Silent Meditation Retreat: What Happens? Two Doctors Explain

[@SR-um6zt]

I did a 10 day silent vipassana retreat in November of 2014 without any prior meditation experience. Fought the whole process for the first 6 days and then on that evening experienced the most intense panic attack of my life. Over the course of 2 hours that evening the panic attack transitioned into the strongest euphoric trip of my life, surpassing anything I had ever felt on party drugs. The last 4 days seemed to fly by after that with an overwhelming sense of being present. Looking back, that retreat was a key turning point in my life that helped me to empathize and awaken to what existance can be, and feels like the moment when I became a man from a boy.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

That’s what the f%*# I’m talking about!

[@MrHitchslap]

That's so fascinating. Why do you think your panic attack turned around like that? Did it happen automatically or did you tell yourself certain things that transformed the experience?

[@grainofsand4176]

Thankyou for sharing your experience!!

[@geoffreylevens9045]

I worked as volunteer staff on one of those (sitting is a prerequisite to working). I was given the job of physical support liaison for the men meaning I was fetching extra blankets, ibuprophen, shoveling snow off the walks, etc. Also I got to meet frequently with the teachers. One thing I learned was that there is a very predictable pattern to when people freak out. The knew in advance which specific days were the likely ones that people would want to run away. And some did in fact bail. That particular course, the instructors who had been teaching these for many years, said was the roughest, with by far the most runners, of any they'd ever taught The most fascinating thing was that one of my jobs was to walk those who insisted on leaving early to their cars which were parked about 3/4 of a mile away down a dirt road. I was supposed to engage them in conversation to help them get grounded and outwardly directed before hitting the highway. I never asked but every single person told me in detail why the just "HAD to leave." It was so obvious with every single one of them that it was just internally generated noise that they chose to believe.

[@SR-um6zt]

@@MrHitchslap I had told the instructor how I was feeling that night and he told me to explore the sensation of it all. So I just let it ride to see where it would take me.

[@annettalybecker4712]

Working on an inpatient psychiatric ward for 21 years gave me a complete experience of non-verbal communications and an appreciation of how incredible the energy around us impacts all experience. This was a profound connection to other that is with us always. In my early life we lived in a foreign country. This was an immersion in culture and language not my own. The amazing thing is that though I didn’t speak the language and the other children did t speak English and yet we were able to communicate in a fundamental deep level non-verbally. These experiences have been profound and deepening connection to life. I do love life!!♥️

[@TheEvaluna1975]

I feel so fortunate for having had the opportunity to meet you both. You're each special in your own way ❤❤ Please keep doing these talks and retreats! Can't get enough!

[@antonyliberopoulos933]

Thank you Dr. Zubin. Thank you Dr. Angelo. Excellent work.

[@Notyourbusinessism]

I’ve gone three times on silent retreats. I loved it. Not making small talk with other participants was a huge relief to me.

[@jankelsey9738]

Zdogg, I absolutely love that you’re exposing your sizable audience to the benefits of silence and meditation. This conversation reminded me of some of the very early experiences I had when I started my meditation journey. 15 years later these early experiences deepen, naturalize and flower into many outward interactions with pets and people. This is called meditation in action. I just wish these experiences would last longer, but I have no doubt in time they will for that is the goal.

[@marygem]

Not having others make demands on me or ask me anything for a week is truly my version of heaven.

[@kbshrink]

Great talk!!! I was at the retreat, and Zubin you looked so happy and in tune and focused throughout. Thanks for sharing your inward observations with us here (now) ;)

[@monikaeichler4758]

This totally describes the process of Brainspotting - which is a focused mindfulness experience with an attuned therapist, and it's such a healing intervention, but so powerful. Many people will describe their experience during session as a 'psychedelic' experience as well. Meditation is the way we heal the world, by healing ourselves, one person at a time. It's funny how medication and meditation are only one letter apart. I truly believe that meditation can be a personal medicine.

[@personlady2438]

Jumping up and down with girly excitement that you are back and with the master himself!! ♥️♥️♥️

[@ZDoggMD]

Transcript, links to Angelo's book, channel, and website, and more shows on Awakening: zdoggmd.com/meditation-retreat Angelo's site for future retreats: books.simplyalwaysawake.com/ Topics and Timecodes: 00:00 Intro 01:50 What happens when we are silent and meditate, the nature of thought 06:15 Non-verbal connection/communication on retreat 09:51 Strong emotional, empathic openings and experiences 14:04 The group dynamic on silent retreat 15:36 The journey inward, removal of distraction 20:21 Emotion, suffering, and the opening of the heart 24:25 Psychedelics compared with retreat 26:22 Eating in silence with others 29:32 Support on retreat & group activities 34:52 Meditative concentration (joriki) 37:24 How to sign up for retreat 38:11 The Zen tradition, koans, mu 39:26 Angelo’s retreat specifics, pain, guided meditations

[@crystalmorris6853]

I recommend viagra for more sex from ur local pharmacy! 20 dollars a pop less talk more sex is my opinion. Just saying

