1 Month Sabbatical-Sayadaw U Pandita

I WILL BE AWAY from Shelburne Falls for all of JUNE. I will be back July 7th teaching my Tuesday evening and Sat morn. classes at Hartyoga.com, in the mean time Lindel and Abigail will be subbing. Thanks to them for that.



See below, part 1 & part 2 of a post, on what a retreat is like and what one "get's" from them.

I will be attending a month-long silent meditation retreat with my teacher, the venerable Sayadaw U Pandita, a renowned Buddhist monk. He is the author of "In This Very Life," a wonderful book, see link to Amazon for info.

He is quite elderly but lives up to his reputation as a tough, demanding teacher. He is one of the primary teachers of such Western pioneers as Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg (founders of the Insight Meditation Society, in Barre, MA.) and Jack Kornfield a founder of Spirit Rock Center, in CA.. As the availability to study with him his limited, he lives in Myanmar (Burma;) I must go whenever he is in this country. Be well. Kalavati

May my practice be for the benefit of all beings.

Pt. 2/What Do You Do on A Retreat

Rahula, Be Like Water
© (Kalavati) V. Williams 2009

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Continuing from previous post of 5/24/09:
Misconception #4
4. It's not "getting away from it all? Why not?
Where ever you go your mind goes with you. That means much of our troubles do indeed follow us, even with no communication with the outside world. So no, your mean boss/parent/mother-in-law/difficult teenager, bankruptcy whatever- is not there but the conflict continues on in your mind. And what often seems worse is that with no distractions, it all becomes more vivid!

So why go on a retreat? What do you get? Oh and "You've done one, why would you go again?"
Well everything becomes more vivid, and that my friend is the point in huge part; to see the mind and how we perceive/think/react-all our mental/emotional processes and reality with absolute clarity...
What can happen over time in a long retreat may be something like this:

• Physical pain comes up, knee pain, back pain, shoulder aches, that perhaps you never noticed before. You start to worry, panic even, "this will never go away, I won't be able to meditate how awful." "This meditation is causing my pain..."
• We get calmer...pain may subside, often suddenly just lifts or becomes less strong.
• Mental/Emotional pain comes up. Memories of past hurts, incidents.
• Deeper awareness of what the mind does develops. And it can be a shocker! Things like constant planning, worrying, looking back to memories/replaying them. As we sit calmly with whatever comes up...we start to develop insight into our minds, neurosis, blocks and weaknesses.
• Since the major instruction is to be present, aware each moment, the above patterns are very annoying. We try hard to not get lost in the "stories, worries, planning" in our heads, it feels like a battle.
• Mind starts to calm down because of the training, quiet, the slow deliberate way we are moving and no outside distractions to engage it.
• Perhaps the insights about our life and life in general start to really become apparent and tolerable, even OK
• Maybe even calmer, mental clarity, deep peace....
• We may have some experiences that are kind of cool, whoa, different than our everyday awareness... Now we like this meditation thing how great....
• And the cycle may begin again from start or anywhere on the list and then continue to develop. Each retreat is different, as you are different...new issues come up, new awareness.

So at the end of a retreat typically:
• Going back into the world is a shock, honestly. The worse thing to do directly after even a weeklong retreat, is to go into a supermarket! You will be overwhelmed....the colors, the sounds, the quick pace...."why are there sooo many cereals, this is crazy! I just wanted a bottle of water." And it will feel unpleasant.
• You might feel a bit disoriented, as the pace/complexity of your usual life becomes more apparent in contrast to the retreat environment.

Tara (Detail)
© (Kalavati) V. Williams 2009

Benefits:

• Deep sense of calm, clarity about your life
• Better ability to deal calmly and intelligently with disruptions and difficulty in general and with relationships
• Heightened intuition
• Often health and energy levels are improved

So that's what I've found either in my personal experience/teachers experiences and those around me. And going repeatedly deepens the benefits, you do not have to be a Buddhist to go on one of these. And since Buddhism is in large part about our reliance on concepts rather than actually reality, it is difficult and could be misleading to try to explain further. I may take up some individual points and blog on them more, it might be helpful for some.
MAY MY PRACTICE BE FOR THE BENEFIT OF ALL BEINGS

What do you do on a retreat, anyway?

