I have just arrived at my Vipassana centre and have fully registered and collected my bed sheets. after being given my room number, I enter the tiny simple home which will be mine for the duration of my stay. The course doesn’t technically start till tomorrow and so today we are able to talk, take pictures and use our phones etc. Due to the fact that the following 10 days WILL be in pure silence, I’ve decided to close myself away in my room for most of today. I wish to make as little contact with people before having to do it officially.
I have already got some tips and advice from a lovely couple, him from South Africa and her from Norway, who plan to wed next January. They met almost three years ago in another meditation centre in South Africa and have since been inseparable going to various centres and trying every meditation possible.
The three of us had massive chat and discussion at breakfast before travelling to the centre together too.
I’m glad that they are both understanding to the idea of me not really wanting to talk with them much since our arrival and so therefore I don’t need to worry about appearing rude.
The whole centre seems to be divided between men and women, which I am very happy to see. Men and women eat separately, they sleep separately, they go for ‘brisk walks’ separately and they meditate separately. This means no distractions, no weird staring and no inappropriate contact. Perfect!
I thought that by now I would be quite nervous. This is a huge step to go from nothing straight to the most hardcore of meditations. I am fully aware that it will cause pain to my body, mind and soul before giving me any benefits. But instead of feeling any fear or worry, I’m just excited. My mind keeps yelling out ‘Yeah, bring it on Vipassana’ and ‘Go on, try break me. I dare you!’
I know that the start will be the most tricky with my mind filling itself with thoughts. All these thoughts will be connected to emotion, and so the chance of a slight breakdown of tears wouldn’t be a surprise to me.
The whole point of this, is to be able to control your mind and which thoughts enter it. It’s going to be the toughest challenge I have ever had to face. And it’s also going to be the strongest and most powerful life changing experience.
People have warned me that I may feel like I want to give up, thinking ‘Why am I doing this to myself? I’d rather be somewhere else!’ but I know that I’m too stubborn to ever give up before my time is up, no matter how much pain, anger, emotion and stress I may feel. Nothing is going to stop me.
So here I say farewell for the next 10 days, and look forward to sharing my thoughts, feelings and experiences shortly after.
And so the noble silence begins…
Wish me luck!!

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