I have arrived, I am home
In the here, and in the now
I am solid, I am free
In the ultimate, I dwell

Photo of a windowsill altar

This morning I helped to convert a room into a makeshift meditation hall, and above you can see the altar we designed. On the altar, there are the essentials—a candle, some incense, and a plant—as well as a calligraphy, and a photo of Thich Nhat Hanh, to whom we offered a cup of iron Buddha tea.

Photo of a robin perched on a fence

Since arriving at Being Peace on Monday, I have enjoyed some lazy days practicing mindfulness, exploring the natural landscape, and living my aspiration of the oak tree. Yesterday we had a beautiful musical jam session; today we enjoyed walking meditation around the land; and this evening we had a class on how to invite the sound of the bell. For the next week we will be on a retreat on the mindfulness practices of the Plum Village tradition, which I will soon be able to share with you. It's so nourishing to have everyone gathered here for the retreat, and the place already carries a warm and homely energy.

Special thanks to my friends and family, who have all been so supportive in my adventure here. I look forward to sharing my retreat experience with you soon!