Kalaw 2

Dear friends,

I'm back in Kalaw the coolest place in Myanmar, litteraly. It's a nice change from the very humid and hot climate of Yangon where I stayed for the last 4 months.  I've been in these beautiful Kalaw mountains for about two weeks now and will spend Vassa(3 months rains retreat) here at the Mahasi meditation center.

It's been 19 months since I took the robes. I'm constently learning about the monk lifestyle , rules and practice(s) of meditation. The Buddhist tradition is very old(2600 years) and very rich. There is enough to explore both in theory and practice for many lifetimes...  But I keep it simple. Sticking to the basics and ajusting with what seems most helpful in the moment... in this life!

As I have probbaly already said on this blog, the people in Kalaw are amazingly generous. Sayamaji(a retired shcool principal) comes on her scooter to deliver a home cooked meal everyday at the door of my hut. We talk about meditation practice and Buddha's teachings and then she asks if I need anything else (soap, blankets...) and then leaves with a big smile on her face.

In this meditation center, there are about 20 nuns and 6 monks. It's built on a mountain side in a staircase fashion. The views are beautiful, the air is fresh and flowers and trees are very diverse and lush. Every morning we go on alms round(collecting food in our bowls) down in the valley for about 1 hour and a half. The sloped roads and paths insure that we get our daily exercise. So pysical heatlh is good and mental health as well.

May you all be healthy in mind and body
and live a meaningful, fulfilling life!
Be good(to yourself and others;))!
I'll do the same on this side of the world:)

Viveka
:)

Ps. The internet connection is extremely slow that's why I couldn't post pictures. I will try in the coming days...

Zayawaddy (part 3)

 Here's Chandan, hauling freshly cut bamboo to build us roofed meditation stands, He doesn't stop for a minute which explains his blurred silhouette in the photo.

They built a total of three bamboo meditation stations within a week. The roofs were later covered with dried fern strips(see in a few pics below).

 These are my two teachers:
Slo and Stedy!

 U Indapala (A Vietnamese friend) who shares the same taste in fashion.:) 

It doesn't show in this picture but he's really very funny.

Can you see the fern roof? Very nice for shade.

Stepping into Beauty! ;)

Hello friends!

So, I have survived my first year as a monk! It was quite an intense ride. Full of wonderful discoveries, mysterious health issues, scorpions, snakes and mosquitoes... also meeting many new beautiful friends, travelling, pilgrims, oily food(Myanmar style), silent retreats and much, much more... 

But out of all these experiences, what seems most worthy of mention is the understanding that has grown about myself(that is: this mind, this body and their relationship). If your wondering what I'm doing here in Myanmar... that is it. Observing this mind, this body all the time (well, almost all the time). What might seem obvious but that is of increasing interest and value to me is that by gaining understanding on how this mind-body works, I get to understand other people much better and nature as well. Really, this whole meditation business seems much more like a scientific experiment (on oneself by oneself) then a religious or spiritual endeavor. And for now, it seems to bring Peace, Freedom and Happiness in the mind.  Not too bad of a deal:)

So, as you might be able to guess at this point, I`m very happy with this lifestyle. I've never met so many people (which is surprising for the life of a recluse) and I feel more then ever that this human life is very meaningful and full of potential. I will definitely continue wearing these maroon robes for a while whether it`s in Asia or in the West...or both:) Who knows...it all depends on conditions!

Most importantly, I would like to thank all of you who have encouraged and supported me in this extraordinary voyage into self-discovery. I feel immense gratitude to all of my friends in Montreal, Moncton and everywhere on the globe, also to my meditation teachers(especially Pascal Auclair who encouraged me to fly over here). Thank you to my father who sends me words made of gold and dipped in love, to my mother who sends me letters the size of small books, thank you to my sister who`s heart is filled with loving kindness and hands always ready to help,  and all the family members who have inspired me and given me support). It is largely because of your generosity and friendship that I am here today. Really. every thought and gesture makes a difference!    

Thank you!!   Merci!    Jaizu daibadai! 

A guy with a happy heart!

Viveka (Christian)