I did a couple Vipassana retreats a few years ago as well. Probably one of the hardest things I've ever done! But I learnt so much and I really do believe that the things I've learnt have formed the foundation to my later life.
This is fascinating to read. I'd love to do a retreat one day - not sure when with work, kids and of course Substack 😁 but this gave me a nice insight. I'll link to this piece in my newsletter this Sunday as I am sure others will enjoy it too.
I've been intrigued by the idea of a Vipassana retreat, but haven't felt able to do it yet! Thank you for sharing your experience and the insights you came away with - the monk's question and your reflection on the fire and the flame, and human-made vs natural concepts of time, are particularly profound. I'm going to keep sitting with them. I love this piece! Thank you for sharing!
Wow so lovely. I went on my first silent meditation retreat but it was only for three days (and boy was that hard lol). I think when my son is older I will attempt a 10 day retreat.
Well, the first three days were the hardest for me, so you might find the longer retreat "easier" in this sense. Yes do try one out when the time is right. I'm waiting too for another right time to do it again. :)
I'm horrible at meditating but I do it every morning. It's my attempt to show up and do the work. That being said, I've spoken to many folks who talk about the life-changing experience of going on a retreat. And it sounds like it was for you, too. It also sounds like something everyone should do at least once in their life.
Showing up every morning is already a big win! I barely could do that, I actually move it to every evening before sleep now for me, haha cause I'm not a morning person.
I do recommend to everyone to try the retreat out if they can and want to :)
this makes me craving (bad word choice? haha) to go for a meditation retreat again! there's something special about being put into that environment with its limitations and frustrating lack of distractions and routine and simplicity that allows the mind to have a rest for a bit.
Yeah it also makes me wanna go again. But it might be some time more to wait for me :) there is indeed something special with deprivation and stripping everything down to its bare necessities.
I’ve done a 10 silent retreat, not Vipassana, and although the silence was observed, there wasn’t intense meditation or a strict meal schedule. I would love to try one like this. The silence, for me, isn’t the hard part. I think the hardest part for me would be the restricted eating!
Silence was also not a problem for me, maybe cause we are introverts/thinkers? The meal restriction was actually not as difficult as I thought, especially when your body settle into the routine. My most difficult part was waking up at 5 to meditate. 😅 i am generally more a night owl...
Yup, a 5am wake up is tough! Did you have any big insights or breakthroughs? Or was it subtle learning that kind of permeated through your life slowly like it was for me?
It was quite an experience then with my breakthrough that is the discovery of the best position for me and the pulsing in my body. Also my epiphany on "the now". Overall, I felt changed and wanted to bring it into my life, then life took over (not unexpected), and it became something I've always wanted to incorporate into my life ... so in other words it was not subtle learning, but the conviction that I can do it and it's something good for me will never be forgotten.
I did a couple Vipassana retreats a few years ago as well. Probably one of the hardest things I've ever done! But I learnt so much and I really do believe that the things I've learnt have formed the foundation to my later life.
A couple of them, what a feat! Yes, I totally agree that they do form a foundation in life. :)
This is fascinating to read. I'd love to do a retreat one day - not sure when with work, kids and of course Substack 😁 but this gave me a nice insight. I'll link to this piece in my newsletter this Sunday as I am sure others will enjoy it too.
I know right, I can't imagine finding the time now too to do it again! But I plan to when there's chance, maybe when the kids are older? ;)
I've been intrigued by the idea of a Vipassana retreat, but haven't felt able to do it yet! Thank you for sharing your experience and the insights you came away with - the monk's question and your reflection on the fire and the flame, and human-made vs natural concepts of time, are particularly profound. I'm going to keep sitting with them. I love this piece! Thank you for sharing!
I'm glad you love it Suyin :) might it inspire you to try it out?
I’d be very interested to try it one day, for sure :) I will start looking out for some and preparing myself for such an experience!
Wow so lovely. I went on my first silent meditation retreat but it was only for three days (and boy was that hard lol). I think when my son is older I will attempt a 10 day retreat.
Well, the first three days were the hardest for me, so you might find the longer retreat "easier" in this sense. Yes do try one out when the time is right. I'm waiting too for another right time to do it again. :)
"There is no time, there is only now" - a state of mind I am working hard to achieve, and meditation is on the list of my "next-to-practice" list! :)
Thank you, Rachel, for sharing your experience, and, revelation.
Do share when you get to it! I find it difficult too to incorporate into daily life, and still trying :)
I'm horrible at meditating but I do it every morning. It's my attempt to show up and do the work. That being said, I've spoken to many folks who talk about the life-changing experience of going on a retreat. And it sounds like it was for you, too. It also sounds like something everyone should do at least once in their life.
Showing up every morning is already a big win! I barely could do that, I actually move it to every evening before sleep now for me, haha cause I'm not a morning person.
I do recommend to everyone to try the retreat out if they can and want to :)
As you might know, the opportunities are a-plenty out here in SEA, but they’ll have to drag me in, kicking and swearing… 😘
this makes me craving (bad word choice? haha) to go for a meditation retreat again! there's something special about being put into that environment with its limitations and frustrating lack of distractions and routine and simplicity that allows the mind to have a rest for a bit.
Yeah it also makes me wanna go again. But it might be some time more to wait for me :) there is indeed something special with deprivation and stripping everything down to its bare necessities.
What a lovely read! You've inspired me to get back into my practice.
Thank you and that's great! I have inspired myself too ;) let's get back to it together.
I’ve done a 10 silent retreat, not Vipassana, and although the silence was observed, there wasn’t intense meditation or a strict meal schedule. I would love to try one like this. The silence, for me, isn’t the hard part. I think the hardest part for me would be the restricted eating!
Silence was also not a problem for me, maybe cause we are introverts/thinkers? The meal restriction was actually not as difficult as I thought, especially when your body settle into the routine. My most difficult part was waking up at 5 to meditate. 😅 i am generally more a night owl...
Yup, a 5am wake up is tough! Did you have any big insights or breakthroughs? Or was it subtle learning that kind of permeated through your life slowly like it was for me?
It was quite an experience then with my breakthrough that is the discovery of the best position for me and the pulsing in my body. Also my epiphany on "the now". Overall, I felt changed and wanted to bring it into my life, then life took over (not unexpected), and it became something I've always wanted to incorporate into my life ... so in other words it was not subtle learning, but the conviction that I can do it and it's something good for me will never be forgotten.