Day 1 Shanghai → Xianglin Villa
All day
Introduction: Why do we need a journey of “stopping thoughts”?
In this era of information explosion and fast pace, we seem to be always chased by the "to be continued" to-do list and swept away by endless noise and impetuousness.
When "involution" becomes the norm and anxiety follows you everywhere, do you long to find a quiet place where you can rest your tired body and mind and let your troubled thoughts become clear?
Since ancient times, Kuaiji Mountain has been a place where scholars and poets have sought secluded places for exploration and self-cultivation. Today, the Tushita Heaven Palace stands tall in the clouds, overlooking all living things.
We have specially planned this "Stop Thinking and Awareness of the Six Senses" retreat to create a spiritual pure land for you away from the crowds during National Day.
This is not a simple journey, but a deep practice of dialogue with oneself, resonance with nature, and breathing with the heaven and earth.
07:15
Retreat and Enter Tranquility: First Encounter and Settlement in Xianglin Cottage
Meet at 7:15
and depart at 7:30, no waiting for latecomers
We set off from Shanghai to bid farewell to the dawn of Shanghai on a spiritual date. We embark on this journey of spiritual practice together with expectations and some unknowns.
The three-hour drive is a gentle transition between the hustle and bustle of the city and the tranquility of the mountains.
11:00
Retreat and enter into tranquility
We arrived at the B&B and followed the housekeeper's instructions to check in and have lunch.
A poetic retreat deep in the sweet osmanthus After passing through layers of mountains, we finally arrived at our resting place for this trip.
2:00 PM
Smell the fragrance of Zen tea and observe its wonders with your nose
In the afternoon, the sunlight shines through the window lattice, casting mottled light and shadows.
We sat together and, under the guidance of the butler, began the elegant experience of smelling Zen tea.
Sniff the tea and feel its rich aroma;
Sip the tea slowly and feel its flow and sweet aftertaste on your tongue.
This is not only an enjoyment for the taste buds, but also a practice of awakening inner awareness through smell and taste.
3:00 PM
Flower viewing in Daxianglin
Immerse yourself in the secret realm of osmanthus fragrance and stroll through the big osmanthus forest. Thousands of osmanthus trees sway in the wind, and golden petals fall like rain.
Take a deep breath and let the refreshing osmanthus fragrance cleanse your lungs, as if all your internal organs are purified by this pure fragrance.
At this moment, I am surrounded by the fragrance of flowers, the singing of birds and the peace of my heart.
6:00 PM
Copying sutras with a quiet mind: practicing mindfulness through writing
As night falls, there is a bright lamp, a piece of scripture and a plain pen.
Copy the scriptures with peace of mind, and let your scattered thoughts gradually settle down with the flow of pen and ink.
I don’t seek neat handwriting, I just want to focus on the present moment and feel the peace and tranquility of my heart in every stroke.
7:00 PM
Singing Bowl Therapy
Deep relaxation through sound waves When the distant low frequency of the singing bowl sounds, the unique sound waves seem to penetrate every cell of the body and soothe tense nerves.
Under the guidance of the therapist, we closed our eyes and let the ethereal sound lead us into deep relaxation, releasing pent-up fatigue and emotions, and experiencing the harmonious resonance of body, mind and spirit.
9:00 PM
Turn off the lights and rest
2nd Tianxianglin Cottage → → Longhua Temple → Tushita Heaven Palace
07:30
Walking and Awareness: Awakening the Six Senses in Ancient Temples in the Mountains
Getting up in the morning and having breakfast
09:00
Walking in the Bamboo Forest: A Five-Kilometer Journey Through Nature and the Six Senses
In the early morning, we woke up to the sound of birdsong, had a delicious breakfast, and then started our trek through the bamboo forest.
The five-kilometer hiking loop passes through a clear reservoir, dense bamboo forests and the tranquil Daxianglin scenic area.
Measure the land with your feet, listen to the sound of wind, water and birds with your ears, feel the breeze and warmth of sunshine in the forest with your skin, and breathe in the fragrance of grass and trees with your nose.
