Nungye

In honor of Buddha's Enlightenment Day (4/15) I participated in the full Nungye: Fasting and Purification Retreat at the Buddhist Center in Westlake.... dude. Amazing experience. Like, there are no words only WOW. 

Retreat consisted of 3 sessions each day this past Saturday and Sunday. Saturday was a partial fast (only lunch before 1 pm and water all day until 6:30 am Sunday) and Sunday was a full fast (no water after 6:30 am for 24 hours and no food all day). It was crazy tough but also rewarding. I woke up at 6:40 am this morning and had some "blessed" water from the offering this weekend. it was so delicious and refreshing. 

The purpose of the retreat was to develop compassion and also purify our mind and karma. 

In regards to developing compassion..  we were meant to step back and realize how lucky and fortunate our lives are. Basically whenever we felt hungry or thirsty we were to develop compassion for all those in much less fortunate circumstances in the world. The way our teacher Rebecca said it was to develop compassion for those who are not in a controlled environment and basically begin to understand what it is like to starve and be utterly thirsty like they are, and begin to barely understand what it is like to live like this until basically dying. Compassion!  For us like I said controlled, but for them it's uncontrolled. They starve and lack water until they basically die. Two days (one tough one) does not compare to their suffering but it definitely broadened my awareness and compassion. I want to do so much, but I also understand I can't change all the circumstances for the whole world. I can try, but for the times I cannot - I develop sincere and deep compassion for them. A sincere wish that they be happy and be free some suffering.  

In regards to purifying.. it felt like a purification for damn sure! Feeling so amazingly blessed and happy and again, no words really to describe. So glad I did this. Considering doing it again next year hehe. The only unfortunate thing, and it's not that bad really, is that I missed Easter with my family. They don't fully celebrate it but we do make an effort to be together on all holidays. I know it means something special to my Momma to have us all together. I needed to do something for myself and I can only hope she understands. Besides I bought my whole family Dodgers tickets for tomorrow night, that will be a special treat for all of us and I cannot wait.

Forgive me Momma. We will have a good time Tuesday together. For the record I bought the tickets before I even decided or knew about the retreat! It wasn't to consolidate any thing :) got them like almost 2 weeks ago. Learned about the retreat maybe about a week ago or so.

While at the center inbetween sessions I got to spend some time with the fellow Sangha and got to bond too! Learned more about others like me pursuing spiritual development and also about the practice and all the Buddhas. Man they are so badass.

Thank you Avalokiteshvara, Buddha of compassion. "Treasury of compassion."

Learned so much about the habits of my mind too. No email, no work, no phone... just Dharma and Dharma friends. Really finding so much value in the Three Jewels 💎 the teachings are so wonderful and easy to relate to in modern life. I love the teachings so much! 

It is so special to be able to do this with others after the same thing, and also be able to tune inside and connect. Namaste 🙏🏼 . Feeling so grounded. Haven't felt this way in a long long time. So grateful for being part of this. I have to credit Tina for encouraging me to attend the meditation classes at this center like over a year ago. I recently lent her some audio books I bought there a few months ago that go deep into the origins and the practice - it is so awesome to be able to talk about this with someone at work. Feeling blessed about that as well. 

Thinking about going to the festival in the UK next summer. If I get into the Ed.D program I may not be able to (as we have summer school for the three years we are in the program).  I want to get in so I can be a better benefit to others! 

Maybe I'll be blessed with extra work or money and can make it this summer. We shall see.

Going to continue my day with an awareness and compassion toward myself and others. Will be mindful in regards to my body, speech, and mind.

"A precious human life."

Grateful for my downfalls, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them. I have a thirst to be better and be grounded and I'm on my way. 

Definitely wanting to make the best of what's left of this short life. 

Nungye is incredible.