I’m unplugging for 10 days in Rajkot, India at a Vipassana (vi·puh·saa·nuh) Meditation Center. For 240 hours, 14,400 minutes and 864,000 seconds of my life, there will be…
No television, music, mail, phone calls, visitors, social media, exercising, reading, writing or talking.
Wait a minute.
What?
No talking
…to absolute strangers.
You-got-to-be-kidding-me.
Those arethe most fascinating conversations. The art of conversation is my favorite pastime. It’s like receiving a surprise gift. I get goosebumps hearing the conversationalist’s story. The exchange of words, which consists of stories about childhood, experiences, and ideologies. Personally, it provokes further thought even after the conversation ends.
Oh, how I admire the art of conversation.
I digress.
To prepare myself for Vipassana, I’ve been meditating in Indian style for no longer than 30 minutes because my legs become numb, my ankles, butt, and back hurt. Between 10 AM and 4 PM, we don’t talk, which is easy for my husband because he’s not big on talking anyway. I’ve been super productive since I don’t converse with him between those hours. I’ll be continuing the practice upon my return from India.
What Is Vipassana Meditation?
Vipassanā means to see things as they really are. The website states it is not a religion. But the courses follow the teachings of Gotama Buddha.
“It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills…”
“…insight meditation – a non-sectarian, scientific, results-oriented technique of self-observation and truth realization.”
It’s a 10-day meditation course offered worldwide. You are unplugging from people, things, and activities for 10 days. The courses are free of charge. The facilities are run by volunteers and funded with donations. Donations are accepted from non-first-timers. Participants meditate for ten hours a day for nine days. Talking is permitted on the day of arrival and the day before departure. Whew!!!! Thank goodness. Meditators must adhere to the course’s meditation, sleep, and meal schedule shown below.
Why Am I Doing Vipassana?
First of all, I’m on a tourist visa in the United Arab Emirates, which requires me to exit and enter the country every 30 days. Next, I would like to practice noble silence –the silence of body, speech, and mind. Hopefully, discover my life’s purpose. The website states Vipassana is:
“observation-based, self-exploratory journey…”
Thirdly, I would like to have 40 countries under my belt for my 40th birthday. I have 21 months to make this happen. India will be my twenty-third country. I love the way my goals just seem to work out.
What Are My Expectations?
After watching countless YouTube videos and reading several articles online, first-time participants say Vipassana is not for the faint of heart. I think unplugging for 10 days, one week, one day, or one hour is an essential personal development tool. I would love to walk away with three objectives achieved:
Self-awareness: A deeper sense of self-awareness by meditating for 10 hours a day. I desire a better understanding of myself. Why I act the way I do? In the words of Socrates, I want to “know thyself.”
Self-mastery: I would like to continue to master self-discipline by adhering to their schedule for 10 days. I would like to report I’ve been doing very well for the past three weeks since writing “Addicted to Sidetracking.” If I come back stronger in the self-discipline department, it would make a world of difference. In the words of Paul, “I [want to] discipline my [mind and] body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”
Self-improvement: I would like to evolve as an individual and become a better me for myself, husband, offsprings, circle of influence, and the world. Doing one thing for 10 days should improve my focus. “Do less with more focus.”
Do you think you can do a Vipassana Meditation Course? Comment below!
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Very interesting. I feel I know you well to say, I can not believe you were able to contain yourself from talking and expressing yourself. BUT, I will say reading about your experience, just confirm your growth and discipline. I can just imagine how you felt when you were dropped off, did not know the language, and lastly the living quarters. As I read, one scripture that came to mind that I would have lived on for the length of my stay in India and embarking taking the Vipassana Meditation Course would have been Isaiah 41:10. Girl keep living and conquering your F.E.A.R
Sis, I probably think that’s why, of all places, I ended up at a course where the majority of the people did not speak English. Lol!