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Than Hsiang Staff Retreat
May 26 - 27, 2003:-

A retreat for Than Hsiang staff was recently organized as a means of cultivation and relaxation for them. The staff retreat was held at a secluded area in Teluk Bahang, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. About 30 staff participated in this retreat. They included the staff from Klintiendharm, Hatyai as well as the resident nuns of Than Hsiang Temple.

The retreat was held for two days consecutively, beginning on Monday, at a terraced house loaned by one of the Than Hsiang volunteers. The staff began gathering at the house by 10.00 a.m, having departed from Than Hsiang about an hour earlier. After breakfast, the staff gathered for a cultivation session which consisted of chanting and sitting meditation, led by Ven. Wei Wu.

The session ended at about noon, when the staff took a break to have their lunch. After that, there was an individual cultivation session where the staff broke off into smaller groups to discuss the morning session. The meditation session was held again at noon, with guidance from Ven. Wei Wu. During the meditation session, the staff were encouraged to chant the 'Praise to Amitabha' verse to help focus their mind as they meditated. Ven. Wei Wu also led the staff in a 'Walking Meditation', whereby with each step, one chants 'Amitabha' name.

Ven. Wei Wu also introduced some methods to relieve the pain in the muscles due to sitting too long in meditation.This included rubbing the palms together and then slowly massaging the face, hands, legs and back.The staff then took a break by visiting the nearby Teluk Bahang Dam to get a breath of fresh air. After feeling refreshed, the staff went back to the house to continue with another session of meditation.

The following day, Ven. Wei Wu led the staff to a nearby beach to do a meditation session. It was a unique location to practice meditation. Nevertheless the staff was able to meditate with a sense of peace, listening to the sound of waves lapping rhythmically behind them.

In the afternoon, a sharing session was held whereby some of the staff took turns to talk about their experiences during the retreat. Some expressed that they were able to let go of their troubles for the moment thanks to the guidance of Ven. Wei Wu's meditation sessions, while some spoke about their satisfaction gained from the retreat where before they had some doubts about it. The retreat ended by 6:30pm, with the staff helping out to clean up the house before leaving it. As they left the place, each of the staff who had participated in the retreat was filled with a sense of contentment and peace.