Reflections on One-Day Chan Retreat

Reflections / / / ,

This was my second group meditation session and my first full-day retreat. We explored a variety of techniques, including two twenty-minute sitting meditation sessions. I was proud of myself for sitting through both sessions without any problems. The first time I tried sitting meditation, I struggled with the concept of feeling comfortable while being uncomfortable. This time, Venerable Chang Xiang introduced the kneeling posture that allowed me to sit comfortably without having to cross my legs. The only challenge I encountered this time was trying to stay awake during the second twenty-minute session. Unfortunately, I had to leave right after the retreat ended, so I didn’t get a chance to ask for feedback.

We had lunch at noon, and the food was fantastic! The entire dining experience was new to me; I made sure to plate my food and walk to my seat with deliberate care, eating mindfully and paying attention to what and how I was eating. After lunch, we had a mindful resting session. I was surprised by how relaxed I felt, falling asleep within five minutes on a hardwood floor alongside a group of strangers—a rare feat for me, which shows how much I embraced the meditation techniques learned!

After the resting session, we engaged in another sitting meditation for thirty minutes. I noticed some struggle, likely because I hadn’t practiced enough; the session felt longer than the usual twenty minutes, and my mind began to drift, making me feel uncomfortable. We then moved on to walking meditation, which is always my favorite part. Shortly after, we wrapped up with another sitting meditation and concluded the day with tea and cookies. It was an incredibly enriching experience, and I highly recommend these group sessions!

Sabina T.

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A Day of Chan: Experiencing Mindfulness and Meditation in San Francisco

Reflections / / / ,

On May 4th, I had the wonderful opportunity to participate in an eight-hour Chan meditation session at Dharma Drum Mountain San Francisco Bay Area Center alongside my eldest son.

As we stepped into the meditation hall, we were greeted by a space that perfectly captured the essence of “emptiness.” Dominating the space was a serene and compassionate Buddha statue, instantly enveloping us in a profound sense of spiritual joy.

The event kicked off with volunteers demonstrating the proper way to enter the meditation hall and explaining the event’s guidelines. This was followed by a series of warm-up yoga exercises (Eight Form Moving Meditation) led by another volunteer. Once seated, Venerable Chang Xiang, who led the retreat, meticulously explained various meditation postures and the basic technique of breath counting, urging us not to be discouraged by our wandering minds.

Meditation might seem straightforward—focus on your breath, counting each exhale up to ten before starting over. If you lose track, you begin again. Achieving a full cycle of focused counting is genuinely challenging. Guided by Venerable Chang Xiang, we embarked on our meditation journey. Countless times, I caught myself distracted by either external noises or my own intrusive thoughts, forcing me to restart my count…

This repeated practice allowed me to appreciate the moments of focus, where I could distinctly feel cool, refreshing air entering and exiting through my nostrils. Interestingly, I noticed a significant improvement in my usually weak hearing, able to pick up various sounds around me, which, admittedly, sometimes made me lose track of my counting…

Lunchtime brought a transformative experience. Venerable Chang Xiang encouraged us to mindfully observe each minor action involved in eating: how we held our bowls, maintained posture, lifted food to our mouths, chewed thoroughly, savored the flavors, and swallowed. For someone nearly in her sixties, it was enlightening to truly learn the art of mindful eating for the first time.

Due to rain, our post-lunch session was indoor walking meditation. Venerable Chang Xiang instructed us to be aware of every movement: lifting the foot, moving forward, setting it down… Observing each step and synchronizing it with our breath, I realized the metaphorical similarity to life’s journey, where we must continually pick up and let go to move forward.

The day’s most demanding task was attempting to meditate while lying down. Shortly after lying on the floor, drowsiness set in… Before long, the sound of snoring filled the room, and I struggled to contain my laughter, realizing not only had I lost focus, but I was also close to breaking decorum. Later, I barely remember resisting the temptation to join in the snores, repeatedly declining the mythical “Duke of Zhou’s” invitations to drift off…

The meditation retreat concluded on a high note with snacks thoughtfully prepared by volunteers. Before leaving, I glanced at a piece of calligraphy by Master Sheng Yen in our rest area, inscribed with “Good Connections in All Directions.” Feeling immensely blessed, my son and I left with hearts full of gratitude and renewed energy.

