It’s Time To Deeply Listen

Coming out of a 10 day silent meditation retreat and back into the “busy” world.?

This experience has had a profound effect on the way I see life. A deeper #connection to self and others. I am already a positive person with loads of enthusiasm but this retreat enabled me to go deeper behind my WHY, behind my intention as to why I do what I do, today and everyday.?

The retreat was silent - no one talked apart from the teacher, and people don’t even look at you to serve food, they look down instead — so you end up being with yourself, your thoughts, your emotions, your own issues, your own stories for 10 days!

The silence was actually not the most challenging part. Meditating for more than 6 hours a day for 10 days was demanding.

I discovered meditation 5 years ago, I have been practicing on and off. A little more this year with my last #meditation retreat with Joe Dispenza in February, and have seen the amazing positive impact of meditation in my life.?

The type of meditation we did at the retreat was completely different from what I have done before and based on different teaching.?

I learnt a form of Self-Enquiry meditation inspired by the non-dual teachings of the great sage, Ramana Maharshi.?

So for 10 days, you are in complete silence and keep a solitary attitude while receiving a set of inspiring teachings and lectures, with the practice of Hatha Yoga and you eat vegan food. (All mirrors are hidden as well, so you forget your own identification on how you look physically)

The environment provides an opportunity to reach deep states of consciousness that enable the revelation of the heart.?You really get to experience what it really means to be centred in the heart and be aware of that peaceful and eternal core of your being.?

Sounds a little complex right?

It’s better experienced than using words to try to describe how it feels!?

I did the retreat with my little sister, she actually did it last year, so it was her second time. Not being able to look at her, smile, hug her, especially when I saw her crying or in pain, because of the sitting on the floor for 12 hours a day, was torture! The only way I could show her love was to put my flip flops on the top of hers to say “I care”.?

Every day had a theme, and we had lectures on various subjects, such as surrender, love, death…and more.?

Here are my 3 biggest learning:

1. The power of the purity of intention

Being conscious of our intentions/motives behind big decisions in our life, such as buying a house, moving country, changing job…etc…, is key to build our inner strength and increase enthusiasm for the completion of those projects.?

The big insight that I got from this, is to reflect on what I do and ask myself if the intention behind any of my actions or behaviours will serve only me or will contribute in some ways to the benefit of others??

This is an aspiration - even if I don’t always do this right, I can aim in this direction.

2. Cultivating compassion?

During the retreat I could actually witness myself judging others, first unconsciously and then with awareness. It’s fascinating how we can judge people just on how they look, the way they walk, they move….and we don’t even know them or know the story behind their behaviours! ?

The Dalai Lama told a story about a Tibetan monk who was captured by Chinese soldiers.?The Tibetan Monk told him that while he was a Chinese communist he faced danger on a few occasions - not regarding the threat to his own life but the danger was to lose compassion toward the Chinese soldiers.?

3. Feeling the words rather than just listening?

The teacher recited hundreds of poems by heart and quotes from various mystics, philosophers and more. I was deeply touched by the poems of Rumi, Ibn Arabi, Meister Eckart, on various topics covered.?

The words vibrated in my all being, like echoes reflecting back and forth. It was just magical.?

This retreat was kind of a heart and soul surgery. 10 days is just enough so you can get challenged and experience a glimpse of the magic of your heart. I feel more open, more compassionate and loving towards myself and others.?

I will end with a quote I really liked:

“Do the ordinary things with extraordinary love”

As I am creating content for my new program launching in September, I feel so grateful and excited to be able to share more in the months to come.