I didn’t know what I was searching for. Full of life, with no direction. Trying one experience after another. To land smack bang in the middle of a 10 day retreat called Vipassana Meditation.
Before embarking on this adventure, I read all the instructions of the course. One would have thought I had some idea of what I was installed for. Little was I to know how much of an impact this would have on me long into the future.
Would you believe it, if I said I had found the biggest rush of a life time? The Vipassana Meditation course would suit both the dare devil and the book worm?
We all know the adventurous type who jumps from a plane, scales walls, takes a leap of faith with a rope wrapped around their ankles and then jumps. They do whatever it takes to get their adrenaline running through their veins. Some of the risks are life threatening. One wrong calculation and death could be at their door step.
Then there are those who love to get lost in a good book. Enjoying page after page of romance, horror, thrillers or whatever takes their mind on a ride. Reading about life’s adventures through the eyes of a writer.
The retreat caters to all types of individuals. This journey so daring and brazen, the light hearted will shrink away quietly. Dismissing it as nothing more than a holiday without the action.
You will come alive with a balanced confidence. This course will clear your mind of clutter and refresh your positive powers.
Yet it is not everyone’s cup of tea. Would you be willing to travel into the centre of the mind and explore who you are? It’s a harrowing task.
Do you think you could possibly sit in silence for ten days? You’re not to look or talk to anyone. All you do is wake up, meditate, eat, rest, meditate, eat, rest, meditate and meditate. All in that order. There are no other expectations.
I have never experienced a tougher adventure. You DO NOT take part in this mental activity without a lot of fore thought and staying power. It is not something to be taken lightly.
You can’t escape yourself. There’s no dodging any raw emotion. Nor how rich with possibility you will feel. There will be days where the depths of sorrow are felt. Unable to voice and share what is going on within. Vipassana Meditation is a practice of silence.
The beginning of your Vipassana Meditation journey.
You arrive at any Vipassana Meditation Centre. The gentle calm of your surroundings is immediately obvious. Breathing in the fresh air and absorbing Mother Nature’s beauty. There is no traffic, no peak hour rush, and no noise. This quietness is rather loud.
There are the formalities of filling in a few forms and presenting your identification. Then you are shown where you will rest your head for the duration of your stay.
I haven’t mentioned the cost of the course. Most believe such a retreat is outside of their price range.
You don’t pay a penny until the end of the course. Contributing an amount of your choice.
After you have settled, meeting other participants is pleasant. Conversation flows easy. Most discussions are focused on the pending silence and what people had to do to get to the course.
You hear stories:-
· From those who have previously participated.
· Parents who have gone to great lengths to arrange baby sitters.
· Those from the corporate sector. Taking time out after many years without a vacation.
· Backpackers who have heard of this course.
· Pregnant mothers motivated to have this experience before birth.
Participants come from all walks of life.
Silence begins in the evening. You’re given instructions on the Vipassana Meditation practice. Concentrating on feeling the sensation of the breath leaving the nose.
The first night of meditation is a breeze. There is something relaxing about leaving the rat race behind.
Initially it feels odd not to make eye contact or say, ‘hi’ to those you have previously chatted with.
The following day the hours pass slowly. Your mind will wonder. Thinking about some part of your life. When you become aware of this, you bring your thoughts back to the breathing. This exercise will become somewhat a relief in the days to come.
There’ll be those who might think, this is not what I call adventure. But could you imagine yourself in silence for ten days. Going deep within your mind. Exploring yourself like you have never done before. Being woken at 4.00 am at the sound of a chime. Waking up amongst nature.
Could you imagine sitting in silence for ten days? Vipassana Meditation - Exploring yourself like never before. @thedigger0 Click To TweetThe wet moisture still on the ground and windows from the nights chill as you make your way to the meditation room. There are moments when this experience feels rather mystical.
Two hours of meditation before breakfast. Not a single clock can be sited. You lose all concept of time. It is not essential for these days. You are guided by the sound of a chime. Vibrating throughout the centres’ property.
Each day represents its own mind drama. There is no one to interrupt your thoughts. No physical activity or verbal communication. Faced with nothing but yourself.
You ache all over from the many hours of sitting. Coming to terms with this slow time table.
A restless surrender washes over you. You’re committed to these ten days. Yet every part of your brain is yelling hundreds of excuses as to why you should leave. Fighting against the minds chatter and struggling with stillness. These are trying and uncomfortable hours.
