Travel Diaries- The Vipassana Retreat

Being close to nature and traveling around, I got a chance to meet amazing individuals. On a fine day when I was on my evening walk across the river, tech. I stood for a while, picked up the stones and kept dropping one after the other observing the flowing water and ripples I was creating. I looked sidewards and saw Karen with a smiling face. 'I didn't want to disturb your moment' she mentioned and began the conversation. Over a conversation, we continued walking together and she showed me a place where she goes for a swim. A secluded stream with a lot of rocks and trees around. Talking of her experiences in India, she mentioned of her vipassana experience in Hyderabad. In 2016, I've attended my vipassana in Hyderabad as well. Over conversations, she mentioned if I'm interested to do it again. I contemplated on the thought of meditating again for 10 days. When would I be able to have 10 days of free time again, I thought and decided to apply. Long story short, I applied and headed to Germany to attend the retreat. The twist in the story is that they needed help with volunteering and I agreed to volunteer rather than be an old student. I'm glad I've volunteered. 

I got a chance to meet a lot of amazing individuals. Peer, Philip, Ramez, Mirko, Luder, Maria, Klaus, Cornell, Chayan, Bibi, Brtille, Viktor, Nicolay, Eva and a few more people. Luder and Mirko headed the kitchen and I got a chance to work everywhere, having great fun in cooking for 100+ people. A lot of the processes were broke down into tiny processes and assigned to different people. In that way, three teams were formed. Cooking, cleaning and serving. I was floating around in all of these teams, preparing salads, cutting carrots, cleaning 100+ dishes in one go. I was amazed by the team work from the beginning. 

Three hours of meditation was compulsory through out the day and meditating from day-1, I struggled to focus and concentrate for the first 3 days. After 3 days, I was comfortable to focus and meditate for long time. As we meditate, there's a lot of past memories keep floating by and staying equanimous to them is the key. On day 5 I met Nicholay and conversations with him helped me a lot to appreciate the life in a better way. More than worrying, I became curious about the future and instiled curiosity towards life being equanimous. 

The Daily sunset

The place I spent most of my time

Martin's Meadow

Berghof

Sharing the cabin with Chayan, our usual day began with a sight of sheep under the vast blue skies. After freshening up, we head to kitchen, prepare for the breakfast, serve it for students and eat our breakfast. the first group session began at 8 till 9 am. After 9 am, we take a break and get back to kitche to prepare lunch. By 11 am, we are ready with lunch. Serve it for students, have our lunch and take a break till 2.30. We meditate for an hour and head back to prepare dinner. By 5.30, the dinner is prepared. We have our dinner and head to the meditation. After 7 pm,  I always headed to watch the sunset while Chayan headed to discourse at times. Sunset at Berghof was simply one of the best moments of the day. After the sunset, we head to meet the teachers for a while and rest for the day. This routine continued for 10 days and I loved the journey I got through these 10 days. 

Living in the cabin and watching the sky, sunset and being close to nature are few moments that will stay with me for a long time. Also, I was learning to stay equanimous while being aware of each and every moment rather than craving for me. A memorable and transformational experience indeed.