This was my second group meditation session and my first full-day retreat. We explored a variety of techniques, including two twenty-minute sitting meditation sessions. I was proud of myself for sitting through both sessions without any problems. The first time I tried sitting meditation, I struggled with the concept of feeling comfortable while being uncomfortable. This time, Venerable Chang Xiang introduced the kneeling posture that allowed me to sit comfortably without having to cross my legs. The only challenge I encountered this time was trying to stay awake during the second twenty-minute session. Unfortunately, I had to leave right after the retreat ended, so I didn’t get a chance to ask for feedback.
We had lunch at noon, and the food was fantastic! The entire dining experience was new to me; I made sure to plate my food and walk to my seat with deliberate care, eating mindfully and paying attention to what and how I was eating. After lunch, we had a mindful resting session. I was surprised by how relaxed I felt, falling asleep within five minutes on a hardwood floor alongside a group of strangers—a rare feat for me, which shows how much I embraced the meditation techniques learned!
After the resting session, we engaged in another sitting meditation for thirty minutes. I noticed some struggle, likely because I hadn’t practiced enough; the session felt longer than the usual twenty minutes, and my mind began to drift, making me feel uncomfortable. We then moved on to walking meditation, which is always my favorite part. Shortly after, we wrapped up with another sitting meditation and concluded the day with tea and cookies. It was an incredibly enriching experience, and I highly recommend these group sessions!
Sabina T.
