By the River – In Nature – With Master Oneness
In late summer, over 40 students and volunteers embarked on a special four-day, three-night journey—the Gratitude for Life retreat—returning to themselves by a peaceful river. This was also the final retreat at Diviners Ashram, Nam Cat Tien.
Each morning, each sharing circle, and each flickering fire left behind profound moments of mindfulness, gratitude, and objectivity.
Day 1 – 08/30/2025: A beginning in connection
The first day of the retreat started early in the morning when the group practiced dynamic meditation together at 5 a.m. The rhythmic movements helped awaken the body, opening up a fresh start for a new journey. Immediately after, at 6 a.m., everyone moved into a period of silent meditation to quiet their minds, feel their breath, and allow their consciousness to expand.
During the meditation session, Master Oneness shared about the power of gratitude:
“Be grateful for every breath, every organ functioning in your body, for nature, and for the inventions and conveniences we enjoy every day. When the heart vibrates with deep gratitude, a person will blossom, transcending the limits of body and mind to touch their own infinite potential.”
Master Oneness reminded us that we are here not just to survive, but to create a rich and meaningful life, and that experience is the only way to truly understand its value.
In the afternoon, after checking in and enjoying a light vegetarian meal, everyone began with a walking meditation along the riverbank. Their slow steps, in harmony with their breath, opened up a quiet space to listen to themselves.
Later, in an introduction circle, each person shared about themselves and listened to others with complete presence. It was the first moment of a sincere, simple, and loving connection.
As night fell, a large fire was lit. To the sound of drums and the bright flames, the group danced together, freeing their bodies and allowing their energy to flow naturally—carefree, free, and full of life.
Day 2 – 08/31/2025: Waking up with Gratitude
The second day began at 5 a.m. with dynamic meditation, with movements that awakened the body and ignited new energy. At 6 a.m., the group moved into silent meditation, settling into a state of observation and presence.
In that moment, Master Oneness shared about objectivity and gratitude—two keys to a peaceful mind. When we are objective, we are not swept into the ego’s cycle of suffering. Conversely, when we personalize things, we easily get defensive and hurt, which gives rise to hatred and resistance. The practice of meditation is the path to break that personalization—not to lose our identity, but to melt the ego and connect with the sacred spirit that is inherently within us.
Master Oneness’s message was:
Be grateful for the smallest things: your breath, your body, and the nature around you.
When you vibrate with deep gratitude, you will naturally blossom like a flower.
Money and conveniences can only provide 50% of freedom. The other 50% comes from meditation, from observing the unconscious, and from purifying what is not pure in order to live a more complete life.
After the morning meditation, the laughter of childhood returned through folk games by the riverbank. At 10 a.m., the group went “forest bathing” together under an ancient tree, sitting in meditation amidst nature and letting their bodies dance freely. Master Oneness reminded everyone:
“Problems only exist in the mind. When you flow and meditate, everything becomes clearer and you begin to see life as an adventure, instead of a burden.”
In the evening, the fire was lit once again. In the light of the flames and the sound of the drums, Master Oneness conveyed a message:
“Life is a gift. Don’t take it for granted. Expand your mind from limitation to freedom, from hatred to love.”
The second day concluded in a state of gratitude, freedom, and deep connection with oneself, with the community, and with the vastness of nature.
Day 3 – 09/01/2025: Objectivity – the key to freedom
The new day began at 5 a.m. with dynamic meditation. The body was awakened by slow movements, releasing energy after a night of rest. At 6 a.m., the entire group sat in silent meditation before shooting a short clip to celebrate National Day.
During the meditation session, the Master delved into the topic of objectivity, calling it the core foundation of freedom.
The Master shared:
“If you can observe your breath objectively, you can observe everything. Observing the breath isn’t just a basic practice; it’s the foundation of meditation. There are no ‘advanced’ practices in meditation—what’s called ‘advanced’ only happens when you melt the patterns and the unconscious within yourself.”
When the ego gradually dissolves, meditation becomes deeper. The ego is personalization—everything is “for me,” “I like this,” “I hate that”—which makes the mind polarized and rushed. The practice of meditation is a journey of surrendering to nature, to the source, to see things “as they are.”
Investing in meditation is the wisest investment. It’s not just about understanding what you like or dislike, but about reaching your highest potential within. At that point, you shift from a state of “just surviving” to a state of creation and service.
Master Oneness reminded us that enlightened beings and great scientists do not live for themselves; they live to contribute. If we have not yet contributed, it means we have not truly touched our higher potential.
In the forest, under the canopy of an ancient tree, the entire group meditated and then let their bodies dance freely. Nature became a great teacher, softening the mind, expanding the heart, and reminding us that loving our country is not just about loving a piece of land, but about loving every person within it—loving all of humanity and this Earth. At that point, the national spirit and the cosmic spirit are inseparable.
The morning concluded with tidying up the space and a reflection circle. The Master shared this message:
Every time you open your eyes after meditation, consider it opening the eyes of wisdom, a new rebirth.
Don’t meditate mechanically, as that only deepens old patterns. Instead, every day, let a part of your limitations melt away, so you can always be renewed.
Objectivity is not just about observing, but a path that takes us from unconsciousness to mindfulness, from limitation to freedom, and from ego to service.
Day 4 – 09/02/2025: Opening New Eyes, Living a New Life
The final day began in a gentle dawn. At 5 a.m., the whole group did dynamic meditation to awaken their bodies’ energy. At 6 a.m., everyone sat for silent meditation, listening to their breath, and recorded a short video sending well-wishes for National Day—a way of connecting that was both sacred and intimate.
During the meditation, Master Oneness emphasized:
“Observing the breath is not just a basic thing; it is the foundation. If you can objectively observe your breath, you can observe everything. Meditation has no ‘basic’ or ‘advanced’ levels; there is only a return to presence and the melting of the patterns within yourself.”
The ego, personalization, polarization, and haste are the root of suffering. When we learn to surrender to nature and to the source, we will see things “as they are,” without adding or clinging. Investing in meditation is the wisest investment. It’s not just to know what you like or dislike, but to touch your highest potential within. Meditation helps us shift from a state of merely surviving to a state of creating, to become a person of service.
Master Oneness reminded us that enlightened beings and great scientists do not live for themselves; they dedicate their lives to everyone. When we truly touch our inner potential, we become honest, confident, ready to serve, and at that point, we are no longer dependent on circumstances or the judgment of others.
A special message resonated on National Day: Loving your country is not just about loving the land, but about loving the people in it. If you truly love your country, you need to open your heart to be compassionate and loving to everyone, because each person is not just a citizen of a nation, but a person of this Earth.
After the morning session, the whole group cleaned up the space before entering a reflection circle. There, each person shared what they had experienced during the journey. Master Oneness concluded with this message:
“When you open your eyes after meditation, don’t just open your physical eyes, but open the eyes of wisdom as well. Let every time you open your eyes be a rebirth, so you are no longer the old you, but a fresher, deeper version.”
The final day concluded in quiet reflection and gratitude. Each person left not only with the memories of the four-day retreat, but also with the reminder that we can live each day as if new, if we dare to open the eyes of wisdom and walk with an open heart.
The four-day, three-night journey came to a close, and the seeds of mindfulness were sown in every heart. We returned to everyday life, but with the knowledge that within every breath there is gratitude, objectivity, and the belief that:
This life is a gift, and we are here to love, to create, and to live fully.
Thank you for accompanying us and taking the time to read this far. We hope these shared thoughts have brought you a moment of peace and a small spark of inspiration to return to yourself. We look forward to seeing you on our next journeys.
