Walking In the Shoes of Our Teacher

What a joyful and meaningful experience my time was with the Loving Work Foundation retreats in 2025. I had signed up to attend two of the three retreats, spending most of 3 weeks in central Vietnam.

The first, the Loving Work Retreat, was truly about experiencing the kind of service which our Zen master teacher promulgated during the American war. With bombs demolishing villages, which included homes, schools and other facilities, monastics as well as younger people during that time, went out to repair, mend and build what was necessary for the communities to carry on. For me, I felt I was walking in the shoes of those that served all those years ago, as we put our hands to the work. We built a new pigpen for a family. For another, we laid the floor for a toilet and painted and plastered cement on walls to make them more water resistant. That the families appreciated our efforts was evidenced by their smiles.

I was raised in Malaysia during the time of Viet Nam/American war and heard only trickles of news about that war. The only time I think it had any impact on me, was when newspapers raised the specter of a Third World War. I was, otherwise, so far removed from it.  Being on the ground in Viet Nam and having direct contact with Project RENEW and Peace Trees Viet Nam provided me with an education about the scale of the war.  From them, we learned Quang Tri province, even today, still holds the position of being “the most bombed place on earth”. This was new information for someone who has lived a relatively unscathed life, deepening my understanding of the futility of war, and also deepening my understanding or our teacher, Thich Nhat Hanh

The second retreat was titled ‘Nothing to Do, No Where to Go’. Wow, another amazing experience - made even more so because of the space we were in, The Riverside Eco-Resort beside the Perfume River just outside the city of Hue. I remember how delicious the food was, probably because it was prepared in a more natural and local way but also because of how I ate! I have been on retreats before where we’ve practiced Mindful Eating, chewing our food until it was liquid and savoring its flavors.; yet the flavors at this retreat venue felt so much more heightened and hence more delicious! There was the added bonus of visiting and practicing with monastics and the community at Tu Hieu, our root temple. It was an experience which seemed to magnify the worthiness of my practice. 

Our practice of Noble Silence here and there throughout each day was so healthy and nourishing – for there was enough chatter in the mind. Morning and Evening sits, Dharma Talks by our teacher, Trish Thompson, Walking Meditation, Qigong, Movement and Dance – all rounded off a beautiful time. What I brought home with me was a deeper understanding that my practice could really be anywhere, at any time. While I might still be a part-time Buddha, I know at least that I have infinite opportunities to extend that mindfulness.

Connie Wong (AKA Chong Shiuk Hien), True Forest of Gratitude