My Vipassana Experience

When I first entered the world of yoga studies, I didn’t know that four years later I would be sitting in silence for ten whole days. It felt surreal. During those days, I found myself trusting all the teachings of yoga—physical asana, silence, and introspection—while fully immersing myself in the technique of Vipassana, leaving everything else aside.

The true purpose of asana practice has always been clear to me: to prepare for seated silence, to turn inward, and to accept silence. And yes, that sitting position requires strength—both physical and mental. Although I didn’t spend countless hours in sitting meditation before participating in Vipassana, I had come to understand silence during my yoga journey. To my surprise, many people told me afterward that they didn’t have similar tools when they came to this course. It made me even more grateful for my yoga practice.

At the end of those 10 days, I felt overwhelming sensitivity, gratitude, and ease with everything.

Letting go of devices and modern habits

On the first day, we gave away our phones, notebooks, books, and headphones—anything that could provide external distractions. Even though I knew beforehand that this was required, it still felt strange. I found myself wondering if my belongings would be returned safely.

Later that day, out of habit, my hand reached into my pocket to grab my phone—even though I knew it wasn’t there. There was no reason to pick up the phone, but I did it instinctively. Habit. Hmm, interesting.

At the end of the course, when my phone was returned, it felt heavy in my hand. The screen with its bright pixels almost hurt my eyes. What surprised me the most—maybe even made me sad—was how quickly I dove back into that little device. I turned it on to check my itinerary and scanned important messages. But nothing was urgent. At that moment, I realized how free I had felt during those 10 days, completely focused on myself, without distractions from external life and social media.

Rules, structure, and their purpose

The rules were clear: no distractions, no eye contact, no talking, no exercise. Each rule had a purpose—to purify the mind and support our practice. In addition, we followed strict guidelines:

• Refrain from killing any creatures.
• Refrain from stealing.
• Abstain from all sexual activity (men and women were accommodated separately).
• Refrain from lying (silence makes this easy, but your mind can also turn against yourself).
• Abstain from all intoxicants (including cigarettes).

Clothing was also an important aspect. Participants were required to wear modest, unobtrusive clothing – not shorts, short skirts, leggings, or sleeveless tops. Even sunbathing and partial nudity were forbidden. These guidelines minimized distractions and helped everyone focus on their training. (Nevertheless, I rested under the sun after some meals—so did others.)

The daily schedule was equally tight, starting at 4:00 with a wake-up bell. At 4:30 a.m., we had sat down for the first meditation session of the day. The schedule continued with alternating meditations, breaks, and meals that finally ended at 9:30 p.m.

One of the rules also prohibits physical activity. Before the course, I was a little worried about this limitation because I had practiced asanas regularly and exercised in a variety of ways. However, during the course, I realized how much energy was needed just to maintain a sitting position for hours every day. I stretched lightly between sessions to keep my body healthy but avoided formal physical exercise. This subtle change taught me how the asana practice had prepared me—not as an exercise, but as an instrument of silence.

Some people wondered how we managed to navigate without talking or making eye contact. For me, it felt natural – especially as a Finn, where unspoken body language is common and personal space is respected. I observed my surroundings, noticed subtle clues, and adapted without verbal communication. It was a lesson in mindfulness that went beyond words.

Silence: easier than expected

Many of my gym clients were convinced that silence would be the hardest part for me. But this didn’t come as a surprise to me, as I found it one of the easiest aspects. I have spent long periods of time in silence over the years while traveling or living alone, and I have always had a strong hermit side. However, I spoke briefly with the teacher and, if necessary, with a volunteer servant who was assisting the course.
I first wondered, why the teacher wanted to see me on the first day. She kindly offered me seating options because I had indicated on my intake form that I have Osgood-Schlatter disease – a condition that can make sitting cross-legged uncomfortable (https://en.wikipedia.org/OsgoodSchlatterDisease).

Despite the reminders on upcoming days, I stubbornly remained on the floor. On the ninth day, a volunteer discreetly pointed to a chair that had been brought into the hall for me. I felt sadness and even a sense of failure when I left my place on the floor. I was attached to my “place” and quiet “friends” around me. Ironically, as a yoga teacher, I always encourage others to listen to their bodies and find ease in asana. Finally, I thanked myself and my teacher for that lesson. Sitting in a chair allowed me to experience bliss during meditation. I internalized the idea that there is no single way to achieve a meditative state. On the last day, I found the feeling of meditation everywhere – walking, eating, showering, breathing.

Environment and food

The course center reminded me of my childhood summers: a red cabin with white edges, peaceful, simple, and safe. Women and men lived separately, even though we practiced in the same meditation hall. The surroundings were peaceful, with beautiful forest paths designed for slow, conscious walks.

Food was another concern before arrival as I follow a vegan diet, and meals were served at certain times, the last of which was tea and fruit only. To my surprise, the food was amazing – delicious and nutritious. Over time, I changed my portion sizes because post-lunch meditation often made me sleepy.

One evening I was annoyed because there were no bananas left. I knew that other fruits wouldn’t keep my hunger away. The hunger continued into the next morning and made me frustrated. But instead of reacting, I observed the feeling, as Vipassana teaches, and pondered what it revealed about me.

Interestingly, after the course, my previous struggles with bulimia came up a bit. I realized that strict food restrictions combined with intense practice might not be ideal for someone with a history of eating disorders. I thought I was completely healed from those times, but this experience showed me that old models can linger. However, the main thing is to notice them, reflect on root causes, and grow.

Highlights and reflections

What I remember most about these 10 days:

• Amazing food.
• A deep feeling of gratitude.
• Peaceful walks on forest paths.
• My roommate killed a mosquito – this shocked me in a calm state, where we swore not to harm living creatures. (Ironically, I’m prone to itching from mosquito bites, so I should have felt relief. But instead, I was amazed at the severity of the action.)
• I saw a blindworm.
• One night I couldn’t sleep and, of course, the next day was hard. I don’t remember exactly what day this was, but it’s typical to happen during the course and part of the experience.

Vipassana is a profound experience. Realizing at the end that I had meditated for over 100 hours was surreal – especially for a woman who couldn’t sit still for 30 minutes just a few years ago! But I do not recommend the practice to everyone. You need to feel your calling. If anything is resisting your plans to participate, it might not be the right time for you. When you’ve done the course, it can change your life.

I hope to return someday, not just as a student, but as a volunteer to serve others and give back to this beautiful practice. Although I haven’t had a daily Vipassana practice after the course, I come back to it from time to time and draw strength and insights when needed.
Nowadays, I also aim to take a break before every meal – simply to appreciate the moment and the food I have. It’s a small but meaningful exercise that helps me stay present and grateful.

“The word Vipassana means seeing things as they really are. It is a process of self-purification through self-observation.”
For more information on the Code of Conduct and Policy, please visit the official Vipassana website:
Dhamma.org – Code of Conduct https://www.dhamma.org/en/about/code.

If my Vipassana journey has inspired you and you’re seeking guidance in mindfulness, meditation, or yoga, I’d love to support you. I offer online holistic coaching and yoga classes tailored to your needs. Start with a free 30-minute consultation to explore how we can work together.

Thanks for reading. Remember to take a moment for yourself today—breathe, pause, and be present.

Saija