Why I keep going back to 10 days of silence

I’ve been practicing vipassana meditation since 2016 and attended many 10-day silent meditation retreats.

Vipassana, in the tradition taught by S.N. Goenka, is a practice of observation: you watch bodily sensations and the mind without reacting, so you see how things arise and pass away. The 10-day courses are silent (no talking, no eye contact, no phones or books), with about 10 hours of meditation per day. It’s demanding, and it’s become one hobby I haven't given up on over the years.

If you’re curious about the technique or the retreat format, the centers run donation-based courses worldwide. I’m happy to share my experience if you’re considering one.