It is not so easy when we live in a fast paced world. To suddenly stop. There are no distractions. You don’t need them. Your mind is creating a lot of emotional havoc.
Intense feelings of anger and happiness begin to rise to the surface of your thoughts.
There are times when you want to escape the immense pain you are travelling through. No matter how hard you try these emotions aren’t going away. This is enough to send any adventurous person running back to jumping out of a plane.
At the end of each evening Mr S.N. Goenka the principle teacher of this incredible retreat gives an hour of televised lessons. Sharing stories, highlighting his awareness of what we felt throughout the day.
His familiarity with our own experience is reassuring. Giving some form of relief that the meditation is working and we’re on the right track.
You’re not alone carrying the heavy burden of your emotions. Days of deep weighty anguish. Everyone passes through it.
Somehow you manage the first couple of days and the countdown begins. Sitting and waiting for these days to pass at times can feel like a living nightmare.
Think about when you’re hungry. Waiting for toast to cook. It feels like it takes forever. Or the week before you go on holidays. It’s the longest period. That week won’t come to an end fast enough.
The number of meditation days remaining can seems like a jail sentence.
If you thought the heavy day of sorrow was unpleasant. Recollect a time when your body was filled with anger and rage. Thinking about all those who have wronged you. Angry at people from the past and the present. The intensity so strong you could explode.
Generally when we are in a mood like this, we can find some form of distraction. Vipassana Meditation is a place where you face and feel it in its entirety. On top of all that you have to remain quiet. These emotions are felt at the extreme end of uncomfortable.
There is no mistaking the power of meditation.
It’s not all bad. We experience hope and wonder. Highlighting all the dreams that are actually possible. Your ability to see what you are capable of achieving is as intense as fury. Imagine having to keep all this to yourself. Busting to share this happiness with others.
The feeling of gratitude is strong? You become grateful for everything you are. For every person that has crossed your path. All you want to do is share it with everyone. How dare they keep you in silence when you want to communicate this wonderful energy?
Be careful, don’t attach yourself to the ‘feel good’ emotions. None of it is permanent.
Passing through regret. You don’t get to escape any of your actions. This powerful feeling is enough to turn you into a saint. Never wanting to wrong anyone, nor yourself for that matter.
Forgiveness is as strong as any of the other emotions. There is an understanding, a depth of knowledge that you come to terms with. You find acceptance in your past.
You’re at peace with those you have wronged and others who have mistreated you. The actions are never forgotten. You sit comfortably with your life. It’s not making deals or letting anyone off the hook. A calm washes over you as you accept your history and its hurts.
These are natural emotions you are moving through. Some feelings so intense. You’re thankful when you remember you’re meant to be concentrating on the breathing.
The days of silence come to an end. A chime to inform us that we are able to interact with one another. The chatter begins.
Everyone unites to share in this amazing mind adventure. The feelings, the stories and the lessons are all the same. But watch and listen. You will hear positivity, strength and a genuine pleasure of an experience that is not comparable to any other known.
Vipassana Meditation is unique in its methods. It refreshes everyone who dares to participate. It’s not easy to endure the silence of ten days. Meditating and sitting for hours on end. Not one distraction to take you away from the intensity of your emotions.
Feeling deeply is uncomfortable. Remembering to go back to the breathing becomes the only form of relief we have against our thoughts. It will be a journey that leaves a lasting imprint in the mind.
I am wondering are you that adventurous? Do you meditate at home?
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Hey Rachel
I heard about Vipassana six months back. After gathering the information, I learned a lot of things about this meditation technique. I didn’t make it coz I was not mentally prepared to remain silent for around 10 days. It’s a difficult task, isn’t?
I do practice meditation at my home. I am planning to include meditation in my daily ritual. Whenever I practice it, I get transported to a magical land where I connect with my inner voice. It’s an awesome experience.
Thanks for spreading the Vipassana technique with all of us. Merry Christmas buddy 🙂
Yatin Khulbe recently posted…Stage Four Cancer Patient Revealing Psychology of Dying
Hey Yatin,
Not being mentally prepared is an amazing awareness and being honest with yourself. I have never faced anything more difficult in my life Yatin. I have attended four different centres and I actually get anxious the week before it begins. It’s tough alright but the benefits outweigh the ten days. I have never been good at surrender. But when you participate in this course that is what you do.
