The Seoul Templestay program had us transported back in
time. We stayed in an old temple located at the edge of Seoul city. The monks
were friendly and radiant looking, sometimes serious too. The environment was
chilly and peaceful. We did not know what to expect at first but we were expecting
to meet a glowing monk when we arrive. I would like to remember our monk as the
laughing monk; he was really cheerful and friendly to us. He even jokes about
the famous rock band ‘Nirvana’ and how this band was in no way related to the
Nirvana he was pursuing. Anyway, he is quite up to date with the latest trends.
He is one simple guy who pursues his love for meditation.
The temple is pretty old, mostly made of wood. Our taxi cab
dropped us right in front of the temple. There was a welcome are for us
backpackers in search of enlightenment. To prepare ourselves, we got into this
really cool Zen clothes. This was to be our attire for the rest of the day and
tomorrow. Mountain hiking was up next. We were not suppose to talk, instead
walk in meditation, think of nothing and just walk in a meditative state. We
were thought to listen to the wind bristling through the trees. I wasn’t sure I
was ready for this but I went along with this. The funny part came when our
happy monk took out his cell phone to answer a call. What can I say; technology
has found its way into meditation too?
After dinner… a healthy no meat food… but tasty… we were
thought to pray with the monks in the grand hall. Beautiful lanterns and lights
adorned the hall. I felt like I was in another world. Mix feeling came to me,
calmness and constant thoughts came clashing together in my mind. It was
starting to happen, meeting oneself doesn’t happen often but I know it was
going to happen during my stay here. Our monk thought us how to meditate by
getting us to think about one question:- Who am I before birth? I know it
sounds a little funny but it is really a question without an answer. It brings
you into this state of clearness that eventually brings you into a meditative
state. During my meditation, I fell a sleep. I was seriously pulling it
through.
The next day was fun. We had to wake up early in the
morning. I was half dead because my room mate from Australia (he is Korean) was
snoring throughout the night. He even warned me. The room we were in was so
small that it started to simulate a minor earthquake. Good thing I had ear buds
with me. Never travel without them. Okay, back to 5am. We woke up to pray again
and to meditate. After that we were asked to sweep the temple grounds, another
form of meditation that I have since applied to my house keeping. Our happy
monk personally showed us around the temple and explained to use some of the
pictures found on the temple walls, depicting the life of Buddha. Nice story plus
I enjoyed the walk. We ended our meeting with a tea ceremony that we eventually
use to share ideas and thoughts.