Finding Mind Balance with Vipassana Meditation

My experience at a 10 Day Retreat

Almost seven years ago, I was traveling through India, and because of an unexpected event, I lost a considerable sum of money which I have invested in a project, run by a man who turned out to be a scammer. I then had to change all my plans, but not only that, I was deeply and utterly hurt that I trusted and invested so much energy in the project, but mostly, hurt that a human being which I have trusted with all my heart and was for me like a brother has deceived me.

So here I was again, on the road, not knowing where to go. I then remembered about this meditation retreat in total silence that an acquintance told me about. Silence for me at that time was that which I needed most, hence I went for it! Didn’t even check the type of meditation or schedule, my heart told me to go and so I did.

I am so thankful now when I think back to the whole course of events. I got so much benefit after those ten days and never had even the faintest thought of leaving the course, running away, as some do. All those long hours of meditation, the pain, the early morning rise ( 4am) and sleepiness, day in day out, I knew that it is for my good, and every day brought me new discoveries, new insights about all the stock of thoughts I have gathered in my mind.

I learned that what I was doing was basically running for exterior things, for knowledge, for techniques that ultimately were missing substance because they were only tackling the surface level of the mind. They didn’t change me in the long run, they were relaxing and enjoyable on the moment, but my behaviour, my misery inside was unchanged.

Vipassana thought me that – to know myself from an experiential level. And wow, what a discovery that was. Recently, I participated at an another silent retreat, and as always, felt like sharing my experience. The fact is, I am more and more convinced that Vipassana is a jewel, an art of living in its purest of forms, a technique which is so accessible, so real, so scientific, that anyone that will decide to try it, will have benefits, visible in the here and now. So that makes it even more powerful.

The fact that you can actually see a change in your attitude, in how you deal with life and all it brings, on how you enjoy life. bottom line is… Vipassana teaches you to first purify and then to have a balanced mind, a mind which is able to rejoice in the most critical moments, because it has understood at its deepest level, that everything in this world, whether is mind or matter, is in a constant change. Grateful for these days and looking forward to share more of my insights in the next posts. Be happy xointerested to find out more about Vipassana retreats? Check it out here:https://www.dhamma.org/en/index