Freedom from your mind

I recently returned from a 10-day silent retreat, where I was learning Vipassana meditation. There was no phone, no reading, writing or talking. In fact, it was noble silence — which means no eye contact or hand gestures, either. Over the course of the 10 days, there was over 100 hours of meditation. It was by far the most humbling experience of my life, and the most challenging. Being on your own with your mind is nothing short of torture at times. Each day I spent in there, I yearned to get out and run away from my thoughts. However, when it was over, I realised it was the most worthwhile experience of my life so far. Vipassana teaches you to become aware and equanimous with your thoughts and experiences, whether they are good or bad. I truly learnt what it was like to live in the present, and I also got a deep insight into the unavoidable suffering and misery that comes with being a human being. The deepest truth I realised is that, for real happiness, you have to make the journey within and face yourself, and only when you get rid of all the unhappiness and misery stored in the deeper levels of your mind can you truly move on and be free.