So, why did I embark on a 10-day silent meditation?

What did a standard day look like? 

So, what did I learn?

Noticing how much we project-onto interactions and people. Making assumptions. We forget the fact that the way view the world is our own subjective experience, that everyone sees things differently to us. That our outlook is not objective reality, just our ownopinions and perceptions. 

Not that material items don’t bring us happiness or pleasure; it is just the fact that none of it is lasting. The new Iphone X that you bought will in a couple years become the Old iphone X. The joy that you experienced when you first bought the phone will dissipate and you will not be 100% happy until your new one arrives. It is an endless cycle of putting your happiness into something that is destined not to last and being disappointed when this happens. I learnt not to place my lasting happiness into things external to me. 

 Growing up in London, people have the tendency to be competitive in pursuing their career. The way in which I grew up was very much based upon the attitude of look out for yourself, because no one else is going to do it for you. While dedicating your focus on your progression has its positives, there are unnoticed negatives. We learnt that if you are so wrapped up in yourself, any minor annoyances like missing your train, or someone pushing in front of you in a queue, might be enough to ruin your entire day. When you become more selfless and concern yourself more with the happiness of loved ones and those around you, you’ll take inconveniences less personally and be happier for it. It is about finding the right balance between caring for yourself and others.

 We are all human and of course we will experience feelings like anger, sadness and irritation, but when we want to solve a problem, those emotions are not necessary. When you feel angry, you are not angry, you are just thinking angrily, when the anger subsides it is because your mind is no longer thinking about angry thoughts. Like everyone I struggle with certain emotions, but understanding that they are useless in the problem-solving process stops them from arising as often.

The ability to stop your impulsiveness, to give a little thought to things you say and do throughout the day. To realise that having that 3rdcoffee is probably not worth it even though you might be craving it and spending more money than planned shopping will only bring momentary happiness. Mindfulness is the importance of approaching tasks focused and thoughtfully, without distraction instead of rushing around to simply get it done. The output of my work is always going to be better when I pay attention detail.

Realising that when you are talking you are only repeating things you already know, but when someone else is talking, you have the possibility of learning something new. So now, when someone else is talking, they have the Mic, and I listen intently not just looking for any opportunity to butt in with eagerness or agreement.

I really realized how draining taking in all the extra information from my phone was. Mindless scrolling or posting of Instagram photos and unimportant posts on Facebook. It all takes energy, concentration, memory and time to digest, is it worth it? No its junk

Interesting things I noticed

On that note, it was thought-provoking watching the Buddhist teachers on the grounds. I noticed how much happier they were with so much less. Most notable was the 80-year-old Tibetan monk who genuinely smiled at me on my way to breakfast. At that moment I thought back to London and the faces of all those on their way to work at the train station, all with far more possessions and money than this man, but not even a fraction of his happiness. Another one of our teachers thought it was hilarious that some of us in the West die with so much money left unused in our bank accounts...

How challenging was it?

My advice on meditation