

The budget that is required for the purchase of one animal including the required investment in its housing and fences is € 150. With a donation one can contribute to the budget to save the life of an animal. With a donation of the entire amount of € 150 one can adopt an animal. Donations are welcome at NIB 0036 0125 99100015556 83 at Montepio Geral with reference “save a sheep”. We will provide space, food and care for their lifetime.

The merit from such a positive action is increased on special days. Wednesday June 18th is a very special day in the Buddhist tradition. Then we commemorate Saga Dawa Düchen, the day that Buddha Shakyamuni attained full enlightenment and also the day of his parinirvana. That day the effects of positive and negative actions are multiplied 10 million times.

If you want more information please send an e-mail to quintadasaguias@gmail.com

Help us saving the lives of those animals!

Chicken therapy - 2

2008-05-22T19:04:00.008+01:00

It is quite a while ago that we told you about our chicken Joaquina. How she was attacked by an eagle on February 12 and was almost totally lamed. How we decided to keep her alive and try to help her recover. We started an intensive program of chicken therapy. Sometimes we saw some small progress than a longer period without any change. Our mood was sometimes hopeful sometimes almost despair. Will she ever recover to live a normal life? If not what can we do, because for us taking the life of an animal is out of the question.

Until 2 weeks ago almost a miracle happened. Joaquina started to walk for about 5 steps. One cannot imagine our joy. Our doubts were immediately transformed into trust that she would recover sufficiently to lead a normal life amidst the other chickens.

How did we come so far? The therapy is a combination of medication, recovery diet, physiotherapy and loving encouragement. First she got Cortizone and B-complex vitamins in an attempt to restore her neuro- physical trauma. This gave some progress, but when we had the opportunity we applied a medication of Tibetan plant based medicines that appeared to be very effective.

As a diet we gave Joaquina a variety of food to stimulate rebuilding and reinforcing her damaged body. She receives a variety of organic whole-grains and legumes to provide a rich mix of proteins. Often she receives sprouted grains and legumes because that increases tremendously the nutritive value. Her diet also includes seaweed to provide vitamins and minerals. Joaquina appreciates to start the day with Joep’s improved porridge (see blog).

Physiotherapy started with massage followed by assisted walking exercise. We constructed a special tool to support her in her walking efforts. But that was not so effective. The breakthrough came after Maria assisted her in her attempts to walk with a tougher approach, gently kicking Joaquina in the ass.

But most important is the combination of love and encouragement. Joaquina appears to be very receptive and sensitive to the right attention. When our attention is slopping at moments that we are very busy with other activities, she is falling back. When she knows that we are looking at her she put herself in a healthy upright position because she will receive the appreciation.

After taking those 5 steps Joaquina has been improving every day, sometimes really surprising us. Especially when one day she decided that it had been enough and started mounting the stairs to enter back into the home. She still has problems in finding a stable balance, and has to regain strength in the muscles that are necessary for standing, walking and balancing. But we are sure she will manage to regain a condition to start living in the chicken scoop. If she will like it after her VIP treatment in the house is to be seen. We will keep you informed.

We are very glad that we did not do what most people around here would do and turn her into chicken soup. Respecting her will to live has been rewarded so far.

To be continued

Improved Porridge

2008-05-22T16:44:00.003+01:00

Here is the improved version of the oatmeal porrige posted earlier. I wrote this recipe for our regular guest Ricardo and all other visitors of QDA who love to start their day with this tasty breakfast that provides healthy energy for the day.
Takes about 20 minutes to prepare

Ingredients:
1. 1 litre of organic soymilk
(We prepare our own soymilk, but one can also buy a good brand at the store).
2. 1/2 cup (125 ml) of organic whole Oatmeal
3. 1/2 cup (125 ml) of organic Barley flakes
( The proportion of flakes and soy milk is 1:4)
4. Small teaspoon of salt
5. Some thin cut peel of an organic lemon
(the essential oils of the lemon are in the yellow part of its peel).
6. 3 Tablespoons of ground blond flaxseed (I use a coffee grinder)
(The flaxseed adds extremely healthy properties like omega 3 and vitamin B12)
7. 3 Tablespoons Olive oil or sesame oil
8. Cinnamon powder according to taste
9. Organic cane sugar as sweetener

