SOLITUDE, SILENCE
As a beginner, there is a time for investment, practice, and dedication to developmental methods.
The wise are to be found in remote places, undisturbed by the clamor of society. In Thailand, more likely in removed, mountain forests. They hide themselves, unannounced. Be quiet and unobstructing therefore, not pushing nor making a nuisance of myself if wishing to spend time near them. Given the language barrier, it's unlikely that an audience would do much good, so be content with energetic transference, and be working on silent meditation in any case. Be humble and of service, not asking anything, but rather giving kindness and friendliness.
If the goal is to quiet internal noise, then why be in a noisy place, with worldy-concerned people? One thing is like another, and the magical power generated by similar correspondences is strong. Sit on a mountain, among the trees, with the wind and animals for companions. Penetrate to the moment-by-moment perception of, and participation in, root nature.
A small monastery, with a library and a handful of monks. Quiet enough to provide near-solitude and an ideal place to live, study, and meditate. Following in the footsteps of great renunciate masters, it would be wise and opportune to make the most of this time given. The greatest hope of substantive awareness (root nature) may be pursued by going beyond the senses. The easiest way to shut the doors of the senses, allowing penetration within the mind, is to sit in darkness and silence in a quiet place, such as a cave, on a mountain, or within a deep forest, undisturbed by the concerns and occupation of others who value and pursue different paths. Thus, even if lonely at first, keep the understanding and reasoning why at the forefront, and push through the initial obstacles.
Sometimes silence and patience are tested by the master, to see how well-prepared is the student. Seclusion from those who would disturb meditative equipoise, but availability to all who are ready to leave the world behind and enter the path. The scriptures warn to not stay among worldly-minded folk too long (7 days), lest the path-holder be swayed and confused by their many errors of view.
Challenge yourself, journeying to quiet places and studying there, sitting and practicing. Don't be in such fear of being alone. Try solitude, and structure the day, using time well. Certainly, without direction or gainful occupation, time may drag, and boredom come forward. However, if working gainfully, practicing well, studying earnestly, you may find that days pass swiftly, and that you treasure your freedom and leisure.
Talk to teachers at forest temples in Thailand, and ask them who their own teachers are, and if any great teachers live at temples, near or far, that I may visit. If staying at a temple or having met a teacher several times, and managed to be quiet or make a good impression, ask for a letter of referral or introduction in Thai . Also, request blessings and teachings, energetic transmissions. Rent a guesthouse near large wats, and sit quietly, especially don't bother monks by speaking with them. Sit at a table and do sculpture, or read quietly, or just sit and meditate at a distance, toning almost silently. Look over the map of Thailand, preparing the right questions beforehand.
Expect difficulties, and don't be put off by them. The teachings instruct to leave home and family, and not attach to mundane affairs. Although lonely, especially at first, be aware that is the time-tested way to be free and unencumbered with the various obstacles naturally resulting from association. You can idealize, but nothing is perfect, and life passes quickly. To achieve independence, you must give up companionship. To gain silence, is to give up conversation and music. To concentrate, give up distraction. It will take both effort and discipline.
There may be temple ruins in Thailand that I may meditate at, sleeping in a tent, or slowly restoring a building and staying there as long as allowed. If asked to leave, be thankful that I was able to spent time there, to give of myself, meditating and restoring a building or place. For all work is good, and nothing is lost in giving.
Longchenpa - Go to mountain tops, oceanside, desert, open spaces. Vast places that make the mind waver. Not only seeking out hermits, but also living apart myself, experiencing the silence, and exploring perception and awareness first-hand. Not only seeking the one who doesn't eat, but eating less myself, seeking nourishment from more refined energy sources, such as sound, sun light, heat, and love.
The teachings say to leave home and family, and not attach to mundane affairs. Although lonely, especially at first, be aware that you are also free and unencumbered with various obstacles resulting from association. You can always idealize, but nothing is perfect. To gain independence, is to give up companionship. To gain silence, is to give up conversation and music. To concentrate, is to give up distraction. It will take both effort and renewed strength and discipline if you choose these goals.
Practice living alone as a learning experience.
If it's time for solitude, don't spend time socializing with others.
If you desire to be disciplined, extend your endurance.
Don't associate with people valuing the affairs of the world, as they run counter to your direction.
Learn to control yourself, not seek to control others.
Dedicate your time to learning, reflection, and meditation.
Practice resilience when facing hardships.
Courage, to throw concern for this life to the wind.
Self-reliance, to avoid being led around by others.
Don't hunger for the distractions of additional safety, supplies, or honors.
Advanced practitioners may stay in retreat, hermitages, as they have developed powers of survival and fortitude against hunger and cold which I lack. If you dwell in a hermitage but have limited resolve, you may fall into distraction, despair, or loneliness. For myself, consider trying a week, then a month, then a rainy season, then a year, overcoming loneliness, distraction, a wandering mind, resolve, boredom. If main issue is loneliness, then practice and structure time better. If concerned for others, that’s excellent, but must balance against my own path. Don’t fall into caretaking. Every choice will have associated costs. A large vista for meditation, similar to a high mountain view. If not, consider a large river, or forest leaves in a windy place, large open fields of grass.
