Mindful Living - Thailand Retreat Experience (1)

It has been three years since I unknowingly came to Thailand, and I had the idea of going to a retreat for a long time, but I couldn't force it before the opportunity came. It is very interesting that this trip happened suddenly by multiple coincidences.

I went to the Dipabhāvan Meditation Center in Koh Samui. The center has three-day and seven-day group retreats. Seven days are divided into two levels: beginner and advanced. The schedule of work and rest is basically the same, but the duration of sitting meditation and walking meditation are different. The center recommends that the second stage is suitable for those who sit in daily meditation for longer than 45 minutes.

I participated in a three-day retreat, which was actually only two days apart from registration and explanations. When we arrived on Friday afternoon, we stopped at the office at the foot of the mountain, and then some volunteers drove the pickup truck to the right and left along the winding road.

Meditation centers have clear instructions for dos and don'ts: follow the center's schedule during the retreat, dress appropriately, attend all exercises on time , complete your own chores, do not use any electronic devices, do not read books, do not record daily feelings, maintain the environment The neatness and most importantly, do not speak, keep absolute silence.

Naturally, I didn’t sleep well on the first night. I was worried that the fragile doors and windows would not be able to resist the intrusion of small animals in the mountains. Will being out of touch cause trouble to your family and friends?

Between tossing and turning, the long bell rang, one by one, in the night. With a complicated mood, he washed in the dark, changed his clothes, walked up the stairs, stepped into the meditation hall softly, found a futon, and sat down with his legs crossed. The candlelight in front of the hall flickered, and with a clear sound, everyone focused on their own world.

Morning Yoga. Simple sun salutation, repeated constantly, watching my body at any time, looking up through the surrounding windows to see the sky light up a little, an indescribable peace emerged from the bottom of my heart. Occasionally, a lively black cat would sneak in and look around, coquettish and intimate, enjoying himself.

Daily breakfast and lunch, light vegetarian meals, mostly self-grown vegetables and fruits, accompanied by rice or noodles, cooked in a simple way, and picked up on demand. Before eating, everyone will chant food reflection, wash the dishes after eating, and complete the assigned chores.

This time there are ten people who practice together. Although they get along day and night, they only greet each other with their eyes and gestures when they meet, and when they part, they don't know each other's names, but they just thank the silent company in their hearts...