Preparation:
1. Bring the soy milk to just cooking, and lower the temperature
2. Add the oats, barley flakes, the salt and lemon peel.
3. Let cook for 15 à 20 minutes at a lowest temperature, let the porridge is just slowly bubbling
4. Take of the pan of the cooker
5. Stir in the ground flaxseed and the oil
6. Serve warm
7. Let each add his own quantity of cinnamon and honey or sugar

Spinachpie with pine nuts

2008-03-30T18:43:00.007+01:00

Easy to prepare +/- 45 min

Ingredients:

Cake floor of puff pastry (for mould of 30 cm)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons of wheat flour
Ca. 1200 gram deep-frozen spinach leaves ( or with fresh organically grown spinach)
Pine nuts 100 gr.
250 cl. Soy-cream (cream from soy specially for cooking instead of whipping cream)
1 egg from free-range chicken (not from battery chicken)
1 tablespoon mustard
salt
½ tablespoon curry-powder
ca. 150 gram grated cheese

Preparation:

Let the spinach defrost and drain (When fresh spinach: Clean and wash the leaves and let drain, steam for 5 à 8 minutes)
Roast the pine nuts in a skillet without grease, not to hot until golden-brown of colour
Pre-heat oven at 230° (conventional) of 180° (hot-air)
Grease the mould (I use olive oil)
Powder the mould with wheat flour and shake out the redundant flour
Place the cake floor in the mould
Apply the spinach leaves in layers. On every layer sprinkle salt according to taste and pine nuts
Prepare the sauce: blend mustard, eggs, soy-cream, salt according to taste, curry-powder until you obtain a homogenous sauce
Pour the sauce out on the pie and mix with the help of a fork with the spinach
Let the pie bake in the pre-heated oven
After approx. 20 minutes spread the grated cheese on the pie
Put the pie back in the oven for approx. 10 more minutes until the puff pastry has obtained a golden-brown colour
Grill for approx. 5 minutes until the cheese has a golden-brown colour

Stress and how to deal with it

2008-03-30T18:17:00.005+01:00

We read this morning a brochure for an anti-stress drug that we got at the drugstore, which is full of misleading nonsense. Therefore we thought is time to write an article on stress and how in our view to deal with it.

It is true that today more people than ever before are suffering from stress. It is as if the stress in the world increases every day. Even at the peaceful Quinta das Águias we are facing moments of stress. When the stress is not managed well it can lead to suffering in different forms: not sleeping, digestive problems, depression to name some symptoms. Stress has also a negative impact on inter-human relationships, affecting the wellbeing of others. We receive a negative response in return that aggravates our stress. In spite of the many different therapies and huge quantities of medicines that people try, stress seems to increase. How can we learn to deal with a stressful world? Is it possible to be free from the suffering of stress? We have to understand the cause of stress to find a remedy.

Stress is a product of our mind. All kind of impulses like what we see, hear, feel, smell or taste may lead to inner conflicts. When we perceive something we do not like we try to avoid it, and if we can’t avoid it an inner conflict is born. Likewise when we meet something we desire but cannot get, another inner conflict arises. In today’s society we are increasingly confronted with all kinds of impulses: physically, energetically, emotionally, and mentally. Many impulses generate emotions and emotional reactions that develop inner conflicts. Sometimes our mind locks out the impulses so that we are not emotionally touched, but this creates also inner conflicts mainly at unconscious level.

In order to reduce inner conflicts and the resulting stress symptoms, we need to learn to recognize and to handle them. The fundamental remedy against stress is mindfulness. We can train our mind so that we are no longer ruled by our emotions, and that we take control of those emotions instead. We can learn to become observer of the hectic world instead of being submerged in it. In this way we develop inner peace that takes the place of the feeling of stress. We become like a tree that can stand in the heaviest storm without being harmed.

When we are mindful of the quantity of impulses that compete for attention of our mind, we may be able to reorganize our life so that we reduce those impulses. We have to reduce the noise around us to be able to listen in silence to our inner voice. Many people are nowadays afraid of silence and search for noise increasing so their level of stress. Once you experience the happiness of inner peace that fear goes away.

At Quinta das Águias nature offers us harmony, where the silence is sometimes overwhelming. This environment is ideal to find our inner self, our inner peace and happiness. Our personal work of study, contemplation and meditation in combination with our work with nature helps us to be mindful, peaceful and happy. That is the reason that we want to share the wellbeing of this place and our experience with others who are searching to be freed from their stress and want also a peaceful and happy life.

