Meditation Month - Part 1

With the first school term ended, grades finished, and over 200 student reports written, I really welcomed a semester break! Some peace and quiet was calling me...

 

The first retreat was about 1 hour north of Bangkok at the POP House (Power of Peace) and the meditation taught was called the “middle way” meditation technique. Our schedule was meditation at 6am, breakfast, meditation at 10am, lunch, teaching and meditation at 2pm. Then late afternoon tea or juice as we would not eat again until breakfast the next day. Meditation again at 6pm and again before bed at 9pm (mandatory lights out at 10). Of course we had no internet or electronic devices to distract us from the task of quieting the chattering mind.

I got used to the silence and no dinner, but the sitting still seemed long sometimes. The POP House area was very beautiful and serene. It was connected to the famous Thai Temple, Wat Phra Dhammakaya which we visited twice.  I even met a young monk from America and we saw many young Thai novices practicing as school was out. The Wat designed with simplicity and elegance won the architecture of the Year award in 1998. Built entirely on international public contributions, it is also the embodiment of unity and love for mankind.

The dome-shaped Cetiya (stupa) is the hallmark of what has become the largest venue for mass meditation and prayers for Buddhists and peace-loving people of the world. The design has been likened to a sports stadium or even a UFO, rather than resembling a traditional Thai temple. I think it may be the worlds largest meditation area as it has capacity for 400,000 monks and 600,000 lay people all to meditate all at once. From one (me) to 1 million.

 

 May you enjoy a calm and peaceful heart and mind. 

Blessings from Thailand.