Welcome to the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast. Our intention is to awaken, enlighten, enrich, and inspire a simple and uncomplicated life. Discover the benefits of mindful living with your host, Timber Hawkeye. When I moved from San Francisco to Seattle more than 20 years ago,

I was surprised by the slower pace of everything and everyone

in the Pacific Northwest compared to the Bay Area. Relocating to Hawaii after that was like

downshifting from third gear to first.

And then living in three different monasteries felt like I had taken my foot off the

accelerator altogether.

In fact, the second monastery was located miles and hours away from all other developments.

As we drove through nothingness, another student in the van looked back and said,

Goodbye, Civilization.

To which the driver replied, Civilization, I think you will find our destination significantly more civilized.

When we got there, the truth of that statement was most evident to me in the pace of the place,

or more accurately, the stillness of it.

We were told right off the bat that the goal was not to make the monastery our permanent

home, but to take what we learned with us when we leave.

Among many things, I had learned to slow down my heart rate, breathing, movement, and thoughts.

The shift from that blissful flow to the fast pace of life on the outside was jarring.

There was a time in my youth when everything felt urgent.

It was imperative to watch a movie in the theaters as soon as it was released, to stay up to date

on all forms of pop culture, music, and fashion, and to keep up with the news.

People call it the daily grind, the hustle or the rat race, none of which sounds appealing

anymore.

The world is moving faster than ever, but something within me has shifted.

...