Detaching from ego and becoming a hermit in the woods

[Seikan]

...I was a part time hermit for three years...

First off, we're very glad that you share so much of your practice/time with us Shōnin.

Second, I'm actually a big fan of being a "part time hermit". I don't know if I'd be cut out for full-time recluse life, but I know from experience that taking even 1-2 days of silent retreat (alone or with a group) can be a wonderful way to deepen this practice. One need not run to the mountains to find seclusion and silence (although it can certainly help from time to time). True silence is with us always—we just need to listen more closely.

Gassho,
Seikan

-stlah-

[Jundo]

Just don't idealize "grass is greener" the life of a hermit. Don't turn it into Shangri-la. Hermits have their own hermit problems.

Also, one can be a "hermit" right where one is, in one's own life as it is, if the heart is free.

One can be a prisoner if a hermit in the deepest mountains if trying to flee what haunts one.

By the way, a wonderful film about the Chinese hermits, the same one that Red Pine writes about in his book. No, most are not as isolated as one might think.

Free online, with permission of the producer. Highly recommended.

https://youtu.be/lGGh8lvs7Go

Gassho, J

STLah

[Hensho]

These woods are lovely, dark and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

. . . I'm a fan of part time hermithood, too. The solitude is there when we need it. This community is, too.

Gassho,
Hensho

Sat/lah

[Amelia]

I absolutely love that movie.

Gassho
Sat, lah

[Bion]

I absolutely love that movie.

Gassho
Sat, lah

If you’re talking about White Clouds, you’ll be happy to know Edward is working on a new version or edit of that documentary, with more interviews and new footage. It’ll have a different name! [emoji3526]

[emoji1374] SatToday

[Shonin Risa Bear]

He was told by his mountain teacher to go spend a year in a monastery, so he did. There's a documentary about that as well, called One Mind.

https://www.onemindproductions.com/onemind

gassho
ds sat today and a bit of lah

[Amelia]

If you’re talking about White Clouds, you’ll be happy to know Edward is working on a new version or edit of that documentary, with more interviews and new footage. It’ll have a different name! [emoji3526]

[emoji1374] SatToday

Ooh, I am happy to know that. Thank you

He was told by his mountain teacher to go spend a year in a monastery, so he did. There's a documentary about that as well, called One Mind.

https://www.onemindproductions.com/onemind

gassho
ds sat today and a bit of lah

And this too!

Gassho
Sat, lah

[Tom A.]

Just don't idealize "grass is greener" the life of a hermit. Don't turn it into Shangri-la. Hermits have their own hermit problems.

Also, one can be a "hermit" right where one is, in one's own life as it is, if the heart is free.

One can be a prisoner if a hermit in the deepest mountains if trying to flee what haunts one.

By the way, a wonderful film about the Chinese hermits, the same one that Red Pine writes about in his book. No, most are not as isolated as one might think.


STLah

A wise old mensch once told me that peace is between the ears and something to the effect that we don’t have to run away from difficulty in life because though some days are stormy and some days are sunny, the sky is just the sky and there is always clear sky above the clouds.

Gasssho,
Tom

SatLah

[Suuko]

Just don't idealize "grass is greener" the life of a hermit. Don't turn it into Shangri-la. Hermits have their own hermit problems.

Also, one can be a "hermit" right where one is, in one's own life as it is, if the heart is free.

One can be a prisoner if a hermit in the deepest mountains if trying to flee what haunts one.

By the way, a wonderful film about the Chinese hermits, the same one that Red Pine writes about in his book. No, most are not as isolated as one might think.

Free online, with permission of the producer. Highly recommended.

https://youtu.be/lGGh8lvs7Go

Gassho, J

STLah

Hi Jundo,

What you said is very profound. I have a friend who is not able to cope with the lockdown because she can no longer go and run in the forest or walk. The person is a counsellor. While I love nature myself, I believe that our zen practice just makes us find peace where we are and this is where it's unique and something to treasure.

Gassho,
Sat today,
Lah,
Guish.

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