Taking the Leap

Things lined up exactly as it needed to.

After helping Christina navigate the Sri Lankan medical system, she obtained her wrist surgery in Colombo. She looked towards recovery and it was time for me to decide my next step. The Vipassana suggestion from Nadeek still scared me but filled my mind with contemplation and mystery. I felt pulled in to it in the way that knew there was something there.

Vipassana – a ten-day silent meditation experience; observing reality, exactly as it is. It intrigued me the discipline, radical simplicity, and inward focus. The goal is simple: sit still, long enough to watch sensation arise and pass. It spoke to my goals as well; to develop real strength; the transcendental strength that comes from the mind and earn my freedom from anxious tendencies. I wanted to return to the idea that this trip is about realizing and not becoming who I am.

When I arrived in Anuradhapura, things became real. I visited some of the most beautiful sacred Buddhist sites in the world. This is the location where Buddhism came to rise in Sri Lanka 2,500 years ago. Where the King was met by a Buddhist monk from India who taught him Dhamma; a way of her peace through seeing reality with clarity and wisdom. Since then, Sri Lanka has preserved its purity, and practice in the Buddhist traditions.

After two days of touring the ancient city, I arrived at the Dhamma Anuradhapura Vipassana Meditation Center. This non-secular center of realization will become my new home for the next 10 days. I check in and meet fellow travelers spanning across Europe and Asia. I turn in my phone, books, journal, and anything that could be an egoic distraction on the journey. The realization sinks in that I am about to loose touch with the outside world and live with monk like simplicity for the next 10 days. This is a commitment complimented by the fact there are several Buddhist Monks and Nuns who are also enrolled in the retreat. I let go of expectation and resign to my initial goal of commitment of deeper self knowledge.

A Recap:

The ten days araised and passed. The experience is difficult to put to words and I don’t feel compelled to. I am grateful for the opportunity delve deeply into my body and subconscious mind. On day 10, after completing our final mediation, I felt cathartic sadness and compassion. Compassion for myself in the realization that, “Everything changes”. For years, I have watched the world, friends and family, change around me, all the while wondering if I can change.

The ten day retreat encompassed some of most difficult and beautiful moments of my life. I realize the weight, that wanting things to be different has caused. Everything is temporary. It made me want to love family more deeply, hug friends harder and enjoy this moment of freedom in my life to a new level. A realization that clinging hurts more than change ever could. Everything changes, and so do I.

Through reflecting on the experiance, I have already felt so much benefit. I think others could as well! There are Vipassana meditation centers with 10 day courses all around the world. If this inward journey speaks to you, I highly suggest that you look into it. It is all donation based so that price is not a limiting factor. You can also reach out to me if you have any questions!

https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/index

With Metta

David