After the Mid-Autumn Festival in September, the autumn breeze has gradually begun to cool us down, bringing comfort to both body and mind. This is the perfect time to venture outdoors and explore nature through walking meditation and hiking. Additionally, as many of us are doing, it is an ideal moment to plan travels and gatherings to reconnect with family and friends over the next two months, especially with the festive season in December approaching. Furthermore, let us gently remind ourselves to carve out some time to reflect on our experiences in 2024. This is an opportunity to pause, consider our journey so far, and plan for a more mindful year in 2025.
Past Event Recap
Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
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Reflecting the themes of harmony and unity inherent in the Mid-Autumn Festival, we gathered for a heartfelt reunion with our friends and monastics at the serene Lotus Pond Temple on the evening of September 17. Bathed in lambent moonlight, we shared a joyful moment of walking meditation with lanterns and indulged in mooncakes to celebrate the festival together.
“Youthfulness and Happiness”, the Day of Mindfulness for Wake Uppers
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“Youthfulness and Happiness” was a mindfulness day event exclusively for the Wake Uppers—the young friends of Wake Up Hong Kong, aged 18 to 40. On the serene Saturday of September 28, participants gathered to engage in walking meditation, sitting meditation, and singing meditation, while also gaining insights from a Dharma Talk. Set in the ancient and spiritual practice venue in Luk Wu on Lantau Island, they connected with nature outdoors and convened indoors to cultivate inner peace and happiness in the hope of fostering a healthier, more compassionate society.
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2024 Mind-body Wellbeing Retreat
In our last retreat in 2024, we gathered for five days at the Lotus Pond Temple from October 23 to October 27 to foster deeper self-understanding and connection as a way of navigating loneliness. Together, we engaged in Dharma talks and practiced mindfulness as a way of life through breathing exercises, walking meditation, and sharing meals in noble silence. Participants immersed themselves in nature and participated in group discussions to collectively appreciate the beauty of the present moment and our surroundings. These activities provided valuable opportunities for participants to cultivate clarity of mind, enhancing awareness of their bodies, feelings, perceptions, mental formations, and consciousness—ultimately fostering inner peace, inspiration, and contentment.
Upcoming Events
Sunday Day of Mindfulness
Sunday Day of Mindfulness is led by the monastics of the Asian Institute of Applied Buddhism (AIAB) to integrate mindfulness into daily life. Every Sunday, we can enjoy the happiness of being present in the moment through a series of mindfulness activities. In addition, practicing together as a sangha is an enjoyable experience and strengthens our practice.
More details and the schedule are here. Participants are invited to register on the website.
- Schedule: every Sunday, 9:30 – 16:00 (except on Oct 27, as we have our quarterly retreat on that weekend).
- Venue: Lotus Pond Temple, Ngong Ping, Lantau Island. (Please see here for transportation options.)
Friday Night Practices
Friday Night Practices are “lite” mindful practices in town and online. They include singing meditation, sitting meditation, walking meditation, passage reading, and dharma sharing. Through each practice after a busy week, we hope to generate collective energy that brings healing and transformation within ourselves and the community.
Practice sessions in November and December are as follows:
- November 1, 19:30 – 21:15 (Zoom/online – English)
- November 15, 19:00 – 21:00 (Central – Chinese)
- December 6, 19:30 – 21:15 (Zoom/online – English)
- December 20, 19:00 – 21:00 (Central – Chinese)
Those who are interested, please make registration on this event page.
Monday Night Practices
We are excited to invite you to the upcoming Monday Night Practices at the Flower Market. These practices engage you in meditation and offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the teachings of the Plum Village. Participants of all levels are welcome to join.
The practices are conducted in Cantonese, and the upcoming sessions will be:
- October 28, 19:00 – 21:00
- November 25, 19:00 – 21:00
- December 23, 19:00 – 21:00
The venue is Room B 1/F, Cambo House, 184 Prince Edward Road West, Prince Edward. Registration is required, and it opens one week before each session on the Wake Up HK Facebook page.
Day of Mindfulness at the Education University of Hong Kong
Day of Mindfulness is a monthly event co-organized with the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education at the Education University of Hong Kong. Our primary focus is nurturing the mental well-being of teachers, administrators, students, and parents, ultimately fostering a sense of peace. This quality is crucial in creating a favourable learning environment and positively impacting the classroom experience.
Details of the Day of Mindfulness in November are:
- Time: November 23, 10:00 – 16:30
- Venue: Block B3, Quiet Room (B3-P-09A). The Educational University, 10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, NT.
We welcome all education professionals and students, regardless of religious background and prior experience, to join us.
For more information and registration, please visit the Centre for Religious and Spirituality Education website.
Plum Village Taiwan Mindfulness Events
Following our traditions, the Plum Village in Hong Kong will organize mindfulness events, including a public talk and two retreats, in Taiwan from November 24 to December 10. This year, we will have the largest group of participating monastics from Hong Kong and the centres in Thailand and Vietnam.
For more information, please visit our webpage.