I meditated for 100 hours over 10 days (silent vipassana meditation retreat)

What is a 10-day vipassana silent meditation retreat like? Why do people from business executives to famous authors meditate? Join me on this 10-day silent meditation retreat experience in the Netherlands!
"Vipassana" means to “see things as they really are.” It’s one of the oldest meditation techniques coming from India over 2,500 years ago. The goal of vipassana meditation is to remove negativities in the mind to help one live a happier life.
ℹ️ Learn more here: www.dhamma.org
⏰ 10-DAY SILENT MEDITATION RETREAT:
00:00 Intro
01:03 What is a 10-day silent vipassana meditation retreat?
01:58 Why do people do it?
02:29 Why did I do it (again)?
03:38 Day in the life
04:35 What are the 10 days like?
09:20 How was the experience?
📽 OTHER VIDEOS:
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😁 WHO AM I?
I'm David, a Californian living in Amsterdam. I make videos about life in the Netherlands, hiking/traveling, and the Camino de Santiago.
🔸 If you live in the Netherlands, I'd love to hear your story and interview you.
Email: [e-mail]
#meditation #vipassana #lifeinthenetherlands

[@nathananderson8720]

This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my KZbin channel 9 months ago about self development. Now I have 1,594 subs and > 1,000 hours of watch time. I know it’s not comparable with others but I’m still proud I started because I’ve been learning so many lessons that I could haven’t learned without getting started in the 1st place.

[@hidavidwen]

Best of luck to you! 🙌

[@nathananderson8720]

@@hidavidwen Whoever you are, I don't know you personally but I can say that you're one of the non-judgmental and open-minded people who is not fixated on tangible or external factors in order to learn from someone like me. Just because someone doesn't have a piece of paper as a credential, doesn't mean that person is not entitled to share personal experiences with the hope & intention to inspire others. Keep up with whatever it is that you're doing to improve mankind or improving your life even to a slight degree each day. This is just one part of a bigger puzzle for creating my KZbin channel about holistic health. I literally could have died back when I was 14 years old due to major depression but here I am right now replying to you, a KZbinr, who's full of fulfillment and dedication to help others to be a better version of themselves. I ain't better than anyone else but my old self. That's all that really makes this KZbin thing more meaningful and enjoyable. Thanks so much for your support! I am hoping that you can join me with this endless personal development journey! :)

[@hyppyp]

Did the 10 day retreat in 1999. Very deep experience indeed. Within a year afterwards my life changed dramatically, including a new job. Can recommend it 100%, but yep, it's hard!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Henri for sharing. Wow that's great to hear and I can relate 100%. It's been transformative. Very intense experience...but that's where the real growth happens!

[@nakadapu...3138]

​@@hidavidwenhey David where did you take this course at...??

[@user-um4nn2sj1l]

I JUST FOUND MY FAVORITE KZbin CHANNEL YES, I'm into meditation, traveling and I'm moving to the Netherlands this year.

[@hidavidwen]

🙌🙌 best of luck on the move and enjoy!

[@chandrarajan7885]

if you gt time pls go to centre n meditate

[@ceeemm1901]

Couldn't agree more. Did a course in Thailand in 1997 on my way to India. Have done dozens of courses since 1987 and it just gets better. Also served many courses including staying at a centre for 6 months. Best thing ever. Meeting all those interesting people who are trying to find something outside the status quo is inspiring and encouraging as well.Thanks for posting.

[@Divine_Goddess_111]

Vipassana is a priceless gift by India to the world ❤

[@hidavidwen]

It is, thanks for sharing =)

[@user-tb7pw4ge7v]

thanks so much for a video! I did my 2 vipassanas in Thailand and it was life-changing experiences as well. highly recommend thai centers though, they have private rooms w private bathrooms for each student

[@hidavidwen]

You’re welcome and thanks! The guys I talked to after mentioned they also did one in Thailand and said the same…and great food!

[@kacperm3281]

I've been maditating since 2016 after my spiritual experience on mushrooms in the Netherlands and had a few profound experiences when I felt connected with everything that have changed me forever. But this 10-days retreat is something else. I hope I will do it some day in the future, especially in the Netherlands because I feel connected to the country. Magnificent video as always!

