22 Days in a Buddhist Monastery: Clarity From Silence with Laurie Jacobson
When Laurie Jacobson was 43, she found herself in a deeply unhappy marriage and increasingly isolated and depressed. After years of trying conventional therapies and self-help approaches without relief, she made a decision that felt radical at the time: she signed up for a silent retreat at a Buddhist monastery she’d discovered through a pamphlet in a coffee shop. Over the next 22 days of meditation and silence, Laurie experienced a profound shift in perspective that helped her see her life differently — and ultimately gave her the clarity she needed to make a difficult life decision.
What daily life was like during a silent meditation retreat
Why she decided to go to a Buddhist monastery after trying many other forms of help
The surprising mental clarity that can come from long periods of silence and meditation
How the experience changed the way she saw her marriage, and gave her the strength to leave it
The lessons she carried forward about openness, desire, and letting go
Mentioned in this episode:
“Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, because sometimes it takes stepping outside your comfort zone to find a better place.”
Episode 29 Notes
Coming soon.
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