My Journey with Mindfulness
In October 2011, after teaching yoga for a few years, I planned my first trip to India. Eager for a deep and fulfilling experience, I enrolled in a Vipassana course without fully understanding it, but knowing it should be a bit of a challenge and therefore good for me!Unlike guided meditations during the mystical retreats we are more familiar with, Vipassana is super intense, like performing surgery on your own mind. It involves meditating for 11 hours every day in a yin style lotus/padmasana or sukhasana seated posture, with minimal food—just a small bowl of rice and a banana each day. Hunger isn’t really an issue, but the process feels like a major mental detox.
Most of the time it was far from enjoyable; and often it felt like self-imposed torture. Staying calm required constant mental effort, and about half the participants were unable to complete the 10 day program. My stubbornness for once worked in my favour, helping me stay till the very end, at which point I cried with relief and joy at feeling free. It was such a profound challenge.
After this experience, I now enjoy practicing mindfulness for 30 minutes a day, observing my breath, emotions, and thoughts without any agenda or to do list bugging me. This blissful ritual feels like a graceful merging with the energy of love all around us, and brings authentic inner peace.
May we all find deep happiness and freedom in our practice.
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With love,
Angela
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Stay with an open heart 