The secret of love

2008-03-06T13:11:00.008Z

There is no living being that does not have the profound wish to be loved. But many humans as well as non-human animals feel the lack of being loved. People are looking to receive love from a partner, from parents, children, friends or pets. But how great is often our disappointment when we don’t get what we are longing for. When we are lucky we feel good moments with others, but those moments never last. Is it is possible at all to find lasting love?

What is the secret, if there is any, that can bring us in touch with authentic love? In order to find something we need to know what we are looking for. What is that love that we want so much? For many people love is a romantic emotional feeling that they may experience or of which they have a picture in their mind. But feelings and emotions never last, they arise only temporarily in our minds. When mindful we can recognize the impermanent character of our experience of love. It is not the true love that is impermanent it is our experience of it that is normally temporary. Authentic love is a divine universal energy that is always present. Most of the time we do not experience this love because we experience our emotions, thoughts and feelings instead.

We can tap into the source of divine love by opening the door of our heart. When that door remains closed love cannot enter. Only when we open our heart, we can experience to be loved. If we wait for others to love us we can keep waiting forever, while an ocean of love is waiting for us.

One of our precious teachers is Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoché. He is a Buddhist lama, born in Tibet, who has come to the west to teach and to found retreat centers. He often explains that the essence of the Buddhist path is developing good heart. When meeting with Rinpoché one understands immediately what this means, because he is a living example. His life is fully dedicated to the wellbeing of all beings, humans and animals. One feels his impartial, limitless love and compassion for those who are suffering and his joy for those who found happiness. He reveals to us the secret of love. For us Tulku Pema Wangyal Rinpoché is not only our teacher, he is also our inspiring example.

The whole secret of love comes down to opening our heart for others, developing our unconditional love and compassion for all beings. This is scaring for most of us because we are afraid to be hurt. It becomes easier when we fall in love, or when our child is born. But we should be aware that these are temporary openings of our heart that will close again unless we consciously develop a good heart. To do this, think and feel how it is to receive love and to feel the compassion of others. Isn’t that a great feeling and don’t you tend to respond to that love? Remember that once we open our heart to others love can come in. If we wait for someone else to give us love, our heart remains closed. Even if someone feels all the love of the universe for us, we will be unable to feel it. Waiting for love is waiting forever.

There is one big trap in our quest for love. If we give our love to others in the expectation to receive something in return that is not real love. It is an effort to seduce someone to love us. In best case this will give us surrogate love, but never satisfy our deep longing for genuine love. Genuine love is giving yourself completely and unconditionally for the happiness of others.

Chicken Therapy

2008-03-02T18:25:00.021Z

Recently an opportunity for a new line of activity fell down from heaven. The chickens were outside their scoop searching for something eatable. At the same time one of the eagles, to which the Quinta owes its name (Farm of the Eagles), was also looking for a good meal when he spotted the chickens. He (or she) dived at high speed down to catch one of them for lunch. However this plan got thwarted when the dogs started barking and alarmed us, so that we ran outside to see what was happening. We found one of our chicken, Joaquina lying on the ground unable to move

When we examined her we found no physical injury, but she was almost completely paralyzed unable to stand, walk or even find a balance when sitting. Later we learned that the eagle probably hit her nervous center in the neck to paralyze her before taking her as a prey. We locked the other chickens in their scoop and took Joaquina to the house, without idea what to do with the poor animal. This was on February 12.

Looking mindfully into the eyes of the animal we both felt that this chicken was not prepared to die and decided to try saving her life, but how? We put her in a box with straw, food and water in the living room, hoping to find an answer. After a while Ivone performed bio-dynamic massage on her legs since her muscles were completely stiff. Fear had obviously taken possession of Joaquina, which might have caused this stiffness.

The next day Ivone also started with walking exercise but it was as if the animal had completely forgotten how to walk. Her movements were totally uncoordinated and she did not have the slightest strength to stay for one moment on her feet. Nevertheless, determined to keep the animal alive, Ivone continued the physiotherapy and slowly the coordination of movements came back. Only the strength to stand in balance and to walk is still missing.

At the same time we got the idea that it had to be a neural problem which was confirmed by the veterinary that prescribed a medication of Cortisone and a combination of B vitamins, which obviously helps the healing process.

