Finding Peace in Northeast Georgia

Thich Nhat Hanh. What a beautiful and amazing spirit.

I love to read books. I could spend hours in a book store, just walking past and gently touching the spines of books, pulling out to look at the ones that draw my attention. I am never disappointed when I find a book this way. This is how I found Thich Nhat Hanh, somewhere around a year and a half ago. I pulled this book off the shelf by this Vietnamese Buddhist Monk that I had never heard of before and opened to a random page. The words on this page were captivating and beautiful. I had to get this book. I brought it home and read it, and had to learn more about this spirit who wrote it.

With all that he has contributed I was truly surprised that I had never heard of him before. I could go on and on, but that is not what this blog is about. So, to borrow a quote from Paul Davenport, "more on that later" (or you can research him yourself, visit www.plumvillage.org).

Fast forwarding to this past weekend, I had the opportunity to go to a retreat in Georgia in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. The retreat was hosted by 2 nuns from Plum Village, and the father of one of these nuns who is also a teacher in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh. this tradition is all about mindfulness and being present, and this is what we focused on all weekend.

First I have to say that I cannot get the image of Sister Jewel, a nun who was been living the monastic life since 1997 beginning at Plum Village, out of my head. I saw her from a distance, and her smile penetrated to the root of my soul. I have never seen a more genuine, radiant, beaming smile; shining like a ray of light to hug all who could see it with warmth. This is a person who has found peace. Who is peace. Just being in her presence and the presence of Sister Peace, another beaming ray of light, was enough to bring a calming effect to my spirit. The father of Sister Jewel, Al Lingo, has peircing blue eyes that truly see you when they look. He is in his 70's yet has a youthful spirit and vigor. He has a way with words that come from many years of being a Christian minister before becoming a dharma teacher, and he has worked as a therapist for many years as well. This is a man who worked with Martin Luther King for a year and a half during the civil rights movement. Wow.

These 3 talented, peaceful spirits led the most wonderful retreat in the mountains in Georgia. Breathing in, breathing out, I know I am present. A weekend of just focusing on the breath and remembering that the past and future (thoughts of) prevent you from enjoying what is here right now. We meditated, sang songs, took walks and looked at the moonlight. We practiced yoga and thai chi, sat by a pond, ate meals in silence. We had wonderful discussions and appreciated each other's presence. PRESENCE. (Breathing in, breathing out =)). We practiced deep relaxation and touching the earth. I have not felt so calm and at peace in a long time.

I can keep this peace with me in my daily life, I need only to remember to be mindful. Mindful of my breath, mindful of the moment, mindful of each activity I engage in. I'd like to share a song that we learned at the retreat...

Breathing In, Breathing Out
Breathing in, breathing out (2x)
I am blooming as a flower, I am fresh as the dew
I am solid as a mountain, I am firm as the earth
I am free.
Breathing in, breathing out (2x)
I am water, reflecting what is real, what is true,
And I feel there is space deep inside of me
I am free, I am free, I am free.

all my love,
Lisa