Well-this will probably be my last or second to last post. I leave Omega Sunday and am not looking forward to it. Yes, I miss my cats and a shower experience that doesn't feel like an adventure show, and sleeping in the cold that is now occurring is not fun, but I have had such fun and healing here. I keep telling myself that I can take this with me. And its likely I will return in 6 months. Also, haven't I learned enough this summer about how we create our own realities with our "stories" that we cling to so dearly? I will miss hearing the squirrels and chipmunks working so hard to gather and eat. Did you know that they can make loud noises? And all the noises that come with sleeping so close to the elements. I appreciate the seasons so much more here. OK enough with that. Onward.
I have been reluctant to write given the intensity of the last 2 programs that happened. I guess I don't think I can convey what it felt like - how it effected me. Let it be said that when you live here, and if you are someone who is aware of their inner live and/or is sensitive to their environment each week with their attendant classes brings its own energy to the campus.
First, the teacher Adyashanti came and did a silent retreat. The entire staff supported the participants by being silent almost everywhere for the entire five days. It was bliss. Of course I saw a few of Adya's students cheating, (they were not supposed to be reading or watching TV. No music or computer etc.), but for the most part everyone was either meditating or being in silence unless they were in satsang ( a sort of Q & A) with Adyashanti. I was silent for most of two days (Yes its possible!) and really found it not hard. Must be because I live alone... but on the second day I really wanted to start talking again. If you have never done this its a great experience. (I remember the first time doing silence. This was when I was in Shiastu school in the 90's. I spent a week at a Japanese monastery where two meals were silent every day. I lost 7 lbs. just from eating more slowly!) Not reading was excruciating; especially here where I do not have many of my normal responsibilities. I though of my mom and sister and how much we read all the time.
I also had the opportunity to listen to many of his talks. Adya studied zen for 15 years before becoming enlightened, afterwards his teacher encouraged him to teach. He doesn't teach zen though-he's very straight forward and no frills. And he can explain the ephemeral nature of being very well. Yet I still found parts of what he was sharing SO confusing. This I laughingly attribute to my highly Taurus natal chart and my need for the solidness of things. It was exciting and daunting to learn that enlightenment is possible. A few of his students related their experiences of having some break through progress which I found exciting. But my ego didn't like this at all! I mean that's what disappears when you reach that stage and the ego resists completely. I actually got scared thinking about it! Listening to Adya along with my continued reading of various spiritual texts and my meditation practice, highlighted the fact that I am at a point where I am questioning my process. What happens next I do not know. Next time I will try and explain the intense scene that was John of God being here on campus. Here's a link til then. johnofgod.com
