Year End Retreat at Wat Phramahajanaka

On this New Year Eve, I had a quiet time reflecting myself in the year 2022. I also went to Wat Phramahajanaka in the afternoon with lots of flowers for 7 vases to worship 4 Buddha statues, Guan Yin (Goddess of Mercy), Ganesh, and Mother Earth Goddess. 

Pra Ajahn Songkran and Pra Ajahn Tinnakorn were the 2 monks there while Pra Ajahn Pasan was still in Thailand for ฺฺBuddha Opening the World statue project.  From 6:00 p.m. on New Year Eve until 12:15 a.m. on New Year Day, we chanted, listened to Dhamma, and discussed Dhamma with short breaks in between.  I went to bed around 1:00 a.m. and got up at 5:30 a.m. to participate in morning chanting.  Then, around 7:30, we offered food to both ajahns and later, I joined others for breakfast. After that, I had Dhamma discussion with Pra Ajahn Songkran.  Pra Ajahn Songkran memorizes lots of Buddha stories which he always refers to while preaching us. 

One thing worth to note here is the MUST chanted hymn for New Year "Itipiso" which needs to be chanted for 108 times.  Why 108 times?  I will find out later on. 

Takeaways to remember:

1. Feelings and mindfulness are different.  
One should use mindfulness to understand one's feelings which then will help one not to get occupied with the feelings such as physical pain, sadness, or anger.  Always practice observing your feelings with mindfulness. This will help you to not accidentally deep dive into your undesirable or desirable feelings such that your energy gets burned out and you feel empty and lost.  

2. Doing duty and not doing for others. This helps to not create expectations to others.
For example, you perform duty as a parent by paying for your child's education, but you do not think that you are paying this $$$ amount of money for your child, so, your child should make sure to behave and aim for A grade.  So, if you need to perform duty, then, do it without setting expectation, but you still can provide suggestion as needed.

3. Appreciate, feel thankful and forgive your parents, your life partner, your sons and daughters, your siblings, your friends, people causing trouble in your life, others, animals, and at last "yourself".

4. Life partner with similar 4 characteristics, morality, faith, generosity, and wisdom
Couple who can endure their lifetime together always have similarity in these 4 characteristics: morality, faith, generosity, and wisdom. Keep this in mind for yourself and teach your children the same.