I recently went on a Vipassana 10 day meditation course that is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques. Taught by S.N. Goenka, Vipassana means seeing things as they really are and it is a method of self-purification by self-observation. Going on this course means you are silent for 10 days, away from all electronic devices, waking up at 4am, sleeping at 9pm, meditating for 10 hours a day and truly dedicating yourself to the technique.

A fundamental lesson you learn is about impermanence - everything in life is impermanent and we have feelings (anger, sadness, passion) that cause sensations in our body. We are conditioned and used to reacting in certain ways to these feelings and sensations, but these reactions cause us misery, as do attachments to things. Either we're craving for an experience, and hurt when it doesn't happen, or we're avoiding an experience, and hurt when it happens. If we can become able to let go of craving and aversion, as well as attachments, we can understand the universal truth of impermanence in life and purify ourselves. This is quite a bit promise and for that reason, I had to see for myself if I could uncover the roots of problems in my unconscious to positively impact my life. 

In this episode, I explain the purpose behind Vipassana, why someone would do it and recount days 1-4, with my hardest days being described. This was not an easy, or short, experience, but one that promises a life-changing and long-lasting impact so I was intrigued. 

Come back next Wednesday for part 2 where I recount days 5-10, give my advice, tell some stories and explain the impact its had on my life. 

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