- What you were saying about religions reminds me of what happened with the movie about Jesus Christ by Mel Gibson. He wanted to be so accurate and faithful to the story as it has been passed on to us, that he even made the movie in Aramaic. Some people were not happy with the airing of this movie and in some cities of the US there were even threats. This situation prompted the authorities to have police at every movie theater airing this film. How ironic is that? You have a film on the life of Jesus Christ that needs police security because of threats?!
- I did not know that! Unbelievable. So why were they upset? Was this movie breaking any news to them? Or is this the first film on this archaic story?
- And all this going on in the USA, the worldwide top ranker in freedom! Is that freedom? That tells you how screwed up the world is!
- Totally. Listen, I believe that everybody should try this experience, come here (or spend some time with these monastics elsewhere) at least a few days a year. It should actually be mandatory for leaders of organizations and of nations to do this on a regular basis. The world would be a different place! Of course, in an ideal world, plainly everyone in all kinds of organizational and structural pyramids should come.
- So good?
- Yes! And the great thing is that they do not need to Katmandu, it is pretty centrally located.
- What do you think about the origin of man? Was it God, was it a Big Bang, was it evolution?
- Do I need to know? I am here today. I am more interested about the future, in terms of my life and of the whole humanity, than about the past, such a far away past!
- Wow! I had never thought about it that way. I’ve always been obsessed with wanting to know how the man showed up on Earth.
- To your question, I do believe that God/Superior Force or however you want to call it (to me, is God, but I respect if people get itchy or have different beliefs), is the author of this Creation. Now, if God created man exactly as the Bible says, or if that is a fable for easiness of education, or if he created a different kind of human being as we know ourselves today and we evolved into this, or if it was that he made the forces of this Universe meet in certain way that there was a Big Bang, I do not know, and I do not care. I do not see how knowing those details would affect my life today. I believe that God intervened in the Creation, and continues intervening. Maybe I am myopic, maybe I am totally wrong, but that is what I think.
- So, going back home now?
- It depends on what you call ‘home’. Technically I have been home-less for the last few years, and for the last few months I have been traveling around. Home to me is where my loved ones are. So for the last few months I have been going to my several ‘homes’. Yes, I am going ‘home’ now.
Such a short ride (thirty minutes!) for such a juicy conversation. We had already arrived to my destination, but we stayed wrapping up the discussion for a few more minutes, even though he had another customer to pick up elsewhere. We thanked each other for such a rich discussion and exchanged good wishes.
Quote of the Day:
“If we live in forgetfulness, if we lose ourselves in the past or in the future, if we allow ourselves to be tossed about by our desires, anger and ignorance, we will not be able to live each moment of our life deeply. We will not be in contact with what is happening in the present moment, and our relations with others will become shallow and impoverished. “
[From “Our APPOINTMENT WITH LIFE – Discourse on living happily in the present moment”, by Thich Nat Hanh]
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Way Back Home (2) – On East and West
- Christians and Buddhists? They have discipline, rituals, they read the Word and meditate on it –either silently and individually or publicly and in groups- they hold compassion and mindfulness as part of their core message and values (in Christianity it is called ‘love’ or ‘charity’, ‘trust in the Divine Providence’ (do not over- worry about the future) and ‘forgive those who trespass against you’ (do not hang on to the past)). And also in both you need to love yourself first in order to love others; in Christianity it is said that you shall love others in the same way that you love yourself. Also both talk about ‘paradise’ (like in the passage I had to read during my stay the other day).
- There’s some disconnect there, looking at the world: some people do not love themselves or they do not love others just as they love themselves!
- Yes! That’s where I believe that differences kick-in. This community (I cannot speak for all walks of Buddhism) walks the talk. Do you know that the nuns and monks do not talk to you while walking? Either they walk or the talk to you, just because it is impossible to do both things mindfully. Unless you are going on a walking meditation/counseling, where walking is kind of therapeutic in the exchange of thoughts and feelings. But, if you randomly stop them on one of the paths, even if you are walking in the same direction, they will stop, look you in the eye and listen to you. This is very powerful! This is one of the differences I perceive. How many so-called Christians/Catholics do you see and experience practicing what they say to believe in and commit to? We are all human beings and imperfect, I am not judging, I am only sharing what I experience in everyday life.
I also believe that Catholics, after the death of John Paul II were left with no true leader. JPII was not only a true leader for militants, but also a magnet for peoples of all walks of life, ethnicity and religions. And he was publicly walking his talk, no matter what. I believe that sadly, the Catholic Church today is like a multinational that was founded on strong and embraceable values, once was very well run, its founders were brilliant admirable human beings, and its descendants took it to bankruptcy in multiple levels.
Where is the Catholic version of Thich Nat Hanh? Where is the new JPII? TNH is bringing Buddhism with a different spin, so that the West can process it without much of a hangover (particularly on re-encarnation, very tactfully tackled on the margins). TNH is giving answers to real contemporary questions; he is helping real people to tackle the real challenges in the real world, with very simple yet meaningful hints. And his community is walking what they preach and what they are committed to.
Quote of the Day:
“If you believe in God, that’s fabulous; if you believe in Buddha, that’s fabulous; if you don’t believe in anything, that’s fabulous. But please believe in yourself and please believe in the happiness you can bring to the people around you. Believe in that. Wouldn’t that be lovely?”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
- There’s some disconnect there, looking at the world: some people do not love themselves or they do not love others just as they love themselves!
- Yes! That’s where I believe that differences kick-in. This community (I cannot speak for all walks of Buddhism) walks the talk. Do you know that the nuns and monks do not talk to you while walking? Either they walk or the talk to you, just because it is impossible to do both things mindfully. Unless you are going on a walking meditation/counseling, where walking is kind of therapeutic in the exchange of thoughts and feelings. But, if you randomly stop them on one of the paths, even if you are walking in the same direction, they will stop, look you in the eye and listen to you. This is very powerful! This is one of the differences I perceive. How many so-called Christians/Catholics do you see and experience practicing what they say to believe in and commit to? We are all human beings and imperfect, I am not judging, I am only sharing what I experience in everyday life.
