"Winter Seat" Mindfulness Meditation Retreat at a Temple to Reflect on the Year
On Sunday, December 15, 2024, we held a one-day retreat titled "Winter Seat" at Mano-ji Temple and Mano Daikokuten in Minamiboso City, Chiba Prefecture. Many of the participants came from Tokyo, and this special day began with the warm hospitality of temple staff who picked them up at the bus stop.
A warm welcome at the temple
The first to greet us when we arrived was the temple's mascot cat. He was seated in front of the reception intercom like a beckoning cat, warming the hearts of all the participants. There was also another cat sitting on top of the fortune-telling boxes, like a girl selling the fortune-telling slips. This adorable welcome immediately sparked conversation among the participants, and smiles naturally spread across the room.
Visiting the main hall in silence
Once all participants had gathered, we first headed to the main hall to pray. After climbing a slope surrounded by lush trees, the majestic main hall appeared in front of us. There, we paid our respects to Daikokuten and spent a moment offering thanks for the past year. As you can tell from the fact that there are no graves, this temple is a special place where believers worship and protect Daikokuten. For that reason, it has a shrine-like atmosphere, and we felt like we were being taken in by the sacred air.
Morning session: Mindfulness meditation session
After worshiping at the main hall, we did mindfulness meditation in the prayer hall. We started by slowly closing our eyes and focusing on our breathing. In order to connect with ourselves, we carefully observed the state of our thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. Many of the participants were trying meditation for the first time, but in the quiet, dignified atmosphere, they seemed to feel their minds gradually becoming calmer.
Midday sitting: Eating meditation
For lunch, we traveled by car to Jiroemu Farmer's House and enjoyed farmer's vegetarian cuisine. This lunch was not just a meal, but an experience of "eating meditation" that included gratitude for the ingredients. By sharpening the five senses and savoring every bite, we felt our minds and bodies being filled. Jiroemu Farmer's House had a warm atmosphere, making us feel as if we were visiting grandma's house in the countryside. The participants were filled with smiles, and it was a heartwarming moment.
Afternoon session: Group coaching
Through group coaching, participants reflected on the past year and drew hopes for the coming year. Using the workbook, participants carefully reflected on their experiences, emotions, and growth, and by paying attention to small successes and efforts that are often overlooked, their hearts were naturally filled with gratitude.
Then, I tried to imagine myself a year from now. It was much clearer than I thought, and I could see a bigger vision. The clearer it was, the more naturally I could understand the process to get there. Then, all I had to do was do it! I heard people say this, looking forward to the new year.
End of the day: Tea time
At the end of the day, we had tea while enjoying peanut dorayaki, a specialty of Mano-dera Temple. The dorayaki was very delicious! The participants also deepened their interactions with each other, and had a great time talking about the many realizations and moving stories they had gained from the day.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to everyone at Mano-ji Temple for giving me the opportunity to hold such a wonderful retreat, and to everyone who participated. I hope that this special time away from busy days and to face yourself will give you the energy to make the new year even better. I look forward to sharing such a spiritually enriching time with you all again next year.
Kommentare