Turning Point: 10-Day Vipassana Meditation and Its Impact on Focus and Ego

I’ve been meditating for the last 6 years or so in the Vipassana-ish tradition. I actually started out using Sam Harris’ Waking Up course. I’ve found it very beneficial due to many of the insights the author found during their retreat. I am interested in hearing from others whether the intense retreat experience described here is like a fast track to the same place as consistent long term meditation or whether there’s unique insights that you only find with this kind of intense experience? Also, whether the insights found during retreats tend to stick better long term than what you get through daily practice? Unfortunately even a two day retreat isn’t a realistic option for me right now, but I am interested in one day going down that path.

I attended a 10-day Vipassana meditation course earlier this year. The experience of disconnecting completely — no phone, no talking, no work — had a surprising impact on my focus, my sense of ego, and my ability to manage reactions. I wrote about the lessons and practical takeaways in this piece. Curious to hear if others here have tried Vipassana or similar extended meditation retreats.