First of all woo- hoo - I got tix for the upcoming 1 day retreat at NBM - my first Buddhist one (I’ll see if my damaged spine can handle it before diving in further) but have a few questions.
Firstly, is it ok to bring your own meditation cushion? I got a funky new one yesterday that I’ll be road testing leading up to it. I don’t want to look pretentious or something tho by being the only person rocking up with my own. What’s the deal there? Cool or not cool?
Second, I’m having surgery the morning after and have a super super short list of food I can eat before lunch so I’m tossing up between just bringing some feta to munch on or just not eating at all.
I’m happy to bring food for others, but I can’t eat other peoples food - which I was told would be offensive last time I took food Dana but did not want to eat. I seriously just can’t tho - hospital orders.
Is it rude if I just put some feta in the fridge with a note on it and eat that but don’t eat anyone else’s food?
Or the other option would be just not eating at all and maybe going for a walk instead so I don’t offend anyone by them seeing I’m not eating/ or not eating their food anyway.
What’s ok and not please?
Anything else I should know as a noob to a Buddhist retreat to not make an ass of myself lol?
My new cushion … it’s not as big as it looks. My knees still overhang the edges.
I think it’s fantastic you’re on the way to your first retreat
Before addressing your other questions (based on my retreat experience), I’ll say that your questions are quite understandable and that others usually have similar ones when doing a first retreat. I’ve never been to NBM but from the website I’m making some general assumptions.
I would imagine yes. I have to think there are lay practitioners who attend their retreats with various back or other issues who need specially designed cushions.
I can’t sit on a regular zafu cushion anymore without additional support on the edges for my knees. Sometimes I simply sit in a chair. I’m used to practicing on a cushion so it’s my preference. But more and more I’m needing to use a chair.
The only question there to ask in advance is whether they offer shared refrigerator space. Assuming they do, I have to think there’s no issues with your private food consumption. Likely you won’t be the only one with special dietary needs. I assume the meals are in silence which means you don’t have to even talk to it if you choose to eat with others.
I second the idea that these are all questions for the retreat organizer. No point asking here. (cue the looking for the keys under the lamp post joke)
I noticed the Ajahn Brahm’s group etiquette to specifically prohibit sexual activity “with another person” and always wondered if this was meant to exclude another type of (possibly very common) activity.
Obviously I thought there might just be things that are known to be done/ not done (like people taking their own cushions) that I could find out. Seems now it might depend on the individual centre then.
I’ve been in their old kitchen at NBM washing the dishes and there was enough fridges to run a restaurant with, so hopefully it’s ok.
I have no idea what you are trying to reference there … but (tmi) I’ll be celebrating 12 years of celibacy on that exact day actually, so no one needs to worry about me in that regard.
wanders off scratching head in confusion
Perhaps there is something you would like to say a little more directly? Or maybe you are just giving me a noob tip? I’m not sure … but I’m good either way
(Edit: all good everyone, I thought a colloquial Aussie insult might have been being ‘tossed’ at me and was confused … but I’ve figured it out … yep I’m an idiot … and I’ve let Malunkyaputta know on the side )
It really is centre dependent. I could tell you that usually it’s fine to bring your own cushion. But I cannot tell you what the policy is for the place you are going. Unless someone asked them recently, then you will only ever get second hand info here.
The food thing is going to be highly dependent on the centre and cannot be assumed just by looking at the kitchen.
Also whatever info you get from someone in a non-official capacity will likely be misguided. For example I highly doubt that an official person from a monastery would tell you that you are being rude for not eating dana that you are allergic/have medical prohibitions for. That just sounds like someone who is repeating the general cultural principle that as a guest you should eat the food you are offered.
I hit the notification button so will let u know when they text me that it’s back in stock. It’s a bit pricey - but I had some credit & a voucher and got it for $105 Aussie. It’s memory foam by the way - but it’s firm
Sorry, I absolutely did not have you specifically in mind when writing that. Just reacting to the mere title of the thread without reading. I am sorry !
I was only playing about lol.
After you helped me with a problem I’d had for well over 30 years, and countless people had tried to help me with it (including AI just before joining this forum), I would of built you a throne to sit on!
… it’s not as big as it looks. My knees still overhang the edges.
… but (tmi) I’ll be celebrating 12 years of celibacy on that exact day actually, so no one needs to worry about me in that regard.
)
