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| A little birthday yoga!! |
So while Marc and I were in Soppong at the Lisu Home Stay we met a couple from Scotland that were on a "round the world" trip. They had come to do the Home Stay and partake in an introductory courses in meditation that was also offered there. Even though I was only there to work I was allowed to participate in their meditation sessions when I wasn't on the river. Albert, the man running the Home Stay (along with his wife Sussanan) suggested that we go to a Forest Monastery about an hour further north from them. My birthday was in a few days (the big 30!) and I was a bit undecided of how I wanted to spend it. Should I party in the new decade to my life like it's 1999 or should I throw myself into a few days of practicing Buddhist Meditation? I figured the second was a bit more original and went for it! Albert felt that he had given us the beginning tools and sent us on our way!
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| One of the spectacular views at the Monastery |
We loaded up on the local bus with limited information about where we were really going and what exactly we were in for. We got dropped off in what looked like the middle of nowhere but there was a big arch way that said Tam Wau Monastery and underneath a long paved road that lead to only Buddha knows where... We were fully stocked with potatoe chips and chocolate bars because we were told that we would only be allowed one meal a day and we surely didn't want to starve while practicing being more mindful! :-)
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| In prayer pose |
Once we arrived at the Monastery we were greeted with the most beautifully landscaped, park-like settings I have ever seen! We found our way to the common area where everyone was sitting down and eating lunch, their last meal of the day. We were just in time and relieved to know that we weren't going to starve that day! I have to admit it was a bit intimidating. All of the others (all Westerners) were dressed in white and VERY QUIET! You couldn't even hear a spoon hit the plate! We were shown to our dorm rooms, given our new pajama like white outfits and still had time to get in on the last of the lunchtime action.
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| Walking Meditation in the forest |
This was a great introduction into Buddhism and meditation. It wasn't so strict that you were never allowed to talk and you weren't denied ALL of your comforts! We were simply encouraged to be mindful. I made great friends there and when I can't say that I reached nirvana I did enjoy the simple routine. It was like time slowed down a little bit and you had to get comfortable with it. None of this racing around non-sense. Everything was encouraging one to be mindful and slow down a little and take it all in. The routine was leisurely too. We had our morning offering to the monks followed by breakfast then three sessions of meditation throughout the day that included walking, sitting, laying and chanting meditations.
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| Getting blessed with holy water |
I must be lucky because the head monk, who had started the Forest Monastery, was being awarded by the King of Thailand his efforts. There was a big party one day! There were approximately 500 Thai's that came from all over Thailand for this day, hundreds of monks and some of the King's family. Everyone was all there to show their support and appreciation of this man who started this mediation retreat center that was so well received my so many!
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| Lantern lighting! |
It started with all of the monks chanting, it was amazing to hear that many monks chant all at once! Then the head monk (I can't remember his name, shame on me!) came through the crowd and sprayed all the on-lookers with Buddhist holy water. :-) Then there was a huge feast!! I ate so much! Finally at the end of the day and this was the topper we all lit prayer lanterns with the monks to commemorate the special day.
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| Heather and I leaving the Monastery, fully refreshed and mindful!! |
All in all it was a wonderful way to spend my birthday and an experience I won't soon forget!
That's all for now...
