Finding Meaning and Acceptance
On their first retreat at Deer Park Monastery, a mother and daughter find meaning, acceptance, love, and validation among the peace and tranquility they experience.
The summer of 2024, my daughter and I embarked on a journey to Deer Park Monastery for the 2024 Family Retreat.
We accompanied our friends Amanda and Sawyer there. They had been attending since 2017. Amanda’s awe and wonder was embedded in my heart. I first learned of Thich Nhat Hanh in 1989 when I was searching for myself but never went deep.
I was searching to find meaning, acceptance, love, and validation.
We arrived, set up tents, and took in the families all around us. The calm was astounding.
I followed Amanda's lead. We walked our teens to the area where they gathered, and we continued to the Ocean of Peace Meditation Hall. (I didn’t know it was called this at the time.)
Beth ConroyI was in awe. From the moment we removed our shoes, stepping slowly inside, taking it all in. A black beetle walked comfortably across the cement, no rush. The stained-glass windows, the orchids, the calm.
Slowly but surely, I became aware I was doing what I needed to do. Nobody was coming to correct my sitting, my breath or posture. As I sat straight, I listened to the words "breathe in" or "take an in breath". I did. And the outbreath. Feeling human beings next to me doing the same thing. No rush. Shoes aligned outside.
The gentle wave of the face to help the insect change direction. All these gestures I noticed, there was a calm. I arrived. I was home. In my body.
Any mention of Thich Nhat Hanh would brighten my spirit. Bring me to myself, open myself to the wonder and awe of who I am and where I am supposed to be. In the here and now.
I am grateful, because I can now find my breath, be in my body, and move through this time and place of today.
My experience at Deer Park has helped me to bring this back to my daily work with children in an afterschool program. I create a space for children to step back into their body. To restart their day. To begin again, after they have spent the first portion of their day in school. A place to listen to themselves, to be creative, or rest.
I received all five of the Five Mindfulness Trainings on the 30th day of June. My Lineage Name is Peaceful Practice of the Source. I continue my practice today.
I participated in Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet and what a timely endeavor today with all that is happening in our world and to our Mother Earth.
With Reverence,
Beth Conroy
In harmony with Thay’s practice of writing love letters to share gratitude, love, and peace with those around him, we asked practitioners to submit love letters to Deer Park describing what it means to them.
If you would like to submit your own Love Letter to Deer Park, please email us at loveletters@deerparkmonastery.org. We love receiving your writings, poetry, and photos. Please include your name and Dharma name if you have one.
