A Taste Of Zen in Miri

IT was raining the whole day and the night saw squalls blowing up around the seas fronting the chalets on the shore.

For June (not her real name), it was a rather harrowing first night at the beach retreat in Miri. She and 30 other participants had come to acquire “A Taste Of Zen” during the weekend highaway at Tim’s Seaside Hideout Café & Lodge in the Resort City.

“I thought I was experiencing a typhoon and a tsunami would sweep us away any time. But thank goodness, I was with two friends who were not so frightened. And as the saying goes, we were able to weather the storm.Today is a lovely day,”she told thesundaypost enthusiastically.

For her, the retreat was a really special event — one beyond her imagination — where she could learn to attain inner peace.

She said the rain did not dampen the spirits of the participants — in fact, the cool breeze made their stay very “refreshing and calming” and it was more than she expected.

“I was very touched and emotional. As a busy career woman, I need this kind of retreat. So I’m happy to be here. Everyone is friendly, helpful and at peace.”

According to Janet Jong, one of the organisers, the event was not to promote Buddhism but introduce a style of meditation to help the participants attain inner peace.

During the retreat, the founder and Abbott of Bodhi Pundarika Sangha monastery, the Venerable Pu Yue from Kuching, spoke about  “mindful thinking and movements.”

The goal of Bodhi Pundarika Sangha monastery is to focus on such healthy activities and shape structure learning to help people cope with the stress of daily life.

Another speaker touched on vegetarian food.  Benjamin Thian, a chef from Kuala Lumpur, said a ‘green’ diet was one way to a more disciplined and healthier life.

A participant from Kuching shared: “I’m not a Buddhist but I’m interested in spiritual healing. This time, my mind is opened and now I can see things very clearly and do not fear the future. I would encourage people who like to have a clear mind to take part in healthy activities like these.”

A woman from Miri also said she joined the retreat to seek ways of attaining inner peace, adding that after one day of meditation, led by the Abbot, she was able to achieve her goal.

Enlightened path

The Venerable Pu Yue has studied and practised Buddhism since the age of 13.

A graduate of Swinburne University (Sarawak Campus), he said his family never objected to him becoming a Buddhist monk.

He was actually into marketing before taking the enlightened path. In 2014, he renounced the worldly life and a year later, was ordained at Guang Ming Shan Ri Yue Chan Monastery, Taiwan.

He has since been helping many to meditate in Kuching and elsewhere in Sarawak.

Janet Jong said the retreat with “A Taste of Zen” was aimed at helping participants to reconnect with their hearts.

The meditation includes teachings of self-enlightenment — and it is not just for Buddhists. Everyone who is a non-Muslim is welcomed as the retreat focuses on meditative practices, mindfulness, self-introspection, joy from within as well as healthy living.

Jong added that their programme gave participants time and space to reflect on their emotions and the negativities of everyday life, allowing them a “window of opportunity” to take their first step towards a more fulfilling life.

“It’s also to help participants who feel their life is mundane. Anyone lacking vitality and wanting or needing a change can participate. It may help them towards a better life.”

Most importantly, she pointed out, the retreat would enable self-reflection and help participants become more mindful in their everyday life.

“Participants will experience peace, joy, strength and tranquility and make life more disciplined. They will learn to recognise the existence of suffering and how to deal with emotions before the problem manifests itself to harm those close to them.”

Mindful stretching

Yoga (mindful stretching) sessions were also organised on the beach and conducted by Goldie Chia, yoga instructor from Miri.

The retreat was holistic, covering body, mind and soul — an excellent idea from the organisers. Participants learned to “stretch and empty” the minds.

By mid-morning on the second day, the participants got to know each other quite well. The final session was the cooking demonstration held at the open dining area of the Café.

Benjamin Thian who has been demonstrating his vegetarian dishes in West Malaysia and Sarawak, told thesundaypost he has always been fascinated by the culinary art of food preparation and presentation.

“This special vegetarian culinary session aims to bring a ‘Zen’ touch to preparing and presenting food. As you can see, I surround the demonstration area and the dining tables with floral items that exude Zen — a sense of serenity.

“Our thoughts and actions are very much influenced by what we eat. We have choices and can choose to have a healthy diet. I’m glad many people today are leaning towards vegetarianism.”

He noted that most people now were aware that becoming a vegetarian was no longer a decision based on religious views.

“The vegetarian way of life has become more and more appealing for healthy living, cleansing the body (of toxins) and rejuvenation.

“It’s easier to be a vegetarian nowadays because of greater accessibility to increased vegetarian dining options. Many top chefs present good vegetarian dishes. Many people even opt to be part-vegetarian during the week. This is totally acceptable because it’s not a religion.”

Health reasons

Betty Hong said there are now many vegetarian restaurants.

She is a vegetarian for health reasons, saying she is today healthier than ever — at 60 plus.

She admitted that while a teenager, she was basically a “meat and carbo” fan. No meals could pass without a meat dish or even two as her family loved meat as well.

But after a whole decade of ill health, she started to eat only vegetables and learn to cook vegetarian meals.

“I can cook two vegetarian dishes for myself and my family and I still cook a meat dish for family members who like meat. That’s no problem at all,” she said.

All the vegetarian meals were prepared by Tim’s Seaside Hideout Café and Lodge for the special weekend.

The proprietor, Fatimah Ahmad, a good cook herself, has been preparing meals for her guests since the beginning of her beach operation – to very good reviews from tourists staying in the beautiful chalets by the sea.

All the food is halal. And there is also plenty of fusion food for walk-in visitors. Guests get a free breakfast and vegetarian food is optional.

Fatimah, a retired top Petronas management staff, said:  “Our management looks forward to serving guests who come for holidays, events, retreats and workshops. The sea is inspiring and the breeze is refreshing. We are be most happy to be of help in any way.”

The group of young Sarawakians who had their “Taste of Zen” promised to return for another retreat in the future.