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You may have wondered "what do you do on a retreat, anyway?
"It sounds relaxing..." I've had students sigh wistfully, when I announce I'll be away on one. A student in my yoga class on Sat said to me, why do they call it "retreat," they should call it "advance." I was perplexed, "What?" "Well retreat sounds like your getting away from something," he said, "when really your trying to gain something, so they should call it an advance." Interesting...I think he had some experience of what a meditation retreat is like. Anyway..I wanted to share for family, friends, yogi's and clients a bit about retreats; since I disappear for long periods of time on them. Read on if interested.
What retreats are not:

1. easy
2. relaxing (ok by the end usually yes)
3. like a vacation to Cancun
4. getting away from it all (sort of, but not really)

What retreats are; addressing above ideas in order:

1. EASY: Here is a typical Buddhist retreat (Vipassana/Theravadin)

• Wake up 5:15/30 ish
• meditate by 6 or 6:30
  
• breakfast (oatmeal)
• work period/break (usually about 1 hour)
  
• meditate
• walking meditation
• meditate
• walking meditation
• meditate
  
• lunch (vegetarian, usually pretty good)
• break usually 1 hour (or work period if didn't in morning)
  
• meditate
• walking meditation
• Interview with teacher (sometime in the day) lasts 10 min. or so
  
• meditate
• walking meditation
• tea, fruit/juice (maybe soup, salad & bread, if not monastic based) If more strict, just former, ie. no eating after 12 noon
• break 1/2 hr,
  
• Dharma Talk-a talk on a topic usually around 1 hour
• walking meditation (shorter)
  
• meditate
• Bedtime 9:30/10:00 REPEAT NEXT DAY!

2-3. Not relaxing in the sense of lying on the beach/bed or watching TV. At some point on a retreat usually it becomes relaxing, more like calm (I'll say more on that in pt. 2) ... notice I say "at some point" and that's with perhaps...So not like a vacation, because:

• No talking, silence is maintained except for teacher interview. Not even at meals, also silent.
• No books, radio, TV, Internet, phone calls, IPods....you get the idea. No journaling even. No distractions at all from your mind.
  
• no margaritas/tequilas nothin'

So why do this you ask? More in the next post. Become a subscriber and blog posts will be auto sent to your reader. See button on right in sidebar.

My office garden

Posting some lovely shots of the garden in front of my office all in bloom. If you have not been yet for a shiatsu, now is a great time. For Shelburne Falls Yoga students, there is a intro price if you book your appointment for the month of May! If this is your first time to my blog, there are a couple of articles on the theory and practice of shiatsu that you can check out. Also see FAQ's both are in the "Blog Archive," located in the sidebar. And as always contact me with any questions, and check back soon or subscribe.
As SFY students know I was away at a 10 day continuation of a training program, check out "Dharma & the Toilet Bowl," the post below for some thoughts on bring mindfulness into daily life, and the benefits...

Country Sunset Buddha

FAQ about Shiatsu

A therapeutic shiatsu is an energetic synchrony of client, therapist and Spirit.
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• "I have never been this relaxed in my life." Ed C., Merchant.

• "I feel great!!! Thanks again, for the wonderful session..and I definately would like to set up an appointment when I return." B. Miller, Librarian.

5 shiatsu sessions: $290. Each session is $58, a savings of $35!
It has a 6 month expiration, start date is the date first session.

8 shiatsu sessions: $440. Each session is only $55, a savings of $80!
That is with a 9 month expiration, starting from date of first session.

To make appointment: (best way) send e-mail . Leave 3 options of days and times that work for you and I'll get back to soon with an appointment from your choices! Call (not best, cell service is spotty in my area.) (c)413.824.2674 and give info as above. See FAQ below.

