A Silent Vipassana Meditation Retreat During Pregnancy

 

The idea of a Silent Vipassana meditation retreat has always been extremely intriguing to me. At 4am one morning this week I had the inspired idea to do my own silent retreat at home in these final moments of my pregnancy. I don’t know how long this retreat will last… time will tell depending on baby’s arrival. It could be 2 days. It could be 2 weeks.

Vipassana means ‘to see things as they really are’. These retreats exist all over the world and typically involve travelling to a secluded place for 10 days. The retreats are quite strict with the main rule being no talking and the day is spent in rigorous sitting and walking meditation. In my case I will do these activities plus I will still allow myself to carry out other daily activities including gentle yoga, cooking, journalling, drawing, listening to beautiful music and eating and resting with mindfulness.

This retreat will no doubt present some challenges. My hope is that it will bring me back to my breath and align with the hypnobirthing work I have been doing in preparation for labour and being a mumma. I think it will be useful for further cultivating compassion, peace and love in my heart. I am also the kind of person that has always talked a lot, but for this period of my life I will not talk at all. I’ll be switching technology off and tuning in, deeply.

I feel this is a beautiful chance to journey inwards in preparation for the changes to come, so that I can be at peace with things no matter how life unfolds.

My intentions are to commune with nature, meditate, practise mindfulness and enjoy some beautiful silent moments with my husband, our little pup and babe-to-be. I’m seeing it as a holiday at home, a relaxing retreat, a time to reconnect and just be.

Sending you all SO much love and wishing you soulful, vibrant, blissful times while I am away. I will be back.

See you on the other side beautiful ones.