“Who on earth could—or would want to—sit in silence for 10 days?” That was my first thought when I heard about this meditation practice called Vipassana. My immediate reaction was, “I could never do that.” But as the whisper grew louder, curiosity began to stir, shifting my thoughts to, “The day I can do that is the day I’ll be proud of myself.”

I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard that meditation can drastically improve our state of mind and overall well-being, yet finds it challenging to begin or, more so, to maintain a consistent practice. I also recognise that not everyone can take time away for a 10-day silent retreat, and, for most people, the idea of meditating for 10 hours a day, every day, sounds intimidating—not to mention terrifyingly weird.

Through my habitual writing practice, I’ve found a way to integrate the ancient teachings of Vipassana by focusing on the senses—seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touch/body sensations, and thinking—with non-judgmental awareness and observation.

This Writing Meditation is designed for anyone who finds traditional meditation challenging, struggles to stay present in daily life, and is curious about connecting with themselves on a deeper level.