I’m back! Having just landed back to earth after TEN days of silent meditation in Hereford, I’m eager to spill the beans. Yes, I was on a Vipassana meditation course and my, my, was it tough but with mindfulness, consciousness and awareness being such hot topics right now, it’s more relevant than ever to learn what we can learn from these ancient practices.
If you’re not familiar with a Vipassana, it’s an ancient form of meditation (thousands of years old) which aims to ‘purify and quiet a chattering mind’ and by doing so, you can learn to become resilient to the ups and downs of every day life.
It’s only been a popular practise in the west for the last 20-30 years through the teachings of an Indian-Burmese man named S.N. Goenka and in recent years, centres all around the world have cropped up thanks to his desire to spread the word…
The meditation is guided through Goenka’s audio and video recordings. The teaching is about sharpening the mind’s awareness with the ultimate aim of remaining ‘equanimous’ – in balance – to both negative and positive experiences.
It’s not about suppressing emotions, it’s about observing them, watching thoughts come and go, and not being affected by them.
This meditation practice teaches us to be mindful that positive and negative experiences come and go so craving the positive and feeling averse to the negative can only lead to unhappiness. Best to stay neutral and feel balance in mind at all times. A tall order I know!
I’d heard it was hard, but how hard can hard be? I quickly discovered it was no walk in the park – or a bundle of laughs for that matter – it was like a long-distance mental endurance test, every single day. It was even harder than the marathons I’ve run.
Apologies in advance if revealing my experiences spoils it for anyone. I know one of the key reasons the week is spent in silence is so that no one discusses and compares their experiences. What each person goes through is very personal and unique so please bear in mind this was my personal experience and not necessarily what others went through.
The RULES: The ten days of no talking, gestures or touching. No books, pens, phones, music, gadgets, cameras or exercise (including yoga) and no religious practices, rites or rituals. Men and women are separated to also avoid distraction.
The gruelling timetable featured a grand total of THIRTEEN hours of meditation a day. We were also governed by the gong, with the first dreaded gong waking us at 4am and the last one that signals bed time goes at 9pm. Every night I was out like a light by 9:30pm.
Apart from the lunch hour and breakfast hour, there was no other activity scheduled apart from meditation, simply because continuous practice is thought to be the route to success. So we meditated, hour after hour, after hour, after hour.
I don’t want to spoil it too much for people who want to do the course so I won’t divulge too much about the technique or the experiences during meditation.
We were looked after so so well. I think people imagine a Vipassana is a cold and lonely experience where you’re thrown into a dark room to contemplate life for ten days. That couldn’t be further from the truth!
We were fed amazing veggie/vegan food and the accommodation was clean and comfortable and always heated up to the max, especially comforting when it’s November and blowing a gale outside.
Staff include past students and volunteers, all AMAZING and the meditation hall is so warm and cosy and decked out with all the cushions, blocks and blankets you could need.
There will be many moments and days of despair but these comforts really really do help so well done team Vipassana.
People were falling asleep left, right and centre during meditation – heads rolling, bodies jerking and the sound of snoring drifting across the main meditation hall. We were all so unaccustomed to this!
DAY THREE: we’ve been observing our breath going through our nostrils for three days now so everyone was slightly confused. The aim: to quiet a chattering mind. That’s enough reason for me so I kept going. But at one point I sneaked a peak to look around the room and saw strained faces with eyes shut tight, searching for the meaning of life. It almost felt like some kind of gigantic joke!
DAY FOUR: the routine slowly started growing on me and faces around the hall seemed lighter. For the first time I felt like a small weight had lifted and I smiled inside as a new twist to the technique was taught. For the first time also, my mind stopped resisting to the regime and it did in fact quieten down a little. Nice.
DAY FIVE: the new technique hurts! For three hours of each day we spent in ‘Strong Determination’ which means no moving and full concentration on resisting any pain or sensation. No craving to the pleasant sensations and no aversion to the negative sensations – this is the key concept to Vipassana which we’re meant to apply to real life.
