Pre Retreat Jitters: Reflections 💜
I'm both nervous and excited about sitting this vipassana - it's been a while since I've done one.
Most people say 'I couldn't possibly do ten days without talking', which doesn't bother me at all - I'm totally craving the silence!
I guess I'm more thinking of how I'll expel the nervous energy I'm bound to create - ten days of sitting bothers me more than anything! I think I've got just enough room in my van for a downward dog .... not so much 'yoga' as in another meditative practice, more just stretching so I can sit comfortably for so long! My legs are still killing me from a hardcore yoga class Christmas Eve and then a surf Christmas morning on a beach with a hill to get down and up, so sitting for the first few days will be ood at least!
I'm pretty lucky I get to stay in my van - the course is full at this time of the year and I wouldn't have got on unless I agreed to camp, and they let me use the van though it's not usual practice. Since I know one of the senior teachers and I've sat a course before they must have trusted me. It'll be nice to have my own space - the dorms aren't brilliant at this centre and are quite noisy. I'm well set up in the van with water to wash with, a mozzie net and so on.
The other thing is I'm going to miss Steemit, and have severe FOMO - hence why it's probably a good idea I sit the course. When one gets attached, one should take steps to rectify that! I've put a couple of things on schedule on Steempeak, mainly as I don't want to miss Music Monday because I've gotten a little OCD about that, and the other is a pre new Year thing as I mused about my new year's resolutions last night. Do comment if you can, as I will see the comments when I come out and that'll be cool!
Had to share this gif - noticed it the other day in my feed and fell in love with it. I imagine that's where I'll be for part of the course at least. Thanks @smocaine for this gif. Discovered you now and look forward to some more of your pscyhonautic art!
It's titled 'Equanimity' which is what what I'm working to achieve - part of the point of meditation is not necessarily non reaction, but just to achieve equanimity in all things. One binds oneself to joy as well as darkness, and that's just as destructive.
▶️ DTube
▶️ IPFS
I had never meditated before in my life, when in 1992 the first practice I did was a ten day course in Ladakh, Goenka style, no asanas, nothing inbetween but a bit of walking in the compound.
One of the hardest things I ever did, but also a great experience.
The silence was no problem, the pain while sitting was, but
"Just observe, don´t react!"
Oh it's brilliant that you have done one in this style as well. And in India no less. I plan to do one there in 2020 with my husband. I'm nervous but none of these Reflections really are sticking. It was just my thoughts 2 days ago . observed and moved on. Thanks for your comment I look forward to seeing you in the New Year xx
Posted using Partiko Android
Posted using Partiko Android
Wearing sunlight behind your back I liked that scene a lot.
Congratulations @riverflows! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :
Click here to view your Board
If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word
STOPTo support your work, I also upvoted your post!
Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard:
How happy for you @riverflows . Some says silence is the greatest song. And vipassana lets us to hear it.
Oh @riverflows how far you have come since the last time you sat a course, sounds like it will be quite a different experience for you this time. How fortunate you have your personal space in the van, without the distraction from others. Looks like a wonderful space and the fact that you will have a cell off the Dhamma hall should cut of some of the distraction from others also. Hope you have a wonderful 10 days and bring some of that new found energy into the new year. Will miss you and your superb interaction here on the STEEM blockchain but I'm so happy for you that you will have this period of growth and insight and that you have the strength to carry what you gained forward into your regular life.See you in the New Year! All the Best!