Silent retreat -- ��I

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Date Posted: 15:06:44 05/16/09 Sat
Author: EC
Subject: Silent retreat

Yesterday, I went to a monastery for a silent retreat with a class. At the beginning, I was afraid that I would be distracted by all the responsibilities and assignment. Even when you are willing to slow down and meditate, the intrusive thoughts sometimes may just uncontrollably pop up. Fortunately, it didn't happen. I chose a place where I could enjoy the sunshine and the shade. I put down my blanket and just sit there. I closed my eyes to enjoy the warmth. The breeze gently soothed my skin. The sweet singing from the birds as if they were praising the Lord. I was embraced by the overflow of joy and hope in the presence of God. With no hurry in my schedule, I simply allow time to pass. This was such a wonderful experience in which I was simply "being" but not "doing".

The quietness continues even I am back to the city. I am an outsider of reality in a sense that I am not being sucked into life but the life is presented to me which I can have a choice. I do not spin into the whirl, but I can clearly see the whirl from the outside. It's not about the busy schedule that drives me crazy but the whirl created by the busy schedule. As long as I maintain the internal calmness and rhythm, I can live with the whirl without being sucked into it.

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