5 ms·
A retreat is more than just meditation. As others have point out in the discussion here, a retreat typically includes at least some of the follow: 1. Sudden a
by TheSpiceIsLife 8y ago
A retreat is more than just meditation.
As others have point out in the discussion here, a retreat typically includes at least some of the follow:
1. Sudden and drastic change in sleep / wake schedule than you might be used to
2. Sudden and drastic change in diet
3. Sudden and drastic change in level of autonomy vs collectivism
4. Sudden and dramatic deference to authority / leadership
5. A lack of, or complete absence of, trained mental healthcare professional
6. Potentially bad actors, presence of people with malicious intent. This may be subtle, and the agent may not be aware of what they're doing.
7. You may not even be aware there is an ongoing investigation to past wrong-doings[1]. I personally know people who attended ashrams connected with [1] who were not aware of the active Royal Commission investigation. Of course the Ashram didn't advertise the fact, so if you didn't happen to see it in the news you may not have been aware.
Call me paranoid, but I'm highly suspicious of anything and anyone connected to (quasi-)religious organisations.
1. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-14/children-lived-in-fear-of-yoga-ashram-leader/7845164 https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-14/children-lived-in-fea...
- mcshicks 8y agoI've been doing 2 to 3 week long meditation retreats every year for the past 10 years or so. I don't disagree with anything your are saying in particular. However I do think there is value in them (otherwise I wouldn't keep going), but I also think people should ease their way in. Do a 1 day retreat first, then do some three days, and then do a week. Have a regular meditation practice, preferably with the same people you are doing the retreats with. So in my specific case I've known all of the teachers for 15 years or so, and usually most of participants for many years. We do ask for medical disclosures for participants, and it's not like we have been completely without any incidents. I think your points are well taken, but I would advise people who are interested in meditation and retreats so just use some common sense and don't rush into it and know the people you are doing it with. For me at least it's a very rewarding experience.
- cmroanirgo 8y agoThese Vipassana retreats are not ashrams like you mention. Many of your other points are not untrue, but seem a little baited to me, understandably, given your position. There's a great deal of difference between honest people trying to help those looking for something outside the standard (because it's helped them personally), and predators. I'm sorry for your friends, but what happened at Mangrove Mtn is a different story. I also don't disagree that there's a lot to be suspicious of, but it shouldn't cloud your mind to assume that everyone is either delusional, fraudulent or predatory. Many people have experiences and feelings that can't be explained by healthcare professionals. Many healthcare professionals have had unexplainable experiences and feelings. The phenomena of near death experiences is an example: people clinically dead, but were able to describe their operating room from a strange angle with great precision. This is why people go there in the first place: they're looking for answers. Unfortunately, your friends found wolves.
- collyw 8y agoThe majority of those could be encountered when you go on holiday.