Go to a solitary, isolated place and meditate. The reason you are instructed to go into retreat is that if you try to practice this type of meditation in the midst of many activities, it may be difficult to generate concentration or realization. It is best if you are completely alone. Even if you have companions, see them but rarely. You should be completely independent without any contact with anyone. If that is impossible, for example, if you need someone to cook for you or bring you firewood, then under no circumstances should you see him or her during your meditation sessions. You should practice alone. Perform progressively longer retreats in darkness and silence, probing the nature of the mind and reality. A man sits and grows old, but it's not you.
Those who understand may seek quiet and solitary places in which to conquer their minds. Having abandoned all wandering thoughts, not carrying the past, unless learning lessons via review, nor being overly concerned with the future, unless making concrete plans, so as to prepare. The main practice should be to rest in the ever-present moment, working on trance, and clearing the mind of thoughts, just as we realize no division of objects, what are we thinking of? Same with speaking, who is speaking about what? The dissolution of ego, the notion of a separate self, is at the root of many teachings. An observer, a viewpoint with an agenda to accomplish.
Don't dwell on your mundane pursuits being undermined, or the fear of this happening, even though you are residing in the wilderness. Master your awareness, and remain focused, not remaining engrossed in life’s sensual pleasures and in mundane intentions.Turn your mind away from generating and protecting material fortunes. Relinquish association with the worldly, residing in the wilderness. Don't pass time in frivolous chatter, or in conversations related to a householder’s life, with anyone who happens to be around.
Shepe Dorje - Leaving home behind, seek to abandon self. As meditative experiences arise, travel joyously, without hope, doubt, or attachment as to whether or not you will succeed. Take scant concern for your personal comfort, nor for the binding fetters of monasteries or the knots of worldly existence. Don't strive for nirvana. Who is seeking what? A fool's errand. All places are joyous. Have no fear about sickness, hunger, or dying on the way. Have no regrets if you are to be reborn. A new chance to learn and sacrifice.
Certainly, and without remorse or fear, it is time to go. It is time to make your own way, to be at peace, not resting your progress heavily upon others. By eating less, and doing postures with breathing exercises, go forward, not to be seen as overly sensitive and demanding by others not yet ready to participate. At our own speeds, without recrimination or judgement, pursuing goals and actions that we each see fit. Make a list of activities and opportunities, not only to not be bored, wondering how to fill time, but to take advantage of the time given, and be satisfied with the life lived, aging and dying in any case.
As a maturity and independence exercise, learn to deal with loneliness, being satisfied with staying alone, if that is a good choice for yourself. Only by being content to be alone may we achieve the freedom and peace of mind to truly concentrate, undistracted by the limitations and interactions sought by others. Let choices be made then, that assist in finding like-minded companions, and if there be none, then be content. For example, if choosing a city for the larger numbers of companions, then don’t lament loss of space and countryside at the same time.
You cannot abandon your homeland unless you divest yourself of your concerns. Anywhere you might travel, you will be in the same state of development as you were before you had left, carrying yourself with you. In order to live in solitude, you must first eradicate your desires and fixations. Why be alone physically, when you actually are in the company of your thoughts and emotions. It is said, better to travel alone, than suffer the company of fools.
To heal physically, first practice emotional and intellectual healing.
Hermits remain in mountain fastness (keeps) for many years doing meditation, studying, practicing. They don't keep coming down to the towns and villages, seeking food and other supplies.
Limit association with the worldly, and live in the wilderness, and don't pass time in frivolous chatter, or in conversations related to a householder’s life, with anyone who happens to be around. Practice tolerating harm to yourself, and render benefits to others. Turn your mind away from pleasures, and generating and protecting wealth. What do you fear? If one clings to personal well-being there is no awakening mind. Turn the mind away from concern for one's own welfare to that of others.
Far from village and towns, a solitary hermit sits quietly, unknown and not declaring anything. Practicing focused concentration, equanimity and even-mindedness, don't discuss teachings nor debate ideas. Eat only that which is needed to fuel the body, studying great examples of achievement, following good advice given by masters, practice serenely, overcoming obstacles and ego by effort and resolve. Either individually, or in groups, seek out the quiet ones, and join in the work of purification, not for self but for all beings.
During retreat, whether your doorway is sealed or not, you must not speak, not care to look, or having looked, pay little attention to what is seen, not differentiating one object from another, not come face to face with others, or having seen their face, take no note, no have anything to say. A person nearby, unless interacting for a reason, is just another phenomenon, of which there are many. Having completely discarded the wanderings of the restless mind, expel the stale breath and correctly assume the essential elements of bodily posture. The mind should rest upon clear awareness without wavering even for the time of a finger snap, like a peg driven into solid ground. A strict outer, inner, and secret retreat will quickly give rise to both signs and qualities.
Later, as your powers of concentration and detachment grow, you may feely walk among them, for whatever reason, but as it is written, it is one thing to maintain serenity in a serene environment, but another thing entirely to maintain peace of mind and true focus surrounded by wrong-thinking and ignorance. Many a seeker has lost their way among the thorns of mundane experience, being attacked on all sides with wrong thinking and backwards views.