*Important note - While this technique is wonderful in its own right and has an ability to alleviate psychosomatic concerns, please consult with a professional for those with serious mental health conditions. The assistant teachers and managers are not trained psychologists or counsellors, but rather simply provide guidance along the way as you learn the technique.
I recently went on my first 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat in Duncan, Victoria. For those unfamiliar, Vipassana is one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques, discovered by buddha more than 2500 years ago. The word Vipassana means to see things as they really are. The technique and its practice has nothing to do with any organized religion or sectarianism. It is a meditation technique for truth-realization by direct experience with the goal of purification to allow one to face life’s tensions and problems in a calm, balanced way.
Why: A couple years back while in school, I promised myself a solo trip - I was thinking a yoga retreat or backpacking trip abroad to feed the soul. While a backpacking trip to Asia sounds thrilling, I knew that I’d be exhausted and need a vacation from my vacation when I got back. When the opportunity to attend this retreat popped up and I had the time and space to make it a reality, I signed up. I’ve always wanted to establish my own meditation practice and to explore my spirituality and mind. Although it all sounded appealing, little did I know how intensive this work would be - it was easily one of the most challenging, eye-opening and impactful experiences I’ve experienced - it felt like 10 days of mental training filled with highs and lows.
An insight for me during this retreat is how much the mind intellectualizes. Years of learning and education wires our brain to a certain capacity and approach. But what I realize is what I’m searching for is wisdom - which comes through experiential learning.
Prior to attending this retreat, my meditation routine was simple - listen to a guided meditation once or twice a day to ground into my body. Most of the time lying down simply because it feels the most comfortable.
Upon arrival, we signed a contract to commit to 9 days of noble silence, up to 10 hours of practice per day and to give up all of life’s attachments & responsibilities to giving this technique a fair trial. It felt like getting thrown into the deep end; like jumping into a monastery and getting to sample the life of a monk.
The instructions in the first couple days is painfully simple - to sharpen the mind by focusing on the respiration and sensations on the area between the nostrils and upper lip. I was told agitation was normal, but in hindsight, all the thoughts/concerns/fears were completely rational and simply a part of the growing pains of learning to attune to the body in such a vastly different way.
According to the philosophy, there are 3 main causes of unhappiness:
1. Craving
2. Aversion
3. Ignorance.
Examples on the first couple days, wanting the stimulus from social media/devices - this is a craving for the dopamine that we have tied to our cell phones.
- Feeling the discomfort of sitting in the same position for 1 hour and being averse to the sensations that arises.
Over a couple days, the mind becomes sharpened and will power strengthens. Eventually things start clicking and the clarity was unlike anything I’ve experienced. By simply observing your bodily sensations and thoughts without judgment/reaction, the technique slowly retrains old habit patterns to one of observation and action rather than of judgment and impulsive reaction. The defilement passes and you begin to gain liberation from the cycle pattern and are able to explore the inner truths.
It is simply non-judgmental, non-reactive, equanimous observation and awareness of somatic sensations, breath, and thoughts with the understanding of impermanence. (Anitya) By working diligently, the technique begins to release the tensions developed in everyday life, opening the knots tied by the old habit of reacting in an unbalanced way to pleasant and unpleasant situations.
To practice Vipassana is to practice the art of living. Style is expressed by how one shows up in the world - dictated by the ability to remain equanimous - taking deliberate action when necessary. This practice clears out a lot of chatter and creates space for things that matter (love, compassion, goodwill, etc.)
Going into this retreat, 10 days seemed like a long time. But in hindsight, I realize it’s a very short time to dive into the consciousness and work on self-discovery and self-mastery. But it’s prompted me to make this type of meditation a more regular and focused part of my every day life.
Thoughout this experience, I had a fascinating side-quest from a therapeutic lens. With my understanding of anatomy and having seen cadavers before, it was incredible explore the therapeutic application of bringing psychosomatic awareness to the sensations in our bodies. Emotions, mental blockages, physical conditions - the application is endless.
Vipassana gives us an internal lens - a more complete and accurate view of the truth. This allows one to have a more balanced approach and to take deliberate/intentional action. Whether it be working through the guarding patterns and physical limitations of a chronic injury, or having to make a tough decision - being able to see it for what it is and to remain equanimous is liberating.
The real practice is to maintain the level of equanimity out in the real world. I’m excited to bring the insights that I gathered from a psychosomatic lens into my work and to create a more harmonious inner landscape.