10 Breakthroughs in 10 Days
I recently did something I never thought I’d do (or even thought I COULD do for that matter!) I went on a ten-day silent meditation retreat in Menomonie, Wisconsin. After hearing all the amazing things people have to say about them, the Learner in me lit up and I thought it was high time I check it out. So I did.
To set the scene, here’s what a Vipassana retreat looks like:
Ten days of noble silence, which means no reading, writing, drinking, speaking, eye contact, physical contact, or connections of any kind. We were told we couldn’t even smile at anyone (which was a major challenge for my Woo!).
Accommodation: a dorm-like room equipped with bed bunks and shared with two strangers.
Schedule: up at 4am, then 10.5 hours of daily meditation and instruction, and in bed by 9pm with the clanging of the gong.
Diet: vegetarian, with two full meals a day, and tea and fruit as dinner.
Dress-code: loose-fitting clothing.
I can safely say that this was the most bizarre human experiment I've ever been involved in, and I learned so much. More than I could have imagined before going into it. The list is long, but here are the top breakthroughs I made while on this ten-day quest for quiet.
I need way more silence in my life than I realized (a surprising learning since I have Woo and Communication in my top 5!)
I put a lot of my energy into other people.
If you don't give complaints oxygen, they dissipate. You just forget about them and go on with your day.
I try to control the controlled. (The Achiever acting up!)
I only need about 1/3 of the calories I normally intake a day.
Privacy is a privilege. I craved a soundproof room where I could go to sing, scream, or get away from people.
I can sit completely still for hours without physical discomfort—quite impressive!
Something as simple as a nap can be such a special treat. We were offered the chance to take these after our daily meals, and I swear I’ve never appreciated a nap more.
Our lives are filled with so many unnecessary distractions, conversations, and noise.
I thought I was a night-owl, but I was more than happy to jump into bed at 9pm after getting up at 4am.
Ok, I have to admit that I actually hated this experience until maybe the 7th day. That’s when I realized I needed to let go of trying to control everything. The Achiever in me kept trying to stay organized and make sure I was “doing what I was supposed to do,” but it made it so I wasn’t enjoying myself. On that 7th day I realized that I just needed to trust the system. So, I let go the reigns of control. And it was a deeply freeing experience.
It actually got to the point that I stayed in the meditation hall an hour after the silence was lifted because I was so hungry for that gift of quiet. I felt like I didn’t want it to end. I was nourished by it. When the retreat was over and I drove home, it was almost hard to stay focused on the road! I was taking the time to gaze at everything around me on the drive and noticing things I’d never noticed before.
The feelings of calm, peace, and contentment are still with me, nine months later! I keep up with my practice, and intentionally make the time to meditate every morning for at least 30 minutes. It helps me stay balanced and peaceful, deep within my core. I’m already planning to go back for another retreat in December because I’ve realized how essential that silence is, and that I need it to be at my best. And everyone around me benefits, too. I use what I learned during this amazing experiment every day!