A traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
travel #thailand #suanmokkh #meditation silent retreat for 10 days - anapanasatti "mindfulness with breathing" https://www.suanmokkh-idh.org/idh-registration.html
One of my travel todos /1
Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage

Official website for the meditation retreats at the International Dharma Hermitage, Wat Suan Mokkh-Chaiya-Thailand.

Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
You should adhere to the 8 precepts during retreat
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eight_precepts
1. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking life - no kill, even mosquitoes...
2. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking what is not given - no theft
3. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from unchastity - no sex
4. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from false speech - no lie
/2
Eight precepts - Wikipedia

Show threadA traveler in Asia
5. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from intoxicants which cause a careless frame of mind - no drugs
6. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from taking food at the wrong time - no eating from pm to dawn
7. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from dancing, music, visiting shows, flowers, make-up, the wearing of ornaments and decorations
8. I undertake [to observe] the rule of abstinence from a tall, high sleeping place. - just wood bed, straw mat
/3
Feb 26, 2024 at 9:10amMastodon for iOS
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
It's a serious and demanding exercice especially as
* It has a high level of discipline. when joining, you are asked to agree to the whole schedule and follow it.
* You lose control of schedule and most of sense of time as sessions are all part of required assignment delimited by bell ringing (big one for start, smaller for end). Imho, this is similar to middle-high school and results in feeling time flowing slowly (compare to the rest which mostly feels always running).
/4
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
* 4am-9pm schedule with only 2 vegetarian meals per day.
* Monastic environment: quiet and peaceful but also very basic comfort (wood bed, thin straw mat, wood pillow, bucket shower, hand laundry...).
* Total disconnect, from Internet but more, all electronics devices, reading, writing, or more simply any communication with any other participants during retreat time (ok on registration day and when leaving)
/5
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
The reason for all this is focus. With 4 times a day a sequence of sitting meditation, yoga (early morning only) or walking meditation, and sitting meditation again for 2-3h, you are bound to up your meditation.
While some guidance is given on meditation and buddhism, "mindfulness with breathing" depends mostly on each individual own understanding of his/her/their breathings and body.
/6
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
Even with that, there is still a "time to enter/exit" retreat: where you ask yourself, should I give up aka leave retreat early. or at the end, end is coming, what's next. While all normal human reaction, it will hinder our capacity to make our mind focused. If possible, better to have those choices before or after retreat time.
/7
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
On silence, outside of staff communication (partly done via whiteboard) and chanting, you won't hear anything except nature "silence" (birds, insect... occasional remote train or plane).
If not used to regular meditation or not fit enough, you may have some tensions or pains due to pace. or simply because of monastic environment. If tolerable, patience is key and body will adapt with time.
/8
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
Intro: don't expect anything, observe, experiment
Conclusion: if expect enlightenment, enroll as monk/nun. Continue regular practice.
imho, it also need time to "digest" or slow down like the time following any intense work or event.
/9
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
As more an early bird, my best time was the early morning session (4.30am-8am) including first sitting meditation, yoga, second sitting meditation with sunrise in background.
/10
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
My two side enjoyments
* Hot spring bath (natural) - men/women separated
/11
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
* Night group walking meditation ending with view on beautiful starry sky (attempted picture of stars map, oriented east, I believe with virgo and leo)
/12
Show threadA traveler in AsiaFeb 26, 2024
Some readings if interested.
https://www.suanmokkh-idh.org/idh-downloads.html
The "No religion" one is a 42p interesting booklet
https://www.suanmokkh.org/books/127
/13 /end
Suan Mokkh International Dharma Hermitage

Official website for the meditation retreats at the International Dharma Hermitage, Wat Suan Mokkh-Chaiya-Thailand.