I also believe that Catholics, after the death of John Paul II were left with no true leader. JPII was not only a true leader for militants, but also a magnet for peoples of all walks of life, ethnicity and religions. And he was publicly walking his talk, no matter what. I believe that sadly, the Catholic Church today is like a multinational that was founded on strong and embraceable values, once was very well run, its founders were brilliant admirable human beings, and its descendants took it to bankruptcy in multiple levels.
Where is the Catholic version of Thich Nat Hanh? Where is the new JPII? TNH is bringing Buddhism with a different spin, so that the West can process it without much of a hangover (particularly on re-encarnation, very tactfully tackled on the margins). TNH is giving answers to real contemporary questions; he is helping real people to tackle the real challenges in the real world, with very simple yet meaningful hints. And his community is walking what they preach and what they are committed to.
Quote of the Day:
“If you believe in God, that’s fabulous; if you believe in Buddha, that’s fabulous; if you don’t believe in anything, that’s fabulous. But please believe in yourself and please believe in the happiness you can bring to the people around you. Believe in that. Wouldn’t that be lovely?”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Saturday, May 29, 2010
The Way Back Home (1) – On Freedom and Discipline
The same man who had driven me from the Middletown bus station to the Monastery was now taking me back. The difference was that now I was internally stronger and physically more recovered (no jet lag!) than a week earlier. His ability to make conversation engaging the other person is such that he had managed to keep me awake and talking on my way to the Monastery! This young man of Italian ascendance had that type of approachable personality that makes you feel as if we were old intellectual friends- yet he carried himself in a respectful and professional manner. He is the recommended driver for visitors to the Monastery, and he also takes people to other Buddhist monasteries in the region –which there are a few. Having both of us Catholic background and close interaction with Buddhists, the ride ended up being short for our discussion. What had started as a fresh sharing of anecdotes, ended up in the philosophical playground.
- So how was it?
- An oasis! I would truly love to come back some time in the near future.
- Yes, they seem nice people (nuns and monks). Very peaceful.
- One of the things I liked the most was the personal space and personal time I could enjoy. I have been to other retreats before (though this has been my longest stay in religious premises), and I do not remember having this space, this freedom, which are actually healthy, necessary.
- How? What happened?
- First, the standard daily schedule of activities contemplates a few daily hours of personal time in a single chunk. During those hours it is entirely up to you if you want to go for siesta, read, meditate, hike, connect to your computer, sip tea in the tea room while checking out books of their lovely library, work out, do nothing….
Second, they have short recovery periods after each intense activity and again you have the freedom to use those 20-30 minutes at your please. It is incredible that what took the Western world hundreds of years to start acknowledging and respecting, after tons of scientific and field studies, in this ancient Eastern culture has been fundamental part of it all this time. I know that the Bible says: “and on the 7th day, He rested.” But, how many Westerns take that to their heart and lives? We had to wait for some corporate consultant or elite athletes’ counselor to write a best-seller stating that rest is necessary, intermittent recovery periods are fundamental for full engagement and optimal performance, and that workaholism is the only acceptable –and probably required, desirable and admired- addiction in the West! For these people (nuns & monks), there is no other way than respecting the circadian cycles of full engagement and recovery, and yes, there is no shame in taking periodical breaks. This is a way of loving, of respecting human nature and human needs.
Last and not least, they respected my request to have the last half-day for myself: respected in words, in deeds and in not letting such request affect our relationship.
- Yes, other religions are stricter. But, I believe that it is also the way these monastics are; not all Zen Buddhists are like this community. I know there is another monastery here in the area, where they have almost military regime and attitude.
- Well, I am delighted to have been blessed with this experience, very appropriate for my needs. Regardless, I believe that the more I know about different major religions, the stronger I believe that they are more similar than different in terms of core values. Of course, how those core values are interpreted and lived by its militants today, is a different story!
- How do you believe that they are similar?
Quote of the Day:
“If we do not create inner peace, outer peace is not possible.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
- So how was it?
- An oasis! I would truly love to come back some time in the near future.
- Yes, they seem nice people (nuns and monks). Very peaceful.
- One of the things I liked the most was the personal space and personal time I could enjoy. I have been to other retreats before (though this has been my longest stay in religious premises), and I do not remember having this space, this freedom, which are actually healthy, necessary.
- How? What happened?
- First, the standard daily schedule of activities contemplates a few daily hours of personal time in a single chunk. During those hours it is entirely up to you if you want to go for siesta, read, meditate, hike, connect to your computer, sip tea in the tea room while checking out books of their lovely library, work out, do nothing….
Second, they have short recovery periods after each intense activity and again you have the freedom to use those 20-30 minutes at your please. It is incredible that what took the Western world hundreds of years to start acknowledging and respecting, after tons of scientific and field studies, in this ancient Eastern culture has been fundamental part of it all this time. I know that the Bible says: “and on the 7th day, He rested.” But, how many Westerns take that to their heart and lives? We had to wait for some corporate consultant or elite athletes’ counselor to write a best-seller stating that rest is necessary, intermittent recovery periods are fundamental for full engagement and optimal performance, and that workaholism is the only acceptable –and probably required, desirable and admired- addiction in the West! For these people (nuns & monks), there is no other way than respecting the circadian cycles of full engagement and recovery, and yes, there is no shame in taking periodical breaks. This is a way of loving, of respecting human nature and human needs.
Last and not least, they respected my request to have the last half-day for myself: respected in words, in deeds and in not letting such request affect our relationship.
- Yes, other religions are stricter. But, I believe that it is also the way these monastics are; not all Zen Buddhists are like this community. I know there is another monastery here in the area, where they have almost military regime and attitude.
- Well, I am delighted to have been blessed with this experience, very appropriate for my needs. Regardless, I believe that the more I know about different major religions, the stronger I believe that they are more similar than different in terms of core values. Of course, how those core values are interpreted and lived by its militants today, is a different story!
- How do you believe that they are similar?
Quote of the Day:
“If we do not create inner peace, outer peace is not possible.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Friday, May 28, 2010
Day 7 – The (happy) End. The (happy) Beginning.
I am happy I have finished copying the excerpts from the books I had selected, since I would like to share and even discuss them with loved ones –hopefully it helps to open some window, if not convincing, that nothingness does not exist; hopefully they trigger some other ways of looking at the world and of perceiving life.
