Two days Noble Silence retreat at Sunnataran was just what I needed! Together with Ayya Esika and Ayya Aggadhammagavesi we enjoyed a very quiet time apart from having Tai Chi classes and very inspiring Dhamma talks.
We were amazed at all the work done in the land to support and facilitate a better understanding of the teaching.
During our walking meditation we were constantly reminded of the different steps and the result of mindfulness through many artwork as carved tiles lying along one part of the meditation path reading: "breathing a short breath", "breathing a long breath", "calming the breath", refining the breath", and so on... From the short breath to the end of samsara,, there were all the different mental states represented by each carved stone.
Sitting meditation facing the open landscape of the valley sinking into the myriad of trees and bushes was just so powerful! The fragrance of gardenias just opened, the sound of birds and the soft breeze touching our faces made all a competition of tones and frequency to our senses... All contact doors were present to sabotage our work, and yet... they all rendered defeated in the background as we moved to a more peaceful and composed state of mind.
On top of all that, the group of volunteers taking care of the food, the preparation of everything for our staying and all the work related, were just fantastic. There was so much female energy everywhere! Loving kindness poured from everywhere: the little pots with green plants in the bathrooms, the abundance of flowers climbing the gazebos, beautiful potteries and Buddhas emerging at every corner, benches and places to rest made of different materials embracing the breath of nature... and of course! The masculine energy vibrated in the Thai-style decorated buildings: the stupa with its giant Buddha, its majestic presence supported by all the guardian Buddhas brought from different countries and traditions, and the bells calling to stillness when the wind were touching them...
