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Opening Summer 95 - Enjoy Whatever You Do - The Story of Sally Green
A young woman named Sally Green in America, once an Olympic swimming champion, decided to stop competing at the age of 20, even though she was considered the best in the world. Previously, she had trained up to 35 miles a week, waking up at 6 a.m., practicing before and after school for five years from the age of 15 to 19. Sally realized she had missed the beautiful years of her youth and felt sad because she had been chasing after fame without truly living each moment.
The Buddha teaches that happiness is always available in the present moment, as long as we know how to practice mindfulness and enjoy each small action. Sitting, walking, eating, breathing—all can become Dharma doors to nourish peace and joy. The practice of reciting “I have arrived, I am home” with the breath helps us stop running and return to the present moment.
During the summer retreat at Plum Village, the main practices include
- practicing sitting meditation (sitting in peace and ease) to find stillness in the breath
- walking meditation with each step in touch with the words “I have arrived, I am home”
- eating rice, eating an orange with mindfulness: seeing the food clearly, chewing at least 30 times, and savoring each bite
These practices help transform each ordinary moment into a wonder, so that we do not waste our youth, our old age, or any role we take on, but instead live fully and happily with ourselves.