Meditation..

The meditation retreat did not go as planned. It was SO challenging, I ended up leaving early because I was unhappy. Our daily schedule was as such:

 

5am wake up

530 dharma talk with our Teacher Monk

7 breakfast

11 lunch (no eating allowed after this)

2 pm report to monk

6 pm chanting

930 must be sleeping (I was alseep by 9)/

 

It was mainly silent, I didnt speak for about 24 hours and felt crazy. Finally I broke the silence and talked to a younger girl there, who happened to be from San Jose, CA. She and her friend were only staying until the 5th and I immediatly decided to leave early with them. All the meals were supposed to be vegetarian but they all had a mysterious meat substance! I was very hungry, and I finally lost it this morning when the breakfast had what looked like steak in it. I decided immediatley to leave today, on the 4th.

 

The retreat was at a temple outside of Chiang Mai city, very far up on the hill. The other people there were of all ages, I was the youngest, many 30 year olds, and a couple older people. Mainly white although not American. Our living situations were nice, we each got private rooms in dormitories for men and women. During the day there was NOTHING to do but meditate, which is clearly the point, but hard to do when you've never really meditated before! The experience I have had has all been guided which is much more enjoyable. We were not allowed to read or sing or talk unless necessary. I thought it would be much different and I am  feeling better already that I left. Shout out to Elena, I would not have survived without my pistachios :)

 

So I left this morning and came to Chiang Mai which is where I'll be for the next two weeks. I am staying at Deejai Backpackers Hostel where Megan stayed and recommended. It is very cute. The owner informed me already they're going to have a huge Songkran party and they're fully booked for the holiday. Im really excited.