10% Happier with Dan Harris What It’s Like To Do A Year-Long Silent Meditation Retreat—By Yourself | Cara Lai
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Jul 31, 2024 
Cara Lai is a multifaceted meditation teacher, artist, and wilderness guide with a rich background in social work. She shares her profound insights from a year-long silent meditation retreat, exploring the emotional challenges and transformative lessons learned along the way. The conversation delves into embracing solitude, navigating discomfort, and the power of mindfulness in everyday life. Cara discusses the significance of community and connection, revealing how these experiences resonate with universal struggles and personal growth.
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Solo Retreat
- Cara Lai felt drawn to long retreats, originally planning to attend the Forest Refuge.
- The pandemic forced her to do a solo retreat, which excited her due to the perceived freedom.
Retreat Setting
- Cara's retreat took place at Tara Mandala, a remote center in Colorado.
- The off-grid cabin lacked running water and a toilet, requiring her to chop wood and filter water.
Mindfulness and Lyme Disease
- Cara aimed for continuous mindfulness throughout all activities.
- Lyme disease made it challenging to sit and focus, impacting her ability to enter subtle states.