From my window, I can see the long row of people going into the woods for walking meditation, however, I truly believe I need to stay. I might join them for deep relaxation in the afternoon. Also I am tired from all physical activity of the morning, and although today is sunny or sunnier than other days, the wind is super strong up here.
After finishing with all I wanted or needed to do, I was ready to leave. It was time for Deep Relaxation, and I had a few moments before the car would pick me up (mi ride to the bus station). Sister Lang encouraged me to attend, even if it had already started. The Meditation Hall was full of women lying down on their backs on the mats, some of them covered with blankets; I could tell that most of them were already deeply relaxed. There was a recording going on, mingling the meditation guide with soothing chanting. Since I would have only 30 minutes, attending this meditation was more out of exploration and learning, than expecting to achieve a deep relaxation.
Once out of the Meditation Hall and at the Hamlet, the car was already arrived. Sister Lang was very timely available in the tea room, as was my new friend A.. We said good-byes, thanked each other and exchanged positive wishes and contact info. Sister Lang, in all her sweetness and compassion, gave me a yogurt for my trip (as if she knew, it’s my favourite when in USA!).
Even though I feel by times tired, I am also excited and thrilled that I will see my loved ones today after a long separation, and spend a few days together. I am a bit nervous, and my stomach is closed, at the same time, I am very happy. Coming from spending days in a spiritual oasis, going to spend days with loved ones. The beginning of an eventful trip.
“Happiness
Happiness is here and now
I have dropped my worries
Nowhere to go, nothing to do
No longer in a hurry
Happiness is here and now
I have dropped my worries
Somewhere to go, something to do
But I don’t need to hurry.”
[From the booklet at Blue Cliff Monastery “SONGS FOR MEDITATION PRACTICE- THIS IS A MOMENT OF HAPPINESS”.]
From my window, I can see the long row of people going into the woods for walking meditation, however, I truly believe I need to stay. I might join them for deep relaxation in the afternoon. Also I am tired from all physical activity of the morning, and although today is sunny or sunnier than other days, the wind is super strong up here.
After finishing with all I wanted or needed to do, I was ready to leave. It was time for Deep Relaxation, and I had a few moments before the car would pick me up (mi ride to the bus station). Sister Lang encouraged me to attend, even if it had already started. The Meditation Hall was full of women lying down on their backs on the mats, some of them covered with blankets; I could tell that most of them were already deeply relaxed. There was a recording going on, mingling the meditation guide with soothing chanting. Since I would have only 30 minutes, attending this meditation was more out of exploration and learning, than expecting to achieve a deep relaxation.
Once out of the Meditation Hall and at the Hamlet, the car was already arrived. Sister Lang was very timely available in the tea room, as was my new friend A.. We said good-byes, thanked each other and exchanged positive wishes and contact info. Sister Lang, in all her sweetness and compassion, gave me a yogurt for my trip (as if she knew, it’s my favourite when in USA!).
Even though I feel by times tired, I am also excited and thrilled that I will see my loved ones today after a long separation, and spend a few days together. I am a bit nervous, and my stomach is closed, at the same time, I am very happy. Coming from spending days in a spiritual oasis, going to spend days with loved ones. The beginning of an eventful trip.
“Happiness
Happiness is here and now
I have dropped my worries
Nowhere to go, nothing to do
No longer in a hurry
Happiness is here and now
I have dropped my worries
Somewhere to go, something to do
But I don’t need to hurry.”
[From the booklet at Blue Cliff Monastery “SONGS FOR MEDITATION PRACTICE- THIS IS A MOMENT OF HAPPINESS”.]
Photo: See you soon, my dear Monastery! (above: White Crane Hamlet)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Day 7- The Loop to Bliss
Photo 1: Hiking the Loop- Along the Winding Stream.
Photo 2: Hiking the Loop- through the Woods.
After that I decided to go for the ‘loop’ walk, a famous circuit for hiking amongst monastic and visitors that goes down the hill, along a beautiful stream of water, a road of picturesque houses, and up the cliff again. I have not been able to do it in full because I always had to come back for some activity or commitment. As insignificant as it may sound, having this freedom of going into an unknown path, without the limitation of time felt replenishing. After a week of being bound by slots of time designated for each specific activity, I would enjoy not being bound by any schedule (skipping the 930 working meditation). I was enjoying already having this perspective.
At a moment I thought I had taken the wrong road – I could not tell from any reference if this was the path taking me back to the Monastery, until I saw one of the sisters passing me by in the van. After miles of brisk walking in the crisp morning air, enjoying the views, digesting thoughts and emotions, listening to soothing classical music by times and by times just listening to equally soothing sounds of Nature, the sun came out; I felt wonderful. The clouds have also gone out of my heart and my mind. I received the things that were affecting me from the past, asked myself if there was anything else that I would like to voice about the past, and then started thanking for all my present blessings and looking into the future: these days I will spend in Manhattan with dear ones. And peace came back to me. I had started the walk still sobbing (unsettled emotions, overwhelmed heart and mind), and ended up glowing with a smile. That state of peace, excitement and joy, all in equal parts, none particularly overriding. Peace with the past, joy of the present moment and excitement about the future, knowing that the present contains both the past and the future.
Isn’t this what happens in our lives too? We start a new, unknown path, full of excitement and a sense of freedom and exploration. We might think we are lost at some point, or wonder if we took the right turn, if we are really on the right track. Until we get some sign confirming we are on our way. We may get clouds and it might get chilly, but the sun is always above and it comes out sooner or later. With its light, warmth and brightness, sheer bliss.
“The island within
Breathing in
I go back to the island within myself
There are beautiful trees within the island
There are clear streams of water
There are birds, sunshine, and fresh air
Breathing out
I feel safe
I enjoy going back to my island.”
[From the booklet at Blue Cliff Monastery “SONGS FOR MEDITATION PRACTICE- THIS IS A MOMENT OF HAPPINESS”.]
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Day 7 – Getting Ready to go Back to 'the World'
- Sister, I need to excuse myself from participating in monastic activities today. Today is my last day (or partial day) and I feel I need time on my own.
- Maria, I am sorry to hear you are leaving today. I wanted to talk to you about today’s activities too. Maybe you can participate in walking meditation and in deep relaxation?
