Meditation retreat led by Justin Stone, enjoyed by 40 participants

For three days, about 40 participants from six states and Canada gathered at the Dominican Retreat Center in Albuquerque for a meditation retreat with Justin Stone. A quiet valley there is the setting for a ranch-like area of picturesque southwestern-style buildings where a few Dominican sisters and many volunteers extended warm hospitality to us throughout our stay. Without any exaggeration, I can sincerely state that there have been few (if any) days in my life thus far which have been better spent than that weekend last September. In fact, I would have to say that this time was nothing less than life-changing for me!

I have already written several times in the Vital Force about how my T’ai Chi Chih practice and teaching have helped me in my life. After attending a Seijaku accreditation course (in this same city) two years ago, and then hosting one such event last year here in New Jersey, I was impressed with the idea of putting periods of meditation into my life on a regular basis as well. But I struggled with actually doing it.

Why is it, I asked myself time and again, that I so resist what I instinctively know is best for me? Perhaps it is because I also know, in that place deep within me, that it will mean permanent changes, and I am not sure that I am ready yet to accept those changes into my life. Yet, from the very first morning of this retreat, when I stepped outside (just before our first meditation session) to practice T’ai Chi Chih, I knew. As I took in the early morning quiet, the soft purple light on the distant mountains, the first rays of sun streaming though the low-lying mist to fall upon sparkling jewels in the grass, I knew, I knew that once again, my life was about to change. All I would need to do is “let go”… yet again.

Our knowing teacher led us gently into several sessions of meditation each day. We learned wonderful truths from Justin Stone in those days as he generously shared stories with us. He bid us let go of expectations and let go of ego. He asked us to keep silence for most of a day — a soft quiet broken only by bubbling joy (here and there) at meals. Then we wrote Pyramid Poetry and Haiku as the bright moon smiled through the window.

Again and again I was struck by the idea of the absolute ONENESS of all that is. I met old friends and new, and indeed it seemed that time had stopped. The place, the people, the moments seemed all to come together as ONE. I heard words that I will always remember— and a message that was exactly what I needed to hear. I recognized the truth in these words for perhaps the first time in my life.

I can count many miracles of that weekend — too many to put on paper here. But I have one story to share that I will never forget:

I was among the first to have to leave on Sunday morning for my flight home. Justin was very concerned that we would have plenty of time, and that we had rides to the airport. Just before leaving, he asked me if I had “some money in my pocket” to get something to eat at the airport, as dinner [at the retreat center] would be served after my departure. I answered, yes, that I did have money, (remembering recent times when I didn’t). Anyway, any words I could say seemed to have no meaning. The gesture went right into my heart. Gratitude!

On the way home, I just missed catching the train that was to take me from the airport to my home, and so had to wait an hour in the train station late at night for the next one. I went into a food concession for a fajita. A man approached as I sat eating and, seeing my luggage, began asking me about my trip. I wanted to ignore him, because I knew he wanted something from me. I was so used to this! I hated this! I usually will not even look such a person in the eye. But something drew me in. Eventually, he asked.

Suddenly, the man standing next to me was no stranger. I saw Justin Stone standing there with all of his loving concern for me. And then I saw others as well. The words, “Enter the ONE” rang in my mind.

I had more than enough money to get home. I gave the man the two dollars he needed to buy a sandwich, which he promptly ordered as I prepared to leave for the train platform. I don’t remember what he said to me. It doesn’t matter; there is only ONE!

Since then, I have been meditating along with my T’ai Chi Chih and Seijaku practice everyday. Justin was right. The result of regular meditation will be a changed person. There is a different kind of joy that has been filling my life these days…

Thank you, Justin, for generously being our Teacher. Thank you Maggie Berg, for arranging this gathering so perfectly. Thank you all the folks at the Dominican Retreat Center in Albuquerque for giving us such a fine home during those days.

Thank you, Carmen Brocklehurst, for placing this opportunity before me (so I could see it!). Thank you, Ed Altman, for whatever you said in our phone conversation last July that made me realize I’d be a fool to not go to this retreat. But these are only words.

“There is no happiness without gratitude!”

Days
so rich
loving friends
knowing teacher
sad to leave
why so?
thanks!