[@hidavidwen]

I think the meditation retreat and mushrooms definitely have similarities (in terms of what one experiences)! I hope you get to try it one day and compare/contrast the experiences...it's definitely a spiritual experience that helps one feel more connected to oneself (and others)

[@barbarashirland9078]

❤ Yes! I am an old hippie and I agree mushrooms can be very helpful. Some of the simpler forms, like Vipassana and other systems have really helped me integrate it into my day to day life. I spent 5 years doing frequent retreats with Tibetans. Much easier than this Vipassana schedule, though.

[@worasak]

The best experience in my life, too!

[@mariu2s]

Great report! I really enjoyed watching it :)

[@GrandTerr]

The Buddha pointed out that it's impossible to keep that peace in regular life, our brain just notices data, creates processes and they fill in the mind. But once you experience complete peace, it gives you some anchor in mind, observing of mind and calming of thoughts even if not perfect helps.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Max...yeah it's hard to keep up the peace in 'regular life,' but the experience of experiencing 'complete peace' (even if 10 days) definitely helps me regulate the chaos in daily life

[@barbarashirland9078]

Excellent report. I notice very similar things with the practice of meditation. A disciplined daily life helps so much. But don’t get too excited; I’m 75 years old, and it has taken me a while to figure out some of this stuff. 😂 Quite remarkable to teach so well as a young person like you do. Thank you.

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome and thanks for watching =) Happy holidays

[@forcolor9494]

Great it worked for you!! Awesome!! Seriously you don’t know and Don’t recommend to others!

[@roxanaimam6531]

SO inspiring! Thank you for sharing this. I plan to take a retreat like this from your sharing. Grateful!

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome Roxana. Wish you a great retreat!

[@elishadellios]

Beautiful video, Thank you for sharing your experience and your thoughts. I wish you all the very best!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Elisha :) wish you the very best too!

[@jay3lky244]

Great video 🙌

[@hidavidwen]

🙏🙏

[@angelikap.6925]

Thanks for sharing. Exploring and researching about it now. Feels like my vipassana coming soon

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome. Best of luck to you on that journey =)

[@humanchildofgod3126]

Thank you.

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

[@silviamanca]

Thanks for sharing. I will attend my first 10 days Vipassana next week, in South Australia! 😀

[@hidavidwen]

Enjoy!

[@chrisodell2585]

Amazing experience! Mental health is very important 👍

[@hidavidwen]

Yes Chris - mental health is 100% very important and glad to hear it's being talked about more and more...still a long way to go though

[@worldofnuance]

Meditation is a great practice to incorporate. I’ve been doing it regularly for about 6 years now and I notice a difference in my approach to life. Never done a silent retreat before, but maybe will some day!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing! Yeah meditation has really changed my life and how I approach the world. I hope you get to try the retreat one day!

[@forcolor9494]

Sounds like You’re probably doing well without this retreat!! Awesome!!

[@inneralignmentwithcathy]

Meditation changed my life! Thanks for sharing!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing Cathy! Yes, it's lifechanging =)

[@doriemckay6935]

what an interesting share! from sf bay area.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Dorie! They have centers all over the world. I did my first one near Yosemite

[@maglow6807]

Hi David, wishing you a great 2023, with inner peace and happiness throughout the year. It seems like this retreat is quite popular

[@hidavidwen]

Happy 2023 Mag! And wishing you inner peace and happiness as well =) Would you ever consider this retreat?

[@maglow6807]

@@hidavidwenHave not really thought about it. A good friend of mine just went to one in Australia and now going for another one in Nepal, in a span of one year! The retreat has such a pull factor. Wanted to plan for Camino in Oct but didn’t go through but hey am going to Kumano Kodo instead - which is one of the two pilgrimage routes on the the World Heritage list. Hope you are having good time with family and friends.

[@sanrp05]

I hope you got back to meditation technique on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@hidavidwen]

I do =) Thanks for the kind words and sharing

[@doctorchrisg]

Great video, I just did a similar thing and can relate to a lot of the things you said! I made a short 5 min video on my (trippy) experience too! Keep up the good work!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks 🙏🙏

[@Vipassanawithkhalid]

Your video was pretty awesome! would highly recommend everyone to check it out.

