Hi guys,
So here I am, almost 34 yo in May, working as a sales rep for over 6 and a half years, making good money for myself and my employers, with good health but a tinnitus problem, no kids or wife, no house mortgage, my mind still racing like a monkey everytime I sit and watch my breath, still very highly attached to the senses, still very ignorant.
For a while I have been thinking about taking a year off as a sabbatical, at 1st it was to travel the world and so on, now I'm thinking about doing it to go to a monastery in Thailand or Sri Lanka (or else?), and start taking control of my mind and my sense doors more seriously and see how that goes.
Is there a specific place any of you truth seekers could recommend me for that purpose? Could I reside in a monastery as a lay follower until I decide to either go back or ordain? Or else what's the best way to go about it?
Metta,
Bagoba
Where to take a year off to meditate?
Where to take a year off to meditate?
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
- LonesomeYogurt
- Posts: 900
- Joined: Thu Feb 23, 2012 4:24 pm
- Location: America
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
http://www.sirimangalo.org/ is a very good center that tolerates visitors very well =]
Otherwise, depending on where you are in the world, it shouldn't be too hard to find a center.
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is a good way to find a center or monastery.
Good luck!
Otherwise, depending on where you are in the world, it shouldn't be too hard to find a center.
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is a good way to find a center or monastery.
Good luck!
Gain and loss, status and disgrace,
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.
Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.
His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta
Stuff I write about things.
censure and praise, pleasure and pain:
these conditions among human beings are inconstant,
impermanent, subject to change.
Knowing this, the wise person, mindful,
ponders these changing conditions.
Desirable things don’t charm the mind,
undesirable ones bring no resistance.
His welcoming and rebelling are scattered,
gone to their end,
do not exist.
- Lokavipatti Sutta
Stuff I write about things.
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Thanks Lonesome! I'll check it out. I reside in the south of France btw, there's a Zen center close to where I live (Hérault on the map) which I've never been to, but no theravada center is mentioned...LonesomeYogurt wrote:http://www.sirimangalo.org/ is a very good center that tolerates visitors very well =]
Otherwise, depending on where you are in the world, it shouldn't be too hard to find a center.
http://www.buddhanet.info/wbd/index.php" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This is a good way to find a center or monastery.
Good luck!
Last edited by Bagoba on Tue Apr 10, 2012 6:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
I recommend that you visit the center before deciding whether or not to stay there for an extended period of time. While there certainly are many monasteries with a high standard, the question is how suitable the people and teacher(s) are for you (like their style of teaching, their personality etc + individual differences from monastery to monastery).
Buddhanet is certainly a good place to find out where you could go. Many places also have a homepage with dhammatalks, which might give you a chance to narrow down options. If you want to visit a place in France: I only heard good things about Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/thich.htm. His main center "plum village" is in the north of France as far as i know
Best wishes,
Alobha
PS: Congrats on your plans to stay in a monastery for a longer time btw! Great opportunity to practice!
Buddhanet is certainly a good place to find out where you could go. Many places also have a homepage with dhammatalks, which might give you a chance to narrow down options. If you want to visit a place in France: I only heard good things about Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/thich.htm. His main center "plum village" is in the north of France as far as i know
Best wishes,
Alobha
PS: Congrats on your plans to stay in a monastery for a longer time btw! Great opportunity to practice!
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Thanks Alobha!Alobha wrote:I recommend that you visit the center before deciding whether or not to stay there for an extended period of time. While there certainly are many monasteries with a high standard, the question is how suitable the people and teacher(s) are for you (like their style of teaching, their personality etc + individual differences from monastery to monastery).
Buddhanet is certainly a good place to find out where you could go. Many places also have a homepage with dhammatalks, which might give you a chance to narrow down options. If you want to visit a place in France: I only heard good things about Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh http://www.buddhanet.net/masters/thich.htm. His main center "plum village" is in the north of France as far as i know
Best wishes,
Alobha
PS: Congrats on your plans to stay in a monastery for a longer time btw! Great opportunity to practice!
Yes I am aware of Plum center, it's actually in the south of France not very far from where I live (4h40 minutes by car), I have also heard very good things about it and about Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh of course... But I'm less familiar with Zen teachings...
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
- Goofaholix
- Posts: 4018
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:49 am
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
I wouldn't recommend this unless you've already done a few 1-2 week retreats close to home.
If then you want to take a year off and be a dhamma bum in asia then yes that would be a great idea, there are lots of centres you could go to so I wouldn't worry about commiting to spend a year in one place or ordaining, travel around, spend as long or as little time in erach place as you want, look upon it as an adventure and a chance tolet go of your attachments.
If then you want to take a year off and be a dhamma bum in asia then yes that would be a great idea, there are lots of centres you could go to so I wouldn't worry about commiting to spend a year in one place or ordaining, travel around, spend as long or as little time in erach place as you want, look upon it as an adventure and a chance tolet go of your attachments.
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Thanks Goofaholix! I've already been on a few retreats close to home, they were Vajrayana retreats lead by tibetan lamas and mostly based on chanting saddhanas and visualisation / dissolutions of deities, never did an actual vipassana retreat which seems to be what I'd be leaning towards at this time...Goofaholix wrote:I wouldn't recommend this unless you've already done a few 1-2 week retreats close to home.
If then you want to take a year off and be a dhamma bum in asia then yes that would be a great idea, there are lots of centres you could go to so I wouldn't worry about commiting to spend a year in one place or ordaining, travel around, spend as long or as little time in erach place as you want, look upon it as an adventure and a chance tolet go of your attachments.
Also I was wondering, as I took refuge in the 3 Jewels about 7 years ago, with the Kagyupa lineage of tibetan buddhism, is that ok to try a different approach with Theravada and the Vipassana method now? Or let's say that at some point in the future I'd like to ordain, could I do so under a different tradition than the one I initially took refuge in in this life? I'm rather confident that the answer is yes, since the 3 Jewels are the same no matter which tradition, but I just want to make sure...
