I dreamt that I attended a meditation retreat where the monks were all very young and lively. During the activities, the monks would ask various questions, and those who answered correctly would receive small gifts.
I remember we went to a restaurant at the foot of the mountain and, of course, we all ordered vegetarian dishes. However, some of the participants ordered non-vegetarian dishes, such as fish and squid. The monks did not make a fuss about it; they just ate the vegetarian dishes available and made do with what was convenient.
But there were quite a few insensitive people who kept ordering non-vegetarian dishes. I thought to myself, "Why didn't they choose an all-vegetarian restaurant? This place cooks both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes together, which is disrespectful to the monks." But the monks just wanted to make things easy for everyone and not cause any trouble.
I also saw a young monk sitting next to a child. The child kept asking for squid and fish, and the monk patiently used a different pair of chopsticks to serve the child.
Later, someone else wanted to order more non-vegetarian dishes, so I asked them, "Could you please order vegetarian dishes? You see, it's inconvenient for the monks to pick out the food like this."
Later, my husband came to find me with our daughter, but I only saw him. I asked, "Where's our daughter?" "She's in the car," he replied. "Why didn't she come out?" "She'll come out later."
Overall, it was a very lively and casual meditation retreat.
夢見我參加一個禪修營，裡面的法師都很年輕活潑。活動中法師會問各種問題，答對題目還會贈送一些小禮物。
我記得我們來到山下一家餐廳，我們當然都點素菜。可是有一些禪修的人就點了一些葷菜，有魚和小卷。法師也沒有為難大家，他們就吃鍋邊菜、方便素。
可是白目的人還真不少，就一直在點葷菜。我心裡想：「怎麼不是挑選全素餐廳呢？這一家有葷有素混著煮，對法師也不恭敬。」但法師就是想說給大家方便，不添麻煩。
我還看到一個年輕的法師，旁邊坐了一位小朋友。那小朋友一直吵著要吃小卷、吃魚，法師也很有耐心，他就換筷子去夾給小朋友。
後來還有人要點別的葷菜，我就拜託他說：「你可不可以點素菜？你看法師這樣子夾菜都很不方便。」
後來老公帶著女兒來找我，但我只看到他。我問：「女兒呢？」「她在車上。」「怎麼沒下來呢？」老公說女兒待會會下來，。
總之，這是一個很活潑、很隨性的禪修營。
Ending 1: Enlightened Understanding
As the meal continued, the atmosphere gradually shifted. The monks began to engage in open discussions with the participants about the significance of their dietary choices. One of the young monks explained, "True mindfulness and compassion extend beyond what we eat. It's about understanding and respecting each other's paths." This conversation sparked a deeper understanding among the group, and everyone started sharing their thoughts and feelings. The retreat ended with a collective meditation session, where a sense of unity and enlightenment prevailed.
Ending 2: Harmony in Diversity
During the meal, one of the senior monks stood up and proposed an idea: a cooking competition where teams would prepare both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The catch was that each dish had to include a story about its cultural or personal significance. This activity brought everyone closer together, as they shared their culinary traditions and personal stories. The retreat concluded with a feast where everyone appreciated the diverse flavors and the bonds they had formed.
Ending 3: Personal Epiphany
As you watched the young monk patiently serve the child, you suddenly felt a profound sense of peace and clarity. You realized that the essence of the retreat wasn't about strict adherence to rules but about embracing the journey of mindfulness with an open heart. You decided to focus on your own practice and let go of judgment. This shift in perspective allowed you to fully immerse yourself in the retreat, leading to a transformative experience of inner growth and serenity.
Ending 4: A Shared Vision
Inspired by the monks' patience and inclusivity, you suggested organizing a group activity to discuss ways to respect different dietary preferences while upholding the retreat's principles. The group enthusiastically agreed, and a brainstorming session led to the idea of creating a collaborative community garden at the retreat center. This garden would grow both vegetarian and non-vegetarian plants, symbolizing harmony and mutual respect. The dream ended with everyone working together to plant the first seeds, feeling a sense of accomplishment and unity.
Ending 5: Family Connection
As you waited for your daughter to join you, you decided to bring a small plate of vegetarian food to the car. When you reached the car, you found your daughter deep in conversation with another child from the retreat, discussing their own thoughts and feelings about the experience. You realized that this retreat was not just about your own growth but also about nurturing your family's spiritual journey. The dream concluded with your family joining the group, sharing a meal together, and participating in the final meditation session, feeling more connected and inspired.
Ending 6: Unexpected Guest
Towards the end of the meal, an unexpected guest arrived—a revered elder monk known for his wisdom and teachings. He shared stories of his own experiences with balancing principles and practicality. His words resonated deeply with everyone, encouraging them to find their own path with compassion and understanding. The retreat concluded with a special ceremony where each participant received a blessing from the elder monk, leaving everyone with a sense of renewed purpose and enlightenment.
These alternate endings provide various ways to explore the themes and emotions present in your original dream, each offering a different perspective and resolution.
Interpreting dreams can be quite subjective, as they often reflect personal experiences, emotions, and subconscious thoughts. Here are some possible interpretations of your dream:
Seeking Harmony and Respect: The dream might be highlighting a desire for harmony and respect in your life, especially regarding differences in beliefs or practices. The setting of a meditation retreat and the presence of monks suggests a focus on spirituality and mindfulness. The mixed reactions to the vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes could symbolize conflicts or tensions in your waking life where you feel a need for greater understanding and respect among different viewpoints.
Inner Peace and Patience: The young, lively monks and the patience shown by the monk serving the child might represent qualities you admire or aspire to cultivate within yourself. Their calm and accommodating behavior in the face of challenges suggests a lesson in maintaining inner peace and patience, even when others' actions may be frustrating or disrespectful.
Balancing Convenience and Principles: The monks' choice to dine at a restaurant that serves both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, despite potential inconvenience, may symbolize a struggle you face between upholding your principles and making practical choices that accommodate others. This could reflect a real-life situation where you're trying to find a balance between staying true to your values and being flexible for the sake of convenience or harmony.
Family Dynamics and Responsibilities: The appearance of your husband and the mention of your daughter staying in the car might indicate your concerns or thoughts about family dynamics and responsibilities. It could be a reflection of your role within your family and how you navigate balancing personal pursuits (like attending a retreat) with family obligations.
Desire for Simplicity and Focus: The idea of preferring an all-vegetarian restaurant for the retreat may symbolize a desire for simplicity and focus in your life. You might be yearning for an environment where distractions and complications are minimized, allowing you to concentrate more on your spiritual or personal growth.
Ultimately, the meaning of your dream is deeply personal and may resonate with you in different ways based on your unique experiences and current life circumstances.