How a 10-Day Meditation Course has Helped Me Get Through Lockdown
by Jemima Compton
Two months before we were told to stay indoors, work from home and quit physical contact, I was in the midst of a 10-day silent meditation course. Little did I know that I’d be learning vital practices to see me through the impending pandemic.
My Meditation Experience
I went into the retreat as pretty much a total stranger to meditation. I’d previously dabbled with meditation apps, like Headspace, and I had done a couple of yoga classes; that was about as close as I had got to any mindfulness. I didn’t really know what to expect. All I knew was that I wanted to give myself a challenge. As I’m not the type to climb a mountain or run a marathon, I thought 10 days of silence would be the next best thing.
The course was both relaxing and intense. We were able to speak for the first few hours of the course; to my relief, I found that my two dorm-mates were new to meditating too. After that the rules were simple: no speaking, no interacting, no smiling at people. It was just you, yourself and you, living amongst 49 others in total silence.
We spent each day meditating, resting and meditating. Breakfast was at 6:30am, lunch at 11:30am, and some fruit and tea at 5:30pm. We gave up our mobile phones, electronics, books, notepads and anything that we could use for entertainment. The intention was to concentrate wholly on meditation and to be rid of distractions.
Despite essentially doing nothing throughout the course, I went through a rollercoaster of emotions. I experienced moments of pure peace, thanks to being cut off from the real world. I faced some of my lowest lows, yet I came out the other end feeling the happiest I’ve ever felt in my life. It felt as if all of my anger, fear and sorrow had been lifted. It may sound clichéd but, I really did feel harmonious, elated and full of love. It was all thanks to having 10 days totally to myself.
What Vipassana Taught Me About Being Alone
I had no idea that, two months after my meditation retreat, we’d be facing lockdown. I feel very grateful that I was able to have that experience when I did.
It taught me that it can be a privilege to be alone.
For many of us, it’s rare to spend time just with yourself - away from your family, social commitments, work emails, social media or any other distractions.
In 2020, we’ve got access to entertainment everywhere: from Netflix to nights out, there’s always something to watch, listen to, do or distract. This lockdown has seriously narrowed our entertainment options. At present, we are largely restricted to the internet, our kitchens and our bookshelves. Yet we’re still as busy as ever…
This is why taking time out, just for yourself, is important. We must remember to give ourselves an actual break, from everything. Whilst we can’t go out and do anything anyway, lockdown is a great chance for some quality time alone.
It’s Time to Take Some Time Out
I recommend simply taking a day - even just an afternoon - off. Give yourself a breather from cooking, cleaning, Zoom-ing, Spotify-streaming or reading. Hide your phone away; unplug the TV; switch off the wifi.
Find your favourite spot in your home, sit with a cup of tea, and allow yourself do absolutely nothing.
Use this time to get to know yourself again. Get lost in your thoughts and let your imagination wander. It may seem boring, but you’ll be surprised at how advanced your mind can be once given some space to stretch. You might end up conjuring an ingenious new business idea. You could come up with a plot for a novel. Sometimes it’s just a luxury to remember moments that you had totally forgotten until now.
If you live with others, ask them if they want to do the same. Take some alone time together. Sit in separate rooms, don’t talk to each other and pretend that no one else is around.
If you’re feeling anxious, spend some time concentrating on why it is that you are feeling that way. Get to grips with what it is that you’re actually feeling. Ask yourself how you can change your perspective or overcome these feelings. It’s important to face your feelings head-on, even though it may be painful. By defining your emotions and embracing them, you could be one step closer to eliminating your anxieties altogether.
Meditation Tips for Beginners
If you want to practise meditating, but you’re new to it all, simply focus on your breathing. Breathing in and out through your nose is the basis of Anapana meditation.
Don’t intensify your breathing, just breath as you normally would. Concentrate on what you feel within your nostrils and your nose.
It’s a basic activity yet you’ll find that your focus drifts away and your mind starts chattering. This is totally normal. Just gently remind yourself to bring your thoughts and your focus back to your breathing, whenever you can.
If you want a little guidance, there are plenty of meditation tutorials on YouTube. The Headspace app is also a great way to ease into this new habit.
Taking a step back from life seems so simple and easy, yet we often don’t even realise how rarely we actually do it. That’s why, while we’ve got time on our hands, I ask you to do just that.
Take some you-time. Step away from any sound, image or activity and you’ll realise just how capable you are. It’s time to embrace how far your imagination can span and how, maybe, this ought to be something we all do a little more often.
