Introductory Essay

Still Playing Guitar

            I received a guitar from a retreatant, Linh,  who studied and practiced meditation under my guidance. She offered this guitar to me on my birthday, January 1^st, 2013. I like this guitar much. This guitar is also one of just very few things I brought from Vietnam to America. I often sing and compose songs with this guitar. Unfortunately, it is broken. I am sad about it. I still try to keep playing music with this musical instrument.

            I still remember that I use this guitar to compose the first song in America “Arkansas, Four Seasons in spring.” After visiting Arkansas, spring 2013, I was inspired by the beautiful scenes in that state. Coming back to Florida, I played guitar and composed music in the garden. Music with guitar makes me happy. Then, I sent this song in m.p.3 format to my disciple to upload to my blog.

            When I am isolated, I rely on my guitar. American society is interesting, moving, crowded, modern, rich, luxurious, yet stressful, and lonely. Sometimes, after a busy semester, when friends enjoy the vacation, I experience the loneliness. Guitar becomes my close friend. I like to bring him to the hill next to my monastery in Sorrento. Playing, singing, and meditating help me alleviate this feeling and restore happiness. I feel balanced again. Gradually, loneliness disappears without effort.

            Guitar is the unique musical instrument I bring my religious work. In the retreats, people come to meditate for one day or more than, I use guitar to play, sing and teach them to sing. I experience it is the friendly way to make friend with new people. Also, in the Meditation Club at Seminole State College, as the president, I sometimes invite participants to lie down relaxingly to practice total relaxation while I guide them. I also use guitar to play and sing for them. By doing this, retreatants can release stress and let go anger, anxiety, and despair better. It makes enhance their peace, happiness, and inner joy. Many people like this method and I love my job also.

            I often bring my lovely guitar when I go out in some occasion. I sometimes go to Thuy’s house. She is a Buddhist and a local singer. After dinner, she sings while I play guitar for her. Then a few friends joyfully sing in harmony. We have happy dinners. Also, other monks and I usually enjoy walking on the trails. We bring hammocks, cookies, tea, and do not forget to bring guitar and songbooks. Lying and tenderly swinging on a hammock between the two trees or drinking a tea in mindfulness, we enjoy ourselves and nature. We may open the meditative songbooks to sing. Only me know how to play guitar. We are nourished by the good lyrics and melodies. It is a good way to cultivate our minds as well as to solidify brotherhood.

            One day, I see a crack on my guitar. We go to enjoy the romantic fall in many states: from Virginia to New York, from Washington D.C. to Vermont. The yellow and red leaves of maple trees make the cities bloom: every leaf is a flower. Moreover, the hills turn all yellow or red! I have never seen that. It is so marvelous! We enjoy the fall joyfully and deeply. We also visit the White House, the Time Square, and many other famous places. We take many pictures and post on facebooks. I also use guitar to compose a song “Wishing You Were Here.” I miss my disciples who cried when I left Vietnam. Then I wish they were here, with me, to enjoy the wonders of the fall in Northeast America. It is a really nice trip. Unfortunately, my guitar which is put on the back of the car cannot stand for the long trip. It is broken.

            I am so sad. I try to fix, but I cannot. I ask a Buddhist to fix, and he cannot also. Therefore, I have to bring this guitar to an office in Deland hoping that they can help. They can help fix; nevertheless, the cost is expensive. With $200, it it nearly the same of buying the new one. We have no choice but to come back unhappily. I try to fix it as much as possible, anyway.

            I still keep this guitar. With effort, I receive the Green Card so that I can stay here for a long time. I now have a plan to become an American citizen after six years. Also, I try to study to go to Seminole State College, then to the best college in Florida: Rollins. These two efforts waste my time to enjoy music. I rarely have a chance to play guitar and I nearly forget it. Sometimes, I feel regret about it. I inform to Linh about the situation of the guitar saying that I do not want to buy the new one because I cherish her souvenir. This makes her happy. In my soul, the guitar is the representation of Vietnamese people’s love. Next month, we will have the Rose Ceremony. I will use this guitar to play for other people to sing.