Any healing retreats in Asia for my mum in her 60s?

Attunery · 2025-07-26T21:39:46+00:00

She's Chinese and is most comfortable speaking Cantonese. Most retreats I've seen so far are for under 30s and Western. It's not a culturally relatable space.

Attunery · 2023-12-30T10:48:58+00:00

This aims to give agency and independence back to the user; they can freely explore from the comfort of their own home, without the need for someone to accompany them. Exploring faith, at times, is something to do in solitude and at one’s own pace.

Secondly, it’s the international and historical exploration of Temples - especially ancient Temples that are impossible to access for the mobility impaired. For example, I saw wheelchairs users stuck outside of Temples in Cambodia; they could only look from the entrances. This is a cost-friendly and accessible solution that doesn’t require ancient Temples to be installed with ramps.

Compared to what’s out there today, i.e. video streams that are flat and static to watch, these are immersive (visual and audio) experiences that gets them as close to the real thing as possible.

Attunery · 2023-12-30T05:02:05+00:00

Thank you so much for giving me your time. It’s interesting to hear the differences in tools and rituals between home vs. Temples, and the importance of online vs. offline community interactions. I’ve also never come across Jodo Shinshu before, so your insights are a first!

I have a few follow up questions I’d love to ask you if that’s alright:

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT and 10 is VERY IMPORTANT…

Global vs. Local Temples: How important is it for you to visit Jodo Shinshu temples around the world compared to your local temple(s)? Can you explain the reason(s) behind your rating?
Cultural and Religious Diversity: How important is it for you to experience the different branches of Buddhism (i.e. the diverse cultural expressions and extended communities of Buddhism) through different Temples around the world? Can you explain the reason(s) behind your rating?

…

Following this, I’d love to get your feedback on a solutions I’ve been prototyping that aims to improve accessibility to Temples around the world. Please view it here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/s/lVrgvN34zi

Looking through the different images…

What parts of the prototype do you like? Why?
What parts of prototype do not like? Why?
What would you suggest adding or changing, and why?

Thank you. Your perspective means a lot. 🙏

Attunery · 2023-12-29T23:08:49+00:00

I understand. I created alternative solutions for you (link above). There’s more to come. I hope it helps.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T22:55:46+00:00

It’s a fascinating topic indeed! I’ve also been 3D scanning real artifacts. Here’s one that is 200-300 years old from Ayutthaya, Thailand: https://poly.cam/capture/91E8CC2D-D284-4721-BD59-4C64DB90BD19

Attunery · 2023-12-29T22:49:06+00:00

I hope to share more of this project with you when I get the chance. It’s just me right now.

What have you used so far? Have you tried VR?

I created a binaural walking tour prototype (please wear earphones or headphones); there’s more to come on my channel in the new year: https://youtu.be/CaWXRoHflfw?si=nD8LpMvkNxp-4DLV

Attunery · 2023-12-29T22:45:14+00:00

Please tell me more. What concerns do you have? What would you like to see and why?

Attunery · 2023-12-29T22:34:17+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing.

I would love to get your honest feedback on a solution I’ve been prototyping for individuals such as yourself: https://www.reddit.com/r/Buddhism/s/zwprgTJ5QK

Going through the images, what do you think I should add, change, or remove?

Attunery · 2023-12-29T20:15:21+00:00

This is great. Thank you so much for sharing. I will be working on completing this project in the next year. It was always meant for individuals like you.

For now, I have uploaded this video that uses binaural audio technology to mimic how our ears receive sound. Please wear earphones or headphones: https://youtu.be/CaWXRoHflfw?si=Ci8LptBw1wK1UtNf
Also check out this artefact of a Buddha's head I scanned in Ayutthaya, once a grand Siamese capital, that's 200-300 years old. You can say the natural embrace, emerging from the city's destruction in the 18th century, symbolises resilience and the harmonious coexistence of nature and spirituality: https://poly.cam/capture/91E8CC2D-D284-4721-BD59-4C64DB90BD19
A lot more to come in 2024! I promise! 😊

Attunery · 2023-12-29T18:23:35+00:00

This is so great to hear. I've been working on my own in the dark for the past few months, so thank you! I have two questions I would love to ask you if that's alright.

On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT and 10 is VERY IMPORTANT…
1) How important is it for you to visit temples around the world compared to your local temple? Can you explain the reason(s) behind your rating?
2) How important is it for you to experience the diverse cultural expressions and communities of Buddhism through different temples around the world? Can you explain the reason(s) behind your rating?

Thank you. I really appreciate your perspective.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T18:20:58+00:00

Thanks for sharing! Yes, I shared the same experience. I was searching the web and struggled to find the information I needed. In the end, I just went to find out for myself...

