This has been frequently requested of me ever since my earlier post about ‘The Six Month Conversation’ resonated with so many people. This follow up is about the framework Alexis and I devised with hopes of guiding our life journey together independently and as a couple. I know this post is arriving several years late, after tons of requests, so thanks everybody for your patience!
This is the second of three (3) posts about this experience, and it will be written in a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) format. If you aren't familiar with Vipassana, I suggest first taking a look at Part 1 (general overview, some logistical questions). If you find yourself interested after reading the first two posts, you can see Part 3 (advice for people who'd like to give it a go).
My partner did Vipassana together with me; here's Part 1 and Part 2 of what she wrote about her experiences.
I decided to make some major life changes at the start of 2016. This was due to a number of factors, including health troubles, and something else that I couldn't explain.
A question many posed to me is whether I chose to take a sabbatical because my career wasn't going anywhere. To be honest, this couldn't be further from the truth. At the time, I was with Avanade and on a very solid career track within the company as well the area of industry where I was focused. Life was going great no matter how you looked at it, but something didn't feel right - it was this inexplicable feeling that led me to decide to pursue something else that was not in a career-oriented direction.
After carefully considering what I wanted to do, I chose to term my break as a "sabbatical" because it best aligned with what I was seeking…
Continuing along... what happens towards the halfway mark of time invested in personal development?
Wedding planning trip to Pemberton, BC to work meet with our photographer, chef.
Attend the Annual Ceremonial Review for 888 Avenger Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, representing the Kiwanis Club of Vancouver in the review party and presenting the award for Top Instructor.
Ongoing things: quality family time, wedding planning activities, dedicated time for the Kiwanis Club of Vancouver, ultimate frisbee league, Weekly Coffee Hour, volunteering with Working Gear, and an unhealthy amount of time on Quora through it all…
Imagine spending two weeks, starting tomorrow, living in a remote area with no electronic devices. Does this 'disconnected' scenario greatly appeal to you or does it freak you out more than you'd care to admit?
In our rapidly changing world where technological marvels are appearing one after another in quick succession, it's easy to get caught up in the rush of of it all. We are constantly connected to different devices so we can stay informed, keep in touch with people, and entertain ourselves. I admit to being a strong advocate for utilizing technology in innovative ways that integrate with and improve our lives.
The flip side, however...
