On my solo journey in California, I decided to take a 10-day silent Vipassana retreat at the Northern California Vipassana Center. With no phones, eye contacts, reading materials, I embarked on a journey of inner exploration.

Imagine taking a few days off from your busy life, stepping away from the demands of work and personal responsibilities. Now, picture yourself dedicating that time to serving others—cooking, cleaning, and working tirelessly to prepare a place 50 non-paying visitors. Sounds extraordinary, doesn't it? Well, this is the remarkable path chosen by Vipassana meditators who selflessly serve at meditation centers around the world.