(FREE) A 10-day retreat near you | Vipassana
When I first-first-first started my healing journey 14 years ago, I started with mindfulness therapy.
It was the first time I began observing my thoughts and realizing that just because a thought sounds like my own voice doesn’t mean I have to believe it or act on it 🤯
Then Tantra arrived on my healing journey and the rest is history.
But somewhere in between mindfulness therapy and the beginning of Tantra, I heard about this free 10-day retreat…
Silent meditation.
Stillness.
Time with yourself.
Healing.
The meditation Buddha gave to find liberation…
The meditation to help you meet yourself and find freedom amongst whatever’s coming up.
The meditation to stop obsessively craving this and being averse to that.
The meditation to learn to be with whatever is coming up now.
The meditation to find your power.
People told me it was intense. I knew back then I wasn’t ready for it.
But I always knew I would do it one day…
And that one day came over Christmas and New Year ‘24/’25.
I just did Goenka’s Vipassana in Bali.
Goenka said it’s like psychological surgery.
Really.
It’s a little like doing a super intense workout at the gym — you know it’s good for you, but my God, it burns.
It wasn’t easy for me by any means, and I understand that everyone’s experience is unique. But what I can say from my journey is that Vipassana…
Got to some deep deep subconscious programs that are impacting my life but can be tricky to otherwise get to
Helped me to meet difficult things without trying to distract myself (distraction is the ultimate avoidance of pain and culprit of most addictions, stuckness and unhealthy habits)
Showed me again how we don’t need to heal, we need to accept whatever is showing up — presence is THE medicine that then liberates whatever is stuck (paradox, I know 🙃)
Built my power and resilience to handle this
Made me be more in the here and now
Made me more in my body and less in my head (and to notice when I’m in my head)
Helped me notice where I’m trying to control (craving/aversion) and instead be with what is real now (where life actually IS)
Showed me where I’m not seeing reality as it is, I’m deluding myself in order to satisfy my made-up fantasy (craving)
And more…
But because the process can really can turn a person inside out (and right way up), I know now was the right time for me and not 14 years ago (it’s true, I wasn’t ready).
I really care about freedom and the tools that can help us get there. Vipassana is one of them. So I’m sending this friendly message to put Vipassana 10-day silent retreat on the radar for you…
Vipassana is free (by donation) and retreats are like pigeons — they’re everywhere. Find one near you here.
Perhaps as you read this you can hear Vipassana calling. Maybe you’ll do it soon. Maybe you’ll do it in 14 years. Or you know it’s not for you.
Trust yourself.
Find out more about Vipassana here.
With presence and a deep bow to freedom,
Caitlyn
P.S It’s free, so I’m not an affiliate, obvs.
P.P.S Got a friend who you think might like Vipassana? Share this with them.
Internal Family Systems (IFS) is like psychotherapy and Vipassana together. In a way, it’s microdosing Vipassana… If you’re interested in healing deep patterns and finding more empowered presence, contact me about 1:1 mindful-somatic sessions informed by IFS.
