I am going on retreat. I have no idea what it will be like, how I will feel. I have done many retreats and each one has been different. Some have been painful, emotional, some have been boring, some just flat. I do know what I will be doing. I will unplug the phone, turn off my computer, lock the door and put a sign up: “Do not disturb. On retreat until February 21.” I’m going to be taking a week off from everything. Sounds like a holiday. But it is not. I’m not chasing bliss. Although I wouldn't push that away either. I have a specific meditation practice that I will be doing. I’ll meditate, eat, sleep, read dharma, and probably be very glad when the week is over.
I’ve been a practicing Buddhist for the past twenty-five years, almost to the day. It was a snowy day, George Washington’s birthday to be exact, in New York City when I first walked into the Dharmadhatu and asked for meditation instruction. It is now called the Shambhala Centre. But whatever you call it, I am very grateful to have connected to the Buddhist teachings. It is the meditation practice that has helped me get out of my own way.
So folks, I’ll continue here with you next week…………………..
Posted by leya at February 13, 2004 07:42 AM