Archive for May, 2008
Silence June 4-8
May 17th
Silence has been resurrected with a replacement actress but only for one week June 4-8. La Mama itself is in a precarious state and trying to raise $30,000 in three days to put down a deposit on the building they reside in. Please donate money if you can.
what I learned from Thay
May 13th
Am in Saigon airport, dwelling in the present moment and thinking about the retreat. I have learnt so much and been so inspired by Thay’s lectures. The last lecture was on no birth no death and the idea of continuation, self and no self. I have vowed to all five of the mindfulness training this time and my new dharma name is awakened embrace of the heart. I will reduce my consuption of red meat and alcohol and be more mindful and take mindful breaths at work. The last event of the retreat was a walking meditation around Hoan kiem Lake in the centre of Hanoi. Pictures will be posted later.
Silence cancelled
May 13th
Silence has been cancelled- Ai Diem Le was seriously injured in a car crash and we can’t replace her in time.
peace is every step
May 13th
On retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh for seven days and it is a wonderful experience breathing in and out with 400 people. There are dharma talks every day conducted by Thay himself. What I have taken from these talks have moved me so much. That my grandparents and parents are in every cell of my body and I can write to them (three of my grandparents are deceased). That craving is at the root of my desire to shop and drink and being mindful is one way of stopping these cravings. I finally understand manas the concept of ego roughly translated which stops us from reaching nirvana and the pure land the realm of no self. The four practices of diligence and the four noble truths I am absorbing into my psychology practice and I have vowed to try and be more mindful every day. Every breath is a miracle, life is a miracle and present moment is a wonderful moment. The pure land is right here right now.
