On my trip I have done everything to the extreme…. And for this reason i have fallen completly in love with travelling! I have placed myself in many situations that are not exactly common and not particularly comfortable. I have entered homes not knowing the owners, confonted and had conversations with complete strangers that I usually wouldn't and experienced many places and things out of the norm. Once again I knew it was time to step off the trodden path and sign up for a three day meditation course. I did this as lately I have been interested in and wishing to learn more on both mediation and Buddhism. I entered Wat Mahathat (centre Bangkok) with very little facts and information on the place and sticking to my usual habit I stepped into the unknown…. Loving every minute of it!

I signed in and was told to immediately change into all white clothing. The place where I would be studying and practicing over the next few days was hot, small, crowded and smelled of many things I do not want to mention incase you are eating. It is impossible to describe my time here the best word I can find is intense and that just does not cut it. I was extremely uncomfortable and in no way had a pleasant time. However I left proud and felt particularly privileged that I had the opportunity to experience such a thing at such an age. My teacher a Buddhist monk told me the basic guidelines and rules of the place. We chanted together and I was asked to abide the eight precepts whilst here. In Thai I chanted these eight precepts- I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures, I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given, I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity, I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech, I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness, I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon), I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics, I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

The type of meditation I was studying at Wat Mahathat was Vipassana meditation one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art Of Living. - "Vipassana" means clear insight into the real characteristics of body and mind. Vipassana bhavana (insight meditation) is sometimes called mindfulness meditation. The technique of vipassana uses mindfulness to note every detail of our mental and physical experience from moment-to-moment, with an unbiased attitude. By practicing mindfulness meditation we can see and actually remove the causes of suffering, which are within ourselves.

The daily routine here was simple- wake 5, eat 6, mediate 7 until 10, eat 11, mediate 12 until 4 and then once again 6 until 9. To go from knowing just a little on meditation to having to practice it for most hours in the day is tuff. I was tested mentally and physically and although I was only here for a few days I felt I was surprisingly on the right path. No need to worry I have a feeling I will not becoming a women monk or nun anytime soon but I have had an insight into their world and I am grateful for this opportunity. Oh and about those eight precepts…. Hmmmm well I am on my way to the islands involving two weeks of sun, beach and a whole lot of partying, so let's just say they may not last too long!