The last bowing session in the Pureland retreat
lasted the shortest
as there was the least fret,
as there is the most doing it in the moment,
without entertaining stray thoughts of how long more it will be,
especially since this is the last chance to practise it well.
I do echo your thoughts. Always felt that on the last day of retreats when it’s home sweet home time. A lack of workouts and exercises always work against me whenever I go for Pure Land retreats, as I go through the rigorous programme like a zombie. At the end of each retreat, I wonder if I had accomplished what I came for. I guess what inspires and motivates me on is the knowledge that the days are getting shorter for me and Pure Land beckons.
Amituofo (O) :sleeping:
For some, it might be the opposite?
E.g. when running a long run,
the last stretch, the last dash
might seem the most tiring.
Think it all depends on our motivation!
Amituofo
(*)
:hm: For most lay people, would a shorter retreat such as a ä½›-二 (Fo-2)be more beneficial than the normal 7 days’ retreat, I wonder?
Amituofo
The retreat I went was a Fo-3
😉
Sometimes, there are Fo-1 too!
Amituofo
🙂
:face: Bowing seems long if it is done as a ritual; it is neither long nor short if done with full veneration, gratification and mindfulness.:face:
Yes, when we lose mindfulness of how to bow with the right attitude in the moment, the bowing immediately becomes tiresome!
:-S