Welcome to a day with us.
We rise just before five in the morning and walk in mindful silence to the meditation hall for an hours' meditation. The cup of tea therefter is divine and often sorely needed. Then an hour of hatha yoga wakes us up further.
Breakfast is then served, followed by an hour of working meditation. Sweeping the paths, working in the garden, helping in the kitchen. Putting our theory into practice.
At 9.30, we have our second meditation, 90 minutes of sitting, standing or walking, using the method we feel comfortable with. Teachers and assistants are available should we need assistance or have queries regarding our practice. This group effort is followed by an hour of personal meditation indoors or outdoors.
By 12.30, the kitchen has put the final touches to our daily vegetarian feast - lunch!
Some of us take a short nap after lunch, others indulge in our well-stocked library.
At 2.30 we all gather for our afternoon meditation...
...followed by tea and another hour of yoga.
The sun is beginning to set, and we sit above the clouds in wonder.
As night comes we again join in the main hall, this time for chanting and meditation.
After some soya-coffee and a snack, we sit together to discuss. Topics are varied, ranging from issues in meditation, talks about dhamma and the mind. We end our day with a metta meditation - loving kindness.
Nilambe Meditation Center is a non-sectarian Buddhist retreat center close to Kandy in Sri Lanka