[@STOLACE]

This has only further deepened my desire to experience Vipassana! I've been attempting to work up into some of those practices (as much as one can do apart from the actual training) and it's been one of the best additions lately to my meditation practice. Blessings of equanimity to you, brother.

[@hidavidwen]

Hope you can experience it, blessings to you!

[@Vipassanawithkhalid]

I would highly recommend going when you get a chance! It is transformational and life enhancing.

[@jiwonlee3539]

Hi All awesome! I am going to go to Amsterdam to study this yea. So all your videos are really interesting, not only about the meditation experience but also about Netherlands culture. (Also about many trip videos are so much inspiring😊) thank you for sharing. Hope to see next video soon! Stay healthy

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Jiwon and best of luck with your move to Amsterdam, you'll love it! I'm back in the US at the moment visiting family and taking some time off...but will continue with the videos when I get back!

[@vasquezgalego]

Wowww Fantastic experience, I was about to say how can stay so long meditating. But is true about the negative thoughts.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Alexandro - haha yeah it's very intense...but that's also where the real growth happens. It gets easier with each day (the sitting and meditating)

[@SaraLetschert]

Hi David, I saw your message in Dutch in SF and saw couple of your videos here. Love the fact that you also did Vipassana. It is the best present I have ever given myself. I am living in SF, was born in Tehran, Iran but lived 25 years of my live in the Netherlands and grew up there. At the moment I am a mother of a baby boy and a beautiful girl who both are born in San Francisco and are Californians like you. 🤍 If you like, I can always meet you for an interview about live in SF.

[@hidavidwen]

Hi Sara - oh just seeing and responding now. Really appreciate your message. Yes Vipassana has really opened up my eyes (and mind). The real test is in the real world so I’m trying to maintain the practice and the teachings. Oh I’m sure you have lots to share! I’ll only be in SF for another week and don’t know if I’ll find the time, but I usually come back a few times a year. Let me get back to you if I do and see if there’s a way to meet up and share stories. Thank you!

[@SaraLetschert]

@@hidavidwen great news we’ll be visiting the Netherlands may to end of June. Maybe we can meet in Amsterdam.

[@kennethcal8568]

It's great to see you making the effort to manage yourself spiritually. And you have the will, so you'll find a way! Though to keep myself motivated, I have this perspective on life: You were born into this world, through the actions of other people. Once you've become aware of your excistence and can take control, YOU decide how satisfactory your life will be and what personal values become important. So, then: take control and become the captain of YOUR ship! I see myself in life as if I were a leaf floating on a winding stream, gently flowing through the woods. But sometimes you get stuck in murky or swampy waters: a place you maybe don't want to be in. You could be lucky and be removed from it by a sudden strong current or a change in the weather. If that doesn't happen, YOU should be able to manoeuvre your way out or to find a way to deal with the situation. You eventually become skilled in managing those situations through the lessons you (are willing to) learn in life. But always live your life by your OWN values and try to stay on the positive side: negativity has no happy end! For some it may sound woolly, but it works for me. And I also realize, that this only makes sense in a society where you don't have to struggle to JUST be alive! Keep up the good work! Nice videos!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks so much for the inspiring words, really helpful to hear 🙏

[@forcolor9494]

Sounds like your on a good path now! This retreat is called a boot camp of meditation it’s not always been beneficial for people. They are researching the negative effects that can happen at Brown University. Cheetah house. Many come back with difficulty. Sounds like your on a good path now! You might not need this retreat. I was sorta talked into my first retreat and looking back I don’t recommend it to people. Don’t discount your own hard work to get where you are now. That’s awesome!! Good luck!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective

[@user-vz3xl2iw6p]

Ah David i wanted to give this a try, i wanted to join this retreat, right now i feel my mind is quite cluttered :D buti was sceptical about this , i am living in holland so planning to take the course some where in Europe. I really feel the need to reset and calm the flow. Thankyou for this video :)

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome! I just came back from vacation which was a "walking meditation." You can check out dhamma.org Yeah mind being cluttered...you're not alone =) But I hope it gets a bit less uncluttered for you!

[@MNM6818]

I went to the one by Dallas was amazing

[@hidavidwen]

Great to hear! How was your experience and what did you learn??