1. What is Shiatsu? Shiatsu (Jap. for "fingerpressure") Manuscripts dating to 200BC in China discuss massage as one method of staying healthy along with acupuncture, herbs and other techniques. Shiatsu uses the language and metaphors of Traditional Chinese Medicine to support health. By the sixth century the techniques from China had reached Japan, were they further developed.
2. How does Shiatsu work? On the same principals as acupuncture, but no needles! Ki or Chi means Life Force and it should flow smoothly and freely in the body. Problems arise when energy is in excess in some areas (can lead to pain) or depleted (area is underactive.) A skilled therapist feels the flow of Ki and helps to guide the client towards balance again. Palm and thumbs are used for pressure along with joint rotations and rocking. Overall feeling is of being supported.
3. What is it effective for? Low energy and anything that is aggravated by stress such as irritable bowel, anxiety, insomnia, headaches, low libido, frequent colds, allergies; and overall health maintenence. Since shiastu meridians flow throughout the body-it is effective for many health issues at a stage before full blown disease. The body wants to be balanced and moves towards that state naturally, for example we don't tell our finger to heal a cut or fight an infection. A healthy body does that naturally. Chi flow and quantity has emotional impact as well, for example aggravated Liver energy may make one more irritable. Lung energy is affected by the emotion of sadness. Shiatsu massage is also a wonderful support to your recovery and healing efforts using Western medicine.
4. What is your training in massage? I am a New York State and Massachusetts licensed massage therapist with 1,000 hours of training, which is among the very highest in the country. A portion of that was shiatsu, plus study at the International School of Shiatsu in Doylestown, PA. My 14 years of practice of yoga and meditation have enhanced my sensitivity to energy flows. And I've received great feedback on the effects of my bodywork.
5. Is shiatsu painful? You may have seen in movies someone being walked on by a barefoot woman. But I do not do a rough shiatsu style, as by training and philosophy I believe that the client will not relax and change cannot happen if they are tense. There can be discomfort if an area is jitsu (tight and congested energetically.) Often the areas of shoulder and upper back are contracted muscularly as well as energetically. But at any time one should always convey to a massage therapist if pressure is uncomfortable.
6. What do I have to do? Your responsibility as a client is to give clear and honest answers (confidential) on the medical history form-so that I can deliver an effective, appropriate session. And to relax as much as possible-which is enhanced by deep, slow breathing, and dropping into a comfortable silence. The effect of shiatus is only as deep as your level of relaxation.
7. What to expect at your first treatment? First an assessment is taken of medical history as well as emotions and current life issues. This gives valuable information as to what energy channels may need attention. The client remains clothed (comfortable cotton clothing is best) and oil or lotion is only used for the feet, hands and neck. Following traditional Japanese practice- shiastu is performed with the client lying on a low futon. That allows the therapist to use natural pressure as a result of gravity via their body weight. Palm and thumb pressure are applied to specific meridians along with gentle joint rotations.
8. How will I feel? Clients usually begin to relax immediately some fall into a light sleep. Some feel the flow of energy, noticed as a pleasantly warm, sometimes tingling sensation; and often in another area of the body than the part being treated. Post session: generally one feels either very energized or a bit tired and wanting to rest. The former is the case when energy flow was normal to in excess and was unblocked. Feeling tired can happen when one comes in after pushing oneself for some time perhaps using stimulants such as caffeine to keep long hours or when recovering from illness/stress. In those cases one comes in with an underlying fatigue that needs deep rest and a restoration or building of Chi. In such cases more sessions will be very helpful in restoring balance. Also in the case of tired feeling by the 2nd or 3rd day-- when energy has balanced out-one may feel better than before.

Dharma & The Toilet Bowl

The Bell @Spirit Rock

Well to further reflect on this program Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation Training at Spirit Rock, this post came to me as I was cleaning. In fact it was while hovering over the toilet bowl, brush in hand that I realized the impact (of my participation.)

New England Ice Storm (3 days after)

I was cleaning up, letting go of an old residence that had taken me through a very harsh winter. See above, an ice storm that hit New England in Dec. 2008, not seen in a generation, that required National Guard, Red Cross water and comfort stations and no power for 7 days to my little cottage. A friend had to cut out a driveway for me, so my windshieldless car could be taken to the shop!
So cleaning up a few days ago, after having moved out my things; there are always too many things, when one has to lift, sort and unpack them.... I noticed because of the mindfulness practice, that I was in fact hurrying, anxious and resenting the tasks. There is a "back story" you see. And it was replaying in my head, "they said..., I said this, what, how could they, I'm right etc. etc....."

Standing Buddha @ Spirit Rock

What tore me back to the present, the only place we are really alive in-was the striking contrast in state of mind. You see my job (you get a daily "yogi job," was to cleaning the meditation hall women's bathroom, while at Spirit Rock. I did it fairly mindfully, conscientiously without resentment. Yet here I was fuming... so the first Foundation of Mindfulness is awareness of the body, body sensations....And just in that moment, I dropped all the mental arguing, realizing that it did not feel good. My body relaxed and I continued on with the same mundane tasks-sweeping, mopping in a better state of mind... Until the thoughts came back to haunt me, but they did so with less pungency, than initially.

The only time I got to see this tree in gorgeous bloom.

And so the practice goes of putting Dharma tools of mindfulness, and insight into our daily lives. The Buddha's teaching is not only about suffering but about the end of suffering (unsatisfactoriness, is another translation.) I got to see it for myself for a moment in time.

Spirit Rock Training Program

Just got back from the Mindfulness Yoga & Meditation Training at Spirit Rock in California. It was truly a wonderful program over these last 18 months. This last one was very joyful and poignant. I'll be adding more this weekend, and some more wonderful images. The teachers again were, luminaries from the yoga and Vipassana communities, and they offered us a range of their wisdom. Basically the program was aimed at yoga teachers on how to incorporate the gifts of mindfulness into their classes. The goal being to give folks tools to deal with the inevitable suffering that happens in life. I know suffering is a strong word. Dukka, the word in Pali (the ancient language of the time) can be translated as "unsatisfactoriness" as well. And it 's not meant to be depressing but in fact bring more joy into ones life, as we incorporate certain tools of mind. Anyway....more later.