Solitary retreat

[Lobster]

Being a heretic hermit, beginner and wer-lobster I am often not fit to engage in group practice. So I go on solitary retreats.
Here is one I went on a few years back
http://tmxxine.com/na/

It was winter. I had only a summer sleeping bag, limited tumo ability
and no ground insulation.
I practiced mindful shivering . . . 
Next day into the local town for purchase of a real sleeping bag
some water and bread (to eat with sardines and beans, which I brought with me)

Anyone else practice solo al fresco Buddhism?
All seasons?
OM YA HA HUM

[Hanzze]

I wouldn't know how to practice in a group, but I guess there are some how had developed such things already. *smile* But I guess that's more the Hindu style.

Here a maybe useful way:

The Spider

I got a good example from watching spiders. A spider makes a web like a net. It weaves its web and spreads it at different openings. I once sat and contemplated one. It hung up its web like a movie screen, and when it was done it curled itself up quietly right in the middle of the web. It didn't run around. As soon as a fly or another insect flew into its web, the web would vibrate. As soon as the web vibrated, the spider came running out of its place and caught the insect for food. When it was finished, it curled itself up in the middle of the web as before. It didn't matter what kind of insect got caught in its web, a bee or whatever: As soon as the web vibrated, the spider ran out to catch it. Then it would go back and hold on, quiet in the middle of the web where no one could see it, every time.

Seeing the spider act in this way, I came to an understanding. The six sense spheres are the eye, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind. The mind stays in the middle. The eye, ear, nose, tongue, and body are spread out like a net. Sense objects are like insects. As soon as a sight comes to the eye, or a sound to the ear, an aroma to the nose, a taste to the tongue, or a tactile sensation to the body, the mind is what knows. Things vibrate right to the mind. Just this is enough to give rise to an understanding.

We can live by curling up inside, just as the spider curls up on its web. We don't have to go anywhere. When insects run into the net and it vibrates to the heart, then as soon as we're aware we go out and catch the insects. Then we return to our original place

After watching the spider, you can apply what you've learned to your mind. It's the same sort of thing. If the mind sees inconstancy, stress, and not-self, it's spread wide open. It's no longer the owner of happiness, no longer the owner of suffering, for it sees clearly in this way. It gets the point. Whatever you do, you're at ease. You don't want anything else anymore. Your meditation can do nothing but progress.

[Blue Garuda]

Being a heretic hermit, beginner and wer-lobster I am often not fit to engage in group practice. So I go on solitary retreats.
Here is one I went on a few years back
http://tmxxine.com/na/

It was winter. I had only a summer sleeping bag, limited tumo ability
and no ground insulation.
I practiced mindful shivering . . . 
Next day into the local town for purchase of a real sleeping bag
some water and bread (to eat with sardines and beans, which I brought with me)

Anyone else practice solo al fresco Buddhism?
All seasons?
OM YA HA HUM

I had a cold Devon retreat, with views of Dartmoor. I bought it as my home in the summer and realised in the winter that a view of Dartmoor meant weather to match.  'Converted' barns are barns. I don't miss the cold. ;)

Seriousy, though, my favourite was to practise alone in a lookout tower in the Aravali mountains near Jaipur in India.  The heat was dry, so not too uncomfortable even at 45 degrees.  I can't afford another trip so I use what is local here in Wiltshire for short periods - according to the practice or ritual I am performing.

I see no conflict in practising with your Sangha and practising alone, and I don't approve of prescription and proscription which is general.  A Guru can be very valuable in guiding us, as we all have different needs which may involve a particular balance of complementary practices.

[Spiny le Norman]

Anyone else practice solo al fresco Buddhism?

I've done a number of solitaries, and found them very useful.  But I do like relative comfort.

Spiny

[Blue Garuda]

Anyone else practice solo al fresco Buddhism?

I've done a number of solitaries, and found them very useful.  But I do like relative comfort.

