A bit of an itch on my nose was itching to be scratched; but I didn’t. Instead, I took in deep breaths and watched the air go in and out of the nostrils. My feet were numb; my hip throbbed. I sat there reminding myself to observe rather than react. It was the second day of a 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat at Dhamma Dipa in the picturesque Wye Valley of Herefordshire-something I wasn’t looking forward to.
This was unlike any casual mindfulness session I’d attempted before. The program promised 10 hours of meditation a day; it was full-on, not just some short sessions with silence in between. The idea of learning the rudiments of equanimity—that is, remaining calm and unreactive—took place in 10 days. Reluctant but hopeful, I took this as my chance for establishing a lifelong habit of meditation.
A Step into Silence
Simple and serene surroundings have been provided by Dhamma Dipa, an equestrian school that is hidden away in rolling hills. Trees are seen dotting the gardens. A bright meditation hall with lime-washed walls and seats of amethyst hue presents a serene stage. I started doubting my decision the moment I arrived: could I spend 10 days in silence among 100 strangers?
The first night set the pattern. Phones, books, and notebooks were stowed away to minimize distractions. A light dinner, then silence fell: strict routine-early to bed, wake-up bell at 4 a.m., and hours of stillness broken up by breaks for vegetarian meals and short walks in the woods.
Every night, a video by the founder of the technique, SN Goenka, guided us through the teachings. Vipassana is a non-religious practice based on Buddhist principles, but the focus on mindfulness and the observation of sensations without judgment provides a way to break free from the cycle of craving and aversion.
The Emotional Rollercoaster
The days were both physically and emotionally grueling. My mind was bombarded by anger, fear, joy, and even a little grief. I wanted to quit so often. But, slowly, the inner turmoil ceased. As I accepted discomforts, they moved into the background. One very profound moment was as if my whole body melted away, leaving me surrounded in a deep, unprecedented calmness.
Silence, once scary, became a present. I didn’t have to endure pointless conversations, and instead, found silence a welcome surprise.
Finding Serenity: How I Fell in Love with Meditating in Herefordshire
Day 10
It was time to return to noise. The group was happy to reconnect, and I hesitated, enjoying the stillness I’d created. A world outside starkly contrasted with mine. Tabloid headlines screamed chaos and people were racing, yet in my head there was room for calm.
Later that day, I went to a birthday party for a child, but somehow I was quite composed in the midst of all the chaos. Although my daily meditation practice has waxed and waned since then, the retreat experience remains. Every time I sit in stillness, I feel a deep sense of balance.
It was something more than an escape; the experience implanted a seed of mindfulness growing within me that reminds me at every turn about the peace in just being.
Learning Holidays: New Experiences That Change the Nature of Your Trips
