The Xiong Nai Xin Retreat or Patient Bear Retreat was a personal shrine and garden grotto dedicated to the treasures of patience, harmony, and simplicity. Originally founded in Southern New Mexico, the Retreat was open to family, friends, and wayward souls that needed some time away from the outside world and a quiet place in a hectic world.
The Retreat went virtual shortly before the end of 2012. As a combination of blog, discussion board, and haven, it is a place of tolerance and introspection for its caretaker and any guests that might travel through. Based on the tradition of the Three Treasures of Compassion, Simplicity, and Humility, the Retreat is a grotto to the outside world.
The Retreat will, at times, expand, adding sections that replicate some of the activities normally seen among the sages, monks, and priests. This will (and has) included a section for writing, locations that link us with nature or the world around us, as well as sections on gardening.
Rev. Panda (RP: not my real name) is the custodian of the Retreat both in the real world and the virtual presence. Rev. Panda is an ordained minister in the Universal Life Church and follows a Unitarian Universalistic path that combines Earth Religions, Taoism, and other elements of the Eastern Religions (Zen, Buddhism, Hindu, etc.). Rev. Panda has been a ordained minister for roughly 18 years and specializes in religious, spiritual, and emotional guidance, health education, and confidential listening and support.
Welcome and Namaste!
Where in New Mexico are you? I loved it there when I visited many years ago.
I live in Southern Central New Mexico (Las Cruces mostly) but travel throughout the area on business and learning.
For those who may have not noticed, the Retreat has added a few sections and expanded the sections it already had. The addition of a “Informational” section follows some of the academic traditions and presents information, parables, stores, etc. that were not written by guests of the Retreat. In addition, the “Writing” section has added some Haibun, Japanese prose/poetry combinations. In the future we may add some other areas. Thank you for visiting.