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