Can Abstinence Work For You? - Here is a 10-Day Test without an Electronic Device

I would like to do my next 10-day Vipassana meditation course in New Zealand. How to make that happen?

Can Abstinence Work For You? - Here is a 10-Day Test without an Electronic Device
Photo by Lesly Juarez / Unsplash

A friend recommended that I try Vipassana since I have had many personal and professional changes in my life in the last 15 years. As I draw closer to the time and date, I am bugged-eyed reading the rules. I am putting myself way outside my comfort zone. Vipassana is an ancient Indian meditation practice. The word means to see things as they really are. As reinforced by my recent Briggs-Myers test, my personality has changed in the previous ten years. You could read that post on my work blog if you missed it. The regular dosage of toxic politics and the corporate throw-your-colleague-under-the-bus culture made me crave the harmony I once had. To participate in the course, I had to make sacrifices. I had to forgo my computer, mobile phone, books, newspapers, social media, and any form of talking for ten days. I wonder if abstinence will devour me.

PSALM 19 
1 The heavens are telling of the glory of God;
And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
And night to night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
......
.....
.....
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be [e]blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Photo by Ravi Pinisetti / Unsplash

Reading, writing, and talking is my passion. Do all these things matter for life? How will I be silent for ten days? Will I clear my mind doing this? I don't know, but I now have the time and space to try new forms of self-improvement now I control my time.

Despair permeates the environment around many people I have met personally and professionally. The corporate toxic syndrome I call "throw-your-colleagues-under-the-bus" is a behavior borne of fear, constant attack, frenzy, resentment, and disharmony. It has contributed to mass resignations and mental health issues affecting people and their productivity. Unfortunately, people who experience these afflictions often spread them to others. Misery loves company.

Undoubtedly, there are more clever ways to live. We should strive for tranquility with ourselves and fellowship with others. We must share this planet no matter how much we create fictitious ideas of differences we refuse to tolerate. That is the central reality that matters.

I see it even in my past posts: on leadership because I saw such desperation leading to poor leadership outcomes or a toxic office environment. Therefore, I also need cleansing. I hope to get this from my two weeks away from all electronic devices and everyone I know.

I will be out of the office from November 30 to December 11, 2022 (when I scheduled this post).

When I get back to the office, I have to check my snail mail, which I do on Traveling Mailbox. See if this could work for you by clicking here.