3 ms·

> Was it mindful meditation? Not really. But the effects were the same or similar. I do have a suspicion that a not-small portion of the benefits of a meditati

by asark 7y ago

> Was it mindful meditation? Not really. But the effects were the same or similar. I do have a suspicion that a not-small portion of the benefits of a meditation retreat is more about the retreating than the meditation. I'd probably feel "OMG I haven't felt this good in years" amazing after 10 days away from electronics and family & work obligations, even if I just read books and napped and took nature walks the whole time. Meditating instead would probably work too.

jessepepper 7y ago
It (10-day Silent Goenka-style Vipassana retreat)'s meant to be an experience like being alone. No eye contact, no talking, gestures etc. To me the retreat aspect is a way of getting huge blocks of time with all your needs (including cooking) taken care of. Its so conducive to serious meditation and removing obstacles and distractions. It's often challenging coming home and trying to meditate due to the distractions that are around.
ghthor 7y ago
There's no reason that reading books, taking naps and nature walks couldn't be meditating as well. Meditation is about consciously moving your awareness into your higher self. And while some styles of meditation are good at teaching you what this looks and feels like, they are not the only way to achieve the "meditation" state of mind. The highest level meditation is one that creates no separation between the physical reality and the higher self. A completely open stream of consciousness that allows the physical self to be happy with whatever physical reality is, at any given moment in time. That generally doesnt look like a retreat, instead it's a relaxed advance, an acceptance of what is, an engagement with the world around you, be that a good book or a nice walk through the earths natural creation, or a nice refreshing nap with a trip to the dreamlands.

3 ms·

> Was it mindful meditation? Not really. But the effects were the same or similar. I do have a suspicion that a not-small portion of the benefits of a meditati

by asark 7y ago

jessepepper 7y ago
It (10-day Silent Goenka-style Vipassana retreat)'s meant to be an experience like being alone. No eye contact, no talking, gestures etc. To me the retreat aspect is a way of getting huge blocks of time with all your needs (including cooking) taken care of. Its so conducive to serious meditation and removing obstacles and distractions. It's often challenging coming home and trying to meditate due to the distractions that are around.
ghthor 7y ago
There's no reason that reading books, taking naps and nature walks couldn't be meditating as well. Meditation is about consciously moving your awareness into your higher self. And while some styles of meditation are good at teaching you what this looks and feels like, they are not the only way to achieve the "meditation" state of mind. The highest level meditation is one that creates no separation between the physical reality and the higher self. A completely open stream of consciousness that allows the physical self to be happy with whatever physical reality is, at any given moment in time. That generally doesnt look like a retreat, instead it's a relaxed advance, an acceptance of what is, an engagement with the world around you, be that a good book or a nice walk through the earths natural creation, or a nice refreshing nap with a trip to the dreamlands.