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München Retreat 1
The story of the monk Thera illustrates that true living alone does not mean physical isolation, but rather not getting lost in the past or the future. Whether sitting alone or with a friend, if one is established in the present moment, one is truly living alone. Mindfulness grounds the practitioner, unlike an astronaut floating on the moon, allowing for deep living, self-care, and healing. It is the instrument of transformation that makes things real; when touching a sunset, the blue sky, or a loved one with mindfulness, they reveal themselves clearly. Life, peace, and happiness can be found only in the present moment.
To inspire non-fear, one must touch the ultimate dimension. There are two dimensions of life: the historical dimension, compared to waves with birth, death, ups, and downs; and the ultimate dimension, compared to water, which is free from these concepts. Touching the ultimate dimension allows one to smile to birth and death, sorrow and joy. Mindfulness contains light, understanding, and compassion. Everyone possesses the seed of mindfulness, sometimes called the Baby Buddha or Buddha nature. Practicing mindful breathing and drinking waters this seed, preventing it from being buried under layers of sorrow and forgetfulness.
To address guilt regarding the past, such as a veteran who killed children or a bystander unable to save a mole, the practice is to touch the present moment deeply to save life now, rather than suffering from the past. The exercise of “Flower Fresh” involves visualizing oneself as a flower during the in-breath to restore freshness, and smiling during the out-breath. Walking meditation is practiced slowly, focusing entirely on “in, in, out, out” without conversation. The secret of practice is not to think too much, but to be; being is the basis for effective thinking. Finally, the talk touches on the nature of consciousness, describing the river of perceptions and feelings, and the two main functions of consciousness: store consciousness and mind consciousness.
