We all have our reasons for attending the beginners’ meditation classes here in Ocean Sky Chan Monastery. I geared myself not to expect anything and wholeheartedly immersed myself in understanding what Chan meditation is all about.
What have I learned and gained from Chan (Zen) meditation? I have yet to start regularly practicing meditation and yet, I have already felt that one, my concentration and reasoning have improved a little; and two, I sleep more soundly now and my blood pressure is lower. But this is not the main reason why we do Chan meditation. We meditate to see things as they really are. My meditation experience is very personal and what I can share is indescribable in words. I would say that the path to awakening and enlightenment is both easy and hard depending on one’s frame of mind, determination and persistence to learn. At the end of the day, meditation helps us to become more compassionate and wiser.
The Four Noble Truths to me is a very profound teaching and not easy to comprehend. The first one is the hardest to accept and realize but once accepted, you’d be on the road to enlightenment. Understanding the First Noble Truth may take a lifetime of examination and an attitude of awareness and alertness over a long period of time. I may say truthfully and frankly that I have yet to digest the First Noble Truth, to absorb it in my mind and heart. Chan meditation is a way of understanding this Noble Truth.
The Eightfold Path to me is a way of life. Intellectual understanding of the Eightfold Path is inadequate. Reflection is a must on these teachings. We have to consider what they really mean. Reflective understanding and acting should be a way of life.
Over the course of 12 weeks, there was a gradual change of attitude and outlook in my view towards life in general and people in particular. I have learned to accept things as they are, to be careful with my words and actions, to realize the cause and effect of words and actions upon others and its consequences, to be more compassionate towards others and to be a little bit more patient with people and situations. The change is neither transformational nor sudden but gradual. Contentment is my objective and enlightenment in any degree is the final goal.
With the adept assistance of Ocean Sky Chan Monastery’s Abbess, Shifus and Dharma brothers, we all hope to learn and understand, and be on the right path to enlightenment.