The 2024 LJM European meditation retreat: A spiritual ecology perspective of the "mind"
In the summer of 2024, Master Guangchun, Master Baoben, and Master Wenxi from the Milarepa International Meditation Center in Nepal of Ling Jiou Mountain Buddhist Society (LJM) set foot on European soil to teach Meditation practices. During their 11-day journey, from Germany to Austria, nearly 70 participants from various professions joined the retreat. Some were seasoned practitioners, while others came to explore the profundity of Eastern meditation. In a peaceful monastery nestled in a small town surrounded by birdsong and nature, they dedicated themselves to practice, integrating meditation into their daily lives and rediscovering their true nature.
Venerable Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of the LJM, enlightened participants on the meaning of spiritual ecology and explained that the purpose of meditation is to rediscover one's true nature. Spirituality is ecology, said the Venerable, and ecology is spirituality. All ecological manifestations are expressions of spirituality, and they are two sides of the same coin. All matter possesses spirituality, and due to differences in DNA, they manifest in the form of diverse species.
Humans have the ability to think and change their way of life, while nature provides various nutrients that allow species to survive and maintain ecological balance. Each species plays a different role and fulfills its own function within the platform of spirituality. When we view ecology from a spiritual perspective, we can see the close interconnection between all living things. We should treat the ecosystem with an equal partnership, thus respecting, protecting, and cherishing it, the Venerable instructed.
By continuously practicing through four steps, one achieves the goal of "rest"
Meditation is all about returning to your original spirituality, your "true nature," which has always been present but often goes unnoticed due to the busyness of daily life. To regain it, one must continuously practice through the four steps of Peace Meditation, with the goal of reaching a state of rest, allowing the true nature to be revealed.
During this journey, Master Guangchun gave a teaching on the “Nine Stages of Mental Abiding.” The Master mentioned that the lay practitioners have followed Venerable Hsin Tao for many years, and hoped that they would have a guiding direction on their long path of practice. Therefore, the teaching focused on the Nine Stages of Mental Abiding, which outlines the subtlety of the mind and serves as a progression from basic to advanced stages in meditation.
The Master explained that the mind is often filled with delusions, much like a monkey running wild. By settling the mind in awareness, these delusions will decrease. With continued meditation, one can prevent delusional thoughts from arising, allowing the mind to find a place to rest in. The Master, having led meditation in Taiwan for many years, observed that Taiwanese practitioners tend to focus on methods and steps in their practice, while European meditators are more passionate about inner exploration.
Master Wenxi shared that although they had come to an unfamiliar country, many participants were disciples of Venerable Hsin Tao and had years of meditation experience, so they quickly integrated into the retreat. Seeing how much the participants, especially the Austrian disciples, cherished the opportunity to meditate was inspiring. Their practice schedule was tightly arranged, with short breaks and intense dedication, which was one of the key factors in making the retreat a success.
Master Wenxi continued, stating that the LJM’s mission in Nepal has also begun promoting meditation. Nepal, being a Buddhist sacred site, attracts many locals and international visitors searching for their inner spirituality, many of whom are interested in meditation. The blessing of this sacred land, combined with the tranquil environment of the LJM Milarepa Meditation Village, creates a pure atmosphere that helps practitioners reduce obstacles and focus more deeply on their practice. This trip to Europe also gave the Master an opportunity to learn how to promote meditation to people of different cultural backgrounds.
Addressing the Cognitive Consciousness is a Religious Commonality
In Austria, they visited Stift Reichersberg Monastery, which has maintained uninterrupted practice for over 1,000 years, and the Benediktushof, a Benedictine meditation center in Germany. The quiet power of these places deeply moved Master Wenxi, leaving a lasting impression. Through exchanges with the practitioners about their daily lives and practices, he noticed that reciting scriptures and manual labor were common routines for everyone. He also realized that discussing the "mind" is a shared aspect among religions. As the Fourth Patriarch of Zen, Master Daoxin, once said, "There are a hundred thousand Dharma practices, but all return to the mind." Although different religions have their own paths of practice, they ultimately converge in cultivating the mind.
During this meditation journey, everyone also took the opportunity to visit churches. One of the displayed quotes from The Rule of Saint Benedict emphasized that the most fundamental attitude is to listen with the heart before taking action. The content of the striking of the board verse after the evening prayers was: "From the heart, I tell you, the only thing that matters is life and death. Everything will pass; this moment will not remain. Be clearly aware, don’t be vague, and do not forget."
