Lead & Learn

Tag: motivation

  • 10 Days of Silence, A Lifetime of Clarity: My Vipassana Journey at Igatpuri

    “Only your pure and good deeds — from this life or perhaps many past ones — will help you receive this life-transforming experience.” – Guruji S. N. Goenka

    In May 2025, during a planned sabbatical, I found myself where I had long envisioned being: the serene and spiritually charged Dhammagiri hills of Igatpuri. A dream I had carried for over a decade finally became reality — inspired by my wife’s own early experience with Vipassana meditation, which had profoundly shaped her identity and approach to life.

    🛑 No Phones, No Talking — Just You

    On arrival, the transition into silence begins quickly. After verifying basic formalities like ID checks and room allotment (mine was a modest, peaceful single occupancy room), the most critical handover happens — not just of phones, smartwatches, and digital devices, but of all distractions: outside food, perfumes, pain balms, even non-prescribed medicines.

    From that evening onward, “Arya Moun” (noble silence) begins — a complete vow of silence for the next ten days. No talking, no gestures, no eye contact. It felt alien at first, but gradually, this silence became a sanctuary.

    🧭 What is Vipassana, Really?

    Vipassana is one of the most ancient meditation techniques, rediscovered by Gautama Buddha over 2,600 years ago. Its purpose? To purify the mind and liberate oneself from suffering.

    The practice rests on three interconnected pillars:

    1. Śīla (Morality): Abstaining from harmful acts — no lying, stealing, intoxicants, or indulgences.
    2. Samādhi (Concentration): Achieved through Ānāpāna — mindful observation of the breath, sharpening awareness.
    3. Prajñā (Insight): The core Vipassana practice — observing bodily sensations without craving or aversion, developing equanimity.

    These principles aren’t just guidelines. They’re your tools, your compass, your daily work.

    🕰️ A Day in the Life of Silence

    • 4:00 AM: Cold shower (yes, cold — unless you wait for the hot water slot later!)
    • 4:30–6:30 AM: Morning meditation in the Dhamma Hall
    • 6:30–7:15 AM: Breakfast
    • 8:00–11:00 AM: Meditation sessions with guidance from Guruji S. N. Goenka
    • 11:00–11:30 AM: Lunch
    • 1:00–5:00 PM: Meditation sessions with guidance from Guruji S. N. Goenka
    • 5:00-5:30 PM: Dinner (the last meal of the day)
    • 6:00–9:00 PM: Group meditation and the nightly Dhamma discourse

    Meditation spans 11 hours daily, cross-legged and grounded — literally. The physical discomfort, especially in the first few days, was overwhelming. My mind screamed, my body ached, and more than once, I questioned my decision to continue. But walking away wasn’t easy — nor right. I chose to stay. And I’m deeply grateful I did.

    💡 From Resistance to Resilience

    Somewhere between Day 7 and Day 10, something shifted. The pain wasn’t gone, but my relationship with it had changed. I began to observe without reacting, accepting without attachment.

    I wasn’t just detoxing from noise or devices — I was confronting my own mental patterns, restlessness, and ego. Living in complete silence, detached from work, titles, family, and even identity, felt like returning to a truer version of myself.

    And all of this — the food, shelter, support — came at zero cost. I was living like a monk, thanks to the Dana (donation) of those before me.

    🙏 What I Gained (and Gave Up)

    I left Vipassana not with a certificate or reward — but with:

    • Sharper self-awareness
    • A quieter ego
    • A renewed inner compass
    • And deep gratitude for seva (selfless service)

    This wasn’t a retreat. It was a rebirth of sorts — one I hope to nurture by continuing daily practice and perhaps one day, serving others on the same path.

    🌱 Final Reflections

    To anyone reading this who feels drawn to pause, reflect, and transform — I can’t recommend Vipassana enough. It’s not easy. It’s not comfortable. But it is real. And rare.

    Sometimes, the best conversations are the ones we have in silence — with ourselves.

    “May all beings be happy. May all beings be liberated.”

    For registration visit: https://www.dhamma.org/en/courses/search

  • How to Start Planning Your Career — Even If You’re Feeling Lost

    How to Start Planning Your Career — Even If You’re Feeling Lost

    When I started out, I didn’t have a roadmap. No 10-year plan. No mentor on speed dial. Just ambition, a bit of anxiety, and a quiet hope that things would work out.

    If that sounds like you — you’re not alone. Career planning can feel like standing at the edge of a dense forest with no clear path. But here’s the truth: you don’t need to see the whole trail. You just need to take the first step.

    🌱 Why Career Planning Feels Overwhelming

    For many aspiring professionals, career planning feels like a heavy responsibility. And I get it —

    • There are too many choices, and you’re unsure which one is “right.”
    • You worry about making the wrong move or missing your “big break.”
    • Everyone else seems to have it figured out — and you’re just trying to breathe.

    Let’s drop the pressure for a moment and replace it with perspective.

    🔍 Step 1: Start With Self-Reflection

    The best career paths begin with you. Before looking outward at industries, job titles, or trends, look inward.

    Ask yourself:

    • What activities make you feel energized?
    • What do people often ask for your help with?
    • Who do you admire — and what do you admire about them?
    • What are your non-negotiables (e.g., work-life balance, creativity, impact)?

    Your answers won’t give you an instant blueprint, but they’ll start shaping the foundation.

    🎯 Step 2: Set a 1-Year Goal (Not a 10-Year Plan)

    A common trap? Trying to map your entire life right now. You don’t need a decade-long strategy — you need a one-year goal that excites and challenges you.

    It could be:

    • Learning a new skill
    • Switching roles or industries
    • Building a personal brand
    • Gaining leadership experience
    • Exploring something outside your comfort zone

    Once you set a short-term direction, the next steps often become clearer.

    🌿 Step 3: Your Career is a Journey, Not a Ladder

    Careers today aren’t linear — they zigzag, pause, restart, evolve. And that’s not a flaw — it’s the new normal.

    • Don’t fear detours — they teach you things straight roads never can.
    • Don’t let failure define you — let it refine you.
    • Stay curious — the best opportunities often arrive unannounced.

    I’ve met people who bloomed in their 30s, pivoted in their 40s, and started fresh in their 50s. It’s never too late, and it’s rarely too early.

    💬 Final Thoughts

    Planning your career doesn’t mean knowing everything. It means being intentional about what matters to you — and being willing to evolve.

    So if you’re feeling lost, remember this: every expert was once uncertain. Every leader once questioned themselves. You’re in good company.

    You don’t need the perfect plan. You just need to start.

    🚀 Over to You:

    What’s one small step you’ll take today toward your career goal?
    Share in the comments or pass this along to someone who needs a little clarity.