This story and the first chapter of it are true stories. My wife is one of the characters (all names changed) and I always wondered what went on at these retreats and in particular why the husbands were actively discouraged from going. I had some suspicions based around the catch phrases of "big hugs and sweet kisses" which I heard from a couple of my wife's friends. I got the truth by setting up spyware cameras when I volunteered to hire the next venue and saw it all for myself. When I confronted my wife I confessed that I was not really upset and in fact a little turned on by it all. She was very relieved but not sure how she would handle it from there. I await to see if there just may be another chapter.....
Malee slept very soundly after her exertions with her new friends and was woken by Tip, gently shaking her and advising her to get dressed quickly as the morning ceremonies were about to start. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw it was 4.45am and the blessing ceremony was due to start at 5am. She quickly rose and dressed into her new underwear presented to her the night before and she dressed as she had yesterday in her pure white blouse and see through chiffon skirt although, as she went to protect her modesty with a petticoat, Tip intervened and said that it was not necessary as there were no secrets among friends. While she was conscious that her chiffon skirt was very thin she also noticed that the other ladies were showing their shapely bodies through their see through outfits so there was no point in making a fuss.
Tip said that after their own meditation they would begin to prepare her for the blessing from Luangpoh while he completed his personal meditation and that she should just follow Tip's instructions at that point. The key point being that she should try and retain her relaxed state at all times, ask no questions and be silent and trust her friends to help her through the blessing ceremony.
At 5am exactly they moved through to the lounge of the farmhouse to find Luangpoh already seated on his raised platform in meditation mode sitting in the lotus position with his eyes closed. The ladies dropped to their knees below him and gathered in a line at his feet and bowed deeply three times.
Luangpoh immediately went into the morning chanting ritual that they had prctised all their lives. Malee was immediately at ease with the familiar, melodic chanting and she began to relax and enjoy the feeling of tranquillity that flowed into her body as she lost herself in her faith. The chanting lasted about 40 minutes and when it ended Luangpoh announced that he would do one hour of meditation before the blessing and that the ladies should join him for at least the first 20 minutes of this. So they all assumed the lotus position below Luangpoh's platform and closed their eyes.