The gong chimes. The silent retreat begins. Earlier today I handed over my mobile phone to the teacher for safe-keeping. That deep bong means I’m in, we’re off — no speaking or interaction with the outside world for a week.
Around me, my 28 fellow retreatants (a mixture of ages, 26 women, two men) look a bit scared.
Truth is, I feel pretty trepidatious myself, not to mention knackered. It is 8.30pm and my head is spinning from travelling to