Social Anxiety Support

Event Horizon · 08-22-2011, 12:02 AM

I meditate on my own from time to time, but lately, I've really become enamored with the idea of going to the middle of nowhere and basing my existence on nothing but meditation for a length of time.

Well, I've recently fallen into a nearly constant state of ennui. I have been feeling very empty lately, like I am lacking something. I can't take feeling like this all the time, I need something to shock my system. I really feel like I need to find my position in my life. Well, I found something like what I've been thinking about, and this and it is a donation based vipassana meditation retreat that lasts 10 days. Basically, you are not allowed to speak, in exception to speaking to the head master during certain times. I don't think you are even allowed to bring any outside influences, like books. It is meditation nearly all day, for 10 days.

Here is their website:
http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/

What do you guys think? Is this a good idea?

persona non grata · 08-22-2011, 07:03 AM

I'm usually suspicious of religious retreats, but I actually got a good impression of them from their site. As it seems like pretty straightforward Buddhist meditation (nothing really weird or New Agey) and they don't require a payment, I think it sounds pretty cool. I'd probably go myself now, if it weren't for the fact I live thousands of miles away, can't afford a plane ticket and don't get any vacation days.

I love the idea. My only real concern is that you're feeling bored and "empty" and that you're on an SA forum. I'm kind of afraid that your problem might be that you're lonely, and so ten days of not talking might not be exactly what you need. Maybe you're not - and hey, maybe it is what you need. Maybe you'll hit enlightenment never suffer again. But I think it's something to consider.

Event Horizon · 08-23-2011, 03:36 AM

Thanks for the response, persona. In case you weren't aware, I believe they hold these retreats all over the world

And I totally agree with you on that as well...I feel like it could either go very well or make my situation worse. I was hoping through extreme isolation and constant meditation that I'd rediscover the real me,and learn to appreciate myself a bit more thus combating the loneliness I experience. The empty feeling might also be a vacuum waiting to be filled by an insightful meditation discovery, who knows.

persona non grata · 08-23-2011, 05:09 PM

Let me know if you go through with it sometime btw, I'd be curious to hear your impressions.

Event Horizon · 08-23-2011, 10:49 PM

I'll definitely provide you with a review. I plan on going probably in January but I'm not sure yet.

moke64916 · 08-25-2011, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Event Horizon

I meditate on my own from time to time, but lately, I've really become enamored with the idea of going to the middle of nowhere and basing my existence on nothing but meditation for a length of time.

Well, I've recently fallen into a nearly constant state of ennui. I have been feeling very empty lately, like I am lacking something. I can't take feeling like this all the time, I need something to shock my system. I really feel like I need to find my position in my life. Well, I found something like what I've been thinking about, and this and it is a donation based vipassana meditation retreat that lasts 10 days. Basically, you are not allowed to speak, in exception to speaking to the head master during certain times. I don't think you are even allowed to bring any outside influences, like books. It is meditation nearly all day, for 10 days.

Here is their website:
http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/

What do you guys think? Is this a good idea?

I think a good website, that you'll love and you'll learn a lot about meditation and spirituality. Everything. A lot of intelligent people. It is called spiritualforums.com. Here is a link:

http://www.spiritualforums.com/vb/index.php

Lachlan · 08-25-2011, 08:16 AM

I kind of htought about doing this sort of thing at one stage a while back. I can't see how it could be a bad thing. I guess it just depends what you think is the best choice of action.

wxolue · 08-30-2011, 12:58 AM

I've been dying to go to this same program (different location) for a while now. Just waiting for a time that fits my schedule. I've heard only amazing things about it. It's supposed to increase your ability to be aware of, and control your (otherwise) automatic thoughts. These same thoughts perpetuate anxiety.

Slogger · 09-01-2011, 09:50 PM

Yes, go for it!

I've done a number of retreats, and most of them have been amazing. I was scared I wouldn't be able to handle the long (often painful) hours of seated meditation and the reduced sleep, but I just did what the teacher said, and got good results the very first time.

zicoz · 09-03-2011, 04:00 PM

I've been thinking about this alot aswell, but have yet to find a place that I like and that's tempting, but I'd love to spend some months living in a monestary or something like that, away from the modern world.

