17 March 2010

Out of contact

Just spoke to mum, and she's on her way to the south to attend a lecture today. About cancer patients and diet, which a friend in her morning exercise group recommended. She said she'll stay in the city of Tainan for a day, and then head to the centre of the country to take part in a meditation course.

Ten days it will last, and all taking place in a monastery in Puli (where I often go to). It's been a long time since she last took part in such a long meditation retreat, but I think she needs it, and she has also been very eager to enroll herself, despite having just ended her latest chemo treatment. While I was with her, I encouraged her to go, for a retreat can really help to calm the mind, and allow a person to discover that inner world that is often so disturbed by the outside influences, noises and distractions. And a calm mind is what she needs if she is to respond well to the heavy treatment that she is undergoing, especially as meditation can help ease her anxieties and fears, and help her confront the inevitables of illness and death.

So mum will be out of reach for over a week... I deeply hope that she will go in and be able to find inner peace of mind and discover a clarity of thought that will give her the strength and will to go on... this I really wish...

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