you call it boring, but that is the simple way of life.

I'm sure to do this at one point in my life

Dear friends, Dave said it was boring. What most of you are missing is that he's O.K. with that. He understands that there is a reason he's left with nothing but time to occupy. Meditation is the only thing he's got to try and occupy that time with. You will resist, but eventually you will do the only thing left to do. Sit down and shut up. And he describes what follows as beneficial. Eventually, his mind starts to clear and that's when progress happens. As a former monk ordained in Thailand (5 years), I can tell you: IT IS BORING. It's supposed to be. If there were a million external things to distract and entertain you, the purpose would be defeated. You're left with 2 choices: Leave and tell others you went to a monastery to practice focusing but it sucked because it wasn't a carnival of distractions for you (wtf?!), or surrender. Upon surrender to the program, you will discover that there are a million other things that are INTERNAL that will be there to distract you anyways. With only you to challenge yourself, the exploration begins. At the end of the 10 days, you've developed a bit of an understanding that there really is something to this practice. And better yet, in your daily life you will realize that you have a different awareness. Things your brain didn't realize it was learning during meditation manifest in the form of the Four Noble Truths and the Noble Eightfold Path and like a lotus, petal by petal revealing itself, progress progresses. Each time another petal opens you'll think back to how being BORED got you to that point. And you'll remember: NO MUD, NO LOTUS!

If meditation is boring for you than you just simply don't know how to meditate.

People in the comments section need to stop bitching about how the guy found his retreat boring. Just because he found it boring, doesn't mean he didn't understand what the practice was all about, all it means is his mind had a particular reaction to the experience, one that he had to understand and meditate on. I guarantee if half of you did this, you would also struggle with boredom, that is the entire point of the practice, to deal with whatever emotions arise and train the mind. You can feel boredom and still benefit from the experience and retroactively enjoy it. So y'all get off the guys back until you actually do this yourselves.

How much was the whole trip

I am glad you got something from the meditation retreat even though you put it as "boring". Before joing this retreat, you'd better find some information about its objectives, outcomes and relevant activities. This retreat usually last for 10 - 14 days and is arranged by many monasteries or meditation centrs in order to clean up your mind and body with the set of mindful meditation. All genders, including LGBT, are welcome. You do not have to change your religion or beliefs in order to participate in the retreat. Practice makes perfect....

Whenever you are boring that's mean you are learning. Keep try again and again because you will be understanding better about Buddhist meditation; standing, walking, sitting, and sleeping.

it is easy when you do nothing, don't have kids...just meditate...And this is what they got wrong...it is not to have empty mind, but to have the good thoughts and do good, not do nothing. Do nothing = doing evil.

You find it boring because you couldn't endure the wonderful time you got.

He said it's boring. That only proves to me he doesn't know what it's all about.

I love your editing 😁 keep up the good work.

THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DO!

I think this looks amazing!! I would love to do this! I would be knackered and starving but I bet you feel so zen when you leave and what an amazing experience!

Thank you for sharing your experience. I think I will experience this myself one day for some personal reason, it's good to hear some thoughts and experiences from you, they're helpful.

This is awesome... thanks for posting!! you did a great job of explaining some of the mental benefits to meditation which are true in any spiritual practice. <3

This was actually a very good introduction to meditation. And good poem at the beginning, too.

Really enjoyed this!

I do meditation too, and I think it very helps my mind to calm down after a long day.

DAVE! You're hilarious man! 😹 But is true! Meditation is really helpful, I started meditation practice a month ago by taking 10minutes of my time as soon as I wake up, after that I write for 15 to 20 minutes any thought I have after the meditation, usually is what I have to do during the day, and 30 minutes later I'm completely focus on my day and everything I have to do! my mind feels lighter and free. Btw, congrats on the Precious Plastic Project! I'm looking forward to build some of your machines soon! Thanks a lot for sharing your ideas! Best of Luck! Ally from NY! xoxo