[@droneflyer5065]

I'm so "type A" I got kicked out of a yoga class when I was in high school (years ago!) because I couldn't take it seriously. Now, as a 64-year-old professional female, I have a constant stream of information coming into my brain. As an attorney, I'm reading all day, talking with others, researching, writing, etc. and problem-solving. Between emails, voice mails, checking messages, returning calls, holding clients' hands metaphorically, and running my law practice, I have no time to quiet my mind during the day. Then, at night, I just want to escape the phone and email and lock out the world. We intentionally don't have television or cable TV in our home, and we don't do any social media whatsoever (social media is quite frankly destructive, unhealthy, and ultimately antisocial) so I read for pleasure at night, watch amazingly diverse KZbin videos (which is how I happily discovered Zubin!) or watch Netflix or Apple TV or Amazon Prime (pretty lame, huh?). My meditation is riding my bike every evening and weekend, or hiking in the mountains, or taking out my kayak on lakes and rivers (love, love, love my kayak), or just listening to doves in our backyard. But watching this segment about meditation lets me know that I should try to start some form of quiet meditation or quieting of my mind on a consistent basis. I'm a fan of ASMR, and was a fan of it before I even knew what it was--but I am completely open to learning the discipline or practice of quieting my mind and spirit to basically empty my brain of all the crap in it so that I can focus and hone in on who I really am, what I need to work on in myself, and how I can true to myself. My goal is to be true to myself, to incorporate as much love in my life as possible, to live a healthy lifestyle, and to live up to my potential--to use my abilities and talents to live as creatively and as productively as I can. I don't always succeed....And yes, Zubin, you're amazing. Keep up the awesome work.

[@StephanieLafazanos]

It's so great to hear you guys talking about this! I did my first silent meditations retreat in Thailand in 1996. Since then I used meditation to calm my mind and connect deeper to my body. It awakened my intuitive and empathic abilities (along with regular qigong practice). I now use my intuitive empathic abilities and became a Certified Medical Intuitive and Integrative Somatic Trauma Therapist. A lot of meditation and qigong practices are vital to my now work of helping women and couples with problems with intimacy, sexuality, sexual function and sexual trauma. Taoist Tantra is the school I am certified as an instructor, and in that body of practice we do meditation and Tao yoga and qigong and sexual energy practices. So adding to the Joriki - that energy we also concentrate in the lower dantien (sexual Jing energy concentration point and the energy center of connecting with the physical body)- (lower- belly, middle- hear, upper-third eye/mind) Which helps to build the physical energy of the body, kidneys, sexual organs first- and this helps people with sexual dysfunction.

[@jonni556thayoutuber9]

zdoggg back at it again Good video

[@ami156]

I like the emphasis on if you think you know what this is you don't know what this is. When were talking about heart opening energetic awareness this is all beyond mental comprehension. Nice talk guys.

[@howardchaitoff5707]

Hello. I have enjoyed listening to you for several years. Your "alt-middle" approach to understanding and mitigating the vile rhetoric coming from both sides during the pandemic has been a saving grace for me. You speak of meditation. Your broship with Dr. Prasad has become my zen moments when travelling in the car. Listening to intelligent men, friends, sharing witty and informative banter has become my "happy place." Lately, you have sounded frustrated and angry. Forget the Covidiots and Covidians. Come back to the "center" because we need your brand of healing. Peace.

[@griffingrinnell1582]

This video helped me so much. Thank you. I recently underwent an awakening and this helped put things into focus, and helped calm my mind. Now I really want to go on a retreat

[@DanielleM-yr4di]

For anyone interested in retreat, do it! I’m wondering if I would have been hesitant about retreat after listening to Z talk about his experience. I might have felt that I wasn’t ready or prepared enough. Only because Z is so full on about it, I might have been intimidated. But like seriously - if ur interested, do it. 💜 Meditation meditates u!

[@TheEvaluna1975]

Hi Girl! I totally second that! As Angelo once told me, answering my anxious questions about the retreat... the best way to prepare is trying NOT to get prepared! Best experience ever! I'll do it again and again! 🙏❤

[@DanielleM-yr4di]

@@TheEvaluna1975 Hey Lisette!!! Retreat is my new vacation destination :) I actually remember thinking “why am I not nervous?” A lot of new experiences bring out insecurities but Z, Angelo, Violet, and everyone else were so welcoming. I’ll hopefully see u again sometime soonish on retreat!

[@TheEvaluna1975]

@@DanielleM-yr4di Hope so too! Take care Danielle! 🤗❤

[@SolarJakee]

Thanks Danielle I needed that pep talk. I'm gonna take the plunge this autumn

[@StephanieLafazanos]

Thanks!

[@ZDoggMD]

Thank you!