Thanks...
Last edited by Bagoba on Tue Apr 10, 2012 8:34 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
- Goofaholix
- Posts: 4018
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:49 am
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
That kind of thing makes no difference from the Theravada / Vipassana POV, if you were going the other way it might be a problem.Bagoba wrote:Also I was wondering, as I took refuge in the 3 Jewels about 7 years ago, with the Kagyupa lineage of tibetan buddhism, is that ok to try a different approach with Theravada and the Vipassana method now? Or let's say that at some point in the future I'd like to ordain, could I do it under a different tradition than the one I initially took refuge in in this life?
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
You mean if I had taken refuge under the Therava tradition but then wished to ordain under the Vajrayana tradition?Goofaholix wrote:That kind of thing makes no difference from the Theravada / Vipassana POV, if you were going the other way it might be a problem.
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
- Goofaholix
- Posts: 4018
- Joined: Sun Nov 15, 2009 3:49 am
- Location: New Zealand
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
yesBagoba wrote:You mean if I had taken refuge under the Therava tradition but then wished to ordain under the Vajrayana tradition?Goofaholix wrote:That kind of thing makes no difference from the Theravada / Vipassana POV, if you were going the other way it might be a problem.
Pronouns (no self / not self)
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
“Peace is within oneself to be found in the same place as agitation and suffering. It is not found in a forest or on a hilltop, nor is it given by a teacher. Where you experience suffering, you can also find freedom from suffering. Trying to run away from suffering is actually to run toward it.”
― Ajahn Chah
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Ok thanks
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
- PadmaPhala
- Posts: 169
- Joined: Sun Apr 15, 2012 5:22 am
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
a year?! I was thinking of 3 months... first.
how far can you travel? what's your climate tolerance and preference?
first, calm down and remember that you need but the soil to meditate...Bagoba wrote:Hi guys,
So here I am, almost 34 yo in May, working as a sales rep for over 6 and a half years, making good money for myself and my employers, with good health but a tinnitus problem, no kids or wife, no house mortgage, my mind still racing like a monkey everytime I sit and watch my breath, still very highly attached to the senses, still very ignorant.
For a while I have been thinking about taking a year off as a sabbatical, at 1st it was to travel the world and so on, now I'm thinking about doing it to go to a monastery in Thailand or Sri Lanka (or else?), and start taking control of my mind and my sense doors more seriously and see how that goes.
Is there a specific place any of you truth seekers could recommend me for that purpose? Could I reside in a monastery as a lay follower until I decide to either go back or ordain? Or else what's the best way to go about it?
Metta,
Bagoba
how far can you travel? what's your climate tolerance and preference?
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Hey there Vincenzi!
Well, if I ask my employer for a sabbatical, it's not going to be just 3 months, considering how hard it is to actually legally qualify for one and how long I'd have to wait for the next one, I would ask for maximum time, which is 11 months...
As far as climate goes, I'm used to the mediterranean one, which is kind of away from the extremes, lol.
I can travel as far as I want on this earth really! As for soil only needed, I agree, but an environment where the right effort can be sustained, it's a bit more tricky and actually what I'm after at this stage...
Thanks!
Well, if I ask my employer for a sabbatical, it's not going to be just 3 months, considering how hard it is to actually legally qualify for one and how long I'd have to wait for the next one, I would ask for maximum time, which is 11 months...
As far as climate goes, I'm used to the mediterranean one, which is kind of away from the extremes, lol.
I can travel as far as I want on this earth really! As for soil only needed, I agree, but an environment where the right effort can be sustained, it's a bit more tricky and actually what I'm after at this stage...
Thanks!
"This path is a thorough investigation and understanding of the limitations of the mortal condition of the body and mind. Now you're developing the ability to turn away from the conditioned and to release your identity from mortality." Ajan Sumedho, "Mindfulness, the path to the Deathless." http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/deathless.pdf
-
- Posts: 17
- Joined: Sun May 13, 2012 11:41 am
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Hello,
As you live in France, you may be interested in attending the vipassana retreats guided by Sayagyi Daw Sobhana, a Cambodian/French nun, disciple of Sayadaw u Pandita and Sayadaw u Thuzana. There are some this spring and summer...
http://santisantisukha.over-blog.com/ar ... 35806.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
May you find suitable conditions for your spiritual path.
With metta
As you live in France, you may be interested in attending the vipassana retreats guided by Sayagyi Daw Sobhana, a Cambodian/French nun, disciple of Sayadaw u Pandita and Sayadaw u Thuzana. There are some this spring and summer...
http://santisantisukha.over-blog.com/ar ... 35806.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
May you find suitable conditions for your spiritual path.
With metta
Re: Where to take a year off to meditate?
Dear Bagoba,
Why don't you look at vipassana centres run by Shri S.N. Goenkaji, they run on tough discipline, you do 8-10 hours of meditation a day. Starting from a 10 day camp you go upto 60 day camp also. In between two camps ( since you can't do two camps on a back to back basis) you can do dhamma service and remain connected with teachings. The centres are run entirely on donation basis.
Which area of world are you located ? This is a great resolution, please don't let go of it and use it wisely.
Metta
Parth
Why don't you look at vipassana centres run by Shri S.N. Goenkaji, they run on tough discipline, you do 8-10 hours of meditation a day. Starting from a 10 day camp you go upto 60 day camp also. In between two camps ( since you can't do two camps on a back to back basis) you can do dhamma service and remain connected with teachings. The centres are run entirely on donation basis.
Which area of world are you located ? This is a great resolution, please don't let go of it and use it wisely.
Metta
Parth