My First Vipassana

Seven years ago, I sat through my first Vipassana retreat, a 10-day silent meditation, in a remote center just outside Auckland, New Zealand. I was wrapping up a backpacking trip that I impulsively booked after not getting into the Dietetic Internship I had planned my life around just after graduating from my undergraduate degree.

This vipassana center was nestled in nature, surrounded by forests and rolling hills dotted with sheep, the center became a sacred refuge where my inner world began to merge with the beauty of Mother Earth. 

I nervously handed over my electronics to the volunteer staff at the front desk—no reading, writing, phones, or speaking allowed. Then, I made my way to my room with nothing but a backpack full of (not warm enough) clothes.

I had entered the retreat unsure of how to meditate, thinking I wouldn’t know what to do. But the instructions were simple and profound. 

It was like being handed a basket of fruit, invited to sort through it, release what was no longer fresh, and savor the present moment. To embrace what is—and let go of everything that obscures the truth of each moment.

At first, it felt unnatural, even uncomfortable. But over time, it became second nature. Memories and thought patterns surfaced, as though asking to be seen, sorted, and released. It was a process of witnessing and gently letting go, layer by layer. 

As the days passed, the mental chatter began to fade. In the quiet, my intuition emerged, clear and resonant, like the pure tones of a musical instrument. Thoughts that once felt chaotic transformed into waves of love and harmony, carried by the stillness of my heart.  

To this day, that experience remains one of the most profound of my life. It was complete soul alchemy.  I left with tools to return to that state of deep contentment and presence whenever needed.

On the last day, my ears rang at the sound of human voice, my eyes teared at the beauty of a hummingbird, and my entire system was rooted firmly in the purity of presence. 

Now, pausing to connect with stillness is a forever part of my process as I navigate this wild, beautiful life. ♥️

If you have ever considered attending a vipassana retreat, this is your sign to go for it! Feel free to send me an email for additional information.