- End of setup day reflections : Leo acknowledges the setup took longer than expected, with significant effort required not just for logistics but also for establishing ground rules for the retreat's duration.
- Daily practice structure : He plans to implement strict mindfulness meditation using Shinzen Young's labeling technique as a foundation, followed by self-inquiry and other practices in ten one-hour blocks each day.
- Mindfulness continuity : The challenge is to maintain mindfulness 24/7, even during breaks and non-formal activities, applying the labeling technique consistently to stay present.
- Retreat emotional phases : Anticipates beginning, middle, and end phases of the retreat with difficulties such as adjustment to routine change, emotional upheavals, and physical fatigue, especially coupled with practical responsibilities like meal prep.
- Rules and commitment : Leo emphasizes the importance of self-imposed rules and a firm commitment to staying disconnected from technology and resisting the urge to give in to distractions and temptations.
- Sleep strategy : Adopts a pragmatic approach to sleepiness during meditation by taking short naps to reset alertness and maximize following meditation sessions' efficacy.
- Documentation discipline : Plans to limit documentation to 10-minute video sessions each night, culminating in a final wrap-up to share insights and highlight the practicalities and challenges experienced.
- Confronting and transforming through adversity : Stresses the necessity to face tough emotional experiences as part of the spiritual purification process, recognizing them as pivotal transformative work where the ego is diminished.
- Personal experiment and transparency : Leo concludes with a reflection on the experiment's raw nature, opening up the possibility of sharing more if it proves valuable to others.