The Reflection Report from the Dharma Drum Retreat Center by Tzu-Chin Lee (Stacie)

This is my mindful journey during the summer break. I appreciated Venerable YanQi, who invited me to be a volunteer for the event of life in the retreat center. When I arrived at Dharma Drum Retreat Center, I was peaceful in the quiet environment and the view, similar to entering another world, contrary to the big city in New York.

It was my first time participating in a meditation event in English. I learned some professional vocabulary used in Buddhism. I felt pleasure and gratitude since I was born in Taiwan within the convenient traffic that makes it easy to hear dharma compared to the U.S. It was such a valuable opportunity to make myself get close to dharma in a Western country. I like the concept of cause, condition, and consequences, which is taught by the venerable YanQi. This helps me review my whole experience in my life. I felt I could gradually accept what I had ever experienced with gratitude rather than insistence.

At the beginning of the foreword days, my mental state was not good, influencing my meditation and listening to the dharma. I tried to adapt to the environment and the routine life. Meditation method benefits me by paying attention to work practice and the dharma class. I experience dharma always protecting me to prevent from the outside environment and voice. Through relaxation, I can observe my inner mind and thoughts. Whatever those come from, I can put my mind at rest and feel more about the sensation. I remembered the venerable ChangJi mentioned the exploration of sensation, which makes me open my mind to accept fresh knowledge around my life. I realized that I usually lived in the past, which obstructs me from moving on, based on not letting my experience go and restarting. Additionally, the dharma talk by Venerable ChangYao mentioned that "don't give up any opportunity to improve yourself," and Venerable YanXi mentioned that dharma experiences can exceed science, which reignited my interest in the science field. I gradually identified my strengths due to the dharma talk.

I felt this cause and condition was valuable and rare to meet, which really solved my current situation and the annoyance I faced. One day, I told my annoyance to Master Sheng Yen and asked for help, which solved my problems. I felt relieved and enhanced my confidence in dharma and meditation. I believed that the most difficult part is facing myself and observing my inner mind to slow down and listen to what my mind needs. If I can put my mind from the past, which can help me think more widely and avoid overthinking other unnecessary parts.

Meditation can cure my disordered mind and refine it again. I can understand more about myself and make a change. Every time I came back to the retreat center, I always had a different harvest. I like the systematic teaching and lecture design by Venerable YanQi. I learned that from fixed planning to flexible planning, which is a dynamic process and changeable in dharma. I learned I can gradually be an open person to acquire new skills, people, and environments as well. Being aware of the sensations can help me create wonderful thoughts and live in the present moment, which leads a happiness and fulfillment path.