Hello all,
I have spent the last 10 days at a monastery called Wat Suan Mokkh learning how to meditate in environments most natural setting. The beds were a slab of wood or cement with a straw mat and a small wooden carved pillow. The days started at 4am and finished at 930pm. We were fed breakfast and lunch vegetarian meals except on day 9 we only got breakfast. Situated in the jungle you have an overwhelming sense of appreciating mother earth and of course all the life that comes with that.

I learned a great deal about Buddhism, myself, and the power of breathing over the past 10 days and although this was not an easy camp I would certainly recommend it to all. The challenges both physically and emotionally were beyond words at times. But learning how to calm myself through my breath and realize that this to shall pass was extremely powerful. I realize now how I've let my mind control me in so many ways fueling desire, anger, fear, stress ect. The realization of impermanence became glaringly obvious too and my appreciation for each and every moment grew.

I dont mean to sound transformed after 10 days I'm not that naive. But what I did learn in my short time there I plan to take forth into my normal daily life. Living more in the present, expending energy on loving kindness, meditating using my breath, getting a grip on my "monkey mind"and practicing yoga daily.
I'm now back in Phuket where I will be working with sustainable smiles as well as an orphanage and a local animal shelter. I feel I'm hitting full stride in my travels! Will share more with you all in as few weeks!

Amber

Sent from my iPod