08-22-2011, 12:02 AM	#1 (permalink)
Event Horizon Status: Permanently Banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tonopah, Nevada Gender: Female Posts: 434	Silent meditation retreat...good idea? I meditate on my own from time to time, but lately, I've really become enamored with the idea of going to the middle of nowhere and basing my existence on nothing but meditation for a length of time. Well, I've recently fallen into a nearly constant state of ennui. I have been feeling very empty lately, like I am lacking something. I can't take feeling like this all the time, I need something to shock my system. I really feel like I need to find my position in my life. Well, I found something like what I've been thinking about, and this and it is a donation based vipassana meditation retreat that lasts 10 days. Basically, you are not allowed to speak, in exception to speaking to the head master during certain times. I don't think you are even allowed to bring any outside influences, like books. It is meditation nearly all day, for 10 days. Here is their website: http://www.mahavana.dhamma.org/ What do you guys think? Is this a good idea?

08-25-2011, 08:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
Lachlan Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: flying without wings Gender: Male Posts: 1,664	I kind of htought about doing this sort of thing at one stage a while back. I can't see how it could be a bad thing. I guess it just depends what you think is the best choice of action. __________________ 'A 'Leadership' elected by popular vote is not a leadership but the rule of the average, the mediocre. Real leaders are pioneers. They go ahead, in front, on the basis of understanding and inner convictions, even if they have to go alone.'

09-01-2011, 09:50 PM	#9 (permalink)
Slogger Status: SAS Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Washington Gender: Female Age: 50 Posts: 549	Yes, go for it! I've done a number of retreats, and most of them have been amazing. I was scared I wouldn't be able to handle the long (often painful) hours of seated meditation and the reduced sleep, but I just did what the teacher said, and got good results the very first time. __________________ "To study the Way is to study the self. To study the self is to forget the self. To forget the self is to be enlightened by all things. To be enlightened by all things is to remove the barriers between one's self and others." -Dogen

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Software development career. good idea/bad idea?	sleepytime	The Work Place	13	07-27-2011 09:28 AM
Good idea or bad idea ?	VIncymon	Relationships	2	06-08-2009 01:57 PM
Got a good idea?	coldmorning	General Discussion	2	09-24-2008 04:11 PM
Need a good beginner's meditation book...	path0gen	Self Help Resources	1	02-15-2008 06:01 PM
is this a good idea?	valley_girl1919	Frustration	5	12-13-2007 08:33 PM

08-22-2011, 07:03 AM	#2 (permalink)
persona non grata Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States Gender: Male Age: 25 Posts: 291	I'm usually suspicious of religious retreats, but I actually got a good impression of them from their site. As it seems like pretty straightforward Buddhist meditation (nothing really weird or New Agey) and they don't require a payment, I think it sounds pretty cool. I'd probably go myself now, if it weren't for the fact I live thousands of miles away, can't afford a plane ticket and don't get any vacation days. I love the idea. My only real concern is that you're feeling bored and "empty" and that you're on an SA forum. I'm kind of afraid that your problem might be that you're lonely, and so ten days of not talking might not be exactly what you need. Maybe you're not - and hey, maybe it is what you need. Maybe you'll hit enlightenment never suffer again. But I think it's something to consider.

08-23-2011, 03:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Event Horizon Status: Permanently Banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tonopah, Nevada Gender: Female Posts: 434	Thanks for the response, persona. In case you weren't aware, I believe they hold these retreats all over the world And I totally agree with you on that as well...I feel like it could either go very well or make my situation worse. I was hoping through extreme isolation and constant meditation that I'd rediscover the real me,and learn to appreciate myself a bit more thus combating the loneliness I experience. The empty feeling might also be a vacuum waiting to be filled by an insightful meditation discovery, who knows.

08-23-2011, 05:09 PM	#4 (permalink)
persona non grata Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: United States Gender: Male Age: 25 Posts: 291	Let me know if you go through with it sometime btw, I'd be curious to hear your impressions.

08-23-2011, 10:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
Event Horizon Status: Permanently Banned Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Tonopah, Nevada Gender: Female Posts: 434	I'll definitely provide you with a review. I plan on going probably in January but I'm not sure yet.

08-30-2011, 12:58 AM	#8 (permalink)
wxolue Status: SAS Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 1,386	I've been dying to go to this same program (different location) for a while now. Just waiting for a time that fits my schedule. I've heard only amazing things about it. It's supposed to increase your ability to be aware of, and control your (otherwise) automatic thoughts. These same thoughts perpetuate anxiety.

09-03-2011, 04:00 PM	#10 (permalink)
zicoz Status: SAS Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 54	I've been thinking about this alot aswell, but have yet to find a place that I like and that's tempting, but I'd love to spend some months living in a monestary or something like that, away from the modern world.