Bodhi Zendo, Zen center

Bodhi zendo, Kodaikanal.

Bodhi Zendo is a Zen meditation center; I was really looking forward to it. It took us 9 hours (including 2 hours in tiny mountain road) in a bus which were semi sleeper as well as “semi comfortable” ;) Anyway we finally arrived after the 2 hours of crazy Indian drive in the mountain and took a jeep which drove us to Bodhi Zendo.

What I saw then was amazing, the surrounding was just enough to make me Zen. It was fresh and green, two word that in 6 months I used only rarely (for the lettuce maybe!?).
One very nice woman showed me by bedroom, the view from the window was just what I wanted to see during these few retreat days: Mountains, banana trees, eucalyptus, clouds; it was so mystic, silent and calm. On my table, there were some words: “Your silence and solitude will help open you to these different dimensions. In the quiet and peace, learn to bring your life in order in terms of peace, justice, trustfulness, goodness and beauty.”

View from my bedroom

Then we went for lunch and during the afternoon, me and Christine (a good friend) went for a walk... a long walk...We passed through the village where all people were friendly and smiley. The road was surrounded by amazing roses and the smell was enough for anyone to find bliss in an instant. The water fall and the river just topped up the magical world.

When I went back to the center I sat on a bench in a garden, I fall asleep deeply by listening the birds and insects singing, the silence was allowing to take notice of the beautiful nature. I woke up under the rain, I just opened my eyes and it felt so nice that I just stayed there enjoying the drops for one moment... Anyway I did run after that loosing the sense of nature and Zen because it was raining pretty hard ;)
We all met in the afternoon in the meditation room, for Zazen, 1.30 hours to think of ...Nothing... Brilliant, but it was very difficult the first day because my mind was blew up by the beauty of the place.

The next day we started the plan:
5.30am: Morning call with the bell
6-7am: Zazen (with Dokusan), which is sitting meditation with private interview with the master if wanted
7am: Breakfast
8-9.30am: Samu/Seva(selfless work): I was cleaning and cutting vegs for the salad(all organic from the outside garden.
9.30am: Tea
10.30-12.00am: Silent time and walk in the mountain
12-12.30pm: Zazen
12.30pm: Lunch
1.30-4pm: Silent time and walk in the mountain
4pm: Tea
5.30-7pm: Zazen
7Pm: Dinner
8.15-8.45pm: Zazen
The next Morning I went to see the master for Dukosan, he was in a beautiful room with bright colours and cushion, in a lotus position. He seems old and young in the same time, had long hair and long beard, I asked: “How to move away from the mental state while practising Zazen?” He answered to me: “Allow the thoughts to come but let them be and concentrate on the unconditional love, you are unconditionally loved.”
After I went out in the garden and sat on the bench and breathe the serenity of that place.

A nice wooden bench to fall asleep :)

I loved that place, but then I love most places for their all piece of character. As well as humans being the nature is different everywhere.
We pass our last day visiting Kodaïkanal, located amidst the folds of the verdant Pali hills. Her wooded slopes, mighty rocks, enhancing waterfalls and a beautiful lake made this hill station very charming. It is a place where they make chocolate, it is quite sugary but nice to eat a little chocolate in India.
 After Christine and me walk many kilometers around the city we decided to rent a small boat for 40 mns, unfortunately the man asked me if i wanted to row, i accepted of course but did a bad movement and lost the metal piece of the  paddle ..ouppsss.. Well we giggled without stop for 40 mns, the man was not laughing : /

It is an art which i haven't got the gift of !! ;)

We went back few days after, we met lovely beings in that center and it was time for me to go back home, to my greatest teacher, Lhasa. :)
I am grateful for this new and wonderful adventure :)
Live you dreams beautiful beings :)
With Love xx