Spiny

No, no - he meant meditation, not your jail terms! LOL

The 'Bear Grylls' model may appeal to some - film a bit of jungle survival and then back to the 5 star hotel! ;)

[nowornever]

My friend, Zen Sensei Andrew Czarnecki is taking a solitary retreat now, started a month ago and will finish in a month, with silence, sitting, chanting and probably bowing. He is in a cottage in 24 Malowiejska St, Warsaw. It is in the Head Temple of Kwan Um in Poland but completely separated and with forests surrounding him. It costs about euro200 a month if you one day would like to rent for any kind of solo retreat He took 100 days alone a few times so I'll try to talk to him about it in a month to share his experience with you.

[Lobster]

nowornever,
How wonderful 
Give him a tin of sardines from me. 

Buddhism Simple really.

http://youtu.be/i23-D8oD44U

 

[Spiny le Norman]

Anyone else practice solo al fresco Buddhism?

I've done a number of solitaries, and found them very useful.  But I do like relative comfort.

Spiny

No, no - he meant meditation, not your jail terms! LOL

I was fitted up, guvnor, all six times...

Old Lag Spiny

[Lobster]

I was fitted up, guvnor

I taught IT in a prison for a while. The only person who ever attacked me, was the yoga teacher . . . perhaps not as calming as one is lead to believe?
Perhaps it was daring to suggest that Yoga is a form of keep fit . . . she felt it was a 'spiritual path' - with violent overtones it would seem . . .
Well I have taught physical yoga too (never mentioned that or I might have been incapacitated) 

In a sense we are all both imprisoned and within the means of our escape . . .
Sometimes we need quiet space . . .
http://naturesoundsfor.me/

[catmoon]

In the news......

(Rueters) Central London today witnessed the pent-up frustrations of hundreds of yoga teachers unleashed. The annual "Celebrate Yoga" festival has turned to tragedy. A large mob, composed mostly of axe-wielding young women in yoga pants, went on a rampage in the financial district, destroying storefronts, setting fires and attacking passing motorists. Damage has been estimated in the millions of pounds.

Dharama Kawin, spokesperson for the Midlands Yoga Recovery Association, issued a public statement in which she said trouble has been brewing for a long time. Despite repeated warnings, she said, "Local governments have completely ignored the potential for large scale rioting, with it's associated destruction and injuries to persons. Yoga pants are becoming tighter and clingier all the time, the teachers are not getting any younger, and the expectations of students are unreasonably high. It's been a ticking time bomb for years."

  The triggering event allegedly occured shortly after the end of a free public outdoor class, in which a series of remarks by a student finally broke through the years of training in restraint. Fellow students at the scene said that among the remarks were comments on the ginger tea being cold, the exercises directing chi at the wrong chakra, and  "Some yoga teachers just shouldn't wear yoga pants, y'know?".

   The offended teacher, who has yet to be identified by police, is said to have snatched an axe from a sidewalk display and attacked the student while making strange Bruce Lee - like noises. Instructor after instructor joined her in a cascading domino effect that left the square drenched in the blood of students, many from upper middle class backgrounds. Gathering momentum, the mob of crazed instructors vented decades of accumulated frustrations, leaving a swath of mayhem across the city.

   The police response was quickly overwhelmed and military units brought in to contain the damage. Shortly before press time, Lt.-Col Dwight Norbury of the Prince of Wales Regiment issued this public statement:

       "The enemy has been confined to a relatively small section of the city. Residents are advised to remain indoors. If residents must go out they should refrain from discussing tantric pursuits of any kind publicly. Two companies of Gurkhas, highly trained in urban warfare, are being brought in and we anticipate a complete restoration of public order within thirty-six hours. God Save the Queen."

[Hanzze]

Thanks Buddha and the Sangha for delivering how to practice and what to practice. *smile*

Rock out, stretch beyond your limits, smile, dance, learn, laugh and meet new friends – there’s something for everyone.  You don’t want to miss this!

[Spiny le Norman]

Perhaps it was daring to suggest that Yoga is a form of keep fit . . . she felt it was a 'spiritual path' - with violent overtones it would seem . . .

Yoga is certainly masochistic...

[dhammaseeker51]

Many paths to enlightenment... 

with Metta

[Hanzze]

When we listen to what the Buddha taught, no. Just one, but for sure many to reach this path. *smile* As long as we have no faith, things are not so easy.

[Spiny le Norman]

Many paths to enlightenment... 

with Metta

But only one path to strained muscles and hernias..