My meditation retreat journey continued for the third time. As every year in August, I wanted to go to Suan Mokkh. The temples and this retreat were closed from March, but, luckily, they opened just in time. As we were the first group after reopening, and that the borders are still closed, we expect this retreat to be a small one. Only ten men and twenty women make this retreat special. Large property and small crowd enabled significant social distancing. The rooms are single bed anyway, so you might say that we have all the peace we wanted.
As always, the food was excellent. Vegetarian, but delicious. I am not a vegetarian, but I enjoyed it anyway. And, of course, the hot springs…
The lectures were as usual, and Yoga classes were the best so far.
My inner experience
I wanted here to discuss my feelings, or better to say, the state of mind during those ten days.
The pattern continues. You come with some expectations. They always say the first day, not to expect anything. It is not easy to do. Especially that I was here before and more or less know what the schedule and the atmosphere will be.
On days one and two, it was about adapting to the situation, concrete bed, and a wooden pillow. I am used to waking up early, but not at 4 AM as here. Strange, that was no problem for me. Moreover, I might say that those early mornings Dhamma talks were the most enjoyable time in a day. It stays like that the whole retreat.
Challenges
The most challenging part was the individual meditation period, which I find unusual. I always thought that this would be my strong side. I manage to deal with it eventually, but the third day was really tough. You have only two or so hours of individual meditation practice, but those were that day as long as years.
On the fourth day, as it came, it goes away. Still, to date, I don’t know what the turning point was, but I am grateful that it did happen.
On this third day, I told my self that this would be the last year I come here, but as times goes by, I became more and more confident that I will return here next year as well.
Long stay opportunity
We did check out the place where you can stay (for free) as long as you like, as a layman, in civil close, but following rules of lining like a monk. It is a beautiful place, hidden deep in the woods. It has, of course, hot springs as well.
Living there is limited to meditation practice, one meal a day, and limited contact with others. The minimum stay is one week, and there is no maximum number of days limitation.
There is electricity, singe rooms, and plenty of space. If you are doing some Buddhism related to research or writing books, you can use the internet for your work.
The condition for staying is that you completed at least one Suan Mokkh retreat.
It seems to be challenging, but it can have its rewards. Those are things to think about.
Chill out phase
After my stay in meditation retreat in Suan Mokkh, I used the opportunity and visited Koh Phangan, the famous party island in Thailand Bay. They are no tourists, so now this place is really quiet. Also, the prices are very low, and it becomes a real problem for the tourism industry in this beautiful country.
Never the less, I stayed in this fascinating Koh Ma beach, and one day went to scuba diving to Sail Rock, another famous Thailand’s Diving site.
So, in this meditation retreat, I have learned that I can do extremes. Sleeping ten days in the concrete bed with a wooden pillow, and the next four days relaxing in one of the most luxurious places.
It’s a good feeling when you realize how much you can enjoy a wide range of different conditions. It would be one of the most valuable revelations I have had in a long time.
If you want to know more
If you want to learn more about things I write about, check out my books. See also what the goal of this web site is. You can check out my other post about mindfulness, and share your thoughts and comments.
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