I have received my acceptance letter for a meditation retreat

[Husseinisdoingfine]

A while ago, I posted this thread:

 

I have applied, and was accepted, to attend a meditation retreat at the end of this month, from May 24, to May 28. It's a Buddhist retreat, hosted by Monks and Nuns. I have been to the temple where the Nuns host chanting sessions with various Chinese families, but this is at a different location. 

Below is my schedule. Or at least I think this is my schedule, not entirely sure. The monastery says that this is what the 5 day retreats look like, but will it be the same for my specific retreat? Don't know.

 

Here's the official description of the retreat.

 

5/24 3 PM Check-in | 5/28 12 PM Conclusion | 5/28 2-4 PM Post-retreat teatime social

Loving-Kindness is one of the four qualities of Brahmavihara (Divine Abidings) and serves as the foundation for the Brahmavihara meditation technique. It is one of the oldest and most popular meditation methods during Buddha's time. According to the Path of Purification (Visudhimagga), the practice of Brahmavihāra is considered as one of the three universal practices that all cultivators must be trained on; as it eliminates ill will, calms anxiety, and fosters harmony in a community. Not only does this method helps to develop samadhi (concentration), but also resolves interpersonal issues making it the most suitable method for laypeople. This method also accumulates experience and skills that serve as a bedrock for insight meditation (vipassana).

At [name of location redacted by Husseinisdoingfine], this meditation method is considered the most crucial practice for all meditators. This retreat is a foundational course that serves as a prerequisite for future retreats.

 

Edited May 4 by Husseinisdoingfine
Reason for edit: typos

[Yimpa]

Ending it with Tea Time is legit.

[integration journey]

Hope you have a good time. 

[blackchair]

Congratulations! Enjoy yourself to the max and get the most out of it! One simple deep Buddhist chant can put me in a state of trance, thats how powerful they are! Be open minded as much as you can! 

[Husseinisdoingfine]

6 hours ago, blackchair said:

Congratulations! Enjoy yourself to the max and get the most out of it! One simple deep Buddhist chant can put me in a state of trance, thats how powerful they are! Be open minded as much as you can! 

Do you actually get spiritual results by chanting? Because I haven't tried it yet, but I know the temple Nuns hosts chanting sessions, and I want to try. 

[blackchair]

7 minutes ago, Husseinisdoingfine said:

Do you actually get spiritual results by chanting? Because I haven't tried it yet, but I know the temple Nuns hosts chanting sessions, and I want to try. 

Take it easy, you are just a kid, I'm coral and I transform simple pop songs to connect to God, be gentle, be curious, ask LOTS of questions, immerse yourself completely if you can....don't look for outcome or some spiritual "gains", and it's only 4 days, but it's GREAT start. P.s extreme amount of suffering in my life, training, patience, best mentors in the world and 15 years of hard spiritual work led me here...... 

[Husseinisdoingfine]

Retreat starts in 30 minutes, wish me luck!

[shree]

Awesome. Good luck!

[Natasha Tori Maru]

Good luck on your retreat! Although I think I may have missed the boat timing wise 😁

Interested to hear your feedback on return 🙏

[Husseinisdoingfine]

I’m back!

[Oppositionless]

6 hours ago, Husseinisdoingfine said:

I’m back!

Nice. How was it?

I'll be attending a 6 day Zen retreat in about 2 weeks.

[Natasha Tori Maru]

6 hours ago, Husseinisdoingfine said:

I’m back!

Do it boy, spill your guts and tell us all the dirty spiritual secrets you unlocked 😈

On a serious note, do share if you are comfortable with that level of e-intimacy.

I love hearing about peoples experiences on retreats

[Husseinisdoingfine]

1 hour ago, Oppositionless said:

Nice. How was it?

I'll be attending a 6 day Zen retreat in about 2 weeks.

 

43 minutes ago, Natasha Tori Maru said:

Do it boy, spill your guts and tell us all the dirty spiritual secrets you unlocked 😈

On a serious note, do share if you are comfortable with that level of e-intimacy.

I love hearing about peoples experiences on retreats

 

Definitely an emotional experience.

The number one emotion I definitely felt was restlessness, I was so used to instant and easy information because of the easy access to technology and instant entertainment. The best way I can describe this is; when going to high school or working at a restaurant and waiting for the clock to finally hit the specific time to clock out or for class to end. 

The restlessness I felt was almost unbearable. But I left the retreat with a joy and clenrmindedness that I've never felt before. I was almost in tears because my mind was so clear, I've never felt something like this before. 

[Natasha Tori Maru]

On 29/05/2025 at 10:56 AM, Husseinisdoingfine said:

Definitely an emotional experience.

The number one emotion I definitely felt was restlessness, I was so used to instant and easy information because of the easy access to technology and instant entertainment. The best way I can describe this is; when going to high school or working at a restaurant and waiting for the clock to finally hit the specific time to clock out or for class to end. 

The restlessness I felt was almost unbearable. But I left the retreat with a joy and clenrmindedness that I've never felt before. I was almost in tears because my mind was so clear, I've never felt something like this before. 

It sounds like a dopamine purge! Although I know processes like this do so, so much more. How are you feeling a few days out?

Has the clarity and joy remained?

[krazzer]

On 29-5-2025 at 2:56 AM, Husseinisdoingfine said:

Definitely an emotional experience.

The number one emotion I definitely felt was restlessness, I was so used to instant and easy information because of the easy access to technology and instant entertainment. The best way I can describe this is; when going to high school or working at a restaurant and waiting for the clock to finally hit the specific time to clock out or for class to end. 

The restlessness I felt was almost unbearable. But I left the retreat with a joy and clenrmindedness that I've never felt before. I was almost in tears because my mind was so clear, I've never felt something like this before. 

This sounds very transformational. I think you took a really deep dive into unknowing territory for you. Let it sink in for a while, take your lessons from it, and keeping searching for the thing you are looking for.