One week after the accident we let the chickens go out of their scoop to enjoy some freedom. However that did not last long. Again alarmed by our wakeful dogs, Joep ran to the scoop and saw to his amazement already at distance a huge bird inside. It was an eagle. With fear and trembling knees, but with respect for this majestic bird, Joep managed to take the eagle outside so avoiding a mass slaughter amongst our chickens whose lives we try to save. It is sad to see how animals are incapable of avoiding accumulating karma and so unable to create an opportunity for a better life. The eagle can only follow its nature as predator and cannot become a vegetarian like we humans can.

After three weeks it is not yet clear if the chicken will cure completely. But we see her determination to live and get back on her feet again, so that we are determined to do the necessary to keep her alive and get her healed. She shows us that the life of an animal is not less precious than our own human life. Mindful interacting with animals helps to see more of our selves and serves the progress on our path.

An attentive reader might ask why we are keeping chickens at Quinta das Águias in the first place. Well, one of our neighbors told us some time ago that she was going to kill some chickens because they were not growing fat, fast enough. Since this act of killing would be very inauspicious for the karma of the neighbor and for the animals we proposed to buy them to save their lives. This neighbor being a very generous person even decided to give us the chickens. One of them being Joaquina whose life we try to save now for a second time.

Psychotherapy and Mindfulness Retreat

2008-02-27T16:51:00.007Z

In the middle of an inviting nature, at Quinta das Águias Ivone and Joep Ingen Housz facilitate individual retreats, a combination of psychotherapy and mindfulness training. Everyone who is searching a new perspective in his or her life can benefit from this retreat; everyone who is too much dominated by stress and negative emotions and wants inner-peace and harmony instead.

Stress and negative emotions are the major cause of suffering and can manifest on different levels of our being, on physical, psychological, emotional, mental and existential level. The profound aspiration of every single being is to be free of suffering. Without exception every single being wants genuine love and happiness.

The view underlying the retreat is that every single being has the innate potential of being a fully realized person. Obstacles on the path of realization of our full potential are the result of our past, in this life and previous lives. In order to be able to progress on the path those obstacles need to be healed.

As a result of our negative experiences in the past we have developed the habit to protect ourselves from being harmed. When our heart is protected we feel perhaps less when we are hurt but we cut ourselves off from the source of genuine love. We can learn to open ourselves in the protected harmonious environment of the Quinta. Fully aware of our interconnectedness with nature we gain access to the infinite source of happiness, the most powerful medicine of love.

In the retreat the participants learn to recognize their unlimited potential and qualities. The elimination of obstacles that hinder the use of ones full potential is put in motion. A unique combination of psychotherapy and mindfulness training transforms the mind on the unconscious and conscious levels. This approach enables simultaneous healing of emotional and mental injuries, breaking with inauspicious habits and unlocking ones full potential and qualities.

Mindfulness and psychotherapy

It is only recently that mindfulness training is gaining recognition and appreciation in western mind-science. The inestimable value of mindfulness is already known for thousands of years in eastern traditions. According to buddhist teachings, mind training is the key to liberation from suffering. Thanks to the pioneering work of leading mind-scientists and buddhist practitioners the immense benefits of mind training become more widely known and accepted in the west. A combination of buddhist psychology and methods with western psychotherapy increasingly proves to be extremely effective to benefit a western audience.

The retreat program
The program is tailored according to the needs of each individual after an in-take consultation. The retreats will be scheduled according to availability.

The proposed program can consist of two times a period of 5 days with 2 – 3 weeks in between. The first week the foundation is laid out. In the following weeks one experiences in ones own environment the effects. In the second week of retreat the training is refined and further fixated. According to need follow-up consultations and telephone consultations are possible.

A typical daily program includes:

Meditation training
Consultation
Hypnotherapy
Meditation in nature
Mindful cooking
Mindful eating

Participants are invited to interact with the animals and plants at the Quinta in order to increase awareness for the interdependence of all elements of nature.

Special conditions

At Quinta das Águias the value of non-harming is strictly respected. Therefore the meals are vegetarian and bringing animal products is prohibited. Smoking and bringing any intoxicants like drugs or alcohol is not allowed. Participant needing medication or a special diet should signal this on beforehand.

Contact for further information:
E-mail: quintadasaguias@gmail.com
Tel.: (+351) 91 430 42 13