In a world simultaneously connected through and plagued by social media, silence is becoming an ever-appreciating commodity. The monk's gentle voice ebbed as he rang a large bronze bell, the first of three "dings" signalling us to settle onto our cushions. I took one last glance at the September sunrise spilling onto the magenta orchids of the Buddha altar, bringing dimension to the otherwise dimly lit room.
The interplay of fragrant incense weaving through the sun's golden rays created an ambiance of complete serenity in the Great Togetherness Meditation Hall. A calligraphy banner above the altar read, "This Is It" – reminding me that the present moment is all we have. The banner echoed the words of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh ("Thay"): our true home is in the present moment .
This present moment was my last day at the Blue Cliff Monastery in New York State. The monastery, located in the Catskill Mountains two hours from New York City, is one of 11 global mindfulness centres established by Thay, a Zen Buddhist monk exiled from Vietnam in 1966 for opposing the war. Called " an Apostle of peace and nonviolence " by Martin Luther King Jr, Thay was a preeminent figure in bringing Engaged Buddhism and mindfulness to the West.
Now, surrounded by dozens of monks, nuns and fellow retreat-goers, I – finally – felt at ease, as if I was truly home. At the sound of the third "ding", I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and settled into my cushion. Mindfulness retreats, which span e.