In this Off The Top episode, I sit down with a best friend to discuss my experience with Vipassana, a 10 day silent meditation retreat I went on last month. I have no other word to describe it beyond profound, yet, equally the most challenging mental battle I’ve ever faced. There was no talking, no eye contact, no reading, no writing, no stimulation.. Just 10-11 hours of meditation a day.

Everyone’s experience with Vipassana is different, and it’s not something to take lightly. This episode is simply my perspective. A reflection on the breakthroughs, the spirals, and everything that surfaced in the silence and stillness. If you’re considering it, do your own research, take your time, and see if it feels right for where you are. I’ll leave you with a quote from Goenkaji himself, “No one can harm us more than our own wild mind; and no one can help us more than our own trained, tamed, disciplined mind”.

Things that might be helpful in your discovery:

Dhamma.org: more information on Vipassana & how to sign up for courses
Tim Ferriss on Vipassana: Tim shares his experience and the breakdown he had. I listened to this after returning and it helped me process my own but he speaks to the weight of what this can be.
I wrote about my experience in detail here
Jack Kornfield: A teacher of Vipassana and someone that has helped thousands on their journey

Extras

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004 | Lessons from a 10 Day Silent Meditation Retreat [OTT]