10 Golden Days at a Silent Retreat: One of the Most Precious Gifts I’ve Given to Myself

Oct 3, 2023 | Main Blog | 0 comments

Introduction:

Ten years ago, I discovered the advantages of meditation, but I couldn’t sit still for even five minutes. In 2016, a friend who meditated daily recommended Vipassana Meditation to me. Although I registered for a course in 2018, family priorities led to its cancellation. However, Vipassana always lingered in my mind as a pending journey. Finally, in 2023, I registered and attended the course.

What is Vipassana?

Vipassana is a path of self-transformation through self-observation. For me, Vipassana Meditation became one of the most precious gifts I’ve given to myself.

The Vipassana Experience includes:

  • Noble Silence: Ten days of silence – no talking, writing, eye contact, or gestures.
  • Digital Detox: No access to mobile phones, social media, or the outside world.
  • No Physical Activity: No yoga or exercise allowed.
  • Structured Schedule: Following the timetable provided by the organization, we meditated for eight to ten hours daily for ten days. Learn more


Three Key Lessons from Vipassana Meditation:

  1. Slowing Down
  • In a fast-paced corporate world, juggling family and career, it’s easy to rush through life.
  • Vipassana’s 10-day silent retreat taught me the value of slowing down.
  • We often can’t control external factors, so why hurry? Slowing down allows us to care for our bodies and minds.
  1. The Inner Journey
  • Those ten days became a profound inner journey of self-discovery.
  • Self-love and self-care are essential, and they start with understanding ourselves through this inner exploration.
  • Just as we plan family vacations to strengthen bonds, we should also plan self-care trips. Your body and mind will thank you.
  1. Embracing Impermanence
  • A practical lesson from Vipassana: “Nothing is permanent; everything is impermanent in life.”
  • These are just three lessons, but life continually teaches us more as we observe our daily experiences.


Conclusion:

Each person’s Vipassana experience is unique and incomparable. I encourage you to embark on your own journey by attending a ten-day course.

Please also consider watching the enlightening TED Talk by Eilona Ariel and exploring the Dhamma Website for further insights and resources on Vipassana Meditation.

Her Nexx Chapter invites you to join our free Community where women from around the world are connecting with each other’s stories, exploring different experiences, and transforming ideas.

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Shanthi Mariappan

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