Silent Retreat at Providence Zen Center
I have just completed a three-day silent retreat at Providence Zen Center in Cumberland, Rhode Island. It was up the hill at Diamond Hill Zen Monastery, if you have ever been there, you know how beautiful and amazing the space is overlooking the pond. You can hear the birds and bullfrogs even more clearly at the monastery, than you can at the Zen Center.
Kyol Che Silent Retreat
If you have ever participated in Kyol Che, you too have experienced the depth and clarity of this form of meditation retreat. Kyol Che happens twice a year here at Providence Zen Center for three months in the winter and one month during the summer. I was only able to sit for 3 1/2 days, but very worth it. During this particular period, there were 12 of us total sitting Zen. I generally prefer to meditate solo in my room with the door closed, sometimes it is incredibly beneficial to sit in a group with others equally committed to their meditation practice.
“Kyol Che is a time to investigate your life closely. This experience can bring about a clearer, more compassionate direction, and more harmonious relationships within all aspects of life. Conducted in silence, the daily schedule includes sitting, chanting, walking, and bowing meditations, as well as work practice. Meals are eaten in silence in traditional temple style. The retreat leader gives dharma talks and kong-an teaching interviews. Retreat ends with lunch on the last day.” Providence Zen Center
A Silent Retreat at Your Place of Work
One of the unique challenges for me of this particular silent retreat was that I am also Director of Providence Zen Center and how distracting it was for me to know that there are things that needed to be taken care of right down the hill at my office. I have never before participated in a retreat so close to where both of my work situations exist. It was fun to watch my mind and allow myself the time and space to let go and get out of the way. I find it very comforting when I remember that the world existed fine before me and will after me, therefore, all the things that I think “need” me, rarely actually “need” me.
Silent Retreat Challenges and Obstacles
Another teaching I received I am always grateful for is the reminder that I have practiced meditation for 25 years does not insulate me from the same challenges and obstacles that I struggled with in the beginning of my meditation practice. I know many New Age and self-help books speak of meditation “experts”. My experience continues to show that meditation really is a practice and we will never become masters or experts. We may have more experience to offer inner guidance and direction when these obstacles appear, but they will appear again and again and again. One of the gifts of a daily practice of more than two decades is knowing that whatever challenges present themself during meditation are both temporary and Teachings on what we still need to work on.
Silent Retreat Versus Oral Meditation Retreat
Although this retreat was a silent one, I am more aligned with retreats and intensive that the participants collectively shift to a slowed, alternative brain rhythm receiving oral and silent Teachings. This is how I have been trained and I predominantly work with others. If you have never experienced receiving oral and energetic Teachings, I strongly encourage you to find someone who does this work. It is life altering on a very deep and profound level. Warning: it will change your life. Warning Part II: you will not be able go back to your life as it was before. I am so grateful that this has been my training and my training as a facilitator when working with others. When you get to witness people connect to their Higher Self for the first time, it strengthens our own connection to the Higher Self. This is my work and what I do best. Inspiring work indeed!
I continue to be amazed how in three or four days how many Teachings and Healings are expressed. The Universe is very efficient!
Other posts you may enjoy:
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Spiritual Training on Humility: The Janitor Part I
Life Lessons Learned from Akeelah and The Bee
Things Your Couples Counselor Already Knows About Your Relationship
Do Something Good For Someone Else, and Don’t Get Caught – Kindness
Michael Swerdloff
Providence Holistic Counseling Services
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