SDSU’s Delta Beta Tau presented me with the unique opportunity to visit Dharma Bum Temple for the half-day of silence retreat.
This meditative morning was unlike anything I have previously experienced. Dharma Bum Temple’s beauty, both physical and spiritual, was apparent from the moment I stepped inside. As a retreat in Delta Beta Tau’s pledge program, I was not sure exactly what to expect.
I have read about days or periods of silence in Buddhist practice and their impact, but engaging in this practice personally uncovered a valuable tool to cultivate inner peace, reflection, and grounding.
The meditation I found within the silence was deep and clarifying. In a world that has a constant influx of noise, the silence was refreshing. While focusing my mind for an extended period of time was challenging, the meditative state I achieved was distinctive to this experience. The sounds, sensations, and thoughts passed through me with acceptance and deeper understanding of my reality.
We began the day in the upstairs meditation hall and eventually moved downstairs. Additionally, we had a walking meditation session, followed by a collective cleaning of the space. Through these actions, I had the privilege to observe Dharma Bum Temple in full. I was able to appreciate the beauty and wisdom that the temple held, and saw the vibrant Buddhist community that practices there.
The value of silence is often ignored, and I view that as a great tragedy. It is through this time dedicated to reflection that I feel most connected to my physical environment, peers, mental state, and being.
-Maizie Zarling
