This is one of the channels that gave me the courage to start my KZread 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

7 ай бұрын

Best of luck to you! 🙌

@nathananderson8720

7 ай бұрын

@@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 KZread 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 KZreadr, 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 KZread 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! :)

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.

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

Жыл бұрын

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

8 ай бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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

7 ай бұрын

❤ 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.

Vipassana is a priceless gift by India to the world ❤

@hidavidwen

10 ай бұрын

It is, thanks for sharing =)

@hhyling8483

3 күн бұрын

Buddha was strongly influenced by Jainism ,; a Jain Tirtankara lived 250 years before Buddha, His ascetic period was (probably) when he was really a Jain ( I am Christian by the way)

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

@hidavidwen

2 ай бұрын

🙌🙌 best of luck on the move and enjoy!

@chandrarajan7885

2 ай бұрын

if you gt time pls go to centre n meditate

Great report! I really enjoyed watching it :)

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

The best experience in my life, too!

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

Жыл бұрын

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

8 ай бұрын

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

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

7 ай бұрын

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

The moment I observed my breath, I started controlling it. Couldn't observe natural breath. Also was lazy to go up down in observing bodily sensations. Never experienced the electric flow nor did the body pain due to long sitting go away. But still had an amazing experience.

@hidavidwen

18 күн бұрын

Thanks for sharing, yeah each person will have their own experience

@hhyling8483

3 күн бұрын

I had the body pain go away, pain is relative

@pradeep1445

3 күн бұрын

@@hhyling8483 Wow, good to know

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

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

Thanks Elisha :) wish you the very best too!

Meditation changed my life! Thanks for sharing!

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

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

2 ай бұрын

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!

Thank you.

@hidavidwen

10 ай бұрын

You're welcome, thanks for watching!

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

Amazing experience! Mental health is very important 👍

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

what an interesting share! from sf bay area.

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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!

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

@hidavidwen

10 ай бұрын

Enjoy!

Great video 🙌

@hidavidwen

3 ай бұрын

🙏🙏

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

@maglow6807

Жыл бұрын

@@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.

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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

7 ай бұрын

Hope you can experience it, blessings to you!

@Vipassanawithkhalid

2 ай бұрын

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

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

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your experience and perspective

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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)

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

@hidavidwen

7 ай бұрын

I do =) Thanks for the kind words and sharing

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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!

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

@hidavidwen

11 ай бұрын

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

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

3 ай бұрын

Thanks 🙏🙏

@Vipassanawithkhalid

2 ай бұрын

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

I went to the one by Dallas was amazing

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

Yes! I did experience that too

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

Check out dhamma.org and you can find

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

@hidavidwen

7 ай бұрын

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

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

4 ай бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

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

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

Wonders!

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

@hidavidwen

7 ай бұрын

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

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

Жыл бұрын

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!

How do you deal with the bodily pain?

@hidavidwen

10 ай бұрын

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

can you get to vipassana meditation center with public transportation?

@hidavidwen

7 күн бұрын

Yeap go on the website and there should be directions

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

@@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?

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

8 ай бұрын

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

2 ай бұрын

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.

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

7 ай бұрын

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

7 ай бұрын

@@hidavidwen. Ok. Thanks for reply.

@Vipassanawithkhalid

2 ай бұрын

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.

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

2 ай бұрын

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

Sounds luxurious all those naps😂

@hidavidwen

7 ай бұрын

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

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

10 ай бұрын

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

@punitawasthi3138

10 ай бұрын

@@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.

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

@hidavidwen

2 ай бұрын

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

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

I have no idea...

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

@GrandTerr

Жыл бұрын

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

Жыл бұрын

Like mushrooms?

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

2 ай бұрын

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.

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

@hidavidwen

Жыл бұрын

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

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

6 ай бұрын

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