Massage Of The Mind: Vispassana Meditation For some time I had been feeling unhappy at work, in my relationship, I gained about 6kg or 1 stone in weight which I blamed on giving up smoking and I just didn’t want to live in London any longer. It even seemed I had been losing some of my confidence and self-esteem. So I visited a councillor for a few sessions to figure out what was going on with me which kind of helped a little but I didn’t seem to be getting very far. So when my friend Marta suggested to sign up for a Vipassana meditation course I kept an open mind, but not quite knowing what to expect I started by reading whatever I could find about this course. Vipassana is an ancient meditation technique and simply means to see the things how they really are! That sounded very good to me but I remained ever so worried about their many expectations! These were to wake up at 4am to start meditating at 4.30pm until 9pm with regular breaks for breakfast at 6.30am and lunch at 11am (I’m not mentioning dinner at all because all we were allowed to eat were maximum 2 pieces of fruit at 5pm)! We were not allowed to talk to anyone, ‘noble silence’ it was called! Absolutely no eye contact with anyone and of course we were not permitted to touch each other! Neither were we allowed to watch TV, surf the internet or make any calls to the outside world. What they are trying to achieve is that there are absolutely no distractions whatsoever whilst learning their meditation technique. I wasn’t sure if I would last the 10 days and actually day 7 was the worst for me! But I thought ok I voluntarily signed up for this so let’s just go along with whatever I am asked of. Actually right from the very first day I very much enjoyed not having to make decisions, not having to deal with any responsibilities, not having to worry about another mortgage rise and so on. I noticed that I enjoyed breakfast and regular walks which was just about the only thing that really kept me going. I figured I really liked the simple things in life, and that I easily could leave the pressures of London life and my massage business behind me. In fact I even enjoyed not talking at all for 10 days! The whole experience felt really like a Swedish or holistic massage for the mind. Probably even better! So on day 10 when it was announced that the course was officially over there were many tears around! People even broke down. I guess because unresolved matters came up throughout the course – see the things how they really are! Myself, I felt relieved and overwhelmed. I enjoyed chatting away with other students (also some I spoke to should have continued to exercise ‘noble silence’). I also felt rather emotional for many days and couldn’t get myself to watch any television, listen to the radio, read the newspapers, connect to the internet or check my emails. Now nearly 3 weeks later and being back in London there seems to be so much more harmony in my life both for myself and the people around me! I just go with the flow, I don’t worry too much about what might be tomorrow or the next strategic move for my mobile massage and beauty company. I don’t check my Blackberry emails any longer in the evenings and even keep my phone on ‘noble silence’ when I don’t fancy taking calls! Instead I go for a walk or read a book. I guess I have started to observe myself and let certain emotions go instead of suppressing them or directing them towards others. So I am kind of more patient with life as it were and at the same time I know now that I do wish to make changes in my life. It’s all been about building up Body Tissue Service and trying to help offer all kinds of therapies such as Deep Tissue Massage, Reflexology, Shiatsu, Thai Massage, Facials, Manicures or Pedicures. Yes I still want to work and be successful but no longer at the expense of what is so much more important in life: health, harmony, peace, friends, partner or family. I guess I’m seeing now the things more like how they really are or perhaps how they should be. Attending the Vipassana meditation course is probably the best thing I’ve ever done in my life! I feel now more balanced, happier, enthusiastic, energetic, confident – I really love life again! For those who would like more information on meditation: http://www.dipa.dhamma.org/. Frank Schmidt
Body Tissue Service Director  | 
