Retreat? Never!

Can our Old Guy complete his 8-Day Meditation Retreat?

Ready to Meditate

                It was impulsive!  I had finished arrangements for two months in SE Asia with World Monuments Fund (WMF) and was thinking about me-time.  I will fly for nineteen hours and nearly three days to get to Cambodia and Thailand.  I should find something fun in the neighborhood. 

                My usual go-to is China.  It fascinates me.  Fascination to the extent that I began studying the language ten years ago.  I have friends I haven’t seen in years and a long list of places I wish to visit, still, the COVID risk was too high. 

                The World Wide Web as it was called early on, accesses information in a click.  Travel plans to exotic locales are immediately possible.

                Meditation has been something I wanted to try.  Go to Nepal and learn meditation!!! What a cool idea. 

Searched “Meditation in Nepal” and found pages of opportunities.  The younger crowd understands how fudge to get listed first in searches.  I just wanted to go to Nepal and meditate. 

With no idea I chose the first on the list" 8-Day Spiritual Yoga and Meditation and Monastery Retreat." Only $800 for 8-days and a small refundable deposit.

While at a work out with friends I mentioned my "retreat" plan and they laughed, reminding me that meditation is silent.

Thus is the challenge, "Can I keep quiet during the silent meditation?"

               I am known for my non-stop chatter.   I have been told I talk in my sleep.  I think I am funny, but that is my opinion, and probably a lone one.

                Now I am reconsidering!

                I printed out the 8-day schedule.  It follows.  Two days of practice and orientation.  On  day three, three hours of silence.  Days four to six, four hours of SILENCE!!  Days seven and eight are pretty relaxed.  So, maybe, possibly, I can keep quiet for four hours a day.

                           Some background.  In the first few grades at PS 70 in the Bronx, I sat in the corner many times for talking.  In Taft High School in the Bronx, I was put in a Time Out Room because I did not shut up.  Ah yes, in 2019, I was escorted out of a city in China, because I did not follow the rules.

Add your comments. Will Richard keep silent and finish the retreat? Or, will the monks, even in great compassion, ask him to leave? OK, throw him out the door?

To make it interesting, I will donate $5 per individual's comment to the World Monuments Fund, up to $1,000 if I fail and do not complete the retreat.

COMPLETE THE RETREAT: VOTE YES HE WILL. NO HE WON'T