going to 10 day retreat the 17th

[billb87]

I'm signed up to go on 10 day meditation retreat but I'm kinda nervous. I've never meditated at all before in my life I read part of mindfulness in plain english and decided I wanted to learn meditation and that's why i signed up. Do I need to know some stuff before I go? Everything I read online about this retreat says its very intense and I'm a little worried it might be too intense. should I be worried? it's rare that I have 10 days to spend like this so I really want to go.

[Ben]

I was nervous before I did my first ten day course, and over the years I have done many.
Yes, it is intense but one is very well supported. Just go and work exactly as instructed.
Its not everyone cup of tea but for very many people its a profoundly positive experience.
And no, you don't need to know anything nor need to be able to meditate before you go.
kind regards,

Ben

[Mr Man]

Don't be nervous, enjoy the oportunity. 10 days is soon over

[billb87]

Thanks for the replys! I also forgot to mention that I used to occasionally had panic attacks I haven't had one in over 6 months so I didn't even put it on the application. Thats a big reason I signed up for this was to help me relax. so would this course be a bad idea for me?

[David2]

I think it's a good idea.
Important is that you have strong determination to stay the whole 10-days even if you have some very unpleasant experiences (which most people have). Those unpleasant experiences can't kill or harm you.

[LonesomeYogurt]

If you have experienced panic attacks, I wouldn't be surprised if you do have one at some point during the course. But that's okay. The unpleasant parts, as well as the pleasant parts, are all important aspects of the experience. Is this a Goenka retreat you've signed up for?

[billb87]

yes it's goenka and thank you for the advice thats pretty much what I was thinking even when I did have panic attacks they were not too bad my heart rate would go up really high but nothing too bad.

[Ben]

All the best for your upcoming ten-day course!
I hope you have a beneficial course experience.
kind regards,

Ben

[LonesomeYogurt]

Oh a few other things I remembered from the course I did just a little while ago:

Don't eat too much! You might be scared that you'll be super hungry, only eating before noon. But it's really not that bad, and eating too much at lunch or breakfast can really slow you down for the rest of the day. So keep it moderate!

Sometimes they'll say, "Continue to meditate in the hall, or in your own room if you'd like." If that's the case, I would recommend staying in the hall; I'm not sure if the vibrations are just better there or if it's encouraging to be around other meditators, but I always had a much more successful time in the hall vs. in my own room.

Finally, make sure, like Ben said, to just do exactly what you've been told. I wouldn't worry about not having meditated before - in some ways, that's best, because you don't have all these ideas in your head about what to do!

[retrofuturist]

Greetings Bill,

I also forgot to mention that I used to occasionally had panic attacks I haven't had one in over 6 months so I didn't even put it on the application.

I would recommend you mention this to someone before the course starts to give them advance visibility. Explain why you didn't think it was important at the time and that you filled out the application sincerely, but why, after reflection you think it would be beneficial for them to have visibility.... just in case.

Metta,
Retro.

[billb87]

thanks for all the advice one last question I haven't gotten a mediation pillow to sit on. Any recommendations?

[Ben]

They'll give you one to use while you're there.
Don't worry about it!
with metta,

Ben