The third week went by really quickly despite not getting a whole lot of training in. It seems the monks really don't like training in the rain.

We have missed four whole days of training because it's been too wet. I've still been training in the rain by myself or with Morgan (my American roommate) but it's just not the same as training with the entire group.

Hopefully we will have better weather next week. I'm going to try and squeeze as much in as possible. I want to really make the most of this opportunity.

Tomorrow is my free day so I've got an early morning run up to the top of the mountain the temple is situated at the foot of.

I have been listening to who was the Buddha, which was interesting, as I didn't really know much about the history of Buddhism at all.   I also listened to a few of the Zen mind recordings. I'm not quite sure what to make of them yet I guess I'll have to let it sit with me for a while and maybe listen to them again.   At any rate I could understand the concept of a beginners mind being much more open than that of an expert. I also decided to go and meditate somewhere on the temple grounds instead of in my room.

It feels much easier to be,

Rather than having to try.

Well that's it for now.  Next week is the last one I have here, so I'll do the next blog on the way to the  airport.

Zaijan.