On Friday afternoon, our little van leaves the city of Bogota to heroically embark on the sinuous paths up the mountains. After displaying prodigious feats of strength and bravery (but not without shaking us a number of times), it finally...gives up at the foot of the very last slope up, giving us the opportunity to walk the last stretch up under the rain! And here we are, at the 3000 meters high Eretz Mind&Fitness Resort, ready to begin our 3 days public retreat.
Saturday morning, we are very surprised to see that most of the participants are able to make it on time, through the muddy paths, the mist and the cold .
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| Ximena, the main organizer of our events here in Colombia and a little friend in the meditation hall |
The little chimney fire and the presence of each other warm our body while our two French sisters (Su Nghiem and Hai Nghiem) warm our hearts with their introduction to the practice : “Mindfulness is like a sun. We shall learn to look with compassionate eyes at ourselves and at one another, whether sitting, standing, walking or lying down.” The walking meditation today will be characteristic of all the walking meditations of this retreat : under a very light rain, with fresh air and a beautiful sun accompanying us.
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| Brother Phap Khai |
On Sunday morning our two American Brothers (Phap Luu and Phap Khai) give the Dharma talk. Brother Phap Luu shares about his grandmother and other family members. Just like the flame of a candle was lit by another candle, we are a continuation of our blood ancestors. Our true nature is that of not the same and not different, no beginning and no end. Then Brother Phap Khai talks about how we usually misuse power in our society and describes the three real spiritual powers of understanding, love and the capacity to let go of suffering, with very moving stories of helping his mother. During the evening guided sitting meditation, Sister Boi Nghiem leads us to reconcile with our parents inside of us. An elderly woman later shares that she was able to heal deeply and felt very light after this experience of transformation.
Monday is the last day of the retreat. The morning’s questions and answers “marathon” is very lively and deep at the same time. Among the questions that received most concise and direct answers, we will remember the “How to let go of the past? -Breathe.” and “How to deal with negative people? –Be positive.” But more important than everything, we shall remember the spirit of togetherness, openness and humanity pervading the meditation hall. After the last walking meditation and lunch, Brother Camilo delights us with his “Mindfoolness” clown show, a hilarious, silent skit about the craziness of our lifestyles and the training of a meditation practicioner.
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| "Mindfoolness", by Camilo, a Sangha friend and actor who participates in a UN project of promoting reconciliation |
Then we stand in a circle, hold hands and conclude the retreat by singing “Sin venir, ni sin partir”.
