i_rabbit

I’m sitting in the center drinking some hot tea and listening to the wind blow - or is that the tea kettle - it sounds like Mt. Meru in here! It has been a wonderful experience to engage in retreat with my Sangha this month. I have gotten just a taste of what a ‘real’ retreat might be like and now I can cultivate the sincere wish to make that happen in the future. I say a taste because life was not put on hold or anything for this month and I have split my time between the center and home to take care of the children and work. I am officially on FMLA as of last Wednesday and that has improved my mood somewhat considerably. It was a wise decision to take time off before surgery this time to wrap-up loose ends and just plain relax. Evie and I are going to La Conner this weekend to spend some Q-time together and I am really looking forward to that. Mostly it has been really nice to get more comfortable at the center and feel a sense of ownership by taking part in the everyday activities such as cooking and cleaning around here. Many wonderful opportunities for giving, receiving, and stimulating conversations have presented themselves and as Gen Khedrub mentioned to me prior to my stay, when living at a Dharma center you sometimes learn just by osmosis. I definitely feel that both my practice and relationships with Sangha have been strengthened considerably - it has been a great opportunity to stretch.