- Sister, thank you. I truly need time for myself and by myself. I have been ‘hit’ suddenly yesterday with heavy stuff, and I need to digest. I have been feeling sensitive, I need time to recollect and get ready to go back to the world.
- I understand. Maybe just one of those activities, since who knows when you will be able to do this with the support of the community? If you want or need to talk, I am here for you.
- [Tears starting falling down my cheeks; I was deeply moved]. Thank you Sister. I had a deep and rich conversation while going for a long walk yesterday with Sister Lang. I just feel I need time to be on my own.
- We honor that, Maria. Ok, so I will see you at lunch.
- No, I am fasting, I have been fasting since last night.
Her astonishment was apparent.
Quote of the day:
“If we practice walking mindfully, being in touch with the earth, the air, the trees and ourselves, we can heal ourselves and our entire society will also be healed. If the whole nations would practice watering seeds of joy and peace and not just seeds of anger and violence, the elements of war in all of us will be transformed. We must prepare ourselves, whether we have one minute, ten years or one thousand years. If we don’t have time, there is no use in discussing peace, because you cannot practice peace without time.”
[From “OUR APPOINTMENT WITH LIFE – Discourse on living happily in the present moment” by Thich Nat Hanh]
- Maria, I am sorry to hear you are leaving today. I wanted to talk to you about today’s activities too. Maybe you can participate in walking meditation and in deep relaxation?
- Sister, thank you. I truly need time for myself and by myself. I have been ‘hit’ suddenly yesterday with heavy stuff, and I need to digest. I have been feeling sensitive, I need time to recollect and get ready to go back to the world.
- I understand. Maybe just one of those activities, since who knows when you will be able to do this with the support of the community? If you want or need to talk, I am here for you.
- [Tears starting falling down my cheeks; I was deeply moved]. Thank you Sister. I had a deep and rich conversation while going for a long walk yesterday with Sister Lang. I just feel I need time to be on my own.
- We honor that, Maria. Ok, so I will see you at lunch.
- No, I am fasting, I have been fasting since last night.
Her astonishment was apparent.
Quote of the day:
“If we practice walking mindfully, being in touch with the earth, the air, the trees and ourselves, we can heal ourselves and our entire society will also be healed. If the whole nations would practice watering seeds of joy and peace and not just seeds of anger and violence, the elements of war in all of us will be transformed. We must prepare ourselves, whether we have one minute, ten years or one thousand years. If we don’t have time, there is no use in discussing peace, because you cannot practice peace without time.”
[From “OUR APPOINTMENT WITH LIFE – Discourse on living happily in the present moment” by Thich Nat Hanh]
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Day 7- Real Practice: Taming Frustration
Last night I went to bed at 8, and at 930, someone gets into my room! I had not been told anything. I was deep asleep and feeling kind of dizzy. I think I mumbled something like “Are you sure you come to this room?”. I got up and moved the suitcases out of the way. I think it took me some time to go back to sleep, particularly because my mind was hammering me: ha! Is this loving kindness and compassion? Why didn’t they send this woman to the other rooms which are half empty? Or even worse, to the other 4 guest rooms which we cleaned this morning and are empty –and fully heated!! As tired as I was, my mind seemed to be unstoppable, wild. Finally I could surrender to sleep.
This morning I was not going to meditation at 530, but I woke up still right after my surprise roommate had left the room and worked out. When going for breakfast, my mind was already calmer. Then I was happy: I had let my anger/frustration grow, become voracious and die, without manifesting externally. I also realized there were more cars and more people also in the other rooms. Was it time and rest that tamed that mental formation? Was it the additional information my mind processed? Was it my conscious handling of that mental formation? Was it all together?
After breakfast I decided to look for a sister.
Quote of the day:
“Do not hold anger, it benefits no one. Do not act out of anger, you will only be ashamed afterwards. Do not incite anger because you will be burned. Be the first to make peace. Be the peacemaker and wherever you go, you will be loved and be able to love.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
This morning I was not going to meditation at 530, but I woke up still right after my surprise roommate had left the room and worked out. When going for breakfast, my mind was already calmer. Then I was happy: I had let my anger/frustration grow, become voracious and die, without manifesting externally. I also realized there were more cars and more people also in the other rooms. Was it time and rest that tamed that mental formation? Was it the additional information my mind processed? Was it my conscious handling of that mental formation? Was it all together?
After breakfast I decided to look for a sister.
Photo: Gold & Blue & Gray Sunrise
Quote of the day:
“Do not hold anger, it benefits no one. Do not act out of anger, you will only be ashamed afterwards. Do not incite anger because you will be burned. Be the first to make peace. Be the peacemaker and wherever you go, you will be loved and be able to love.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Day 6 – Spiritual Thunder
As odd as it may sound, I totally feel like fasting now, my whole being is requesting this. And even in the event I would come across some compulsion or temptation, I will breathe deeply and slowly 10 times and bring to my mind those loved ones that are suffering.
I have gone on a deeply spiritual mode today, as if it suddenly hit me, all what I have been reading, writing and listening to these days. Interestingly, I had been kind of concerned or curious that I was absorbing and seemingly not digesting, until now, I was having no enlightenment. I had it last night with those questions I wrote ‘for later’, and I had it today with this lightning of petals. It was strong and deep, yet gentle.
Right after this super rich walking meditation (out-loud meditation and advice), I felt like coming quickly to my room and writing everything down: (a) because I needed to digest and wanted to record somehow in order to be able to come later to this, and (b) because I needed to digest by myself, on my own. After an hour of writing, it was time for sitting meditation and chanting. The first half-hour was of silent sitting – and then it was half an hour of chanting by the nuns in Vietnamese; beautiful melodies that helped soothe my emotions and spirit. It was freezing cold; even with the heat in the temple it seemed not enough. I rushed for a cup of hot tea and to call the taxi for tomorrow.
