Finding Inner Peace

Our One-Day Retreat at Bharati Hospital, Pune

On 21st December 2025, the Metta Vipassana Way team conducted a special one-day workshop at the Bharati Vidyapeeth Hospital and Research Centre in Pune. The session, held in Hall E of the old building, was specifically designed for the hardworking ICU doctors and nurses who face high stress and burnout every day.

Led by Dr. Rohi Shetty and Shubham Mohod, the retreat saw 30 participants come together to learn the “SMILE” approach to meditation. We are deeply grateful to Dr. Shivakumar Iyer (HOD), Dr. Rutala Sonawane, Dr. Digamber Singh and the entire Bharati Hospital team for their excellent management and support. 

A Day of Learning and Relaxing

The day started at 8:30 AM with a healthy breakfast, followed by several sessions of Smiling Meditation. The schedule was a mix of theory and practice, ensuring everyone felt relaxed yet focused.

Dr Shivakumar Iyer explained that the SMILE study stands for Stress reduction with Mindfulness in the ICU makes Life Easy. 

When the Mind Relaxes, the Heart Begins to Speak

Dr. Rohi Shetty shared the six steps of Smiling Meditation:

1. Smile all the time. When you forget, re-smile.
2. Relax and be cool with the ups and downs of life.
3. Share your metta (unconditional goodwill) with yourself and others, without any judgment or expectations.
4. Be mindful of your thoughts.
5. Let go of any distractions or disturbances not only in your meditation but also in your daily life. And above all,
6. Don’t take anything personally.

He explained that meditation is not about “stopping thoughts,” but about Sakshibhaav—observing our mind without judgment. He shared a simple truth: “Smile for no reason to feel happy for no reason.”

Key Lessons from the Workshop

During the sessions, the participants learned several life-changing concepts:

• The Power of a Smile: A smile makes the mind light and attentive. Just like babies communicate through smiles, we need to rediscover this “stranger” within us.
• Radical Responsibility: We often blame others for our stress. Dr. Rohi explained that while we cannot control what others do, we can control how we react. This is the difference between Paristhiti (circumstances) and Manasthiti (state of mind).
• The Two Woodcutters: To be productive, we must “sharpen our axe” during rest. Meditation is the tool that sharpens and strengthens our mind.
• Forgiveness: We learned that forgiving someone isn’t a favor to them; it is a gift to ourselves. It frees us from the “prison” of bitterness.

Causes and Conditions — How I Came to a Metta Vipassana Retreat

Practicing the “6R” Technique

The workshop introduced the 6R technique from the Tranquil Wisdom Insight Meditation (TWIM) tradition. We didn’t just sit in one place; we practiced:

1. Metta (Loving-kindness) Meditation
2. Forgiveness and Gratitude
3. Walking Meditation in the beautiful hospital campus.
4. Mindful Eating during lunch, where we focused on our food without distractions.
5. Breathing Meditation

Helping Our Healthcare Heroes

Dr. Rohi and Shubham also conducted one-on-one sessions with the participants. They listened to the struggles of the medical professionals – the long hours, the hectic schedules, and the emotional toll of the job. By teaching them to use the breath as a bridge between the body and mind, the staff learned how to stay calm even in the busy ICU.

The feedback was heartwarming. Many participants shared that this “smiling and relaxed” way of meditation felt much easier and more helpful than traditional methods.

As we wrapped up at 4:30 PM with tea and a six-week practice plan, the atmosphere was filled with peace. We are happy to see our healthcare heroes walking away with a smile!