I did something a little different for New Year's Eve in 2017. Instead of partying with friends or sitting quietly at home, I took part in a 6-day silent meditation retreat at Buddhist Insights in Rockaway Beach, NY. The practice was led by Bhante Suddhaso, a Theravadan monk, and it was incredible. For 6 days I didn't speak, use my cell phone, or eat more than two meals a day. Instead, I did work practice, meditated for 6 hours a day, and listened to Bhante give lectures on Buddhist sutras. It was a challenging and awe-inspiring experience. But the biggest challenge I've faced now that I'm home is trying to explain it to others. Case in point, I was talking with some friends about it the other day, and one of them replied, "You should just smoke weed instead." That really pissed me off. I don't smoke weed for the same reason that I don't drink alcohol ; I see it as a violation of the fifth precept. But not everyone is me
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