I came to my room, had a tiny mandarin, was going to get ready for exercise but I feel drained in every sense. I only managed to do some strength training for 20 minutes and made the list of things I want to accomplish tomorrow before leaving. I wanted to work out vigorously, but I am deeply drained, physically and mentally. After receiving a sweet and heart-warming phone call, it’s time to rest. Tomorrow I will take the day very lightly…
Quote of the day:
“Some days we may feel hollow, exhausted, and joyless, not really our true selves. On such days, even if we try to be in touch with others, our efforts will be in vain. The more we try, the more we fall. When this happens, we should stop trying to be in touch with what is outside of ourselves and come back to being in touch with ourselves, to ‘being alone’. We should close the door onto society, com back to ourselves, and practice conscious breathing, observing deeply what is going on inside and around us. We accept all the phenomena, we observe, we say ‘hello’ to them, smile at them. We do well to do simple things, like walking or sitting meditation, washing our clothes, cleaning the floor, making tea and cleaning the bathroom in mindfulness. If we do these things, we will restore the richfulness of our spiritual life.”
[From “OUR APPOINTMENT WITH LIFE – Discourse on living happily in the present moment” by Thich Nat Hanh]
I have gone on a deeply spiritual mode today, as if it suddenly hit me, all what I have been reading, writing and listening to these days. Interestingly, I had been kind of concerned or curious that I was absorbing and seemingly not digesting, until now, I was having no enlightenment. I had it last night with those questions I wrote ‘for later’, and I had it today with this lightning of petals. It was strong and deep, yet gentle.
Right after this super rich walking meditation (out-loud meditation and advice), I felt like coming quickly to my room and writing everything down: (a) because I needed to digest and wanted to record somehow in order to be able to come later to this, and (b) because I needed to digest by myself, on my own. After an hour of writing, it was time for sitting meditation and chanting. The first half-hour was of silent sitting – and then it was half an hour of chanting by the nuns in Vietnamese; beautiful melodies that helped soothe my emotions and spirit. It was freezing cold; even with the heat in the temple it seemed not enough. I rushed for a cup of hot tea and to call the taxi for tomorrow.
I came to my room, had a tiny mandarin, was going to get ready for exercise but I feel drained in every sense. I only managed to do some strength training for 20 minutes and made the list of things I want to accomplish tomorrow before leaving. I wanted to work out vigorously, but I am deeply drained, physically and mentally. After receiving a sweet and heart-warming phone call, it’s time to rest. Tomorrow I will take the day very lightly…
Quote of the day:
“Some days we may feel hollow, exhausted, and joyless, not really our true selves. On such days, even if we try to be in touch with others, our efforts will be in vain. The more we try, the more we fall. When this happens, we should stop trying to be in touch with what is outside of ourselves and come back to being in touch with ourselves, to ‘being alone’. We should close the door onto society, com back to ourselves, and practice conscious breathing, observing deeply what is going on inside and around us. We accept all the phenomena, we observe, we say ‘hello’ to them, smile at them. We do well to do simple things, like walking or sitting meditation, washing our clothes, cleaning the floor, making tea and cleaning the bathroom in mindfulness. If we do these things, we will restore the richfulness of our spiritual life.”
[From “OUR APPOINTMENT WITH LIFE – Discourse on living happily in the present moment” by Thich Nat Hanh]
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Day 6 - A Touch (and Voice) from Heaven
- Sister, it’s so difficult to be a layperson in this sick society, even with those that are closest to me: they question my year off, they question my relationships and friendships. It seems that you have to fit into certain mold.
- If you find your happiness during your year off, then there is no money that can buy that.
- I was in Key Biscayne a few months ago, walking by myself like every evening, enjoying sunset while reflecting along the beach. However this specific day, I witnessed the most gorgeous sunset ever (and I am sunsets’ #1 fan), the clouds going from pink to orange, the sky with that unique neutral color seemed the perfect background to enhance the clouds’ hues, the ocean was pink and the moon was coming out on the water! I felt so happy and blessed to be gifted with such a show, however, I was equally unsatisfied (sad?) because I could not share my thrill and joy and that magnificent sunset with anyone. It was as if the tremendous joy from witnessing such a sunset was cut in half because I had no one to share and appreciate with. Something similar happened to me when I was living in this incredible condo, with a breathtaking view, but no one to share with. I also see so many people that ‘fit in the mold’, or have the ‘perfect life’ for an outside eye, but they do not smile! I don’t want any of that. I want a sunset I can share with. I was happier in a tent in the cold in Catskills than in the gorgeous place by myself. I don’t want to fit in a mold (like be married) and unhappy; I’d rather be not-married and happy.
- All that is good. We should be aware of our happiness, we cannot expect to be happy 24 hours a day, but even if we have a moment of happiness in a day, we should be grateful and delighted.
- With all these stereotypes in people’s minds… maybe they are right and I am wrong (in terms of forms of life)….[interrupting me]
- There is no right or wrong. You are happy or not.
- Sister, isn’t simple life so healthy? You (the monastery) are supposed to be a place for the modern society to heal, an oasis. Yesterday I read on one of Thay’s books something that really caught my attention and I believe he is right: we are forcing people to get used or adapt to a sick society. How healthy is that?
And that then, when I want to take a year for myself, I get questioned or rejected.
- Your year off will not only be good for yourself, but for all those around you; they will also feel the effects.
- Sister, can meditation through visualization also be considered meditation?
- Yes, mediation is any way we can still our mind. We cannot drink water that is shaken because we don’t know if it is clear and pure and drinkable. Maria, this has been my longest advice session since I was ordained in October! (laughing)
- Thank you so much, Sister! Well, now you got your Masters degree!
- I realized that you were always alone, by yourself. I perceived that you had something to say or to share, and one feels lighter when one can do so. That’s why I had offered you to go for a walk. (with her sweetest smile and manners)
I was so deeply touched, by her words and attitude; I was in tears by now. I am still crying, because this is God (or however you wish to call that Force or Being or the Universe), telling me through this nun, that all the things I am doing, it is OK, in spite of all the difficulties, of all the opposing; everything is fine. And also touched because this is walking their own talk: sheer awareness, sheer compassion, sheer perception. I am totally moved; so much I feel my head and heart like with electricity.
Quote of the day:
“Let others win whether they are right or wrong. Let go of conventions, rules, projections, expectations. Just BE and do not let any experience which happens every moment be another factor for us to create more unhappiness because everything fades, just the results remain.
Surrender means opening up, your wounds, pain, suffering and desires. Surrender means you are ready to hear the truth.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
- If you find your happiness during your year off, then there is no money that can buy that.