As a writer Yatin, meditating would give you a balanced clarity. It would be beneficial to put it into your daily routine. I roll out of bed onto my meditation mat for 20 minutes every morning. Before my coffee. That is how dedicated I am to meditation, because I love my coffee. And you already know why meditation is so wonderful. I love you statement – ‘Whenever I practice it, I get transported to a magical land where I connect with my inner voice. It’s an awesome experience’. What a power packed sentence. You could even observe yourself and write posts on getting comfortable with meditation. Just an idea.
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas. I over ate of course. Good seeing you.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel ,
did you do it? I think it is an amazing experience,a journey into the soul.
If you did congratulation 🙂 I think the most important thing
in our life is to know our true self,this makes us strong and
confident.You did a beautiful job to describe the feelings
many have the first time.
Thank you
Erika
Erika Mohssen-Beyk recently posted…How to Start Writing Great Blog Posts: Tips for Bloggers
Hey Erika,
I could not agree with you more Erika. Having a relationship with ourselves is one of the most important relationships we will have. We are with ourselves for a life time. One would hope we like ourselves. If we don’t we had better work at that as it should be a priority.
Meditation is a great balancer. I have never been able to avoid who I am with meditation. As I seek out the truth I have found meditation my most valued tool. Sounds like you really embrace meditation as well. That is wonderful to know.
Thanks for your comments.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
It sounds like an awesome experience. In silence for 10 days WOW!
You put me right there. 😀
Meditation is a pratice I look forward getting better with. I appreciate you adding the links I know will help with that.
I want to learn how to clear my mind, if only for a moment, and be still in the now. I believe this will help me hear God better.
I talk to Him and about Him but seldom give Him time to talk to me.
Finding acceptance of the past is imporatant to life as air and water. If we refuse to examine our life, we will encounter obstacles from our past that will stand in the way of us livng peacefully in the present.
Rachel you did an excellent job explaining how to get through different emotions with this experience. Knowing this should encourage us all to take more time out of our day and learn to enjoy the gift of silence.
Thanks my friend!
Hey Vernon,
Good to see you.
The silence is a wonderful experience. Talking to everyone at the end of the 10 days reiterates what we experienced.
I started practicing meditation about fifteen years ago. On and off, more off than on I might add for a long time. Now twice daily and still there are days my mind is full of chatter and annoyances. But most times I get to focus on my breathing and being in the now. The reason I share this is you sound as if you are thinking of using it as one of your methods to clear the mind and lend God your ear. Very honest and funny Vernon. I am sure God loves and adores a chatter box.
I agree Vernon we must address past issues. I have heard regret and guilt are a waste of time. I am always horrified when I hear this because they are apart of a cycle we must feel to get to the end. We really do become aware when we are done with our past. When we can tell a story from the past without it holding any feeling, it is nothing more than a tale.
Thanks for your comments, you put a big smile on my face.
Rachel.
[ Smiles ] Splendid post!
I can relate well to the forgiveness part!
Hey Renard,
Thanks for your comments. Glad that forgiveness was what stood out for you.
Rachel.
Hi, Rachel
What a detailed account of the journey of your soul with Vipassana Meditation. Glad that you really enjoyed that.
All these counter intuitive activities (sitting, silence, no interaction with others.. ) force us to search inward about ourselves is very powerful for our lives.
All these enlightened feelings (hope, gratitude, forgiveness..) come upon you after the feeling of anger and rage is similar principle in our Christian world. Jesus says “pick up my own cross (the things I don’t like to do: give up my pride, do humility, need to love your enemies…) and follow Me (I can have my enlightened life on earth).
I do meditation about 2-3 hours daily. I can’t function well without this time to have His wisdom, His instruction, His help, and Himself to download to me.
Excellence post! Will share it for sure.!
– Stella Chiu
Stella Chiu recently posted…What Kind of Giving can delete your Scarcity Mentality around Money?
Hey Stella,
Always good to see you.
Oh you are so right Stella, the meditation, no chatting do force us to go deep within. That is the marvel. And ego fears this course because it is silenced. I never thought of the hope, forgiveness and gratitude in line with enlightenment. I just know I felt them all rather strongly, so intense that you can’t miss them or mistaken them for anything else.
Yes before we can love thy enemy we must be rid of anger and rage. And thank you for the Christian world verse. Feel free to add verses or words of wisdom anytime you like.
