Listening

I felt as if someone was pressing burning coals against my lower back. The pain was sharp and unrelenting. My legs tingled, my knees throbbed, and my feet went numb. But my back… it was unbearable. A wave of fear rose in me, and I wanted to jump up and escape. But I remembered what the meditation teacher had said: “Don’t run from pain—observe it.” I forced myself to stay still. I focused my mind on the fiery spots in my back, studying them carefully. What is pain? Where does it start? How deep does it go? Then something incredible happened. The fear melted away, and my breathing slowed naturally. I felt an unexpected calm spread through my body. Suddenly, the pain wasn’t “pain” anymore—it was just a strong vibration. I no longer wanted to escape. This happened on the ninth day of a silent meditation retreat using the method of Master Arjun. His retreat lasts ten days, starting at 4 AM and ending at 9 PM, with no talking at all. The training focuses on direct experience, not theories. Surprisingly, the course is free, and donations are optional. When I completed the course, I felt peaceful and focused like never before. Sadly, over time I stopped practicing daily meditation, and my mind has become restless again. Now I’m thinking seriously about joining another retreat. Luckily, there are centers around the world, so finding one won’t be difficult.