- I was in Key Biscayne a few months ago, walking by myself like every evening, enjoying sunset while reflecting along the beach. However this specific day, I witnessed the most gorgeous sunset ever (and I am sunsets’ #1 fan), the clouds going from pink to orange, the sky with that unique neutral color seemed the perfect background to enhance the clouds’ hues, the ocean was pink and the moon was coming out on the water! I felt so happy and blessed to be gifted with such a show, however, I was equally unsatisfied (sad?) because I could not share my thrill and joy and that magnificent sunset with anyone. It was as if the tremendous joy from witnessing such a sunset was cut in half because I had no one to share and appreciate with. Something similar happened to me when I was living in this incredible condo, with a breathtaking view, but no one to share with. I also see so many people that ‘fit in the mold’, or have the ‘perfect life’ for an outside eye, but they do not smile! I don’t want any of that. I want a sunset I can share with. I was happier in a tent in the cold in Catskills than in the gorgeous place by myself. I don’t want to fit in a mold (like be married) and unhappy; I’d rather be not-married and happy.
- All that is good. We should be aware of our happiness, we cannot expect to be happy 24 hours a day, but even if we have a moment of happiness in a day, we should be grateful and delighted.
- With all these stereotypes in people’s minds… maybe they are right and I am wrong (in terms of forms of life)….[interrupting me]
- There is no right or wrong. You are happy or not.
- Sister, isn’t simple life so healthy? You (the monastery) are supposed to be a place for the modern society to heal, an oasis. Yesterday I read on one of Thay’s books something that really caught my attention and I believe he is right: we are forcing people to get used or adapt to a sick society. How healthy is that?
And that then, when I want to take a year for myself, I get questioned or rejected.
- Your year off will not only be good for yourself, but for all those around you; they will also feel the effects.
- Sister, can meditation through visualization also be considered meditation?
- Yes, mediation is any way we can still our mind. We cannot drink water that is shaken because we don’t know if it is clear and pure and drinkable. Maria, this has been my longest advice session since I was ordained in October! (laughing)
- Thank you so much, Sister! Well, now you got your Masters degree!
- I realized that you were always alone, by yourself. I perceived that you had something to say or to share, and one feels lighter when one can do so. That’s why I had offered you to go for a walk. (with her sweetest smile and manners)
I was so deeply touched, by her words and attitude; I was in tears by now. I am still crying, because this is God (or however you wish to call that Force or Being or the Universe), telling me through this nun, that all the things I am doing, it is OK, in spite of all the difficulties, of all the opposing; everything is fine. And also touched because this is walking their own talk: sheer awareness, sheer compassion, sheer perception. I am totally moved; so much I feel my head and heart like with electricity.
Quote of the day:
“Let others win whether they are right or wrong. Let go of conventions, rules, projections, expectations. Just BE and do not let any experience which happens every moment be another factor for us to create more unhappiness because everything fades, just the results remain.
Surrender means opening up, your wounds, pain, suffering and desires. Surrender means you are ready to hear the truth.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Day 6 – No Death, No Fear
What we had started talking in the morning -and I don’t know how it started- was nothing less than about death. I said I was concerned with my dear and close friend and the imminent death of his mom, how he keeps avoiding the subject (“I don’t want to talk about that”) and then when he is facing death of a loved one, he does not know how to cope with it (as with his friends’ daughter’s death). I warned her that he is difficult to convince of anything because he is very bright first, and second because he only believes in what can be demonstrated, in science. I was worried, wanted to help, but at the same time, felt helpless. So she said that in the afternoon she would tell me some ideas, and in the meantime she would also let me come up with something.
So we met and started our walk through the famous loop, into the woods, along the stream. Sister opened up:
- We are like leaves of a tree. They fall, but it’s not that they die and become nothing. Nothingness does not exist. They become nutrition for the soil. They continue to exist but they manifest in a different way. The same happens with people: they continue to exist through their sons and daughters.
- What if they don’t have any?
- Even if they have no physical kids, everybody in their lives has left some mark in some people’s lives, and that mark (whether it is a teaching, a piece of advice, a role model, etc.) is how they stay alive.
- What if the story of the leaf is not sellable?
- It is not a story, it is science: if in a family there is a history of diabetes, then there are high chances that future generations get diabetes. So the education, the genes -physical and of character or personality- the way he was brought up, all of that has a piece of his mom. So his mom is not dead or will not die, she will live through him.
- What if I can still not move him to go and explore that other path?
- Tell him to read “No Death No Fear”. However, the strongest eye-opener for him, will be your practice, to see you practice.
Quote of the day:
“Whether we believe in a next life or in heaven is not as important as how we treat others now.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
So we met and started our walk through the famous loop, into the woods, along the stream. Sister opened up:
- We are like leaves of a tree. They fall, but it’s not that they die and become nothing. Nothingness does not exist. They become nutrition for the soil. They continue to exist but they manifest in a different way. The same happens with people: they continue to exist through their sons and daughters.
- What if they don’t have any?
- Even if they have no physical kids, everybody in their lives has left some mark in some people’s lives, and that mark (whether it is a teaching, a piece of advice, a role model, etc.) is how they stay alive.
- What if the story of the leaf is not sellable?
- It is not a story, it is science: if in a family there is a history of diabetes, then there are high chances that future generations get diabetes. So the education, the genes -physical and of character or personality- the way he was brought up, all of that has a piece of his mom. So his mom is not dead or will not die, she will live through him.
- What if I can still not move him to go and explore that other path?
- Tell him to read “No Death No Fear”. However, the strongest eye-opener for him, will be your practice, to see you practice.
Quote of the day:
“Whether we believe in a next life or in heaven is not as important as how we treat others now.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Day 6 - A Morning with Sister “Spirituality”
Photo: Pink Sunrise on Blue Mountains.
Today is my last full day at the Monastery. And it went so incredibly fast. I think that I could spend easily a lot more time here. Even much so, I’ve been thinking that if one day I was totally sola in this world, I would consider living here.