It is evident that regardless of whether it is Eastern or Western, the essence of practice is the same: seeking inner peace and focusing on the present moment. At the end of the retreat, the participants sang a hymn of peace inside the church. Through simple physical movements and pure singing, they expressed their love for the heavens, the earth, nature, and themselves.
During the 11-day meditation retreat, it was not only the Taiwanese masters who taught meditation courses, but Christoph Singer and Maria Habito, who have followed Venerable Hsin Tao for many years, also played leading roles in Austria and Germany, respectively. The Venerable praised Christoph Singer for his solid meditation practice and the positive guidance he provided to the participants. With continuous practice, everyone will undoubtedly continue to make progress.
Christoph Singer, who has been practicing meditation under the Venerable for over eight years, advised the participants to repeatedly ask themselves: "What helps us stay grounded? What scatters our mind?" Through continuous meditation practice, the sense of "self" will dissolve. Eventually, a feeling of unity will emerge, revealing one's true nature. Everyone should have complete confidence in the method of meditation.
Simplicity, tolerance, and empathy are the most precious treasures
Christoph Singer mentioned that simplicity, tolerance, and empathy are the most precious treasures. When actions and thoughts are simple, one returns to the source. By being tolerant and empathetic towards oneself, one can achieve harmony with all beings. He also reminded everyone that if focus is lost during meditation, the mind will become scattered; one should return to the breath, as the secret of our true nature cannot be grasped through thought alone. Maria Habito added that when we stop meditating, the mind will revert to its original scattered state. Therefore, it is important to come together as a group to consolidate strength and continue practicing and progressing together.
A 13th-century Japanese scholar recorded many stories of saints achieving enlightenment. He wrote that when the Buddha saw the morning star and attained enlightenment, he realized the unity of all things. The concept of spiritual ecology discussed by the Venerable stems from the Buddha's understanding that all things are interconnected and intertwined and cannot exist independently. When we recognize this, we will treat everything in the world with kindness.
The participants, having found the right method and maintained their perseverance, experienced the 11-day meditation retreat as a rich feast for the soul. At its core, it involves dedicated effort in the mind. When returning to one's true nature, one realizes that all things originate from the same spiritual essence and are part of a shared life community. This understanding fosters greater compassion towards all things, enriching life through the protection of the environment and the practice of kindness.
Venerable Hsin Tao, Founding Abbot of the LJM, enlightened participants on the meaning of spiritual ecology and explained that the purpose of meditation is to rediscover one's true nature. Spirituality is ecology, said the Venerable, and ecology is spirituality. All ecological manifestations are expressions of spirituality, and they are two sides of the same coin. All matter possesses spirituality, and due to differences in DNA, they manifest in the form of diverse species.
Humans have the ability to think and change their way of life, while nature provides various nutrients that allow species to survive and maintain ecological balance. Each species plays a different role and fulfills its own function within the platform of spirituality. When we view ecology from a spiritual perspective, we can see the close interconnection between all living things. We should treat the ecosystem with an equal partnership, thus respecting, protecting, and cherishing it, the Venerable instructed.
By continuously practicing through four steps, one achieves the goal of "rest"
Meditation is all about returning to your original spirituality, your "true nature," which has always been present but often goes unnoticed due to the busyness of daily life. To regain it, one must continuously practice through the four steps of Peace Meditation, with the goal of reaching a state of rest, allowing the true nature to be revealed.
During this journey, Master Guangchun gave a teaching on the “Nine Stages of Mental Abiding.” The Master mentioned that the lay practitioners have followed Venerable Hsin Tao for many years, and hoped that they would have a guiding direction on their long path of practice. Therefore, the teaching focused on the Nine Stages of Mental Abiding, which outlines the subtlety of the mind and serves as a progression from basic to advanced stages in meditation.
The Master explained that the mind is often filled with delusions, much like a monkey running wild. By settling the mind in awareness, these delusions will decrease. With continued meditation, one can prevent delusional thoughts from arising, allowing the mind to find a place to rest in. The Master, having led meditation in Taiwan for many years, observed that Taiwanese practitioners tend to focus on methods and steps in their practice, while European meditators are more passionate about inner exploration.
