Cats who teach me to fly…

I didn’t get up on time, neither did I attend the early chanting and meditation at 6am. Breakfast starts at 6.45am, meaning everyone will be out for breakfast! It’s a good time for me to take a shower. The noise that was coming from my bathroom will not disturb anyone. After shower, I hurriedly went for breakfast. Took 2 bread for dinner to my room after breakfast as my gastric began to feel uncomfortable.

Ajahn Brahm’s talk at 8am brought me to tears. He was talking about his encounterment with the Down syndrome people during his younger days. He remember a Down syndrome boy came straight to him and gave him a hug. Although people with Down syndrome may find challenges in their life but they have their strength as well and their emotional intelligence could be so powerful. The boy who hugged him felt Ajahn Brahm’s pain at that time because his girlfriend broke up with him the night before.

Ajahn Brahm said that all trees in the forest are crooked. It’s normal to have Down syndrome or mental conditions of any kind and we shouldn’t be judgemental. Immediately when I heard this, tears began to fall. I’m not a neurotypical person. I’m so dumb at times and people often have to tell me what to do. But I’m ok. A good lesson to remember.

I planned to go to Bodhinyana monastery but I don’t intend to go alone. So I went around asking if anyone was going. Finally I found one who knows the way.

We saw these kangaroos along the way. Wish I could hug them.

Same thing in the evening. An hour of meditation and then Q&A. I think I’ll ask him some meditation questions tomorrow.

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I got up at 4.50am. Since we’re not allowed to take shower early in the morning, I had to wash my hair at the basin. Always feeling refreshed after a shower. I was early and went for the chanting at 5.50am followed by meditation at 6am. All went well. Breakfast was good and the Dharma talk was at 8am. When it ended at 9am, I went straight to my room to take a nap as I hardly slept last night. 10.30am every morning is my duty to do washing before lunch. Lunch was good. Lots of fruits and I had my fill.

I brought cushions in my room to meditate. Glad that I brought Bhikkhu Bodhi, Dharma reflection, with me as well as Venerable Wuling, Pure mind, Compassionate heart. They helped me pass my day and evening.

My habit of practice is to meditate first, then read a little and meditate again. It usually lasted for an hour. I do this everyday at home as well. The only difference is I have all day here to read and meditate. All thanks to Melanie!

Ajahn Brahm had translated the Anapanasati sutta. He read and taught in the afternoon. It is easy to read and understand. I’ll post the sutta when I get home.

And soon it was evening. As everybody is taking the 8 precepts, we only have tea break in the evening. I’ve gastric issues especially during the cold weather, so I’m only keeping 5 precepts.

An hour meditation at 7pm and Q&A from 8pm to 9.30pm. Ajahn Brahm is as humorous as ever. I love when he talks about meditation. There is so much to learn from him.

A little tired today and looking forward to tomorrow’s practice.

Below is the link for Anapanasati Sutta

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I’ve completely forgotten about the Australia visa, so did Mel and I applied an e-visa online late last night before my flight departed at 12pm today. I was glad that the visa arrived at 10am this morning.

Once again, I looked at the crowd at the boarding hall, in the airplane and in the restaurant at the airport in Perth. I’ve lost much interest in getting involved in any of their stories. When I look at them, I see myself and I’m not going back to where I once was. I brought a book, Dharma reflection, written by Bhikkhu Bodhi. I spent all my time either reading it, sleep or meditate. Not forget to spread loving kindness to everyone around me.

Once I reached Jhana Grove, we were asked to join the Dharma talk in the meditation hall and I didn’t expect to see Ajahn Brahm teaching. Seeing him was like seeing a Buddha. I listened to him attentively. Wishing I could practise under him and imagination began to flow like streams that continuously flow to the river:))!

We can’t take shower in the morning as we may disturb others. Therefore, I’ve to adjust myself. I shall see what I can do.

This is where I’ll be sleeping tonight.

I deeply appreciate Melanie for helping me so much and those who help take care of the community cats. Without them, this retreat will not be possible.

In order to repay those who are kind to me, I’ll put all my attention to the whole retreat, to observe my body, speech and mind and noble silence and be mindful at all time.

PS: bed cover and blanket are mine!

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To be exact, Ace was born in March 2014. He was eight year old already. Ace met a car accident 3 years ago and he had fought a good fight! He survived another 3 good years.

This was Ace after his recovery. Due to the car accident, Ace’s right eye was badly affected and after 1.5 years, we had to removed his eye due to cataract. Dr Heng advised that if we didn’t do anything about it, his eye will become cancerous.

Ace looked as bright as he was after his eye was removed. We gave him all we could and I really hope he has all he needs everyday without having to starve for a day.

I’ll always remember the brave chunky boy who always sits by himself.

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Completed another 100 hours of meditation. From clinging to nimittas to wanting nothing. From expecting results to wanting nothing. From tense to complete relaxation. We really do not have to do anything. Just relax, focus and be still. I guess stillness is not enough for me, it has to be paired with concentration. I can have physical stillness but not mental concentration. It’s good that there are more practise to be done.

What have I learned from another 100 hours of meditation? I have understood what Buddha meant by “the base of space, the base of consciousness, the base of nothingness and the base of neither perception nor-perception. All these have to be experienced and not to be understood intellectually.

At first I was confused because I couldn’t think and I was still confused until one evening I finally realised that the experience cannot be analysed at that point of time. I should say I’m only touching the surface and the concentration has not yet fully stabilised. There are still more work and practise to be done. I guess it’s going to be a long way for me.

Beside this, because of the stillness, I tend not to be over affected by uncontrolled circumstances. The stillness quickly take over when anxieties arise. I don’t think I’m doing well yet. There is still more work to do! And I love the work. Hope there will be progress as I move into the next 100 hours of meditation!

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