Stella I know you don’t need praise for meditating for two to three hours a day, but I am impressed by your discipline. A couple of years back I did an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening of meditation and it was like my super powers restored. However I found time the excuse not to extend myself as you do each day. Your relationship with your higher self and God sounds wonderful. Thanks for your wonderful comments.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
Sorry for stopping in late this time – just been a little overwhelming with house guests during this festive season. Just glad to have made it here finally 🙂
Vinay told me you two had a conversation regarding Vipassana some time back. I guess this is the toughest of all meditation courses and retreats. I heard of the Vipassana 10-day retreat about 25 years back.. but never pushed myself to participate in it. But the benefits are enormous as you mentioned and I’ve heard many accounts of it being refreshing and rejuvenating.
Thank you for such a detailed explanation of your personal experience of the 10-day Vipassana meditation retreat and you’ve forced me to think of trying it out myself. Enjoy your week, and also your holidays 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted…5 Fun Ways to Deal with Toxic Emotions and Thoughts
Hey Harleena,
Always good to see you.
It was because of something Vinay wrote that I thought of writing this post. It was his MEN post – I think that’s what got the subject spinning in my mind. One could say Vinay was the inspiration. Oh Harleena it is the toughest course. When I book myself in – a week before I get anxious. My mind starts to yell NO, NO, NO. Too bad brain, the benefits outweigh being uncomfortable. Ego knows it will be silenced for months after the retreat.
I agree it is very refreshing and rejuvenating. It’s many hours of sitting but you are taken right outside of your every day events. No cooking, no activity. Your skin shines, your confidence glows and you see the world in the way of possibilities.
I really do hope you get there Harleena, because I guarantee you will enjoy it. It is an experience not to be missed at least once in a life time. I know you meditate daily. I rub my hands together in delight, if you are thinking about Vipassana then the post worked. Thanks for your comments.
Talk soon.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
This is terrific topic and your description has made it all the more endearing!
I agree with you…meditation and that too continuously for ten days, without any other activity is NOT everyone’s cup of tea. I have tried meditation at home and it is indeed very challenging.
Though I have never tried to dodge any emotion, I know it is so hard to calm them, settle them and finally absorb them as part of life-time experiences. I have always tried to learn from them. Do I digress?
What is the goal of Vipassana? Isn’t it all about tranquility, calming the mind? Isn’t it harnessing the thoughts to turn them around into positivity?
I love that expression…‘amazing mind adventure.’ Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful ending of the year and usher in 2016 with great happiness.
-Balroop
Balroop Singh recently posted…What Can We Give?
Hey Balroop.
Welcome back.
It is certainly 10 days with nothing else but sleep, eat, meditate and rest. It’s slow, its tough and then a two hour session passes like it only took seconds and you think to yourself if every period was like that I would be a guru in months. But that is not how it works. Not only does it clear your mind, while your body feels strained from the sitting, there is something very calm and relaxing. It is like tough but easy, intense but relaxing, sad but happy. It is everything at its extremes.
I wrote a post about meditating at home called – No meditation is not for me. Let me know if you want me to send you the link.
It’s great insight not to dodge any emotion Balroop. As humans it is like we have a default to avoid feeling. Yet as a writer we can observe them, while travelling through them. Our emotions are our built in alarm systems. Some so strong we don’t get to ignore them.
Most meditation is about calming the mind. As a beginner you have to become comfortable with the practice, focusing the mind – it can get rather busy just sitting. Over time you become aware of the benefits of meditation. Beginners may not believe anything is happening, especially sitting and moving around. But even if you are just sitting away from the electronics and breathing it is a form of relaxation even when we feel tense.
Thanks for your wonderful comments. Hope you see 2016 in with a wonderful mind set.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
I honestly don’t even know how to comment on this post. There was something so personal and almost, fragile, about it. In one of your comments you said that telling a story from the past is just a tale, once you learn to let go, and I’m wondering if this experience is just a tale for you, because it certainly made me feel, in so many ways. This was so well-written, each emotion given great care, thought, and acceptance because we have to go through each one to finally hit that ultimate surrender.
I couldn’t imagine being silent for 10 days. Because I’m unable to see, everything in my life is either through sound or touch. Without verbal information, I feel as though I’d be lost. I do meditate at home though, and I’ve gotten to the point where I can sometimes clear my mind of all distractions. Those moments or experiences are priceless.
I’ll be treasuring this post and your experience for a long time to come.
Be blessed,
Rylie
Rylie Robinson recently posted…What Singing Has Taught Me About Being a Successful Public Speaker
Hey Rylie,
Welcome back.
Thanks for an amazing comment. I had to take time to think about what you wrote to consider if I felt fragile writing the post. I had to recall how I felt throughout those 10 days and there are many hours of fragility there. They were tough, raw and I just couldn’t not get away from the intensity, so I remember them all too well. As for personal (big smile) I have found that when I want to tell a story so it really impacts I tell it from my point of view so its pretty personal.
