journey of purification: The journey continues... Chapter 2 Intro, Day 0

I came home on the 16th of Jan, it is now Jan 20th and I feel ready to begin publishing the material I gathered during my Dhamma service on Jan 5 - Jan 16 at Dhamma Surabhi outside Merritt. It has become evident to me that the effects of the time spent away doing a lot of inner work really tends to manifest and properly integrate once back in ones 'normal' living circumstances. It is as if going away on a retreat is like setting spark to a bundle of firewood, while returning, then, acts as the kindling of the fire to the point where it really starts consuming the fuel.

Day 0.

I’m feeling very tired and weak. Maybe it’s lack of sleep and a lot of energy spent on anticipation and excitement, maybe it’s the antibiotics I am taking, I don’t know.

The drive here was pleasant. Wet and foggy weather with entertaining company.

Sergei, a Russian Architect, behind the wheel. He’s got 2 daughters who are also both architects by profession. Lam from Hong Kong, a designer by profession, Maury, the veteran in our company with 20 years of Vipassana experience, a fairtrade company operator dealing with construction materials, and Bapooji from India, whose wife and son are also vipassana practicioners. Sergei went out of his way to pick everybody up at our respective living spaces, this man is the most well organized person I have had the pleasure of traveling with up to date. He had his gps programmed with the destinations to each one of our addresses, as well as a printed list with maps, phone numbers etc. Quite some difference from last course I served where we were lost around Merritt for around an hour and eventually had to mobile phone google the number to the center to find our way.

Our journey together began in Kitsilano, went on to gather Lam Wong in North Van, and then on to East Van for Maury. Finally we stopped in Surrey for Bapooji.

Sergei

Lam & Bapooji

Magic Maury

The author

As we picked him up, Baboojis wife invited us in for some tea and fruit before we headed on from their home in Surrey towards Merritt, and she also left us with a CD of her Sanskrit chanting. Roads were Slushy so Sergei drove at safe speed.

Sunita, Bapoojis beloved.

...And her recordings

I seem to be the only one in this company of five who does not have children of my own. And as I ask people, it is interesting to notice how in many cases the parents are involved with mind cleansing practices that their children have not yet begun to explore. It shatters a prejudice I have held that stated that children are in almost every case pioneering in the field of spirituality. It seems though, that there are many parents leading the way towards awakening too.

Upon arrival and preparing my cabin a bit, I introduced myself to this course’s server team. Kitchen manager is Jason from Vancouver, of Lithuanian descent. There’s Marc, originally from Switzerland, Christa from Canada, who recently has returned after 9 years in Taiwan, and Alice, born and raised in China

. Course student managers, are on the men’s side Steve, and on the women’s, Lisa. It doesn't say much about people, but atleast it gives our minds something to grasp on to for the sake of character establishment.

Another 35 minutes until dinner and I am starving. Hands smell from chopping onions. Need some rest.