DAY SIX: I’m certain athletes, triathletes, marathon runners and ironman competitors would benefit from this practice. Mentally, it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do but provides great mental endurance training. It was like running an marathon every day! Occasionally tears flooded my eyes from the pain of sitting in Strong Determination but obviously I was determined to get through it.
DAY SEVEN: I felt like I’d turned a corner and my emotions (in and out of meditation) starting balancing, finally! I looked around again and people looked so cosy in their meditation spots. Some had built huge sofa-like constructions, with multiple layers of block, cushions and blankets. It was hilarious to watch.
DAY EIGHT: uh oh, boredom kicked in! Having felt like I’d sorted my life out, found a new career, fixed my relationship and balanced my mind, I felt ready to go home. What? I have to stay another THREE days? Cripes!!
DAY NINE: I felt like I was climbing the walls with frustration as minutes felt like hours and the hours felt like days. Everything was annoying me and I had no ‘equanimity’, patience or compassion left in me. I was desperate to go home. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that Noble Silence would be lifted at ten am the following day, hoorah!
DAY TEN: I woke up ecstatic! I even hummed in the shower with a cheery glow inside and counted down the minutes until we could talk again. I’d been dreaming of this day all week!
I know I’m painting a picture of resistance, difficulty and pain (because it was a bit like that at times) but there are also MANY rays of light throughout the week:
The teachings of S.N. Goenka are hugely positive and inspiring. Each video and audio recording left everyone with a rosy, warm glow and a new, more harmonious perspective on how to live life.
When ‘Noble Silence’ was lifted, everyone hugged and cried – it was an emotional week and the (silent) bond you create with people is strangely strong. There were also two pregnant girls there who were a massive inspiration to us all. Could this be a new trend for expecting mothers?
Anyway, I’ve gone on too much and so sorry if I’ve spoiled it for anyone wishing to go. If you’d like to know any other details please pop your comments below – or read more at the Dhamma Dipa Vipassana site – and would be great to hear from anyone who’s also done it. Thanks for reading. xx
Follow me on Instagram @YanarFitness or @relaxdestressyoga for more.
Brighter Shade of Green 
Thank you so much. I have been debating for a long time whether to try Vipassana & reading this has helped. Your blog post is a wonderfully honest account told with humour which not only made me chuckle but also gave me a great insight into what to expect but without such detail that I will prejudge the experience.
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Hey
I am attending it next week for the first time and your blog is helpful .
I am going to come back and tell you how it went.
Thanks for the info
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Oh thank you for the note – please do report back, would love to hear how you get on. Good luck and enjoy xx
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Hi there, excellent post and thank you for sharing. I just had to cancel my invitation to a Hereford retreat this February but am hoping to attend one in April instead.
On a separate note, your blog got me thinking, and I wondered whether I could ask you a rather left-field question?
I am currently training as an actor and one of the key aspects of my training is in developing the ability to allow oneself to be emotionally affected by another person’s remarks, or to put it another way, to take things very personally. This is all part and parcel of allowing one’s true impulsive feelings to play out, thus conveying what is considered in acting terms one’s ‘truth’.
My question, if you would be so kind as to offer a response to what has been a rather perplexing issue for me, is whether or not you think the teachings of Vipassana are in any way in direct opposition to that of my current actor training?
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Hi thanks so much for posting, that’s a great question!
It’s a common misconception that meditation is a way of supressing emotions – that’s far from the truth so it definitely wouldn’t be in conflict with your training. It’s about observing what’s there to increase awareness and simply watch the emotions, whatever they might. It’s learning that all feelings (good and bad, happy and sad) are transcient and ever-changing. A regular practice should strengthen awareness which I think could in effect help your actor experience more than hinder. Imagine how powerful it would be if you were tuned in to the minute changes of your mood and feelings without reacting to them. It can make you feel very grounded and in control.
For me, attending a Vipassana was not life changing but more of a one off experience led by curiousity but it was one piece in the ever evolving journey to greater awareness development (or mindfulness as most call it). Since then I’ve practised simple but effective meditations through my weekly hatha yoga classes (classic and very slow).
