A video from our Easter Wakeup Retreat in Cornwall in the UK (one of four Easter Wake Up retreats!) A very special time of connecting and rejoicing together... Enjoy.. Be stoked! -- Brother Phap Man
Check out the new toolbar at the bottom of your screen. Now we can chat with each other online and maybe find each other more easily to build Wake Up communities here and there and everywhere! You can even translate the page automatically into the language of your choice - with sometimes strange results!
I feel very happy to know that you are there, bringing happiness and laughter to the world. With our mindfulness the world becomes more real, we are waking up and our world seems brighter.
Here at Deer Park Monastery, CA, USA, our last Wake Up retreat was a wonderful family reunion. Many friends keep coming and many new are so easily and naturally embraced into the togetherness. We played games, hikes, painted rocks, sang, shared with each other and off course we sat, walked, ate and so on. For me a highlight of the retreat was the evening when 7 of our friends came up to share their experience in the practice as young adults and in the context of Wake Up. Two friends from Austin where the Wake Up house and Wake Up Sangha continues to develop deep roots and wide branches. Two friends that have been coming to retreats at Deer Park, Blue Cliff, NY, USA, for many years. One friend who is spearheading the early stadges of a Wake Up group in San Diego. Two friends from Wake Up LA that has been meeting every two weeks since the Wake Up retreat here last year. Listening to their sharing, touching their joy and confidence in the practice and a meaningful life, penetrated deep inside our heart. Some great questions came out and together we can continue to learn. Facebook is the space for much of the Wake Up movements activity and sharing here in the US. During this coming Teaching Tour with our teacher Thay we hope to have many of you joining us for the retreats and days of mindfulness. For me when I first had the opportunity to practice meditation, sharing and living mindfully together with peers during my travels in India in 2001 my joy and committment in the practice was fueled by super rocket fuel - great nourishment!
May we all find friends on the path, so our lives become more real and true day by day. I feel so happy to be alive!
In joy and br&sr-hood - Brother Protection
We have some of our painted rocks posted on our website - right here!
When we train as a monastic we have the opportunity to find the root of our freedom, solidity, joy and happiness, and to help our society. When we ordain and wear the brown robe we learn to cut through our illusions and our afflictions. We learn to transform our deepest suffering into a bright future and into an even brighter present. In this process of knowing ourselves and facing our difficulties, we will also learn how to change our society into one that is more compassionate, understanding, and happy. This is a natural process, because as we discover the root of virtue in our own life we will also be able to help other people to stop creating suffering for themselves and for the world.
Five years of monastic training is a great chance for you to learn how to live your life meaningfully, to discover brotherhood and sisterhood, and to make possible right here and right now the social change we have always dreamt about. Tasting the simple life of a monk or a nun and cultivating your spiritual life, you will be able to assist your elder brothers and sisters in organizing retreats and events all over the world. You will be able to share your practice and transformation and help a great deal of people, including children, couples and families. When we let go of the pursuit of wealth, power, and sensual pleasures, and put on the brown robe, we do not need to wait five years to be able to help people. Right from the first day, we inspire those around us by simply walking with mindfulness, solidity, and freedom.
Please visit any of our centers in the US, France, Germany, and Thailand to enquire about the program and learn more about the application process.
