Being a buddhist all my life, I've always been interested in exploring the various themes and aspects of buddhism. I've read up on the suttas and theories, attended a good year of buddhist talks and sent boy to sunday school. What I've come to realise so far is when the going is good, we tend to not want to delve into spirituality. When times are hard, however, we seek solace in it.
I've been wanting to try a retreat in Perth at my favourite monk's monastery but have had no luck in booking one so far. So when I heard that he was scheduled to conduct a retreat in Genting this year I signed up for it without thinking much of what it would involve. Let's have a look and see what it involved.
My expectations
1. Meeting my favourite monk that gives funny talks
2. Beautiful meditations that will enable me to reach depths of jhanna ( mystical state of mind I've read about)
3. Some time alone to search my soul
4. Answer to some of my life's more pressing questions ( there would be couselling sessions where I'd pour out my life's grievances and problems and the monk will be able to give me the right answers- or at the very least validate my actions for me!)
5. A fabulous new experience ( I've never been to Genting before, and never attended a spiritual retreat before)
TA DA!! REALITY issss.....
1. Sitting still for hours feeling like a fraud trying to meditate - you find out you have the darnedest aches and pains in your back and neck
2. The accommodation is sparse. Well that was expected... but REALLY sparse.
3. There was a 1 to 1 interview 5 minute session. We were told to keep it short, simple and meditation practise related questions only! No personal issues, please!
4. Hourly blocks of meditation time for beginners are just hard. I found myself dreading meditation time
However... I did enjoy myself.
1. Being with a group of like minded people, even though I didn't know anyone when I went up, was really great! Everyone was friendly and didn't mind when you asked ridiculous questions about the practise.
2. The food was great! Not only because of the fact that it was vegan, but the realisation that we've been placing too much emphasis on the sourcing, preparing and the enjoyment of food. When it is seen as merely a sustenance tool, much importance is taken away from it.
3. What I went through was very normal for a beginner, as many of the experienced participants told me. My job is now to sustain a regular meditation routine back home after the retreat to see any real benefits
I am chuffed to have had my first retreat and will keep tabs on how it is affecting my life, post retreat.
Stay tuned.....
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