I just finished “The Wisdom of Solitude: A Zen Retreat in the Woods” by Jane Dobisz. This was a very quick read…really more like journal entries than actual chapters. It’s written by a buddhist from Rhode Island who decides to go on a solitary retreat in the New England woods (I think Vermont) for 100 days. She has a pretty harsh daily schedule: walking up at 3:15 and bowing and sitting and then cutting wood and fetching water. She gives her insight about buddhism and life and death, and then talks about how hard it is at times, and how happy she is at times. There are some funny parts too. She is living off of soybeans and rice and at one point she sees a parked car with a picnic basket on the seat. She evokes the image of Yogi Bear and can’t control herself from stealing 4 Lorna Doone cookies from the basket. Another time a mouse moves into her chamber pot, freaking her out the first time. This is the funniest line in the whole book (I laughed out loud):
“My heart is banging like a pile driver, this being the biggest excitement and most eye contact I’ve had with any other being thus far on the retreat.” Maybe it’s because I have a soft spot in my heart for mice, but the image of the little gray mouse covered in shit and making eye contact with her before she screams and runs off just made me giggle.
I’ve always been intrigued with the idea of a solitary retreat. I read a book by Susan thebergian who is a very introspective writer who writes about religion and dreams and jungian analysis. She talks about silent retreats and how she did a 3 day retreat and slept the whole time, and how a profound peace comes on the 3rd day. I’d like to try that…just go off into the woods without phone, computer or tv and not talk to anyone for a while. See what comes up out of my subconscious, you know.
Well, next I think I will read a book that was actually on the list. I’ve been a little heavy on the non-fiction so I think it’s time I picked a good meaty piece of fiction. I think I’ll go with “A Wild Sheep Chase” even though Samara doesn’t seem to be too engrossed in it. But first I’m going to make a summer berry cobbler with my fresh picked raspberries and blueberries (i know, i know…it’s a READING blog, not a “my life in Maine” blog).
1 Comment
July 20, 2008 at 11:19 pm
I think a solitary retreat would be nice and refreshing, although 100 days might be a little too much even for me.
Summer berry cobbler….yummmmm…….