The One With A Lot of Reflection

Things I did know about the retreat:

1. We were going to spend 5 days in silence
2. We weren't allowed any media, or books that weren't based on personal growth
3. The week was supposed to be focused on reflection and meditation
4. The retreat was in Bodh Gaya, the site of Buddha's enlightenment

Somehow I missed the memo that I was going on a Buddhist retreat . . . As all chronic over-thinkers and over-planners do, I had a plan for the week, a vision for what I would do with my 5 days of silence.  The retreat ended up being completely different from what I had imagined, but in only the best way. The Root Institute is absolutely gorgeous. There are flowers and greenery everywhere, intermixed with small ponds, stupas, and Buddha statues. I immediately realized how much I needed a break from Varanasi's chaos and I looked forward to a week of relaxation. The first and last days were spent sightseeing (I'll write about those in a separate post), and Monday- Friday we had a very specific schedule and were not allowed to leave the Institute's grounds. 

Schedule: 

6:45 am Mediation

7:30 am Breakfast (Nap. . .)

10:30 am Buddhism Lecture

12:00 pm Lunch (Nap. . .)

2:00 pm Buddhist Movie (Nap. . .)

4:30 pm Meditative Movement

6:00 pm Dinner

7:00 pm Journalling Circle/ Inner Work

The Meditation hall.

We would get up at around 6:30 am to roll over to meditation. There we had a series of two 20 minute meditation sessions, the first where we were instructed just to follow our breath, and the second where we were told to follow our breath and then identify other sensations as sound, pain, smell, thought etc. I quickly was reminded at how much I think and how uncomfortable sitting cross-legged is. After meditation we would head to breakfast and then for our daily morning nap. Our Buddhism lecture was by a really nice Israeli monk. As the week went on I appreciated the lectures more and more. I really enjoyed how thoughtfully he would answer anything we asked and how respectful he was of other belief systems. Buddhism is heavily focused on compassion for all living beings, and I got a lot out of the different lectures and discussions we had on the topic.  As the week progressed my view of what compassion entailed widened and I reflected a lot on how I can incorporate selflessness and love into my relationships.  

Inside of the meditation hall.

After our lecture we would head to lunch, which was consistently the best meal of the day. We were told that the food was going to be healthy and delicious, but apparently the last commentator either had a strange palate or the cooks changed since the last group that came through. Though I came to have a newfound appreciation for tofu, I often found myself smuggling PB & J's out from breakfast (Camp Newman style) for snack and dinner. After lunch I would often read in bed and then have another small nap before our movies on Buddhism at 2pm. We watched a 13 video series on an introduction to Buddhism. The movies were fine, a bit preachy for my taste, but the material was definitely interesting. One monk who would watch with us would fold his hands into prayer every time the Dalai Lama would come onto the screen. Since I was in charge of the remote and DVD player, I would always fast forward through the little introduction. It was super funny to watch his hands fly up and down as the Dalai Lama would quickly fade on and off the screen. 

Sunset on the roof

After the videos we had more relaxation time and then meditative movement. Some of my group members created full work out routines for the week, but I ended up making the railing on the roof into a makeshift ballet barre and practicing my corpse yoga posture in the sun (also known as tanning in the west). I spent a lot of the retreat reading a book on the intersection between Psychology and Buddhism, journalling, and mastering a new Sudoku-like game (if anyone is wondering I can do the Challenge level in under 8 minutes). 

Dance. Party.

What I appreciated most about the week was that I finally had time to sit and think. My life had become so crazy and busy in Varanasi that I rarely had time to reflect on what I was experiencing, and how I could truly give back to the community here. Though I didn't fully enjoy my time in Bodh Gaya, I definitely got a lot out of the week. I am really excited for our group volunteer experience this week, and to start again at Little Stars next week.