Ultimate Dimension of Ourself

Summary

The talk centered on a weeklong mindfulness retreat and introduced core practices from the Plum Village tradition, presented in a way that was explicitly inclusive of participants from different spiritual backgrounds. The speaker reassured listeners that they would not be converted to Buddhism, but would instead be invited to explore the practical teachings associated with Siddhartha Gautama’s awakening and the discovery of the “ultimate dimension” of the self. This dimension was described in Buddhist language as the Buddha nature within, but the speaker emphasized that people from other traditions could understand it as God, Allah, or another name for the deepest reality. A major theme was the relationship between breathing and awareness. The speaker explained that the mind often wanders into the past or future, preventing a person from seeing deeply into reality. The breath was presented as the key link that brings attention back to the body and the present moment. Participants were encouraged to return to the in-breath and out-breath whenever they felt carried away by anger, stress, irritation, or even strong love. The instruction was to stop speaking and acting when emotions became intense, and to simply breathe until the emotion settled. This was framed as the first step of Buddhist practice, Samatha, or stopping and calming. Once calm was established, the practitioner could move into Vipassana, or looking deeply. The talk repeatedly emphasized the present moment as the true site of practice. In Plum Village, the bell functions as a mindfulness signal that interrupts habitual thinking and invites people to breathe, relax, and look deeply. The speaker extended this idea beyond the monastery by suggesting that cell phones, trucks, helicopters, and even snoring could become mindfulness bells if they were used as reminders to return to awareness. Rather than reacting with annoyance, practitioners were encouraged to transform irritating sounds into opportunities for breathing and release. This approach was presented as a way to cultivate patience, non-judgment, and compassion. The speaker also discussed how mindfulness can reveal the positive aspects of difficult situations. Using examples such as losing a job or facing illness, the talk advised participants to first notice what remains healthy, stable, or supportive before focusing on what is wrong. The goal was not denial, but balance: to recognize both suffering and the many conditions that still support life. This perspective was linked to dignity, happiness, and the ability to address difficulties one by one without being overwhelmed. The speaker suggested that even when life contains a significant amount of hardship, a person can still be happy by recognizing the larger portion of goodness that remains. Several practical forms of meditation were described in detail. Sitting meditation was explained as a stable, comfortable posture that keeps the body awake without forcing it into pain. The speaker noted that the lotus position is not required and that chairs, cushions, and other stable arrangements are acceptable. The emphasis was on steadiness, uprightness, and ease rather than rigidity. The talk also introduced walking meditation, in which each step is coordinated with the breath. This practice was described as a way of weaving the mind into oneness with the body and the world. The speaker distinguished between indoor walking, which may use one step per breath, and outdoor walking, which may use two steps per breath or a faster rhythm while still maintaining awareness. Eating meditation and noble silence were also highlighted. Participants were encouraged to eat in silence, to serve food mindfully, to notice the texture and taste of the food, and to chew slowly. The speaker recommended moderation and awareness of the body’s needs rather than rushing or overeating. Noble silence was presented as a valuable condition for observing the mind; participants were advised to keep a notebook and record the impulses that arise when they feel the urge to speak. This was described as a way to study habitual reactions and learn about the mind’s patterns. The talk concluded with a vivid personal story from Florence, where repeated church bells led the speaker into a deep state of concentration and unity with the surrounding world. In that experience, the speaker felt one with pigeons, merchants, children, and even Christian symbols such as Jesus on the cross and an angel in stained glass. The memory of a baby who died during the Vietnam War also surfaced, and the speaker interpreted the angelic image as a sign of rebirth and non-fear. This experience was presented as a brief but profound contact with the ultimate dimension, showing how ordinary moments can open into deep insight and compassion. The closing remarks from another teacher reinforced the practical instructions: maintain a stable posture, listen to the bell, keep pace during walking meditation, turn off phones, and continue the practice in daily life. The overall message was that mindfulness is not confined to the meditation hall; it is an engaged, continuous way of living that can transform suffering into understanding, peace, and freedom.