A week of meditation, gardening, and singing
Thoughts on my meditation in France, principles in life and work, clearing our social media accounts, and Dharmapunx
Hi friend!
Heads up that there is no video this week, but a longer write-up.
Last week was an absolute treat. Seven days in the south of France at Plum Village meditating, eating, singing, and gardening. When I first arrived, I was a bit confused. I saw monks playing football (AKA: Soccer) to my left and lay-people (non-monastic monks and nuns) singing songs to my right. Coming from my previous retreats, I expected absolute silence and monotonous monastic culture.
You must be thinking - "Was this really a meditation retreat?" When I first arrived, I would have said, "absolutely not." But after a week, my answer will be an astounding "yes!"
The beauty of Plum Village is Thich Nhat Hanh's interpretation of modern Buddhist practice: Engaged Buddhism and the concept of interbeing. Monastics practice contemporary precepts called Engaged Buddhism, focusing on external social action vs. inward discipline/punishment. The monks and nuns regularly fly out with Thay to various parts of the world to spread peace in some of the most troubled areas. Interbeing is the concept that everything and everyone in the world is interconnected and all of the practices at Plum Village was dedicated to foster this universal connectedness.
Plum Village also holds the belief that a retreat should emulate our everyday. No strict rules, no harsh disciplines, and the power to create our own agenda and retreat experience (just like the real world). I've seen on countless occasions where attendees switch on another personality for the meditation retreat, only to switch back to their usual selves afterward.
It was here that I met the happiest monks and nuns on my journey. In Thailand, there was a clear divide between monks and lay-people. We were instructed to give monastics distance as to not disturb their practice. They never spoke or even looked at us. At Plum Village, not only were all the retreatants welcomed into the monks and nun's daily meditation and teachings, but also encouraged to eat, hang out, and even play sports together. There was no separation and the most definite sense of community in all of my travels.
It was here that I met the happiest monks and nuns on my journey. In Thailand, there was a clear divide between monks and lay-people. We were instructed to give monastics distance as to not disturb their practice. They never spoke or even looked at us. At Plum Village, not only were all the retreatants welcomed into the monks and nun's daily meditation and teachings, but also encouraged to eat, hang out, and even play sports together. There was no separation and the most definite sense of community in all of my travels.
And of course, the gardening. Over the week, I worked on an organic farm planting vegetables, harvesting herbs, and getting taught various regenerative agriculture techniques - including composting (increasing carbon % in the ground) and integrated pest management (creating habitats for natural pest killers). My mind was absolutely blown.
It seems like every day, we understand more and more about systems and techniques that have been natural and around for centuries. Despite all of our technological advancements, our innovations often return us back to nature (for example, biomimicry and biophilia). Perhaps we should have a bumper sticker that reads "In Nature I Trust." (Seems like religion is not doing too hot these days)
I'm headed up now to Paris, for next week in the city of love. À tout à l'heure mon amour! (see you later my love)
A Book That I Wish I Read Years Ago
I finally had a chance to sit down and read Principles by Ray Dalio (4.22 on Goodreads), and it summarizes so many of my thoughts in business, management, and life. His approach to solving problems makes so much sense (part 2), and his approach to business and management should be fundamental for anybody working in a management capacity (part 3). If I had this book ages ago, I would have done many things in work very differently.
Cleaning-Up-Your-Social-Media App
With the slow breakdown of social media (looking at you, Facebook) and rise in privacy and consumer protection, an app caught my eye. Jumbo is a dead-simple tool to clean up your Twitter, Facebook, and Google Search. I know my Twitter needs some deep-cleaning, especially from my early days...
Buddhism Meets Tattoos
Recommended this podcast by one of my dear friends, and it has quickly become one of my favorites. Dharmapunx NYC is a modern take on Buddhist teachings and the host, Josh Korda, makes it so understandable and relatable. Check it out.
As always, thanks for reading!
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Have a beautiful day!
Metta (loving-kindness),
Steven