My "lazy morning” consisted of getting up at 6.30am, doing some washing and yoga, going for breakfast, and some intense jog-walk-lunges session in the woods, to come back to the scheduled working meditation. Something interesting happened: I had been assigned with taking care of the orange tree in the Jade Meditation Hall and a woman who had just arrived was assigned with stacking wood. However when they mentioned her task, she became all uneasy and said she did not have the strength to do so. A. and I jumped saying we could do so. But then the sister said that it was not necessary to stack any wood since it had been done 2 days ago; however that I could go and help Sr. Lan in housekeeping. And Sr Lan was my blessing of the day and of this stay. Although it took me a while to find her because she was already working, she was sheer joy and happiness. I had to vacuum two guest rooms, as well as clean their bathrooms. I guess she felt not-good with my assignment and said we could switch, alternating tasks. I said it was honestly the same for me. And I ended up cleaning 2 bathrooms, and she vacuumed the 2 rooms. Then she said if I wanted to help her folding clothes in the laundry, and she dispatched the other girl who had done the full third room by herself. We were talking about Thay (TNH) and about life; we connected really well and I believe she is highly perceptive. Then she invited me to go for a walk in the afternoon, at 2, with her usual enthusiasm and quiet happiness. We went for a 1.5-hour walk.
Quote of the day:
“Universally, whatever country, race or religion, the thought of taking pain and suffering for others onto ourselves, quietly and secretly, is true spirituality”.
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Love: The Melter of All Negative Formations
As promised, some pointers from the Dharma talk:
- We all have a ‘knife’ in our heart, or knives. Where is the knife in my heart? Who shall I forgive for those knives?
- What knives have I thrown? What suffering have I caused? Have I asked for forgiveness?
- Have we ever thought that people who ‘throw knives’ at others, is because they are in pain, they have a ‘knife’ in their hearts. This is not a justification, this is nature
- Cultivate the happy- when we are not in anger or in fear, when we have those moments of no-craving and we are just happy, be aware of those, and water those seeds; they will be our antidote for the moments of anger, fear, craving.
- Acknowledge be aware of the negative emotions/mental formations and acknowledge it and treat it with the opposite. Usually love/loving kindness/compassion melts all.
- Separation creates anxiety & fear. How to tackle this? With openness, connectedness.
- We all have a ‘knife’ in our heart, or knives. Where is the knife in my heart? Who shall I forgive for those knives?
- What knives have I thrown? What suffering have I caused? Have I asked for forgiveness?
- Have we ever thought that people who ‘throw knives’ at others, is because they are in pain, they have a ‘knife’ in their hearts. This is not a justification, this is nature
- Cultivate the happy- when we are not in anger or in fear, when we have those moments of no-craving and we are just happy, be aware of those, and water those seeds; they will be our antidote for the moments of anger, fear, craving.
- Acknowledge be aware of the negative emotions/mental formations and acknowledge it and treat it with the opposite. Usually love/loving kindness/compassion melts all.
- Separation creates anxiety & fear. How to tackle this? With openness, connectedness.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Day 5 - STOP! Rest. Be. Be Happy. Make Others Happy.
Then it was Dharma sharing at 2.30pm. This consists of one hour of sharing insights, experiences, thoughts about the Dharma we listened in the morning, very much like what we do in Catholic groups. I did not talk, since I did not feel with the right to do so. Although the oldest monk –the one with whom we shared an after-dinner chat- said that he would be interested in knowing the opinion of first-comers. Thankfully a lady who came for the day, talked. I felt very emotional, and above that, as if I had absorbed too much- I couldn’t put two words together. The bell rang.
Better news: one of the girls walked in to tell me that tomorrow is lazy morning! So no waking up at 5am! I am glad that I made it these 2 days at least. I would have felt horrible otherwise. I hope I can stay Saturday and have my own ‘me day’. I was planning to go to the village and spend the day at a Gym or at a Spa until the time to catch the bus, but I have enjoyed this place and its energy and its people so much, that I will stay!
This is also something wonderful and worth imitating of this culture and religion: they have several breaks along the day and along the week. Fridays are always “lazy mornings”. And then once a week they have ‘total body relaxation’ meditation. Hmmm! I am currently reading “The Power of Full Engagement” and one of the core messages in the book is precisely this: that we need periodical recovery periods to perform at our best. So in the Western world we are only NOW coming to the same conclusion as this culture did thousands of years ago… What else are we missing? What is even sadder and more concerning is the fact that not even this Western best-seller written by Westerns seems to be assimilated by Western organizations (i.e., by Westerns!). Everybody, everywhere seems to be treating human beings more and more as mere profitability machines. Work-aholism seems to be not only the only acceptable addiction but a desirable one! And in many organizations, work-aholism seems to be the only way to keep your job, to keep doing more with less. Is there a limit to the "more" and to the "less"? Who are you making happy?
“Dharma (dharma = righteous duty, or virtuous path) is not about who is right and who is wrong; it is not about whose centre is big, it is not about which religion is right, it is not about whether there is a next life or not, it is not about whether Buddha exists or God exists, it is not about whether Catholicism is the real religion or Buddhism is the real religion, it is not about any of that. It is about us bringing harmony into our families, into our lives and to the people we care about NOW. That is what it is about.
The effect we have on others when we make them happy without motive and when their mind is happy because of us, that is Dharma (dharma = righteous duty, or virtuous path).”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Better news: one of the girls walked in to tell me that tomorrow is lazy morning! So no waking up at 5am! I am glad that I made it these 2 days at least. I would have felt horrible otherwise. I hope I can stay Saturday and have my own ‘me day’. I was planning to go to the village and spend the day at a Gym or at a Spa until the time to catch the bus, but I have enjoyed this place and its energy and its people so much, that I will stay!
This is also something wonderful and worth imitating of this culture and religion: they have several breaks along the day and along the week. Fridays are always “lazy mornings”. And then once a week they have ‘total body relaxation’ meditation. Hmmm! I am currently reading “The Power of Full Engagement” and one of the core messages in the book is precisely this: that we need periodical recovery periods to perform at our best. So in the Western world we are only NOW coming to the same conclusion as this culture did thousands of years ago… What else are we missing? What is even sadder and more concerning is the fact that not even this Western best-seller written by Westerns seems to be assimilated by Western organizations (i.e., by Westerns!). Everybody, everywhere seems to be treating human beings more and more as mere profitability machines. Work-aholism seems to be not only the only acceptable addiction but a desirable one! And in many organizations, work-aholism seems to be the only way to keep your job, to keep doing more with less. Is there a limit to the "more" and to the "less"? Who are you making happy?
