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Find Some Peace of Mind
 The
stressed-out urbanite who craves some peace of mind should contemplate
doing a meditation retreat in one of the country’s many temples.
Near the forest monastery of Suan Mokkh, Garden of Liberation, (www.suanmokkh.org)
in Surat Thani or at Wat Mahathat
(www.mcu.ac.th/IBMC) in Bangkok, you can learn the secrets of serenity
from real Buddhist monks. These practical lessons will also teach
you why the tolerant and compassionate teachings of the Buddha make
it the fastest-growing religion in the world today.
At the aforementioned temple in the capital, located near the Grand
Palace, visitors receive lessons in sitting and walking meditations
from Thai monks conversant in English. You can even stay over at
the centre in the temple for a night or even a few weeks as long
as you obey the different precepts, like not eating after 12 p.m.
, just like the monks do. The temple
asks only for a small donation; the amount is up to you.
In contrast, the courses at Suan Mokkh International, about one
kilometer from the forest temple in Surat
Thani, are much more intensive. Here, you have to rise at 4
a.m. to begin a long day of meditation practice that includes listening
to talks about Buddhist teachings and even doing yoga. For the entire
10 days you have to remain completely silent.
It’s tough, but it does have many benefits, including increased
concentration, more willpower, and the taming of what the Lord Buddha
called “the monkey mind.”
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