On this 3rd day, my mind is a bit calmer. Such a huge change in lifestyle. It’s not yet 11am, and I’ve been awake for 7 hours. Whereas just 3 days ago, 11am is the time I got out of bed. It seems that the 6 hours of sleep are sufficient, because I feel fine… Continue reading

June 3rd – 8 more days to go … more like 8 years… I’m in jail and being re-educated. I can only listen, but not talk. I thought of NgocDung and her 2 years in the communist re-education camp at the young age of 22. How is it possible for one human being to jail… Continue reading

Gong strikes at 4am. First strike, 15 minutes early. Second strike, better get your butt out of bed. Third strike, last call. Meditation goes from 4:30am to 6:30am. Then break for breakfast. Which is oatmeal with simmered prunes. And tea, soy milk, rice milk. No coffee. I’m definitely going to die. Now. NOW! I don’t… Continue reading

The drive took longer than expected, due to road construction. 5 hours. I got there late, but they didn’t seem to mind. Shaun drove me to my dorm, otherwise, I would have to load my stuff onto one of those 2-wheeled carts and push them up the hill to the dorm. On my application form,… Continue reading

It was highly recommended by my cardiologist. When it was first mentioned, I brushed it off. Who in hell would have 10 days to spare going to a retreat. If people can take 10 days off work, they’ll go to some beaches off Mexico, or Hawaii, or Europe, or wherever … We’re living in Silicon… Continue reading