Finding Balance through Meditation: My Journey to Stillness in the North of Pai

There’s something about the journey to Pai that already slows you down. The winding roads, the lush landscapes, the sense of detachment from the rush of everyday life. And as I traveled north, I knew I was heading toward something different—a space to reconnect, to pause, and to listen.

I spent five days at the Pai Meditation Center, a retreat that felt like the perfect balance between structure and flexibility. Unlike the more rigid silent retreats that span ten days, this experience embraced a gentler approach. And when I arrived, I could feel it immediately: the philosophy here was about following the middle way.

Pai International Meditation Center

So often, we swing between extremes—pushing too hard or letting go completely. But here, I was reminded of the beauty of balance, of meeting myself somewhere in the middle

The Practice of Presence through Meditation

Each day, we meditated for about five to six hours, guided by teachings that carried deep wisdom. The meals, prepared with care, were delicious and nourishing. Traditionally, monks do not eat after lunch, but here, the decision was left to us. Snacks were available, and we could listen to what our bodies needed. I quickly realized that eating too much made my meditation practice more difficult—just like physical exercise, when my stomach was working hard, my mind struggled to find stillness.

One of the key lessons from the retreat was: Everything is good, because I can adjust my mind.

This simple yet profound insight shifted my perspective. No matter what was happening, I had the power to readjust. To recalibrate. To return to center.

Slowing Down to Expand Time

One of the biggest paradoxes I experienced was that when I slowed down, time expanded. We often believe that to move quickly, we must rush—but it’s the opposite. By being present, by taking in each moment fully, I found that time was on my side. It was a revelation that stayed with me beyond meditation, seeping into the way I approached life itself.

The True Nature of Happiness

Another insight that deeply resonated with me was the distinction between external and internal happiness. When we seek happiness outside of ourselves, we remain in a cycle of chasing. It often comes in waves of excitement, exhilaration, and fleeting highs. But when we turn inward, happiness becomes something entirely different—calm, steady, peaceful. And the best part? It’s always there. We don’t have to look for it. We just have to turn inward and allow it to emerge. Meditation is the gateway to this kind of happiness.

Lessons in Meditation

Meditation itself is a journey of understanding. Some of the most valuable lessons I took away were:

• Follow your comfort. You can always adjust.

• Thoughts are normal. Recognize them, accept them. Be the observer, not the director.

• When we give the mind space, it can grow. Over time, the moments of stillness—the gaps between thoughts—become more frequent.
  

An analogy that stayed with me was this: Mindfulness is the cover of the book, but meditation is what allows us to open it.

Tools for Stillness

At the retreat, we were introduced to different tools to enter a state of stillness:

1. The Breath – A constant anchor, always available to bring us back to presence.

2. Visualization – Imagining something soothing, like a serene landscape or a peaceful light, to settle the mind.

3. Mantras – A word or phrase that creates a rhythm, guiding the mind into stillness.
   

As we deepen our practice, we can gradually let go of these tools and simply be in the stillness. Thoughts will continue to knock on the door of our awareness, but over time, they will visit less frequently—just like an unanswered call eventually stops ringing.

An Invitation to Experience

These lessons are not just concepts to be understood—they are experiences waiting to unfold. Meditation is not about forcing silence but about creating the space for stillness to arise naturally. And the beauty of it is that you don’t need to be in a retreat to begin.

Find a quiet moment today, follow your breath, and allow yourself to slow down. Time will expand, presence will deepen, and happiness will reveal itself from within.

I’ll be sharing more reflections in another post, but for now, I invite you to explore these insights in your own way. Because the truest understanding comes not from words, but from experience.

With love, Vlora Stillness is not empty—it is full of possibility. When we slow down, we make space for inspiration, creativity, and deeper self-connection. If you’re curious about what can emerge from stillness, explore my Breathe & Bloom course—a journey of mindful creation, inner clarity, and self-expression.

🔗 [Join Breathe & Bloom here]