So if you’re interested in cultivating deeper awereness I would recommend committing to some simple breathing meditations (where you watch the movements of breath through your body – I wrote a post about this so do check it out) or external meditation (like meditating on sounds which is a lovely experience) before or after your V.
Good luck with it and keep in touch – would love to hear what you think of it! Best, Yanar x
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i was there for 3 days and left. i feel really upset that i didn’t finish but the intensity was too much. i had the most severe panic attacks and anxiety and homesickness. i don’t know what to do now having pulled out
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Hi James, thanks for your message and †hanks for sharing your experiences.. Vipassana is a really extreme place and method of meditation so I honestly wouldn’t feel so bad or beat yourself about it. My best advice, as someone who has continued to develop meditation skills since then, it’s start with some very simple breathing techniques for just a few minutes a day. It can have a very profound effect. I wrote a post about that here https://brightershadeofgreen.co.uk/2015/08/10/an-experiment-the-benefits-of-meditation/ You can also try headspace app which is a nice introduction in mindfulness and meditation. Good luck and keep us posted on your progress? xx
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I can relate to this! I did my first vipassana 10 day in India in 2018. On day 3 I really lost it – physical pain and uncontrollable crying. I went to the teacher who looked at me, and said “Go and lie down for half an hour, then come back and start again”. VERY different from the western approach to emotional crisis! But I did as suggested and stuck it out. I am so glad I did – and I’m off to my 3rd 10 day the day after boxing day. Do I enjoy it? Bits of it, here and there but mostly not – but it is the single most effective mental, emotional and physical muck out I know. And I find regular (but less than the 2 hours a day suggested) practice really helps me a lot – much less reactive now. Do have another go if you get the chance. My husband went on one after I did and tried to leave – but they managed to persuade him to stay.
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i started and i left after 3 days! i feel awful now but the intense panic attacks and homesickness made it so hard to commit to the practice. I’m not sure what to do now. i feel i have failed
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Hi…
Hope you are well.
I am going to do this after a week and your blog gave me a good idea on what to expect. I am an absolute novice but doing it as it comes highly recommended by friends who have done it.
A question about the accommodation (i know, superficial) – are there individual rooms or is it shared acco. I will be going to Dhamma Dipa in Hereford. Cheers!
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Hi – there are some rooms shared and some single. I had a shared one which wasn’t ideal but you just get on with it really. The newer rooms in the main building are lovely though and mainly singles. Good luck! And would be great to hear how you get on! Do write back if you get the chance. Thanks, Yanar x
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Sounds amazing… I’m planning on doing one in India in December. Only began meditating in earnest about six months ago, only for 30 minutes or so a day, but the change in me has been profound.
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I found the vipassana taught me some traditional Buddhist teachings but it’s mainly through yoga I’ve learnt my meditation practise. Good luck with your trip to India! Keep in touch. x
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Yes, I used to have to go to yoga in order to do meditation. In the short time I’ve made it a part of my life, I can’t believe how much change has taken place for the better. So grateful. In peace and health :) x
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I am curious about your re-entry ! Having done a number of week long silent yoga retreats I have found that the process of ‘bridging’ from the intensity of these personal/spiritual experiences back into normal, everyday life difficult and challenging – so much so that I stopped doing them! I found I was unable t keep the discipline and focus and was ricocheting like mad between different modes of being ! How did you find it? How had the experience changed you and how did you reconcile this with your life? Have you found a balance?
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Hi Lisa, that’s a really interesting question. I have done several retreats now (of varying intensities) and come to realise it’s best to adopt elements to improve everyday life/wellbeing. I agree, it doesn’t take long to revert back to normal ways but I don’t think that’s the point. The point isn’t to change who you are or change the way you live – it’s more about enhancing and improving your approach to life, and your actions/reactions to things.