[@AshishYadav-dq7ne]

Hope you had a great time doing Vipasana meditation ( I Just finished this doing in India )

[@hidavidwen]

It's always a (tough) but amazing experience! How was your experience?? And where did you do it in India?

[@dylantierney6407]

Love this review. Thanks for adding it 🙏 May I ask, what sort of people shouldn’t do Vipassana? Thanks

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! Hm, I am not qualified to answer that but you can do a Google search.

[@vasubhushan228]

Good one! Would also be good to make an attempt to transcend the duality of "ÿou"and the "stuff you are watching". The feeling of Ýou' as a watcher is also a content of the body-mind complex.

[@hidavidwen]

Yes! I did experience that too

[@MonolithMike]

Great video David, thank you! I have meditated periodically for over 30 years, but only recently discovered Vipassana technique. Have you heard of its odd deleterious effects on some peoples psyches? What do you make of that?

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing. I think for some...those with traumas or psychological disorders...it's (the silent retreat) not recommended because things WILL come up (past, present, future)...and often, the teachers and volunteers are not professionals to help one out with that Just my opinion though

[@edwinvanderkaap7029]

wow compliment David 10 days seems very difficult to me. And again you explain it very nicely in a story. I really enjoy watching your videos. Greets Edwin

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Edwin! Haha 10 days is difficult until you do it! But yeah, it's like with everything...one step at a time. If you're interested, the website is dhamma.org =)

[@edwinvanderkaap7029]

I started this week with a 8 week course on tuesday evening i think that a good starter 😇

[@ayokamoss9314]

Hey David, can you recommend places in the USA I can do this?

[@hidavidwen]

Check out dhamma.org and you can find

[@Daoland-Everywhere]

Amazing, if preparing for meditation vipasana) already does that, what would actually meditation do for you

[@hidavidwen]

Wonders!

[@menubrothers]

I get very cold in the winter months and sitting still causes me to feel even colder. DId you get very cold whle trying to meditate? Did you have to learn to cope with feeling very cold or did you do anything to keep yourself comfortable and warm? Thank you!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! It was quite cold outside but not so cold in the meditation room. And of course, we had blankets. People wore socks and sweaters too. And it gets warmer when people are in the room together too, It’s fine!

[@Andre-qt1ct]

And you do the practice everyday since the first and from the second time on now?

[@hidavidwen]

Yes I do but of course not 10 hours per day hahah but I’ve maintained a regular meditation practice (mainly in morning when I wake up)!

[@Andre-qt1ct]

@@hidavidwen I've done the course by myself. And they say, that you have to do 1 hour of vipassana-meditation in the morning and 1 hour of vipassana-meditation in the evening, regularely every day. But as I know, some people - for example Yuval Noah Hararari, the israelic author - do only 1 hour of vipassana-meditation every day. So you do 1 hour of meditation in the morning? Since when you do it? What are the benefits?

[@jt.633]

Hi I wanna do this but I’m worried about back pain from sitting that would make it hard to meditate did you have an experience like that?

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for asking. It hurts but it goes away…that’s ‘Vipassana’ when you learn to observe the pain…it does lessen and becomes normal (well for me)

[@Vipassanawithkhalid]

There are also lots of cushions, benches, and even chairs to use. it isnt about torturing yourself to sit in a painful position. The teacher says be in any comfortable position. so sometimes i meditate on my couch or in a chair or on a meditation kneeling bench. The whole point of meditation is to meditate and focus on the object of meditation, the breath or bodily sensations. its not about torturing yourself. with that said though, you still do want to be disciplined and be okay with discomfort.

[@hyfroC]

Is it against the rules to cry? I feel like I’d burst into tears during meditation.

[@hidavidwen]

Not at all! There was a BIG guy sitting to my top right…and on Day 5/6, he started crying in the middle. It’s normal…you can get very deep…into your unconscious mind…where a lot of stuff can come out… During my first retreat, I teared up also and had to step out

[@lc2c177]

How do you deal with the bodily pain?

[@hidavidwen]

It goes away after a while...miraculously...that's also the teaching. Physical pain goes away...and so does mental/emotional pain

[@heekyungkim8147]

I was researching about vipassana and this video came up…. I have depression from some life trauma, do you think Vipassana can be harmful for someone with unstable mind ?

