Thoughts from two guests – Rains Retreat 2010

One month in the forest

I have recently returned to the city lay life after spending the first month of the Rains Retreat at the Wat. I had been desperate to get there and was anxious I would not be able to get there due to ongoing health problems. After spending my last week frantically organising everything I thought needed organising I finally made it, only to have to return the next day to have my car repaired as it was in need of recuperation, so nothing went to plan. However, I was immediately at ease being there and being with the sangha, old friends and making new (shout out to josh). I have never been a great nature lover, respectful but somewhat take it or leave it. However there was an immediate impact of the beauty of the bush, the bird song and assorted creatures, possums, wrens, wallabies and of course wombats (who are very selective about who they reveal themselves to). The bush forest was a tremendous balm to my mind, I almost didn’t notice the cold. But no traffic, no city hum, sirens, people, concrete, no mobile or emails to worry about and certainly no withdrawal symptoms. It was a powerful reminder of how important the right environment is if one hopes to make some progress on the path. Secondly the company was wonderful – we were a harmonious and respectful little group – and again another powerful reminder of the  need for spiritual friendship. Ajahn Khemavaro provided kind and considerate encouragement along with Venerable Pasidika’s humble and gentle companionship. These were all very inspiring for me. However my mind and body were such that my dreams of hours of deep meditation were not to be and the hours were instead spent in contemplation of the body – pain arising, exhaustion in mind and body, but I was so grateful to be able to endure it at the Wat and for the warmth of the little pot belly stove. My biggest fear was not death, and I did seriously wonder if it was a possibility at times, but of having to leave early for the hospital. Eventually I recovered sufficiently to begin to sit more productively, to sweep the path and to chop wood, all of which were a great joy to me. In the end of my too brief a stay, I realised how precious these opportunities are and how important it is to pay homage to the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha for without these jewels there would be nowhere to go and no way out. There is so much I could write about but if people come and see for themselves they won’t need to read about it they will have their own experience and knowledge, which is wonderful and marvellous. With metta, giles.

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18 Days of opening the heart

I was recently fortunate enough to be able to spend 18 days at Wat Buddha Dhamma for the Rains Retreat. This was to be my longest retreat and I was really looking forward to the opportunity to practice for that length of time in the stillness of WBD.

It was so nice to get up and meditate early in the forest, listening to the animals waking up and starting their day. Then the daily routine of chores and sitting and chanting made the days all flow easily. I also really enjoyed the weekly Dhamma talks and the Sutta discussion.

I was quite aware of the hindrance to practice that expectations can bring, so I planned to bring none of them with me. Ha! As I found out, they had other ideas, and I discovered that my unvoiced expectations had stowed away in my luggage to reveal themselves over the stay. I mean doesn’t it make perfect sense? If a four day retreat brings this amount of peace and insight, then surely an 18 day stay would be four times as fruitful! Interestingly, the dhamma always reveals itself in its own mysterious ways and timeframe.

Fortunately, for the most part I was able to smile at my wanting and sometimes negative mind which loves its terms and conditions. It would be like ‘Ok, I’ll be content sitting here in the present moment, BUT THEN I want something special!’

So….that was what I had and so that was where I practiced. Continually inclining towards opening my heart to what is and being mindful of that. And really, really appreciating the power of patience and trust. And that was where peace arose.

Anyway, I mean really, what do I know about the unfolding of the Dhamma? All I can do is my very best putting the right conditions in place and then just wait. That’s all!

Metta, Francis.

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