Also I see these retreats as a way of recharging once/twice a year to regain clarity and perspective. When I return, I don’t try to mould and benchmark myself against various disciplines (such as meditating 1hr a day like the Vipassana retreat tells you to do) but I end up cherry picking what’s realistic to adopt and what works / resonates with me – e.g. a short 5-10 min meditation at the end of the day a few times a week and a longer one at the weekend. I guess these experiences become like a toolkit to life.
A rather long reply, I hope it kind of answers your question?!
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I have just noticed this blog and it sounds fascinating! Well done! May I ask how you felt about you beauty routine. I would imagine meditating change some desires in our daily lives. I would be interesting to hear back from you.
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I have a quite a natural beauty regime so it wasn’t hard being away from my beauty supplies but the teachings and experience definitely help you feel less attached to material possessions. I chose my products carefully and took ones that made me feel good with minimal fuss – I certainly didn’t want to appear frivolous in such a pared down setting :). Although everyone else came with bulging beauty bags! This is what I used during my stay… http://ecobeautyblog.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/small-and-beautiful-for-winter/ – I really loved the Abahana Shower Gel. Thanks for reading xx
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Absolutely agree on getting back to basics and with minimal fuss! I would have done the same and I would have imagined that a meditation course like this would also trigger a change in beauty. I wonder with how many bags though did the rest of ladies leave ;-)) Love the rose oil that you mention.
What I see from our clients is that they seek for less mess but honest ingredients, that’s why we allow them to even choose their own blends of essential oils & create their very own unique cream. Let’s keep in touch. Great blog!
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Thanks Cyrine.. definitely keep in touch.. love your site too xx
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Yanar, this sounds amazing! 10 days does seem like a very very long time for it though, I’m not sure if I’d have the willpower to stay awake without talking for that long. Do you feel different now that you’re back, and could a beginner go? (i.e someone who hasn’t tried meditation before?)
Well done on completing it, must seem like such an achievement xx
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Judy – I was a begginner! I went having never done more than five minutes of meditation in my life. But the instruction and guidance is so well presented (by the don, S.N. Goenka), that you never feel like you don’t know what you’re doing. Even if you’ve meditated before, the technique is slightly different to other forms (eg. visualisation) that everyone is in the same boat.
I don’t feel different day to day but the teachings have stayed in my mind and i think about them. I feel lucky I’ve been able to experience such a positive philosophy and way life. Unfortunately they expect you to carry on meditating (for two hours a day!) to continue to feel the benefits, which is quite unrealistic. The course also gets a lot of repeat students…Definitely for anyone who has the will power!
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Yanar!!! I am in awe of the fact that you endured this for 10 days! 10 days sounds almost unbearable to me and to someone used to constant chatting and communication which counts for many of us! I can really imagine the emotion on the last day when people could finally communicate and share their experiences-wow. It sounds incredibly painful though;to have so many feelings, emotions and thoughts in your head but to not be able to express-didnt you feel like your head would explode?! and did the time pass really slowly? Did you really feel renewed and so clear minded at the end? Will call to ask and hear more! xxx
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Haha.. maria – the aim of the first half of the course is to quiet a chattering mind and by day two I thought my brain would never shut up! But low and behold, by day four things started to getting quieter up there.. unbelievable how much training your mind needs to just be quiet! Emotions came and went and I shed a tear (or two!) pretty much every day.
Time went by slowly yes but when else would I get to be silent for ten days at any other time in life?! so I just tried to relax and learn from the teachings. Renewed and clear minded at the end? A little. Very happy though – we were all on a high after so many ups and lows!
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Wow Yan, sounds amazing and a nightmare all in one. Not sure if i’ll be doing one, tho it’s been on my to do list for years…thanks for the insight.
x
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Isla – hope I haven’t put you off?! You should definitely do one – despite how hard it is, you learn lots of lovely philosophies that can be applied to real life for a more harmonious way of living. It’s like peace of mind. think about it :)xx
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Sounds like a very strong mind would be needed to go through all the pain, the physical pain I mean. You’re the first person who has told me of Vipassna and made me want to do it rather than smoothly moonwalk away/judge their sanity. i think I will. Thanks for sharing an amazing experience. Dalia x
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