Last week, I completed a 10-day Vipassana meditation course. Many of you have asked about my experience, so I want to share it here, hoping it might offer some wisdom and inspiration for your own journey.
This is a longer post, but I hope it resonates with you.
The course was spartan. Every day began at 4 AM. We meditated for 10 hours a day, with three hours dedicated to sitting perfectly still. There was no speaking, no eye contact, and no physical touch. Our last meal was at 11 AM.
These strict conditions strip away distractions, forcing you to confront the raw workings of your mind.
The goal of Vipassana is simple: to see things as they really are. It teaches you to observe your sensations without reacting, cultivating a balanced mind.
The technique weakens the mind’s conditioning to chase after what we crave and flee from what we dislike. Instead, it allows you to respond with awareness rather than react instinctively.
๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ญ: ๐๐บ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฆ๐ถ๐น๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฆ๐๐ถ๐น๐น๐ป๐ฒ๐๐
During those 10 days, I experienced profound silence. In that silence, my mind became crystal clear. Memories I thought were lost came back. Without the constant influx of dopamine from my phone, email, and the news, I realized how much it clutters our brains.
๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ: In your work, carve out moments of silence and stillness. Disconnect from your devices. Use this time to think deeply, plan strategically, and reconnect with your inner self. It will enhance your clarity and decision-making.
๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฎ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ฎ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐บ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฒ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ
One core lesson was the law of impermanence. Everything changes. Pain and pleasure, joy and sorrowโthey all come and go. This understanding brings peace and balance.
๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ: In leadership, remember that challenges and successes are both temporary. This perspective helps you stay grounded during crises and humble during triumphs.
๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฏ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ ๐ฎ๐๐ธ ๐ช๐ฒ ๐ช๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ฟ
We all create images of ourselves and spend tremendous energy protecting them. Vipassana strips away these masks, revealing our true selves.
๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ: As a leader, embrace authenticity. Encourage your team to be genuine. Authenticity fosters trust and deeper connections, which are the foundations of strong leadership.
๐๐ป๐๐ถ๐ด๐ต๐ ๐ฐ: ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ ๐ฃ๐ผ๐๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐ ๐ฒ๐๐๐ฎ
At the end of the course, we practiced Metta Bhavana, the meditation of loving-kindness. Itโs a powerful exercise to cultivate compassion and love. Simply focus on sending well-wishes to yourself and others.
๐๐ฑ๐ฑ๐ญ๐ช๐ค๐ข๐ต๐ช๐ฐ๐ฏ: Start a Metta meditation practice. Increasing your empathy and compassion will help you become a better leader.
Vipassana was a challenging, yet profoundly rewarding experience. It taught me the value of silence, the nature of impermanence, the importance of authenticity, and the power of compassion.
These courses are run by volunteers and funded only by donations from former students. I am deeply grateful for their dedication and support.