Photo: Snow Coming- again...
Quote of the day: “Dharma (dharma = righteous duty, or virtuous path) is not about who is right and who is wrong; it is not about whose centre is big, it is not about which religion is right, it is not about whether there is a next life or not, it is not about whether Buddha exists or God exists, it is not about whether Catholicism is the real religion or Buddhism is the real religion, it is not about any of that. It is about us bringing harmony into our families, into our lives and to the people we care about NOW. That is what it is about.
The effect we have on others when we make them happy without motive and when their mind is happy because of us, that is Dharma (dharma = righteous duty, or virtuous path).”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Monday, May 3, 2010
Day 5 – Breezy Morning in spite of Gusty Winds
Photo 1: Incandescent Sunrise in the Blue Mountains.
Photo 1: Shades of a Sky, from Gold to Blue.
I don’t know why -although I learnt so later-, I woke up in the wee hours of the morning (wee-er than my 5am alarm!) and was restless in bed. I decided to get up, out of frustration of not being able to go back to sleep, just to see that it was just minutes before 5am!
Today, the gusts of wind were not only strong, but also literally face-breakingly freezing. To my surprise, my meditation went like a breeze… by the time the bell rang, I wasn’t sure it was marking half an hour or the end. It was the end! I am an apprentice, of course, but I was by moments mindful of my mental formations, by moments praying, by moments being grateful for each thing, by moments being grateful and happy for the upcoming days and the people in my life. And I felt my face was smiling.
After breakfast we had Dharma talk, a talk by Thay (“Thay” means Master, and this is how they call TNH) that was recorded and translated live by the sister who gave me orientation. She seems bright, but reminds me of me a few years ago, and a few months ago: by moments too stiff, too tense. The same as the older nun. So why is it that women with more responsibility get tenser? Those nuns that are heart-light and happy or smiling all the time, as if they knew something I don’t, are usually more naïve, or have less responsibilities, or are less skilled/bright. The Dharma was so brilliant and rich that I asked the sister if she had the transcript. I could be reflecting on it for a whole month on it. Pointers of the Dharma to follow…
Although we had walking meditation right after Dharma, the gusts of wind were overly strong, and I thought I would not stand them walking so slowly and with not the best winter attire (not the thick and long parkas that the nuns and monks have!). So when I listened that A. was going for a run instead (I mean, that it would not be considered inappropriate), I decided to do the same. My afternoon started beautifully with a sweet, surprise phone call right after lunch and shower.
Quote of the day:
“What is right or wrong is how happy or unhappy you feel. And feeling happy or unhappy is not determined solely by an outer, physical environment. It is a state of mind.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Day 4- A Day for Myself (aka, a Day of Giving to Others)
After exercise time and breakfast, I could not stop myself from going for a brisk walk in the sun (in spite of the slippery roads). We had working meditation and I was pleased to see I was in charge of shoveling, together with a lovely nun and 2 other women. I shoveled with M, a Greek girl from Manhattan, and we did a lot! Then we had walking meditation but I had some minutes (usually they allow 30 minutes between one activity and the next one), so I was going to go for a walk. I started but the gusty wind was killing me, and I did not like the road on the opposite direction, so I came back shortly after and I saw this not-young lady –she is a lay person but has been living at the monastery for a while- trying to unbury her car out of the snow. I asked if she wanted help, and without even waiting for her to answer, I grabbed the broom out of her hands and finished the work. She was delighted and thankful all day for that. In some way she reminds me of my grandmother. Then we did walking meditation (I finally met the ‘loop’) in the woods, with the brothers. I wanted to have some siesta, since my back was killing me after 1.5 hours of shoveling, but I received a pleasant surprise by TXT. I was so happy that I was crying, tears of sheer joy, exuberant joy.
I skipped Darma sharing and later on went to Sutra meditation. The sister with whom I had shoveled snow asked me to read the second half of Sutra. Thankfully the first part would be read by another sister, since it was full of names that were difficult to pronounce even for this Asian nun!
20 minutes chit-chatting with A., the Canadian lawyer who lives in Manhattan- she confessed she is not a Buddhist or cannot define herself as such because she cannot buy yet into re-encarnation. She also told me about how she felt discriminated out of the Catholic church for her parents being divorced. Then we talked about bringing our boyfriends here. And she commended my braveness for having told my family (specially my parents) that I was coming here- the Korean loud girl, she did not tell them because they are Missionaries!
We had dinner at 6 as usual and I again managed to behave. I think that I achieved the goal of thinking or doing things for others all day long: even if it was something as basic as eating, I would commend small sacrifices for others, like not having the food I like the most, or having smaller portions. I now feel the tiredness of the day, pleasant one, not overwhelming one, but the one you feel good to surrender to.
Quote of the day:
“In giving to others, you give to yourself; in giving to yourself, you give to others because the happier you become, the more you can do for others. And the only way to create happiness for yourself is by making other people happy.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
I skipped Darma sharing and later on went to Sutra meditation. The sister with whom I had shoveled snow asked me to read the second half of Sutra. Thankfully the first part would be read by another sister, since it was full of names that were difficult to pronounce even for this Asian nun!
20 minutes chit-chatting with A., the Canadian lawyer who lives in Manhattan- she confessed she is not a Buddhist or cannot define herself as such because she cannot buy yet into re-encarnation. She also told me about how she felt discriminated out of the Catholic church for her parents being divorced. Then we talked about bringing our boyfriends here. And she commended my braveness for having told my family (specially my parents) that I was coming here- the Korean loud girl, she did not tell them because they are Missionaries!
We had dinner at 6 as usual and I again managed to behave. I think that I achieved the goal of thinking or doing things for others all day long: even if it was something as basic as eating, I would commend small sacrifices for others, like not having the food I like the most, or having smaller portions. I now feel the tiredness of the day, pleasant one, not overwhelming one, but the one you feel good to surrender to.
Quote of the day:
“In giving to others, you give to yourself; in giving to yourself, you give to others because the happier you become, the more you can do for others. And the only way to create happiness for yourself is by making other people happy.”
[From “IF NOT NOW, WHEN?” by Tsem Tulku Rinpoche, www.kechara.com. Kechara is a non-profit Buddhist organization.]
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