Blissfully back

The Vipassana meditation retreat was an excellent experience. Not only were the 10 days themselves the perfect envelope of silence and reflection, the days after the retreat have been notably good as well. The technique seems to deliver, although I also feel the distinct sharpening of the senses developed during the 10 days slightly dulling now - but this should be just the beginning of a long road. And before you think I've gone off and joined a cult, no, I'm talking about a non-sectarian, mostly secular meditation technique that does base on Buddhist heritage, but that is also completely physical, experiential and non-denominational. Buddhist teachings and anecdotes were included in the few discourses the course contains (it's mostly just meditation, a good 10 hours a day), but they are not essential to the efficacy of the technique. I'm aiming to continue putting in at least 2 hours per day while I'm travelling - not an unreasonable dedication, especially as it seems that my need for sleep dropped dramatically during the course. I may not be able to maintain that, but continuity of practice is the key to success. And, I'm happy not to have to observe the holidays in anyway - haven't even heard a Christmas carol. Bliss.