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for writing...I'm not a medical professional so I cannot give an opinion on that. Perhaps it is best to do a Google search?

[@heekyungkim8147]

@@hidavidwen. Ok. Thanks for reply.

[@Vipassanawithkhalid]

It is best recommended to not go to a Vipassana retreat if you have a serious mental illness. it can be quite challenging. I would recommend talking to a therapist and working through the trauma. Because at the retreat, lots of things will come up, including memories of these traumatic events (and probably even more that are hidden) so you want to be able to handle any feelings that arise.

[@stevec5398]

Sounds luxurious all those naps😂

[@hidavidwen]

I think I'll go back just for those naps...

[@keewayne3]

I would probably go crazy because I just came back from schizophrenia after forcing myself to be back to the matrix. I went too deep into my mind that I saw reality as fluid and there was no anchor like I was just in a dream and it feels like I died. Maybe it only works for ordinary people and not for people who are by nature self-reflective.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah this is not for everyone. Recommend someone check with a professional if they're suffering from mental health problems.

[@Vipassanawithkhalid]

Great video! Would love to collaborate on a video about vipassana if you are interested.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! Big fan of meditation but not focused on meditation videos, appreciate you reaching out 🙏

[@punitawasthi3138]

I feel pain in my back , but it feels like pain pulling out of the body. But the process feels like pain during meditation.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing. Were you able to process the pain?

[@punitawasthi3138]

@@hidavidwen Yes , sometimes. But other times if the pain got intense I would step out of meditation and take deep breaths. I guess it's emotional pain. How was your dealings if any with pain during 10 days retreat.

[@ladok1865]

Is it possible that mushrooms have been used in your meal?

[@hidavidwen]

I have no idea...

[@vito449]

Why do something for 10 days what DMT can bring you in 3 hours?

[@GrandTerr]

I've heard this from many people, but it feels like the difference between working out and taking steroids. I still have bias towards the "surgical" method that's based on drugs. Plus I find it debatable that you achieve the same results as with practicing observation and calming down over a long period of time.

[@vasquezgalego]

Like mushrooms?

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Rob and Max for the comments. Yeah after talking to quite a few people from the retreat who have tried a bunch of different things...what works for one person may not work for another. One guy said he's tried everything from therapy to drugs, but vipassana meditation was the thing that clicked for him (and what he was going through). I also know others who said meditation isn't for them. As for me...I've learned why these retreats only start with 10 days...because it takes at least 6/7 days for the technique of vipassana to really work and kick in. I've never tried DMT but imagine it brings about a similar experience in a short amount of time. Another (HUGE) added benefit for me of the 10-day retreat is establishing a morning routine of sleeping early/getting up early and eating healthier

[@Vipassanawithkhalid]

Here is an analogy. Imagine you have a trampoline. and there is a wall. the wall separates where you are now and on the other side is self realization. Taking psychedelics is like jumping on this trampoline and observing that other side. You are high for some period of time. but inevitably, you have to come back down. the high goes, and with it the self realization. Vipassana meditation is doing the work to start to take the brick wall apart 1 brick at a time. its is a lot harder than taking a few moments to take a drug. it takes a whole lot longer as well. But at the end, once the wall is dismantled, you get to live on the other side forever. Ultimately thats why I decided to take up Vipassana and work to dismantle the wall one brick at a time. True liberation. from effort. from wisdom. is a lot better than chemical alterations in your brain cause by immediate gratification of an outside substance.

[@user-sg9ow5te5p]

I've been maditating since 2016 after my spiritual experience on mushrooms in the Netherlands and had a few profound experiences when I felt connected with everything that have changed me forever. But this 10-days retreat is something else. I hope I will do it some day in the future, especially in the Netherlands because I feel connected to the country. Magnificent video as always!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! Yeah the retreat is something else..maybe you’ll experience it one day, good luck!

[@sebastiansaenzsalas4184]

I JUST FOUND MY FAVORITE KZbin CHANNEL YES, I'm into meditation, traveling and I'm moving to the Netherlands this year.

[@hidavidwen]

Thank Sebastian. Best of luck on your move and new life!