I completed my at-home retreat. This was my first “solo” retreat – though with all the animals at home, I never felt alone. I didn’t end up seeing my friend on Saturday, but I did have to dog sit for a different friend who is recovering from major surgery. Her dog doesn’t like one of my dogs, and major drama ensued. While my retreat experience wasn’t fully restful, I got to be of service to both dog and owner, and that was good practice, too.
Because numbers are how Americans are taught to keep score:
- Zazen periods: 14
- Demons fed: 4
- Prajna Paramita practice periods: 4
- Chanting periods not part of other practices: 3
- Metta meditation periods: 4
- Neighbors I had polite conversation with while walking the dogs: 4
- Wandering dogs I returned to their owners: 1
- Number of 200mg ibuprofen gelcaps consumed: 9
I learned a lot about how my mind works and about the nature of mind. I managed to avoid the major temptations of sleeping too much and turning on the computer. I will do this sort of “householder retreat” again when the opportunity presents itself.
Living in the Dash 