Pain, breakdown and life skill - Vipassana retreat in the UK, Herefordshire 

2015 and I do not do it on a daily basis, sitting like that for 1 hour may happen 2 or 3 times a year. The most I practised straight after the retreat to keep fluency in the new skill, and it was super painful to my feet and legs every time so I knew I am doing it right :) never damaged any nerve but it really feels as if I am hurting my body, but I am not, after the meditation the pins and needles sensations subsides (passes as everything). But I exercise scanning sensations at least a few times a week, sometimes a few times a day, especially helps when I am actually moving, walking, being outdoors, very calming. On the way to work fr example. But yeah it is not the same as sitting motionlessly, it is just taking inspiration from this technique and matching it to my lifestyle so I can still benefit from it.

@@maggiedobosz keep doing it it's a great technique I have ever come across.

30 years at Pomona in Australia. Never commented on my experience publically!

Interesting!!

I think my physical discomfort came from the obstructed blood circulation due to the cross legged position for a long time, with no change, pins and needles afterwards, interestingly - felt like I need to experience the pain as part of the process, and just sit with it until the time passes and we are released to our rooms / canteen. I tried once to engage with my thoughts and maintain the position. The pain DID NOT build up, it was okay, I did not have much discomfort for the whole of that session, felt like I was cheating too because the point was to stay with sensations and let the thoughts pass by unengaged, re-focus on the sensations from the body at all times and 'wash the top to bottom and bottom up' with awareness of the sensations (scanning). That made me think that maybe it is not the physical position on its own but the awareness of the sensations that lead to the build up of pain and the physical discomfort, it was excruciating when I was doing the technique properly, every time, never started hurting less :) I'm telling myself that it works then hahaha

Thank you for the comment. How was it for you?

How was your experience

yup, how was it for you?

Wow, lucky you, sounds luxurious! :)

Thank you for commenting @davebyrne0

Thank you!

You're most welcome! Good wishes from Stavanger, Norway :)

How did it go? Did you try the retreat?

@@maggiedobosz "Yes, it was an amazing experience, and I will take the 10-day course again."

thank you for this comment, it feels like you appreciated what the other person shared, it was very kind @dellwright1407

process was rough, after the retreat practice sessions needed self discipline so that was also demanding, but today, like 8 years later, I am still using the scanning for sensatios technique that gets me out of my head, suspends thinking and reconnects with the body and now.

@@maggiedobosz thank you

It was! No surprise the skill stays, even without a regular practise it works each time.

When I left the peaceful place (physically) I felt like I took it with me. On the way back, already in London, I was travelling by underground and for the first time since childhood I felt... bored. I haven't experienced boredom because I was engaging with my own thoughts but after the retreat I was present, no thoughts other than processing sensations from my senses so I realised wow what's that feeling?? I am BORED Wow, blew my mind. :) moments of no thoughts or passing thoughts and finding space in between the thoughts is a common thing for me these days. I enjoy suspending thinking and just looking at the world around, feeling my body - back pressing against the back of the sofa, tickling blanket on my neck, things like that are very calming. Feels like my emotional world gets to zero, neutral level. Not planning another retreat in the future, I feel that I have incorporate moments of practice throughout the week, sometimes throughout the day so I don't feel like I miss anything. Life feels better with this practice. I learnt to rest in this way more.

thank you for sharing!

Thank you for sharing your tip!

then it would be... a breakthrough through a breakdown!

I only tried with Dharma Dipa in Hereforsdshire in the UK, that's the only direct experience I had. 10 days meditation retreat on site. I do recommend that place and people. At the time it was donation based, not sure how they function these days, might be worth searching online!

feel free to share some research!

yes, they broke the rule to check if the person is okay, they spoke, I spoke and we looked each other in the eyes. I believe the rules are to help with the practice, if something might be wrong with you they need to act fast to help you - hence the rules are lifted for those situations.

Goenka says that too. Lying down may not be beneficial because you are not in an active position, but “sit comfortably” to your ability would be a good start for a first 10 days. Next week......

Yup, I agree what was said by @qAmndAp In my view the position when you are lying down is very relaxing, even a bit too relaxing and perhaps easy to fall asleep. I had a nap by using vipassana technique where I focused ont he sensations in my foot, I did not manage the full body scan - I felt asleep and had a wonderfully refreshing 15 min nap. I think it is easier to be 'vigilant' and stay focused in the position that flexes your muscles in some way, sitting cross-legged or sitting on a chair with no back support etc, or with the support if you must. Just don't relax the body too much unless you are happy to fall asleep! :)

At the retreat or when you tried to do it at home just like an experiment

@@maggiedobosz home mam

They don't demand any. Whatever you give will be appreciated. My suggestions to friends asking the same question is, very first thing is you cannot quantify the returns from Vipassana with money. But even if we have to for donating purpose, if one is fairly capable, they can make a small calculation : average rent for the room anywhere in India × 10 days, along with food costs. This gets one out of confusion of how much to donate. Please note that, if everyone goes without donating, how any institution has to survive for that matter?

I gave 50 GBP at that time, my income was scarce at that time and very unpredictable, not sure how it would be today as a norm - and I don't know what the norm is. They suggested to consider personal circumstances so I did.

Enlighten up, bud