- Comprehensive meditation routine : Leo detailed his meditation practice, including various forms such as concentration, mindfulness with labeling, self-inquiry, walking meditation, and 'do nothing' techniques, totaling eight hours.
- Surprise at personal resilience : He expressed amazement at his ability to sustain extensive meditation sessions over two days, attributing it to a reduced resistance to being present.
- Difficulty with mindfulness in daily life : Noted the struggle to maintain mindfulness during cooking and eating, considering these to be more challenging than the formal meditation practices.
- Appreciation for nature walks : Enjoyed the beauty of a local trail, adding another dimension to his contemplative practice.
- Satisfaction with logistics : Leo felt content with his living arrangements and believed his provisions would last the entire retreat without the need to resupply.
- Mindfulness technique refinement : Reported a significant impact from altering his mindfulness labeling approach, deciding to slow down and immerse more deeply in each sensation.
- Exploration of multiple meditation methods : Committed to experimenting with diverse meditation techniques for a well-rounded experience and to enhance advice given to others.
- Strategic approach to self-inquiry : Intends to focus more intensely on self-inquiry after further sharpening the mind and raising awareness over the next few days.
- Challenges with mindful eating : Recognized a personal habit of fast eating and the need to recondition longstanding behavioral patterns to improve mindfulness.
- Mindfulness vs. efficiency : Reflected on the time-consuming nature of mindful practices compared to his usual focus on efficiency and the realization that true enjoyment requires mindfulness, prompting a desire to reassess his priorities.
- Unwiring the efficiency paradigm : Leo plans to deconstruct his deeply ingrained habit of prioritizing efficiency over enjoyment, advocating for a more mindful approach to even pleasurable activities.