This is a natural journey that awakens the "body consciousness" in all directions, allowing the body and mind to merge with the energy of heaven and earth while walking.
12:00
Visit Longhua Temple and feel the majesty of the thousand-year-old temple
After the pilgrimage, we came to Longhua Temple for a meal.
Vegetarian food is light and elegant, nourishing the body and mind.
In the afternoon, with a pious heart, visit this ancient temple with a long history.
Red walls and black tiles, curling smoke, and melodious bells and chanting sounds in the ears.
Here, you can feel the solemnity and tranquility of Buddhism and let your mind be purified and sublimated.
3:00 PM
Chanting sutras in a quiet Zen temple, accompanied by the ancient Buddha and the green lamp
Move to the quiet Zen temple and participate in the solemn chanting ceremony.
As the low and rhythmic sound of chanting comes to mind, let go of distracting thoughts, let your mind follow the guidance of the scriptures, and experience the concentration of "ear consciousness" and inner peace.
4:00 PM
Visiting the Heavenly Palace: Magnificent sight and a broad mind
When you reach the Tushita Heaven, you will be amazed by its magnificent architecture and exquisite statues.
Climbing to a high place and looking far into the distance, you can take in the magnificent scenery of the Kuaiji Mountains. Your vision will be broadened and your mind will be opened up.
This is a feast of "eye consciousness" and also an expansion of the inner pattern.
5:00 PM
Sunset on the Tiangong platform, Tai Chi practice, a harmonious balance of movement and stillness
As the sun sets, the golden afterglow fills the Tiangong platform.
We practiced Tai Chi under the guidance of our instructor.
Each move is slow, gentle and continuous. Feel the flow of energy in your body and experience the Tai Chi wisdom of "using softness to overcome hardness" and "mutual generation of movement and stillness".
The body and mind achieve a delicate balance as they breathe with the heaven and earth.
6:30 PM
Back to the B&B, prepare medicine and rest
7:30 PM
As night falls, follow the teacher and copy the scriptures in the quiet night
9:00 PM
Turn off the lights and rest
3. Tianxianglin Cottage
07:30
Vipassana·Fusion——Harmony of body and mind and return of energy
Getting up in the morning and having breakfast
09:00
Yoga dances the body, mind and soul, awakening the inner vitality
In the morning, we danced to energetic music, engaging in a yoga session that embraced our body, mind, and spirit. This wasn't a rigid asana practice, but rather a free flow of movement and relaxation, guided by the body's intuition. This allowed us to release our emotions, awaken our dormant inner energy, and encounter our true selves.
10:00
Outdoor yoga stretching, embrace the morning light and freshness
Do yoga and stretching in the morning light on the outdoor lawn or terrace of Xianglin Cottage.
Breathing in the fresh air, stretching the body to the extreme, every cell is full of vitality.
11:30
Practicing meditation together to directly understand the awakening of the original mind
In the afternoon, it is time for group meditation.
Under the guidance of the instructor, learn the correct sitting posture and breathing method, try to let go of your attachment to the outside world, look inward, and experience the core principles of "awareness - stopping thoughts - right mindfulness".
In silence, feel the clarity and freedom of your heart.
3:00 PM
Health-preserving Zen tea, drinking tea and discussing Taoism and spiritual practice
Get together again and enjoy a cup of health-preserving Zen tea.
This time, perhaps I have a different experience of the taste of tea and the awareness of the present moment.
Exchange experiences, share insights, and let wisdom flow in the fragrance of tea.
4:00 PM
Activity sharing session, harvest and gratitude
As our journey of spiritual practice draws to a close, we sit together to share what we have learned, felt, and realized over the past three days. Every sincere sharing is a spiritual encounter and a growth experience.
4:30 PM
Say farewell and be grateful, and start again with energy. All good things must come to an end.
We said goodbye to the teachers and staff with whom we had been working day and night, one by one, expressing our gratitude for this wonderful encounter, for the nourishment of this land, and for every present moment of ourselves.
Don't stay, don't be obsessed, with full energy and inner peace, sort out your mood and start the return journey.