Master Wenxi shared that although they had come to an unfamiliar country, many participants were disciples of Venerable Hsin Tao and had years of meditation experience, so they quickly integrated into the retreat. Seeing how much the participants, especially the Austrian disciples, cherished the opportunity to meditate was inspiring. Their practice schedule was tightly arranged, with short breaks and intense dedication, which was one of the key factors in making the retreat a success.
Master Wenxi continued, stating that the LJM’s mission in Nepal has also begun promoting meditation. Nepal, being a Buddhist sacred site, attracts many locals and international visitors searching for their inner spirituality, many of whom are interested in meditation. The blessing of this sacred land, combined with the tranquil environment of the LJM Milarepa Meditation Village, creates a pure atmosphere that helps practitioners reduce obstacles and focus more deeply on their practice. This trip to Europe also gave the Master an opportunity to learn how to promote meditation to people of different cultural backgrounds.
Addressing the Cognitive Consciousness is a Religious Commonality
In Austria, they visited Stift Reichersberg Monastery, which has maintained uninterrupted practice for over 1,000 years, and the Benediktushof, a Benedictine meditation center in Germany. The quiet power of these places deeply moved Master Wenxi, leaving a lasting impression. Through exchanges with the practitioners about their daily lives and practices, he noticed that reciting scriptures and manual labor were common routines for everyone. He also realized that discussing the "mind" is a shared aspect among religions. As the Fourth Patriarch of Zen, Master Daoxin, once said, "There are a hundred thousand Dharma practices, but all return to the mind." Although different religions have their own paths of practice, they ultimately converge in cultivating the mind.
During this meditation journey, everyone also took the opportunity to visit churches. One of the displayed quotes from The Rule of Saint Benedict emphasized that the most fundamental attitude is to listen with the heart before taking action. The content of the striking of the board verse after the evening prayers was: "From the heart, I tell you, the only thing that matters is life and death. Everything will pass; this moment will not remain. Be clearly aware, don’t be vague, and do not forget."
It is evident that regardless of whether it is Eastern or Western, the essence of practice is the same: seeking inner peace and focusing on the present moment. At the end of the retreat, the participants sang a hymn of peace inside the church. Through simple physical movements and pure singing, they expressed their love for the heavens, the earth, nature, and themselves.
During the 11-day meditation retreat, it was not only the Taiwanese masters who taught meditation courses, but Christoph Singer and Maria Habito, who have followed Venerable Hsin Tao for many years, also played leading roles in Austria and Germany, respectively. The Venerable praised Christoph Singer for his solid meditation practice and the positive guidance he provided to the participants. With continuous practice, everyone will undoubtedly continue to make progress.
Christoph Singer, who has been practicing meditation under the Venerable for over eight years, advised the participants to repeatedly ask themselves: "What helps us stay grounded? What scatters our mind?" Through continuous meditation practice, the sense of "self" will dissolve. Eventually, a feeling of unity will emerge, revealing one's true nature. Everyone should have complete confidence in the method of meditation.
Simplicity, tolerance, and empathy are the most precious treasures
Christoph Singer mentioned that simplicity, tolerance, and empathy are the most precious treasures. When actions and thoughts are simple, one returns to the source. By being tolerant and empathetic towards oneself, one can achieve harmony with all beings. He also reminded everyone that if focus is lost during meditation, the mind will become scattered; one should return to the breath, as the secret of our true nature cannot be grasped through thought alone. Maria Habito added that when we stop meditating, the mind will revert to its original scattered state. Therefore, it is important to come together as a group to consolidate strength and continue practicing and progressing together.
A 13th-century Japanese scholar recorded many stories of saints achieving enlightenment. He wrote that when the Buddha saw the morning star and attained enlightenment, he realized the unity of all things. The concept of spiritual ecology discussed by the Venerable stems from the Buddha's understanding that all things are interconnected and intertwined and cannot exist independently. When we recognize this, we will treat everything in the world with kindness.
The participants, having found the right method and maintained their perseverance, experienced the 11-day meditation retreat as a rich feast for the soul. At its core, it involves dedicated effort in the mind. When returning to one's true nature, one realizes that all things originate from the same spiritual essence and are part of a shared life community. This understanding fosters greater compassion towards all things, enriching life through the protection of the environment and the practice of kindness.