[@ellepeterson9992]

Uncanny timing. I’m doing my first Vipassana 10 day silent retreat at the end of the month. This is helpful

[@TheCreepypro]

nice to see a video talking about something that we don't do at all in the west but really should even if it is only a little bit at a time

[@grainofsand4176]

You have mentioned retreats before- with that Dr. Z light in your eye- I really appreciate you both having this discussion. Im interested in investing in one some time- I'm a meditation infant- but I actually well up with emotions just hearing you talk about it.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

You’d love it :) We had a handful of people there who were beginner meditators and a couple who had never meditated!

[@ryanzez]

I highly recommend the 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat. Life changing

[@georgeshepherd3381]

This is great! Thank you!

[@gr8ful4dead]

🙏🏼 Thank you.

[@trinidiana]

This was so awesome and so very helpful. Thank you.

[@RelaxingNatureSoundsMusic]

Wonderful 💖 Thank you my dear friend🌺BIG LIKE 👍👍

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

:)

[@magicworldbyjorg]

[@jessyon6274]

Oh I would’ve loved to be involved in this!

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

We will have more :)

[@Roust7]

Excellent idea. Will there be another one? Is it open to anyone?

[@ZDoggMD]

Yes definitely sign up for Angelo's mailing list: books.simplyalwaysawake.com/

[@Koort1008]

When is the next retreat?

[@sherrymeacham7822]

I wasn't sure what the vibration was all about. I actually thought it was coming from the floor. I've felt this numbers of times.while meditating. .

[@gzmama1]

Thank you for sharing your insight and experiences! As a beginner meditator who has always wanted to attend a silent retreat, what are some resouces on finding such retreats (making sure that it's legit and not some questionable organization) and where do I start?

[@ANOOPBAL]

Would like to see some solid research showing the benefits of meditation. Since you and Vinay are so adamant about strong RCT's and science based approach, are there any? Or just personal onions? Thanks~!

[@Koort1008]

There is a lot. Google TM meditation research.

[@lalaland1541]

I have servers social anxiety/ depression . Is silent meditation retreat help me too ? Thanks for helpful video !

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

You'd probably get a lot out of it. For one thing it teaches us that we can relax in the presence of others without having to try to navigate all the inauthentic blah blah convo that tends to go on among humans 😂

[@Alaskaventureswithbrodie]

What retreat was this. I didn’t see the name of it

[@judyfrieler7016]

Do you ever have anyone get up and leave because they just can’t do it?

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

Never have but on occasion someone will fall asleep constantly. It’s the nervous systems defense mechanism 😂

[@grainofsand4176]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake really? Seriously I fall asleep all the time meditating. When I announce I'm going to meditate my kids say " have a nice nap'. lol.

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@grainofsand4176 I love it!

[@gr8ful4dead]

@@SimplyAlwaysAwake do they just sleep the retreat away? How long does that usually last? So interesting!

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

@@gr8ful4dead I can think of a couple examples where literally every talk I gave, and during each meditation the person was immediately out like a light. This would happen for several days in a row. Then at the end of retreat was like “meh I didn’t get much out of it” 😂😂😂… the ego structure can be very sneaky

[@TheEvaluna1975]

A sudden thought about Angelo being a parent just crossed my mind... would he be able to keep it together and raise "enlighten beings" ?... sorry just kidding! 😉 honestly I feel he'd be an awesome dad! 🙏❤❤❤

[@ne14truth]

The eyes only feed %10 of what we see, the other %90 is made up from the mind. The mind is connected to near field energies. Once you quiet the ego you can perceive more subtle language and data transfer

[@arieldye544]

Just wondering if the movie Dr. Strange hits differently yet!?!?

[@naomistoneify]

Whaaaaaaat!?!??! A "large part of me" has wanted to be just silent for a long time...in fact I was just thinking about this not even 10 minutes ago. Heh...cool :)

[@SimplyAlwaysAwake]

I hope you get to have the experience :)

[@naomistoneify]

Thanks 😁

[@glasstumble1677]

What do you think about the Pfizer papers that have just been released?

[@kathiescott9649]

I think he endorses vax...

[@SarahDale111]

This video is a fine example of there being nothing in it for "me". 😜 Seriously, though, it felt like a long, drawn out ad for a thing that my character isn't fortunate enough to participate in. 😖

[@ikiruyamamoto1050]

Hmm, you just spent 44 minutes describing an experience "you just can't describe." Anyway, always good to think about and do meditation, and remember all the crap we've imposed on ourselves... a proven scientific benefit. As far the SUBJECTIVE, touch feely stuff....to each their own.

[@CityOfTinyLines]

A science skeptic anesthesiologist doctor? Who invented the anesthetic?

[@lyt48]

Your definition & understanding of “science” & “woo woo” itself need deep examination as you have based your conclusions about these conceptually & based on stereotypes & assumptions. Meditate your life out until you are in deep dhyana then examine this while doing Vipassana or any of the Hindu meditations! You’ll see what science actually is versus what y’all think it to be. This exploration itself is science & research in our knowledge systems!!

[@BeyondUnknown00]

Have you made a video on the pfizer docs? Don't remain silent.

[@ashish888]

vipassana....Vipassana.......Vipassana.....just google it and you will know it. Thank me later.