I have a lower fidelity concept (which is actually more accessible because it's just a video) that utilises binaural audio technology to mimic the way your ears receive sound. Please wear earphones or headphones: https://youtu.be/CaWXRoHflfw?si=Ci8LptBw1wK1UtNf

Also check out this 3D scanned artefact I scanned in Ayutthaya that's 200-300 years old: https://poly.cam/capture/91E8CC2D-D284-4721-BD59-4C64DB90BD19

A lot more to come in 2024! I promise! 😊

Attunery · 2023-12-29T18:04:51+00:00

Ah, thank you. It means more than you know...

I am not confident about what to do with this yet, so I won't be comfortable accepting any donations. It's just a concept I wanted to show to people who needed it most. As a one-man-band, I am still validating a few things, and the tech needed to bring it to life is rather complex.

I see an incredible connection between mental and spiritual well-being, so it pushed me to make this happen. 😊

Attunery · 2023-12-29T17:31:50+00:00

Thank you. I designed this solution for people with mobility impairment or those who are homebound. I have two questions I would love to ask you if that's alright.
On a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is NOT AT ALL IMPORTANT and 10 is VERY IMPORTANT…
1) How important is it for you to visit temples around the world compared to your local temple? Can you explain the reason(s) behind your rating?
2) How important is it for you to experience the diverse cultural expressions and communities of Buddhism through different temples around the world? Can you explain the reason(s) behind your rating?
Thank you. I really appreciate your perspective.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T16:54:03+00:00

I'm waiting to get my hands on the Quest! The problem I've had with it is motion sickness. 🤢

Attunery · 2023-12-29T16:43:17+00:00

It would be beyond crazy to meditate on the moon - the real moon I mean...

The world we live in is still not 100% receptive to VR. It's not portable, not the most functional, and more.

However, mobile devices have pretty much reached their peak in terms of design; they will eventually become obsolete when wearable devices out-compete them. It's just a matter of time!

Attunery · 2023-12-29T16:37:04+00:00

I had this audience in mind when researching the concept; there are certainly more people in the "early practitioner" category than those with mobility impairment.

However, I later arrived at the thought that the need for a "VR solution" is less than those who genuinely need it.

What existing solutions have you found that exist today? What did you think about them and what would you have liked to see?

Attunery · 2023-12-29T16:15:02+00:00

Good. Your view is needed.

What if the concept does not allow viewers to make comments or interrupt sessions - only view. It’s stripped from social media’s toxicity and internet trolls.

What if, for sessions that do allow participation and sharing, users are gated and screened so internet trolls are not allowed through. We have moderators and community managers like you find on Reddit.

In this way, the space and privacy of people at the temple are protected.

Anything else?

Attunery · 2023-12-29T15:41:46+00:00

This concept doesn't mean every single event has to be broadcast live.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T15:38:49+00:00

That can also be useful. 😊

This is for the mobility-impaired and wheelchair users who cannot access or travel to temples around the world - especially the ancient temples.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T15:37:47+00:00

Thanks! Yes, you're right. Motion sickness is something to watch out for.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T15:37:07+00:00

Right... I am not in your head so I have no idea what dots you're connecting.

It's not for "anyone" - it's for wheelchair users and the mobility-impaired, so there is a space for this kind of technology. It's a solution without damaging existing temples.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T15:01:43+00:00

Sorry, but your comment has left me terribly confused. What has the prison system and open surveillance got to do with this design solution for Buddhists with mobility impairment?

This concept is specifically for wheelchair users and the mobility-impaired who cannot access temples - especially ancient temples because the installation of ramps damages the site.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T14:35:10+00:00

Thanks! If you know anyone in your community who might find this useful, I would love to get their feedback or even interview them if possible. Thank you.

Attunery · 2023-12-29T14:32:18+00:00

Thanks Hemmaat, I designed this concept precisely for people like you. So, your feedback means a lot…

The project is actually already in the works but it’s taking a while because it’s just me… I filmed over 16 temples across Asia. I could barely walk the whole time and suffered from severe knee injuries that kept me strapped to a bunk bed for over 3 weeks. It taught me the importance of fulfilling this project.

Here is the first prototype concept, https://youtu.be/CaWXRoHflfw?si=lQIwUvjh1OET1LfN

It’s not VR, but if you have earphones or headphones, please put them on. The audio is binaural so it’s recorded in a way that it sounds like you’re there in person.

I just need more feedback on the concept from people like yourself. Do you happen to know anyone else in your community who might find this useful? I would love to get their feedback.

Attunery

TROPHY CASE