Many of you have been curious about what happens during a full meditation retreat. And some of you are plain shocked that we have to wake up at 4.30am each day. These rules exist not to torture us or to pose a challenge to our system. There is a good reason behind each of the rules. For example, waking up at 4.30am means you get to practice meditation in the cool crisp morning before the buzz and heat of the day sets in: It is easy to be still. The rules help our full-time practice by making the mind free from distractions and sloth. It is a true vacation from your usual mental habits: worry, stress, wandering thoughts, fantasy, judgement, prejudice, vanity, fear, envy, anger, etc. You need to try this if you have a chance -- it's a break like no other and you return full of energy, clarity and serenity: ready to face life with a better sense of balance.
Retreat does not mean escape -- the point of retreats is to teach us how to live in the world, seeing through to the true nature of things.
;-)
Here's the programme which has just been sent to us:
MANGALA VIHARA
VIPASSANA MEDITATION RETREAT WITH VEN PANNYAVARO
30th May to 4th June 2005
Daily Time-table (31st May to 3rd June 2005)
4.30am Wake up
5.00am Meditation
6.15am Breakfast
7.00am Daily Chores
8 –11am Meditation
11.30am Lunch, rest
12.00pm Daily Chores, Rest
1-5pm Meditation, Interview
5pm Rest
6pm Meditation
7.30pm Dharma Talk
8.30pm Meditation
9.30pm Lights Off
As you can see, we wake early but we also sleep early. There are also ample rest periods inbetween. So it's quite humane and all. Constant concentration is tiring mentally and physically. We need to keep ourselves relaxed and practice without straining. It's the same as yoga practice: steady and comfortable. In fact, the physical aspects of Raja Yoga, which is what we have been practising in class, is good preparation for meditation retreat.
We are also to observe these rules:
1. Yogis are to observe the following Eight Precepts :
1.1 No killing
1.2 No stealing
1.3 No sexual activities
1.4 No lying
1.5 No intoxicant
1.6 No solid food after noon
1.7 No ornaments and entertainment
1.8 No high luxurious bed and seats
2. Yogis are to observe NOBLE SILENCE at all time.
3. Yogis are encouraged to wear white T-shirt and long loose trousers or sarong. Short skirts, short pants, sleeveless shirts, leotards and skintight clothing are not allowed.
4. Casual talking and discussion on meditation and experiences are forbidden. Retreat is not a time for reading and making friends.
5. Use of mobile phones are not permitted.
6. Yogis are to carry out their daily activities mindfully, so as to maintain their practice and also to minimize disturbance to fellow yogis.
7. Yogis shall help to keep the retreat premises clean and tidy.
To talk less and not be distracted by entertainment is obvious in their effects on lessening the disturbances in the mind. But how come we must wear white? I wondered about this before. Then I made my own discovery: when I went for retreat, I noticed that sometimes when I open my eyes after a session of meditation, I get distracted by the words or patterns on the t-shirt of the person seating in front of me. I would be staring for a while and thoughts start to form regarding the patterns or the words, before I catch myself. Alamak! Wandering thoughts again!However, when I opened my eyes or when I'm trying to settle down to sit for meditation, if I'm surrounded by people all in the same white, they seem to be
invisible in a way and I tend to concentrate better. Stripes, in particular seem to have a highly stimulating effect on the eyes. . . .
What's the purpose of it all?
The point of retreats is not just to go and follow rules. There a many benefits to attending a strict retreat:
1. You are free from distractions of your daily lives, making a living, taking care of others, preparing meals, beating the clock, . . . so you can easily sit and gain good concentration.
2. meditation is good for health. Scientific studies of late seem to be obsessed with the health benefits of meditation for the body: you get better immunity, less prone to stress related illnesses, etc.
3. the real purpose of meditation for the yogis in the past, is to allow us to understand ourselves: how our mind is the forerunner of all things. while daily practice at home or in yoga class help us build our meditation skills. I feel in a retreat environment, you have very good opportunity to seriously practise this and observe the effects. You can view things very clearly from prolonged practice and this helps you to note the mental processes that colour the very fabric of your daily life.
4. there is much to be said for group retreats. Just like we can feel the bad vibrations of an angry person who enters the room, we can feel the good and calm vibrations of seasoned meditators in the same room. Imagine sitting for up to 10 hours a day in a room full of people in deep peace, working to be better persons. Even if you are not meditating, you will be enveloped in peace. The kind of serenity and happiness is to be experienced to be understood.
5. NOBODY can develop your mind for you. Only you can be the cause for your own well-being and happinesss. Retreats encourage us to take full responsibility for our mental states and our personal development. Volunteers help to make your retreat run smoothly and free you from our daily obligations so that you can dedicate time to serious self-study. You can only gain wisdom from self-realisation.
May you have the chance to experience the same joy in your practice.
May you grow in your own practice.
