Reflections from 10 Days of Silence

10 days of silence. No eye contact, gestures or communication. 6 hours of daily meditation, 2 hours of lecture, 1 hour of yoga. Sounds like a challenge! Yet the greater the challenge, the greater the reward.

It is incredible what you notice when you do not talk for a few days. I imagine most people have a slightly different experience, but I will share some of my growth experience as I feel it is worth sharing:

• Witnessing the 'Monkey Mind'

After a couple days, I was able to notice the random stream of thoughts some label as the 'monkey mind.' It is incredible to witness thoughts of joy and suffering compete for attention. Thoughts brought about feelings lasting seconds or minutes, which would make me feel happy, sad, open, closed, angry, peaceful, regretful, content and on and on. Feeling light, feeling heavy, feeling stable and unstable. What a roller coaster of emotions! I would notice myself desire the happier, high vibration feelings, and try to disassociate from the lower vibration feelings. Yet, through teaching and meditation, I am learning to not judge, attach or associate with either 'good' or 'bad' feelings. Rather, witnessing these fluctuating emotions without judgment is what I practice. 

• Judgment vs Love

"If you judge people, you do not have time to love them." - Mother Theresa

Repeatedly throughout the retreat, I caught myself judging others and myself. Thanks to this quote and the quieting of my never-ending thoughts, I was able to catch myself doing this, and instead simply witness or send good vibes to myself or another person.

• Appreciation

There is an infinity amount of things we can be thankful for. And when I am appreciative, I feel full of good energy. We are so blessed. 

• A Healthy Diet Makes a Big Difference

The Hridaya yoga center offers three delicious vegan meals every day during the retreat. This diet reminds me how important and vital a healthy diet is for me. It makes me feel energetic, clear and light instead of full, heavy and bloated. 

• A Note on Love

"The people of love are love with their love." Repeat that. 

Many of us expect love that we do not know how to give. So how are we to receive this type of love if we do not understand how to express it? 

• "Welcome Back to Reality"

Many of us hear this upon returning from vacation, graduating from college or time off work. A day after the retreat, I was barefoot in the sand, enjoying the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. As the powerful waves crashed into the shore, I had a special moment. "Welcome back to reality," I thought. I laughed. Then, a loud laugh with a giant smile. I could not help but smile. I realized that in our life, we can choose to do whatever we want to do. Really! So on this beautiful afternoon, I decided to watch the sunset and go for a swim instead of finishing a work day like millions of people were doing all over the world. And this is a daily, constant choice. This is reality. Not what others say you have to do. Do what you want to do! Everything will work out…it always does.

Sunset near Mazunte, Mexico

Willow and Ether, some friends I met in Peru, invited me for a birthday lunch at their home. It is unbelievable how cheap rent is on the coast of Mexico. If you want an ocean side view, check it out!

Learning Meditation

Vipassana Retreat

"The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched -- they must be felt with the heart" Helen Keller
 

Housing Quarters for men

I learned of this ten day silent mediation retreat years ago. It intimidated me. No communication for ten days! Ten hours of mediation everyday! Sounds intense. It is. Words echoed in my memory when thinking of a challenge. "The  greater the challenge, the greater the reward." I decided to do it for multiple reason but mainly to learn more about myself and how my mind  works.
 
All over the world, Vipassana style mediation retreats are given throughout the year. The style of mediation was invented and gifted to the world over 2,500 years ago by Siddartha Guatama, more famously known as Buddha. The course provides the location, a place to sleep, healthy food, teaching and and environment where there are few distractions. At the end of the course, you can give a donation of whatever amount you feel is just.
 
What I experienced?
This was one of the most mentally challenging things I've ever done. It was quite the roller coaster of emotions. Certain days, and throughout these days, I would feel excited, tired, doubt, faith, pain, motivated, unmotivated, loneliness, community, the whole spectrum. Sometimes very strong, sometimes very subtle. And I was to process all these emotions without communicating!
 
What I learned?
Wow. I learned, and I am learning so much from this experience!
One goal is to observe your orderless, erratic 'monkey mind' as it jumps from one emotion or thought to another. These thoughts happen so fast and have no sense of order, and most of us live without control or awareness of it.
I am learning to observe these thoughts and emotions without judgment, without labels of good or bad. Just observing. I am more conscious of when my mind wanders off on irrelevant or unimportant topics. I am more conscious of how my body feels throughout the day. I am learning how authentic appreciation and giving generously makes us feel true joy. I am learning patience as I take small steps on a long path in my spirituality.
 
Who can do it?
Anyone! There is no religion affiliated with vipassana. Any person from any religious or atheist practice will benefit from the practice. So anyone who feels like they want more balance in their life, more awareness and joy, I strongly recommend this retreat.

There is a small river that runs through the property in Calca. A beautiful place to spend time during our breaks