Vipassana Meditation Center in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu:

The sun had just begun its quiet descent over the hills of Kathmandu when I arrived at the Vipassana center in Budhanilkantha. Nestled at the base of the Shivapuri hills, the center was surrounded by forests and distant echoes of birds, creating an atmosphere already markedly different from the bustle of the city just a few kilometers below.

Check-in was a quiet affair. Volunteers welcomed us gently, with simple instructions and warm smiles. There was already an air of stillness among the other participants—some of us exchanging nervous glances, others already settling into the silence.

After handing in our phones and reading materials, we were guided to our rooms. The accommodations were spartan but clean—just a bed, a small table, and a thin mattress. I appreciated the minimalism; it matched the purpose of the journey we were about to undertake.

The evening bell rang, and we assembled in the Dhamma Hall for the orientation and the taking of the five precepts, followed by the vow of noble silence—no speaking, no gestures, no eye contact for the next 10 days. This was the real beginning.

Our teacher, through recorded instructions by S.N. Goenka, introduced us to Anapana meditation—the observation of natural breath. It sounded simple. Just observe the breath entering and leaving the nostrils. But within minutes of trying, I realized how scattered my mind was. My attention darted in every direction—memories, regrets, plans, worries. Everything surfaced once I was forced to sit with myself.

The first meditation session lasted an hour, and by the end, my back ached, my knees throbbed, and I was counting the seconds to the end bell. But something within me shifted—subtly. A strange calmness lingered after the struggle. As I stepped out into the cool night, stars blanketed the sky over Budhanilkantha, and for a brief moment, my mind mirrored that stillness.

I returned to my room in silence. The first day was over. Nine more to go. I had no idea what lay ahead, but for now, I was here. Fully here.