New adventures are always terrific, no matter if they don't turn out the way you wish. I recently visited a Zen Buddhist center for three days. Hasn't everyone always wondered what it would be like to practice Zen, be at one, learn about peaceful living?
The first thing I learned is that I don't enjoy a "silent" adventure.
I know that the purpose of Zen practice is to turn inward. One does that without TV, wireless access, radio or solid walls. I get it. However, I didn't realize that silence! The accommodations were beautiful and peaceful, but I didn't research the fact that one must be silent in your guest room because others are practicing their silence and have to get up at 4:30am to be at their temple meditation (needless to say, I declined their kind invitation to join in).
I read some of the Zen doctrines while I was silently waiting for my friend to attempt to gain Internet access in the lounge (didn't happen). The first sentence dealt with "suffering". While I also understand that much of life if suffering, I don't need to be reminded.
As we trucked off to our first breakfast with the practitioners, my eyes cast upon on breakfast. A big bowl of gruel. I say that because it tasted like gruel in a pasty-way. Apparently, the meals are somewhat spartan too.
As I ate my gruel in silence, I realized that I'm not cut out to be a Zen Buddhist!
The first thing I learned is that I don't enjoy a "silent" adventure.
I know that the purpose of Zen practice is to turn inward. One does that without TV, wireless access, radio or solid walls. I get it. However, I didn't realize that silence! The accommodations were beautiful and peaceful, but I didn't research the fact that one must be silent in your guest room because others are practicing their silence and have to get up at 4:30am to be at their temple meditation (needless to say, I declined their kind invitation to join in).
I read some of the Zen doctrines while I was silently waiting for my friend to attempt to gain Internet access in the lounge (didn't happen). The first sentence dealt with "suffering". While I also understand that much of life if suffering, I don't need to be reminded.
As we trucked off to our first breakfast with the practitioners, my eyes cast upon on breakfast. A big bowl of gruel. I say that because it tasted like gruel in a pasty-way. Apparently, the meals are somewhat spartan too.
As I ate my gruel in silence, I realized that I'm not cut out to be a Zen Buddhist! 
Too funny!! And to add injury to insult, they probably made you pay for this "experience". :) You could have done this at home yourself. Oh well, live and learn....
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