Tschh... Silence, please. The 10 days of silent retreat.
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.
Vipassana, meaning "to see," is a meditation technique with roots in the teachings of Buddha, introduced by SN Goenka in 1976. The retreat is characterized by complete disconnection from the outside world, including silence, minimal food, and a focus solely on meditation. Although challenging, the rewards are undoubtedly worth the effort.
- You cannot speak or communicate (non-verbal communication like eye-contact is a no-no)
- No reading or writing
- Food is restricted after the mid-day meal
- You must adhere to the meditation schedule of 10+ hours of meditation and an hour of discourse in the evening
I was preparing for the practice, having cultivated a regular yoga routine and prepared my body for long periods of sitting. But the real work lay within my mind.
One of the unique aspects of Vipassana is that it is taught in a gradual and systematic manner. Each day builds upon the previous one, with the minimum requirement being a 10-day retreat. During the initial day, we were asked to focus solely on our breath. To my surprise, it was incredibly challenging. My mind wandered in every direction imaginable. I traveled to past, future, back and forward million of times. The first three days focus on developing concentration and sharpening the mind, preparing us for what lies ahead.
On the fourth day, the actual Vipassana technique is introduced, which involves observing the sensations within your body. It may sound simple, but believe me, it's anything but easy.There are layers to uncover within yourself, and at times, it can be a little intimidating.
Since the halfway point of the course, I have been able to observe the nature of the mind, detach from its changes, and simply be a witness, even during moments of joy or difficulty. I have become more aware of impermanence, the inherent nature of change. This has been one of the most profound experiences I have ever had — witnessing the change without being attached to the result.
A Typical Schedule of Vipassana
Each day followed a structured schedule, providing a framework for our inner exploration. The typical daily schedule included:
- 4:00 AM: Morning wake-up bell
- 4:30 - 6:30 AM: Meditation session
- 6:30 - 8:00 AM: Breakfast and break
- 8:00 - 9:00 AM: Group meditation
- 9:00 - 11:00 AM: Meditation session
- 11:00 - 12:00 PM: Lunch and break
- 12:00 - 1:00 PM: Rest and personal time
- 1:00 - 2:30 PM: Meditation session
- 2:30 - 3:30 PM: Group meditation
- 3:30 - 5:00 PM: Meditation session
- 5:00 - 6:00 PM: Tea break
- 6:00 - 7:00 PM: Group meditation
- 7:00 - 8:15 PM: Discourse or teacher's guidance
- 8:15 - 9:00 PM: Evening meditation
The power of silence and self-reflection had profoundly impacted my journey of self-discovery, I learnt a lot about anicca, the nature of changes and impermanence. I left the Northern California Vipassana Center with a renewed sense of purpose and a deeper connection to myself and the world around me, forever grateful for the transformative insights gained during those silent days of introspection. 4 years later I'll visit another Vipassana center for a serving period.
Vipassana is not a panacea, nor a miraculous solution to all of life's challenges. It doesn't magically resolve everything once you complete the ten-day retreat. Instead, Vipassana serves as a valuable tool—a training technique that empowers you to reshape your mind and transform yourself into a stronger individual capable of facing the world with greater resilience. The ten days merely serve as an introduction to the technique; it's what you do with it afterward that truly matters. The program offers insights and a framework for understanding suffering and pain. It provided me with a fresh perspective on the world, unveiling aspects of life that I had never before considered.
If you're thinking to experience Vipassana, I'd recommend you to watch this video and read this book.