Slow down with meditation

Young people participate in a meditation retreat in Tam Dao forest, next to Truc Lam Tay Truc Zen Monastery.

Quiet in the middle of the jungle

Faced with life's pressures, in addition to choosing to travel , climb mountains or do volunteer work, more and more young people are turning to meditation as a special way to calm their minds.

Nestled in the vast forest at the foot of the majestic Tam Dao mountain range, Truc Lam Tay Truc Zen Monastery (Quan Chu commune, Thai Nguyen province) has a long history and now has a new mission: a "healing" destination for the souls of many young people. Amidst the quiet space and pure energy flowing from the mountains and forests, many young people find precious moments of peace before the hustle and bustle of life.

Meditation is suitable for all ages. However, many people still think that this is a boring activity, making it difficult for young people who love to move to sit still. However, Ms. Van Khanh, from Hung Yen , a 26-year-old graduate student, was surprised when more than half of the nearly 100 meditators at the meditation course she attended were people aged 20-30.

Lan Anh (born in 2000) shared: When I first graduated, I was caught up in a whirlwind of studying and working at the same time. The pressure made my body and mind tired. Introduced by a sister, I signed up for a retreat here. I wanted to slow down, purify my soul, and develop inner values. Young people really need quiet, pristine spaces like this to "recharge" their energy.

The meditation journey of the young people at the retreat at Truc Lam Tay Truc Zen Monastery is quite diverse. On an early winter evening at the Zen Monastery, they participated in a tea meditation session. The space became cozy with soft lights, and the brothers practiced "Quan So Tuc" under the guidance of monk Thich Thien Quoc.

"Meditation with young people does not necessarily have to be in the lotus position. You can start with the half lotus position and prepare a cushion to sit for a long time without pain," the teacher's words gently paved the way for the first steps into meditation. Just sit still, breathe and be aware, each inhalation and exhalation will become a bridge connecting body and mind.

The sound of tea being poured slowly mingled with gentle breathing. Each sip of tea was like an invitation to return to the present. The meditation session ended with solemn dedication, leaving in the hearts of each young person an indescribable sense of peace.

One thing that is quite special is that meditation activities do not stop at meditation hours. At the Zen Monastery, the Buddhist Youth Group has completed 3 years of operation (November 27, 2022 - November 27, 2025). Three years of "taking the first steps and then gradually growing up", it is not only the journey of a group but also the maturity of each young person in the group.

Huu Dong, from Phu Tho, has been a member of the Tay Truc Buddhist Youth Union since the early days and shared: “Each of us comes from many places. Some of us are from Thai Nguyen, but many of us come from Hanoi and neighboring provinces. But the Union is where each of us young people become brothers and sisters.”

Meditation in modern life

Young people seeking quiet places and meditating are familiar activities.

Young people seek quiet places and meditate, which is one of the familiar activities.

Not only in monasteries and temples, online meditation learning is also spreading strongly among young people. In Thai Nguyen, many young people participate in courses via Zoom, meditation instruction apps or self-study documents to learn how to practice balancing between busy work.

A young lecturer at Thai Nguyen University of Information Technology and Communications shared: When I return to a quiet space, whether real or virtual, I am more focused and work more clearly. The feeling after meditation helps me think better and do more things.

Meanwhile, for Van Khanh, the meditation course is not the end but the beginning of a new journey. A balanced choice between tranquility and experience, showing that meditation is becoming a part of the diverse journey of maturity of young people.

Venerable Thich Quang Anh of Truc Lam Tay Truc Zen Monastery explained: “Meditation is bringing the mind back to a state of purity. For example, when I am picking vegetables, I know I am picking vegetables. To be able to do that, each person needs to have the ability to control and be aware to transform the bad and promote the good.”

Huu Dong excitedly said: After meditating, I become more lovable, opening my heart with the power of awareness. When my mind is balanced, I naturally feel that I can unleash my creativity when solving problems and everything becomes easier to succeed. And importantly, the pressure that surrounds me disappears.

Amidst the pace of modern life, the fact that young people proactively turn to meditation shows a positive trend: they are learning to face pressure with inner strength, starting with understanding themselves.

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