My World Tuesday: Beating a Retreat

IMG 1041

IMG 1008

IMG 1023

Actually, there is no beating a retreat--not when Brian leads the way. I spent all of Saturday among friends in Plymouth, Connecticut, under the direction of Buddhist teacher Brian Vaugh. We shared in tea, walking, silent, and guided meditations, tai chi, and a video about the Soto Zen teacher Edward Brown. Along the way we even had a clay meditation, fashioning food items from modeling clay. We spent the day in silence, and it was good.

The cup, above, is one of Brian's that we use in the tea meditation. The dog and the cat are the live-in friends of our hosts and very much in sync with the universe. So they're way ahead of the rest of us.

The truth is you're already a cook.
Nobody teaches you anything,
but you can be touched, you can be awakened.
Put down the book and start asking,
"What have we here?"



Post a Comment

40 Comments

  1. It all sounds so perfectly peaceful and soothing...it was like being on retreat, myself...so glad you attained peace this way.
    Sandi

    ReplyDelete
  2. Sandy what a wonderful experience!
    Silence is golden and we learn much when the mind is quiet.
    I have been on a retreat in the past and now is a good time for me to take in another. Love the images and messages in your recent posts! namaste anna xo

    ReplyDelete
  3. What a wonderful experience indeed! I'm so happy for you, Sandy! Haven't been on a retreat in quite some time either. Sounds like such a beautiful and peaceful day. Going to have to see what I can find here. Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!

    Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  4. Marvelous photos! And I love the quote. (You knew I would, didn't you?)

    And I'm glad it was such a good and restorative experience for you. You deserve it.

    (PS: What on earth do you suppose "fliarke" might mean/be?)

    ReplyDelete
  5. sounds like a peaceful sabbath...

    ReplyDelete
  6. sounds like an amazingly peaceful way to relax!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I love tea cups you cradle, the warmth of the tea comfort not only your thirst but your soul....

    WV Porion .. as in pour on the tea please

    ReplyDelete
  8. Fascinating. I would love to go on a retreat where the whole day is spent in silence. Must be very refreshing.

    Dark

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous2:41 PM

    what a wonderful experience. sadly, i am bloghopping at work and none of the pix are opening, so i have to return here tonite when i get home so i could see the images.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous3:18 PM

    I have never experienced a day of silence but would love to! What a wonderful experience.

    ReplyDelete
  11. That sounds very calming Sandy.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Simplicity and peacefulness....beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sandy: That is something I've never done.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Good for you Sandy. You deserve it.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sounds like a wonderful experience. Great quote.

    ReplyDelete
  16. It sounds like a delightful retreat. I hope you enjoyed every minute of it. Love the closeups of the fur people.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Nice way to relax. The second snap is very nice.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It sounds like a wonderful experience. Must be very relaxing.
    Love the close up photos!

    ReplyDelete
  19. to find a way you need to think and feel. so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Profound and beautiful - both the photos and the words.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Beautiful, beautiful macros indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  22. It's so important to just leave the world like this for a while.

    ReplyDelete
  23. So true Sandy, great post and pics.

    All the best
    Guy
    Regina In Pictures

    ReplyDelete
  24. hmmm... first heard of a clay meditation. and now ill google it. great time with friends plus exciting activities... perfect!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Very interesting and I imagine extremely relaxing too.

    ReplyDelete
  26. The beauty of silence give us time the hear and restore our sole.
    Inner peace is also wonderful, it is something you can't buy.

    ReplyDelete
  27. Silent and Listen are the same word when you play with the letter order. Nice flow of photos and I'm glad you got a retreat. It feeds the soul.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Splendid experience, I'd like to participate. Beautiful pictures, Sandy.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous3:42 PM

    Lovely post ... thanks for sharing your 'retreat experience' with us through your wonderful photos and words.
    Hugs and blessings,

    ReplyDelete
  30. Sounds like a wonderful experience. Probably one that we could all use. Come swing by and get me on your way next time. :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. A wonderful experience, this you shared. Must be refreshing to body and soul.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Inspirational words. Thanks for sharing your meditation.

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wow, it sounds like a great way to get away from the rat race. It calmed me down just reading about it and viewing your photos.

    ReplyDelete
  34. Sandy what a wonderful experience!

    Work From Home

    ReplyDelete
  35. I LOVE that cup! Sounds like a peaceful time!

    ReplyDelete
  36. I LOVE that cup! Sounds like a peaceful time!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Very nice sharing. Thank you… Good information and good way your blog post. Good luck

    ReplyDelete
  38. Very nice sharing.thanks

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for being here.