Before I went into retreat at Leaf Lake, a disciple asked me, "Guru, when will you come out of retreat?" For a moment I did not know what to say, choosing instead to remain in silence. Here, let me quote you a gongan (a Zen story) entitled "Go With The Flow" taken from The Transmission of Light.

Upon first meeting the Zen master Mazu, Zen master Damei experienced great enlightenment and soon moved deep into the mountains, where he stayed in seclusion.

One day, a travelling monk who had lost his way in the mountains came upon Zen master Damei's cottage. He put his palms together and respectfully asked, "Master, how long have you been living here?"

Damei said, "I've seen the mountain's green change to brown several times."

The monk then asked, "Where is the road down from the mountain?"

Damei said, "Go with the flow."

I shall elucidate on this gongan. Zen master Damei, who lived in seclusion in the mountain, was aware that the mountain had changed its colour from green to brown and from brown to green through the years. Such is the cycle of spring, summer, autumn and winter, which occurs endlessly through time. Day after day, month after month, year after year, the sun rises and sets daily without fail.

As to the reply "go with the flow," Zen master Damei was saying that as long as he followed the direction of the stream, the lost monk would descend the mountain and find his way to the towns and villages where people lived.

So, when my disciple asked me when I would emerge from my retreat, my reply was, "Go with the flow." This means letting things happen naturally. I realize that nature has its own course, as does my life within its influence. I have since realized the ways of nature. Hence, my study of Buddhism occurs naturally. So does my propagation of the Dharma, my enlightenment, and my retreat. This natural course of events is affected by karmic circumstances and thus may change accordingly.

When my disciple asked me when I would come out of my retreat, my reply was to let things happen naturally and go with the flow! Going into retreat and coming out of retreat should be a natural thing.