Hi all.
I've sat many long retreats in the Thai Forest tradition, and one thing I keep coming back to is this: the days between retreats can feel thin. The bow, the recitation, the small acts of devotion—they can slide into habit, into mere routine. And then the practice loses its warmth.
I've found that a simple daily act—bowing to the Buddha, reciting a short phrase, lighting a candle in the hall—keeps the path alive. It's not about scoring. It's about keeping the heart open between sittings. A little saddhā (faith, devotion) in daily life is enough.
I'd love to hear from others. Do you find daily devotion helps, or does it become a checklist? How do you keep the path warm on ordinary days?
A gentle suggestion: try one small act of devotion before your next sitting. Not for score. Just to keep the heart open. See what happens.
Peace.