BUDDHIST PRACTICE: Walk like a monk

There is no need to go on a retreat. You can gain the benefits of slowing ones life down at home. Simply slow motion your life. Breathe deep and calm and even. Walk at half speed. Take a day or two out from the hustle and bustle of life without going away to a set course and instruction. Focus on what you are doing as you do it. Otherwise, focus on analyzing a Buddhist teaching whilst you perform a simple chore. Whether you focus on the chore in hand or the wisdom of the teaching, try to rid yourself of all thought not pertaining to your focus.

On your 1-2 days out from life, eat less than you normally would. If you generally eat 3 meals, eat two, if you usually eat only one, lessen the amount in the meal. Drink predominantly water, drop the coffee or wine, milk or cordial. Fill you days out with simple pleasures, slowed down life, and healthy meaningful matters. Practice yoga, read the Buddha's teachings, meditate as you live, walk amidst natural surroundings, sit on the beach, burn incense and just inhale the aroma whilst slowly watching the light run down. Stand still and breath deeply between doing things, or in their midst. Eat only natural food. Observe the small creatures about you - the ant on the path, the fly on the window, the bird in the garden.

You need not pay a price to do an official weeklong retreat, nor spend the longer time to take a monastic retreat. You can walk like a monk in a day or two in your own home, squished between work, family, and other business. I tend to attempt to take one such day each weekend. Sometimes, this is not possible. My son might have needs, I might have a day trip planned in Sydney, or there might be a special event occurring I wish to attend. But most weekends, I ensure I have at least a half day in which to walk like a monk.

Having just purchased a brand new computer and having 3gigs data to transfer via PC-EMAIL-PC using dial-up, not to mention installing downloads for many programs and updates, and additionally having a son who has just had toe surgery to run errands for, I am planning just such a 'mini retreat' this coming weekend!