Namo Amitabha Buddha.

Infinite gratitude.

King Lee P.

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Reflection on Two-Day Amitabha Buddha Recitation Retreat

Reflections / / / ,

Hello, my Dharma name is Ruan Qin Yan. I’m 30 years old and a graduate of the Instilling Goodness Developing Virtue Boys’ School at the City of Ten Thousand Buddhas. I’m currently studying at the Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, where I am deepening my understanding of Buddha Dharma.

I was introduced to Dharma Drum Mountain (DDM) by my wife, Lijun. She shared the teachings of Master Sheng Yen and numerous Dharma books and talks by him on YouTube, which helped strengthen our connection with DDM.

My recent two-day retreat at Dharma Drum Mountain Monastery was truly enlightening. Venerable Chang Xing led the Amituofo recitation, leaving a lasting impression on me. The retreat focused on mindfulness, awareness, and patience. One practice that stood out was the walking meditation, which taught me the importance of moving in sync with others to maintain harmony and awareness.

Lay participants were also encouraged to use traditional Buddhist instruments like the handbell, ground bell, and wooden fish. This opportunity helps cultivate focus and concentration. Another key lesson was mindful eating; we were taught to hold our bowl carefully while eating, guiding the spoon thoughtfully with each bite. This practice taught me to appreciate the food and the effort behind its preparation.

Reflecting on my time at DMM, I felt a deep sense of tranquility and harmony. The community showed incredible kindness and warmth, welcoming new practitioners and caring for each other compassionately. The sense of mindfulness and unity I observed has inspired me to incorporate these practices into my daily life, enhancing mindfulness at home and in every monastery I visit.

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3-Day Retreat by Dr. Rebecca Li

Event Reports / / /

We were delighted to host Dr. Rebecca Li at our center for a 3-day retreat from March 8 to March 10.

During her opening lecture, Dr. Li challenged attendees with the question, “What is your purpose for being here?” She encouraged us to release any expectations of achieving the same inner peace found in past retreats, to let go of our attempts to escape the stress and chaos of daily life—be it from work or family—in favor of spending two nights at the retreat. She urged us to contemplate our motivations and to become acutely aware of our subtle thoughts and feelings.

Throughout the retreat, Dr. Li delved into The Four Noble Truths, the Eightfold Noble Path, and The Four Great Vows, explaining their relevance to our meditation practice. She also addressed common challenges and pitfalls that practitioners encounter and offered advice on how to navigate them.

Dr. Li advised participants to allow vexations and distracting thoughts to pass, to acknowledge them but at the same time let them go. She stressed the importance of returning to our practice gently if we find ourselves distracted, without harboring frustration or regret for not practicing “correctly.” She reminded us that each moment and each session of meditation is a fresh start, highlighting that living in the present does not equate to a mind devoid of thoughts.

Comparing the practice of seated meditation and the act of counting breaths to learning to drive in an empty parking lot, Dr. Li illustrated how these exercises train our minds for the complexities of daily life, akin to driving on Highway 101. She emphasized that our practice extends beyond formal meditation to include all daily activities, such as eating and walking, viewing every action as an opportunity for mindfulness. Throughout the retreat, Dr. Li consistently encouraged us to integrate meditation into every aspect of our lives, reminding us to “remember to practice” and “always come back,” reinforcing that our journey is not about passing a test, but about training our minds to enhance clarity and awareness.

In another session, Dr. Li spoke on the importance of cultivating the Right View, which she described as embodying compassion and wisdom. This perspective helps us understand conditional co-arising and the law of cause and effect, teaching us to accept the present moment as a confluence of conditions without aversion or attachment. It serves as a reminder that every moment is a new opportunity for practice, imbuing our experience with freshness and potential for growth.

The retreat offered a rejuvenating experience for all attendees, inviting them to deepen their practice and embrace each moment with mindfulness and clarity.

Report by: KYM

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