Empty of self - full of Peace

In June of this year I was invited to offer a retreat to a group of Malaysian meditators who are dear friends of Anandagiri Forest Monastery, and the retreat was held in a well-established Mahayana monastery in the Cameron Highlands. We were very grateful to be able to use this special facility due to the kindness of the abbot and resident monks and nuns. I believe that it easier for minds to become peaceful in places where others have been chanting and meditating for decades, and the cool weather afforded by the high elevation is quite helpful too. This was the second time that Sam Po Temple allowed us to use their beautiful facility and even cooked delicious vegetarian meals for all of us.
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Although our retreat focused upon the practice of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness as taught in Theravada, with the Mahayana iconography all around and the sound of the Heart Sutra being chanted daily in the distance, I was reminded of some of the things I had heard about this teaching, and drew some parallels to the practices we were undertaking. It really is the case that quite simple practices can lead to the most profound realisations… all that is required is determination and consistency! 

I hope that something here may be useful of nourishing to your efforts.

With Loving-Kindness

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Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu

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