How to regain clarity and focus – by not talking to anyone for a day
In Singapore and beyond, when the circuit breaker period and other lockdowns were implemented, many mindfulness-inclined types rejoiced. This would exist a time to get dorsum to nuts and to reconnect with oneself, they said.
Inspired by their upbeat outlook and a rash of pseudo-motivational Instagram memes, the wannabe wellness junkie in me figured I could finally work on i of my big resolutions of 2022 – to observe inner peace through meditation. After all, with my social life essentially vanishing into the ether, what better fourth dimension to lite designer scented candles and listen to Spotify playlists of crystal bowl music while chanting "Om"?
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But equally it turned out, life nether enforced safe distancing was far from relaxing. Much of my newfound spare time was spent doom scrolling bad news about the pandemic or washing a seemingly bottomless sink of dirty dishes thank you to all the stay-home meals I had been cooking. And in my eagerness to prove my productivity in a worrying economic climate, I ended upwards being even more than hopelessly chained to my email and work than ever before.
Ironically, I was probably the to the lowest degree mindful that I had ever been in my life. In the days before COVID-19, I would detect a measure out of calmness past practicing a daily x-minute app-based meditation that offered a precious time-out from the hustle of daily life. But now that I was stuck at home with nowhere to go, I could not even still my heed for a few minutes. Nirvana had never felt so out of reach.
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Then, my editor assigned me to participate in a one-day online silent retreat past Singapore based health visitor Re:Well Rebels. Touted every bit the world'south showtime digitally-based silent retreat that can be done at habitation, all I had to do was set aside one day to disconnect from all my devices and make a delivery to not talk or use other forms of communication, such as via writing or sign language with anyone.
The program, which is designed by Bali-based mindfulness and meditation guide, Subba Vaidyanathan, includes a detailed schedule of activities and recorded meditations. There is likewise an choice to schedule a one-on-one Zoom consultation with Vaidyanathan at the starting time and end of the retreat.
At that bespeak, I had already embarked on a few other digital mindfulness initiatives including a 21-day meditation programme past Deepak Chopra conducted via the Telegram app and video pranayama (yogic breathing exercises) sessions. Sadly, none of these options had made much of an impact, which I attributed to the impersonal nature of the digital medium. So, I could non assist but wonder just how torturous it would exist to spend an entire twenty-four hour period in silence during a time when most of us are already starved of social interaction.
Still, piece of work is work, so I agreed to requite this a go, which is how I institute myself blearily waking up at the cleft of dawn for a sunrise walk 1 morning a couple of weeks ago, as instructed. I dutifully locked abroad my phone and got in the spirit of staying silent for the day equally I breathed in the surprisingly cool air (through my mask) and enjoyed the chorus of chirping birds.
At an exercise expanse, I noticed a woman with her feet strapped to a snowboard while hopping on a yoga mat sprinkled with flour. A curious sight indeed merely since I was sworn to silence for the solar day, I contented myself with having to live with this niggling mystery forever.
At 8am, I logged in for my beginning of 2 video sessions with Vaidyanathan – likewise the simply two times that I could speak that day. Correct off the bat, I found his straightforward style a refreshing change from the usual new age-y jargon nearly aligning chakras or inviting "abundance" that many self-described gurus like to use.
"The primary purpose of today is to be with yourself," he said, explaining why he chose to structure this stay-home retreat as a silent one. "By disconnecting and not talking, you give yourself the chance to listen and reverberate."
Then I was on my ain for the next 12 hours. Besides the meditations, his programme included leisurely activities such as reading a book of my option, journaling and indulging in a creative hobby like painting or writing poetry.
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In all honesty, I practise not think I have ever fitted all these into a single twenty-four hours, non even during the holidays I used to take when traveling was a matter. Interestingly, I did not feel lonely or feel the urge to talk or message anyone when thoughts bubbled upward – I simply pulled out my notebook and wrote them down the practiced sometime-fashioned way: Past hand.
That day, mindfulness was a state of being. My elementary lunch of soup and toast, which I had to prepare and eat in silence, tasted especially delicious as I took fourth dimension to savour every final seize with teeth. During an allocated session to do something creative, I brought out my long neglected colour pencils and relaxed into a colouring action.
Best of all, without the distractions of social media or the self-imposed obligation of trying to respond to piece of work related messages as quickly equally possible, the day seemed to stretch endlessly, just in a good way. I marvelled at how there was even time to take an afternoon nap.
That evening, when I greeted Vaidyanathan during our "debrief" session, I said, "My encephalon feels like it has gone on vacation."
Indeed, I had not felt this warning and focused in a long fourth dimension. The sense of clear-headedness that I had been chasing futilely for the past few months had returned. Before nosotros ended our conversation, he left me with this departing pearl of wisdom, "Meditation is about training your focus and attention."
Perhaps in that location is more to mindfulness and meditation that I have non notwithstanding discovered, but if this still and unfluctuating land of mind is my advantage for a day of silence, that is expert enough for at present.
And if I had to nitpick, the only thing missing from this day'south retreat was a pampering massage, but hey, at this bespeak in a pandemic, I will take what I tin can get.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/experiences/silent-retreat-mindfulness-meditation-247741
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