Pre-Vipassana.

Hello world!

What a wild and crazy world, you are.

Question: You know how when we were little and your parents would say something seemingly dramatic because you couldn't believe it, like...I don't feel such and such age, I still feel 25. And you were thinking, wow, no way, how could you be so out of touch with reality? You're so much older than that!!?

Haha, yes...here I am at 37 years old. Amused at my former self. I don't know that I can quantify what age I feel, but I certainly don't feel like I've gotten it figured out enough to be 37 years old. I still feel like I'm on a voyage of discovery. Why do we think when we are younger that at this age, or that one, you will feel certain of everything and have nothing to figure out but just live. I certainly don't want to be that person who thinks they know everything anymore because I'm so curious about the world and there would be nowhere to grow.

Next stop. 10 day meditation in California. It's intense, even hard core yogis I know say, "that's intense"...when I tell them I'm going. 
I don't know if I should be preparing for it but I am actually not trying to overthink it. I'm just imagining that my adaptable self will be just fine. I will definitely be letting you know after the fact as there is no technology, no talking, no writing, no yoga, see where I'm going here? Just meditation and a few breaks for eating lightly and asking your teacher a few questions if you need.

Here's the typical daily schedule...

Vipassana Meditation Course – Typical Daily Schedule

4:00 a.m. ————————- Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 a.m. —————- Meditate in Dharma Hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 a.m. —————- Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 a.m. —————- Group meditation in Dharma Hall
9:00-11:00 a.m. ————— Meditate in Dharma Hall or in your room according to teacher’s instruction
11:00 -12 noon —————- Lunch break
12 noon – 1:00 p.m. ——— Rest, private Q&A session with teacher
1:00-2:30 p.m. —————– Meditate in Dharma Hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 p.m. —————– Group meditation in Dharma Hall
3:30-5:00 p.m. —————– Meditate in Dharma Hall or in your room according to teacher’s instruction
5:00-6:00 p.m. —————– Tea break
6:00-7:00 p.m. —————– Group meditation in Dharma Hall
7:00-8:15 p.m. ——————Teacher’s Discourse in Dharma Hall
8:15-9:00 p.m. —————— Group meditation in Dharma Hall
9:00-9:30 p.m. —————– Open Q&A session in Dharma Hall
10:00 p.m. ———————— Light out

Whew! I'm looking to be crystal clear after this amount of meditation. They say that you get so clear and focused and nonreactive, little things just roll right off of you... I'll fill you in on the flip side.  I've been wanting to do this for two years now. It's time. 

If you're interested, there's a lot of information online about these courses. They're run completely on donations and you're actually not allowed to pay until after you have completed your first one. That's how much they believe in them.  So, if you're thinking about it, you only have to have the funds to get there..and then give what you can and what you believe is fitting for what you have gained from the process.

I really don't know what will come of this. Maybe I will love it. Maybe I will be back on the 17th of July and say, it's total bunk for me...but go and make up your own mind about it. Either way, I'm excited and I'll check back in with you about it after. 

Their website: http://www.dhamma.org/en-US/about/vipassana

Some other websites with info and perspectives:

http://biohackyourself.com/the-10-day-goenka-vipassana-meditation-retreat/

http://misscaelabailey.tumblr.com/post/62653484024/my-experience-at-a-10-day-vipassana-meditation-retreat

http://mybrandnewlife.wordpress.com/2012/04/30/vipassana-meditation-retreat-the-aftermath/