Jim Rohn

Hello to all my friends and all the friends I’ve yet to meet!

I am leaving tomorrow for the journey of a life-time. I am going to experience hundreds of things that I have never experienced before. I am going to share this experience with – NO ONE.

I am going to a Vipassana Meditation course for 10 days. Ahhhhh – sounds heavenly you say; relaxing; soothing; peaceful. Well, not so much. It clearly says on the application:

• It is not a rest cure, a holiday, or an opportunity for socializing.
• It is not an escape from the trials and tribulations of everyday life.
• It is a technique that will eradicate suffering.
• It is a method of mental purification which allows one to face life’s tensions and problems in a calm, balanced way.
• It is an art of living that one can use to make positive contributions to society.

Did I mention that this is a silent retreat? No talking for 10 days. Except for sleeping (and even then I talk in my sleep), I don’t think that I have ever not spoken for longer than a few hours, never mind days.

You are required to sit on the floor (you can bring cushions) to do your meditation both on your own and in a group setting where the “course” will be taught. This happens everyday for 11 hours per day! The day starts at 4:00AM and ends at 9:30PM. Light meals are provided, with supper being a cup of tea and a piece of fruit. Well, who really needs much food when you are just sitting for days and days…

There is complete segregation of male and females at all times. No outside contact is allowed (i.e. phone calls home), no physical exercise is allowed and you are not allowed to bring music or reading and writing materials.

Sound like fun yet? Well, it gets better. Because there are more females in this course than males, there is not enough indoor sleeping room for everyone. So, I get to sleep in a tent after sitting on a floor for 11 hours. I have not slept in a tent since I was a Girl Guide, which really is now ancient history. I don’t like tents. I like a bed. And, we all know how wonderful our summer weather has been. Hopefully I won’t be treated to hail the size of golf balls.

So, why am willingly subjecting myself to such torture? Unfortunately, I don’t have a wise and profound answer for that question. Really, when it gets right down to it, I suppose I am doing it because I know it will be one of the hardest things that I have ever done. I have NEVER spent that much time by myself and I think it will be amazing to really get to know myself.

“Vipassana is one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques. It is the process of self-purification by self-observation. It starts with observing the natural breath and proceeds to observe the changing nature of the body and mind, and experiences the universal truths of impermanence, suffering and egolessness.” (Quoted from the Vipassana Meditation Course Application) For more information go to www.dhamma.org/code.htm.

I am not excited, I’m anxious. I am not looking forward to it, I am preparing for it. I have no expectations, but I know it will be life changing. I invite you to share my journey upon my return through my posts.

One last thing – the fall / winter coaching workshops will commence at the end of September, likely on the 29^th. They will be 6 different workshops in the series and the attendance can either be on a one time basis or will also be sold at a significant savings for all 6 classes. More details to follow at the beginning of September.

I hope that you have a great last couple weeks of summer! Pretty soon the craziness of Sept. will be upon us.

Deb