- 2024-10-23 15:30 - 2024-10-27 14:00
- Lotus Pond Temple, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island
- HK$2,500
The theme of the retreat is Coping with Loneliness. The sangha on a walking meditation in Ngong Ping The World Health Organization defines health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Loneliness belongs to the social well-being aspect of health. Physical, mental and social wellbeing inter-are with each other. Illness in one aspect affect other aspects. Loneliness happens to people of all ages and social groups. It often refers to having no one to talk to, to share, to lean on in times of need. It is also a mental state, as in “feeling lonely”. Loneliness is different from being alone. One can be alone but not feeling lonely, but one living with others (like spouses, siblings, friends) can feel lonely. It seems like there is no one that understand us. Loneliness increases the chance of heart disease and mental disorders like fear, anxiety and depression. Learning how to connect with ourselves, to understand ourselves is a way of coping with loneliness. The famous friendship of Bo Ya (伯牙) and Zhong Ziqi (鍾子期) illustrated how important it is to have bosom friends who understand us (note 1) .We often looking for that bosom friend outside of ourselves, but the dearest friend, the soulmate who understands us is no other than ourselves (知音). Living in the present moment, being aware of our body, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness is essential in the process of getting to know ourselves, as taught in the “Discourse of Knowing the Better Way to Live Alone” (note 2) . Knowing ourselves will help us to know others, to connect to others so we can have a healthy social wellbeing. In this retreat, we will have the chance to learn teachings and practices of mindfulness, to cultivate peace and happiness, inspiration and insight, which already existing in us. We will practice mindfulness as a […]