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Everything You Wanted To Know About Meditation Retreats But Were Afraid To Ask | Spring Washam (And Dan’s Close Friend, Zev Borow)
Mar 4, 2024
Spring Washam, author and founding teacher at the East Bay Meditation Center, shares her insights on meditation retreats, diving into the misconceptions surrounding them. She addresses whether skipping a retreat makes you a bad meditator and explains the unique structures of these immersive experiences. Zev Borow, an accomplished screenwriter and Dan's friend, shares his personal journey after completing his first retreat. Together, they explore the challenges of silence, the transformative power of self-reflection, and the importance of integrating these practices into everyday life.
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Quick takeaways
- Embarking on a meditation retreat entails mental and emotional challenges like boredom and need for mental input.
- Self-reflection during retreats leads to revelations on unkindness and interconnected suffering, fostering self-awareness and compassion.
Deep dives
Challenges and Mental Struggles on a Meditation Retreat
Embarking on a meditation retreat entails significant mental and emotional challenges. The silence and lack of external stimulation lead to a profound sense of boredom and a desperate need for mental input. The experience reveals deep-seated emotions such as panic, terror, and sadness, forcing participants to confront their internal struggles and countermeasures. The retreat becomes a test of endurance as individuals grapple with self-generated thoughts and attempt to navigate the excruciating quietude.
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