I don’t know Rylie, you may be a bit lost without the verbal information, but from what I can tell you have never let too much get in your way. Your public speaking post was a real knock out, I learnt so much from you and about you in that post.
It’s great that you meditate at home. The clarity I receive from sitting for 20 mintues is so useful as a writer. The monkey mind has a way of nailing us all. While I am getting better at remaining in the now – I do go through many meditation session where my mind just won’t settle. It can be so frustrating and the time passes slow sitting. There is another meditation post I wrote when I first started blogging called – No Meditation is not for me. Let me know if you want me to send you the link.
Rylie I feel truly humbled by your feedback, thank you.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
I would love the link. I want to know your journey from feeling as though meditation is not for you to making it a habit to meditate every day. That seems like quite a learning curve to me. 🙂
For me, meditation does take a lot of discipline, and discipline is not something I have in abundance (which is what I’m writing about next, ironically enough.) Even though I’m not disciplined by nature, I’ve made meditation a habit. I have to set a reminder, or even two reminders, but now it’s almost second nature, and I feel like something is lacking when I don’t do it. You’re right as well; there are days where my mind doesn’t settle either, but I’ll deal with 10 days of that for the night when everything clicks in to place, and I have a meditation that brings an experience to me. Do you have those moments, where you realize that even though there are many days where it seems as though it’s not worth it, you realize it is in the end?
Be blessed,
Rylie
Rylie Robinson recently posted…What Singing Has Taught Me About Being a Successful Public Speaker
Hey Rylie,
I understand what you mean by not having discipline in abundance. It took me years to understand the concept. Then more years to understand the benefits. And while I am much better at it than I have ever been, it still requires a lot of tweaks. But it is the struggle and how mad I get with myself when I slack off and then how Wow-ed I become when I see I am hammering along just fine with a wonderful and fair pace. I either over did it or under did it. I am finding that striking my balance with discipline has been like my lifes work. So I get you.
The meditation link is http://www.digalittledeeper0.me/meditation-is-not-for-me/. It was only a couple of weeks ago where I struggled for about four days of meditation (which is rare for me – I have the odd session where I can’t focus but generally get on with it). Once you have been meditating for a while it could mean that stuff is rising to the surface. Let it. Struggling is okay in meditation. I love that you understand the benefits of it. Do you know you’re now trapped. You are at the stage where it is on again for some months and then you stop. But while you are in stop, your mind nags at you to do it. Thats the trap. I even went through months of feeling a little tense or anxious because ego was attempting everything in its power for me to stop. That was a very uncomfortable stage. Go with it Rylie. I can’t wait to read your next post. Have a wonderful new year.
Rachel.
Hi Rachel,
This post intrigued me because I’ve never heard of Vipassana meditation but it does not sound like something I would want to do. Not even look at someone? I would not be able to do that. I’m a trained observer and I like to look at people. Maybe I would have been like that even if I had not been trained to observe when I was a nurse. I don’t know. I do know that I pick up a lot about people that my husband and other people do not notice. I would want to know what others were doing. What they looked like while meditating etc.
Anyway I digress. I’ve been to a number of health retreats that have included going deep into myself via other means like using breathing techniques, types of massage including Biodynamic massage, Psychoneuroimmunology and Brandon Bay’s Journey. It may be that these don’t really compare but they can be very useful none the less.
Hey Sandy,
Happy New Year. It’s not every ones cup of tea that is for sure. I too am an observer. I just look at Vipassana as observing myself. Giving everything to me for 10 days. I ask nothing of myself except to face myself. And while you eat and rest you do get to look around and at people.
Your retreats would do similar things as Vipassana does to me. It takes time away from our regular routines to take a look and nurture ourselves. We come back relax and ready to take on the world. That’s whats so so wonderful about choice. I love a good massage, but have never heard or done Psychoneuroimmunology or Brandon Bay’ Journey.
Rachel.
Wonderful article and information. Vipassana meditation is a great technique for Buddhist meditation. According to Lama Surya Das vipassana means awareness for our thoughts and feelings. It gives us inner peace and reduces stress and depression. I think it is really beneficial to improve our daily life.
John Smith recently posted……Let’s remember…
Hey John,
I agree, daily practices is beneficial to us all. It gives us clarity and balance. For that we can be grateful. Thanks for your comments.