Silent Retreat.

Seven Days.

Sixteen waking hours. Daily.

Five hours sitting meditation. Complete stillness. Daily.

Four and a half hours walking meditation. Daily.

Twelve paces, stop, turn, repeat.

Intersperse three silent mindful meals.

Oats, millet, tofu, cheese, veggies.

The humble stewed prune making a welcome appearance.

A bowl of berries arriving mid-week like a mirage on a deserted island.

Intimately experiencing the under-appreciated workings of the teeth, tongue, saliva

making contact with flavour and texture of a slice of prized organic orange.

Acutely aware of each inhale, each exhale, as if hooked up to a respirator.

Silent?

Train barreling through, whistling its hourly proud arrival.

Torrents of rain, symphonying through rooftop drain pipes.

Incessant coughers, stifling to the best of their ability.

Full action drama, played out, internally.

Personal demons and dragons arriving without welcome.

Extinguished, then making a repeat performance.

Silent spaces begin overshadowing.

Concentration and awareness strengthening.

Each breath building momentum.

Full out story turning into snap chat.

A quick appearance. Dissolve. Quick appearance. Dissolve.

One week.

Three hundred forty-five thousand six hundred waking moments.

One moment at a time.

Strike of the gong.

Back to the real world.

Tremendous clarity.

Parting gifts?

Unshakeable understanding of the importance of Mindfulness and Meditation.

Commitment to my personal practice.

Resolve to share and inspire anyone willing to open their heart and change their life.

One moment at a time.