The first time I sat a Vipassana retreat, I lasted two days before wanting to leave. My back hurt. My mind would not stop talking. I was convinced everyone around me was handling it better than me. I stayed only because the teacher told me, “The wanting to leave is also a sensation. Observe it.”
That advice changed everything.
What makes Vipassana different
There are many meditation techniques, and I teach several of them. But Vipassana holds a special place because of its directness. You are not visualising anything. You are not chanting. You are not following a guided narrative. You are simply observing what is happening in your body and mind, moment by moment.
This sounds simple. It is — and it is also the hardest thing you will ever do. Because what you observe is not always pleasant. Old memories surface. Emotions you thought were gone come roaring back. Physical discomfort demands attention.
But here is what I have learned from years of practice and teaching: what you observe with equanimity loses its grip on you. The anger you watch without reacting to eventually dissolves. The sadness you sit with without trying to fix eventually lifts. Vipassana teaches you this through direct experience, not through theory.
Retreats in Assam
Assam is an ideal place for Vipassana retreats. Our green landscapes, the sound of rain on tin roofs, the relative quiet compared to metropolitan cities — all of this supports inward focus. I have conducted retreats near Kaziranga, in the hills around Haflong, and at peaceful locations outside Dibrugarh.
During a typical retreat with Hem’s Academy, we follow a structured schedule:
- Early morning meditation sessions
- Walking meditation in nature
- Guided instruction on Vipassana technique
- Noble silence (no talking, no phones, no reading)
- Evening discourses on the practice
The silence is not punishment — it is a gift. When you stop talking to others, you finally start listening to yourself.
My advice to first-timers
If you have never done a retreat, start with a one-day or weekend session. You can read my complete Vipassana guide for a thorough introduction to the technique. And my beginner’s meditation guide will help you build the foundational practice before you attempt a retreat.
For those curious about the broader spiritual context, my post on spiritual growth in Northeast India explores how our region’s contemplative traditions support inner development.
A retreat is not a holiday. It is work — deep, inner work. But the clarity you gain is unlike anything you will find elsewhere. Check Hem’s Academy for our upcoming retreat schedule.
