In Part 2 of my Vipassana series, I dive deeper into what actually happened during the retreat itself. A month after returning home, I reflect on what has stayed with me, what has faded, and the lessons that continue to unfold in daily life as a mother, entrepreneur, homeschooler, and spiritual seeker. In this episode, I share: • The surprising shift that happened after the first days of anger and frustration• What Vipassana taught me about boundaries, resentment, and speaking up for myself• The power of simplicity and why life felt so much lighter with fewer decisions• The relief of stepping away from other people’s problems, complaints, and expectations• How meditation affected my posture, habits, and relationship with time• The fears that surfaced after the retreat and what I am learning about meeting them with awareness• The blissful, expansive state I experienced on Day 7—and the crash that followed• Why the teachers emphasized equanimity over chasing peak experiences• Reflections on love, partnership, and what being away revealed about my relationship with my husband• The image of the monarch butterfly that became a symbol of this season of my life I also speak about returning home, rebuilding a meditation practice in ordinary life, and the ongoing challenge of integrating profound spiritual experiences into the realities of work, family, and responsibility. While I did experience an interesting mystical experience, this conversation is more about what happens after a 10 day retreat: the slow work of change, the cultivation of awareness, and the courage to keep showing up for the life that is already here. Part 3 will explore my time in Glastonbury, Avebury, ancient sacred sites, and the unexpected experiences that awaited me there. 🌿 Work with me:I offer 1:1 Quantum Meditation sessions (online and in person), astrology readings, monthly women's and mother's circles, and community gatherings in Collingwood, Ontario. Learn more at:www.emiliealexina.com Instagram:@emiliealexina
