Debating to go on a 6 months to 1 year silent retreat

[Tistepiste]

Hey all,

I am debating whether to go on a silent retreat up to 1 year next year. Probably in Myanmar - or at least according to Mahasi Sayadaw's teachings - which worked really well for me in my last two-week retreat.

Old thought patterns resurfaced however, and I feel more stuck than ever.

I am starting therapy in a few weeks, but also thinking - I am in the lucky position that I am currently able to take a year off without too many consequences.

I don't have kids, a partner - I have a good degree and can easily find a job, and I can sublet my room in a big city easily.

So: why not?

Now the reason why I write this post is I am curious to you all,

• Have you got any experience with very long retreats?
• Do you have any recommendations? I can go literally anywhere in the world..
• Some stuf I should be aware of / think about before going?

Cheers everyone

[TheSelf]

My experience is that it's the best thing, I'm living alone...for years.

Edited 13 hours ago by TheSelf

[theleelajoker]

Go out in the world. Do stuff. Talk to people. Laugh. Cry. Live 

Edited 8 hours ago by theleelajoker

[Tistepiste]

@theleelajoker that's what I've been doing my entire life

[Salvijus]

Isn't there a war in Myanmar right now? 

I support doing long retreats tho. 

[Hojo]

This is not something anyone can help you think about.

Edited 2 hours ago by Hojo

[James123]

On 11/7/2025 at 6:26 PM, Tistepiste said:

Hey all,

I am debating whether to go on a silent retreat up to 1 year next year. Probably in Myanmar - or at least according to Mahasi Sayadaw's teachings - which worked really well for me in my last two-week retreat.

Old thought patterns resurfaced however, and I feel more stuck than ever.

I am starting therapy in a few weeks, but also thinking - I am in the lucky position that I am currently able to take a year off without too many consequences.

I don't have kids, a partner - I have a good degree and can easily find a job, and I can sublet my room in a big city easily.

So: why not?

Now the reason why I write this post is I am curious to you all,

• Have you got any experience with very long retreats?
• Do you have any recommendations? I can go literally anywhere in the world..
• Some stuf I should be aware of / think about before going?

Cheers everyone

I did 6 months, within darkness and silence. Only one a month went for shopping to eat (at night).

Within the retreat, Every 2 weeks, I did psychedelics. 

At the end, including life after retreat, the experience belongs to body not You. 

Life happens trough You.

Drinking coffee or realizing god, belongs to body and mind, not You. 

You are the thing that which can not be experienced.