Igniting The Flame Within

I heard about how in ancient times, the housewives of the Kuru people had wise conversations while going about their daily chores. For example, when washing clothes, they would check in on each other pertaining to the progress of their mental cultivation. It was truly inspiring to me the first time I heard it. I was only in my 20's back then.

There was the aspiration from then for consistent cultivation by having self-retreats. What started as weekly 3 hours of practice gradually progressed to a regular overnight weekend undertaking. It was an inspiring way of living, in spite of the stress as well as the hustle and bustle of working life. Joyfully, I persevered, and the dhamma (Truth as nature of the way things are) flame was kept ignited.

When my first Teacher migrated, I felt a void as I had no personal guidance. Not long after that, I was bestowed by a new Teacher who taught me much about the mindworks. In the beginning, I knew I was hearing him at 180 degrees, totally opposite from what I was practicing. Yet I could not understand how to go about this new practice from that new point of view. Only after more right understanding and wise discernment of what he shared, I noticed the contrast. From then on, the mind has a better understanding of the workings of the mind and notices that the understandings free the mind.

In the early days before WISE, when Tuck Loon and I adopted this new practice, we did not find others having much interest in it until recent years. The idea of a retreat village was mooted by Tuck Loon a few years ago and is now revived by Bro Leong, who is spearheading this endeavour. This mind felt the joyful dhamma flame being rekindled.

The gift of the dhamma is the most precious gift one can offer to oneself. This retreat village will be a true sanctuary where one is able to develop the consistent cultivation of the "goodness of the 3 Meditator's Jobs" until the best wisdom essence blossoms!

Just as we were inspired to be part of the seed fund and more, I also wish to inspire you to be part of this funding too with the sole purpose of sowing the dhamma seeds for the sake of conditioning supportive potentials for the right practice till final liberation.

With appreciation,
Chan Lai Fun