Go for a retreat.

Not out there, but within.

Who hasn’t looked forward to a vacation? Or perhaps a quiet weekend away from it all? A secluded retreat? Who hasn’t daydreamed of an exotic place filled with new sights and excitement? Or longed for peace and quiet.

Then one day, we checked out what was appealing, looked into available options, and made our plans. We made arrangements for home and work, and booked our reservations.

The day finally came, and we were off.

And then—all too soon—it was time’s up, time to return home.

Back in our regular routine, we began to fantasize about our next vacation or quiet retreat. But do we really need to go through all the searching and planning to find the sought-after change from our daily routine? Not really.

If we’re seeking peace and quiet, we can find a secluded place at home and settle in. We can power down our smartphones and computers, let go of the daily noise, turn on the chanting music, close our eyes, and tune out the world.

And find real peace—the one already within us.

Everything in samsara exists in a constant state of . . .

Whoever is responsible

will reap the fruits.

One time when the Buddha was in Sravasti, the body of a young woman who had been murdered was found buried on the monastery grounds. As rumors flew, townspeople began to question, even heckle, the monks on their rounds. The monks went to the Buddha for guidance.

He instructed them not to feel ashamed, that false accusations can occur at any time and will gradually fade. If people continued to question the monks, they were to respond that those responsible would reap the fruits.

Several days later, officials caught the murderers. Not only were the monastics exonerated, but the Buddha requested clemency for the guilty men. The Buddha’s responses throughout the incident were not to offer defenses but to remain calm and to continue teaching. Not to react in an agitated or vengeful manner but to understand that such fatal actions were due to hatred and jealousy.

We too need to understand the cause. And the results. And not worsen our own.