After the exploration and reflection of Day 1 and Day 2, Day 3 of the AAO workshop invites you to go even deeper into the process of unearthing your true self, each of us carries a set of goals or plans for what we want to achieve in life. Over time, we begin to live inside a shell I call the ‘Artificial You’. This version of ourselves is constantly shaped by comparisons—comparing yourself to your past, comparing yourself to others, or even comparing yourself to who you think you should be. As a result, we start to believe that this ‘Artificial You’ is the real version of ourselves.
But when we create space for silence, we catch glimpses of who we really are. The process of observing silence begins to peel away the layers of this artificial identity, allowing us to reconnect with the present moment. In that space, everything becomes playful and alive.
This process is not about changing who you are, but rather about remembering who you truly are underneath the layers of external influences. In Greek, there is a concept called Terra Incognita, meaning the “unknown area” or the “undiscovered land.” Reaching this “area unknown” requires us to step away from the crutches we have been using—our past experiences, our learned behaviors, our preconceived notions—and embrace the unknown.
How Can We Reach ‘Terra Incognita’, the ‘Unknown Area’?
Think of your mind as a computer. It receives information, stores it, and then processes it. But just like a computer, when the mind cannot solve or process a particular thought or problem, it begins running multiple tasks at once, leading to mental clutter and exhaustion. Instead of energizing you, your mind is drained by the overload of thoughts and worries.
This is where silence comes in. When you sit in silence, you give your mind the space to process all of those thoughts and worries on its own. Instead of forcing solutions or continuously analyzing, you allow your mind to naturally resolve the issues that have been lingering. Over time, the mental noise begins to fade, and you enter a state of thoughtlessness—a place of pure awareness, free from judgment or preconceptions. This is the entrance to Terra Incognita, the “unknown” space, where you start to experience who you truly are, beyond all the stories and labels you’ve built up over time.
On Day 3 of the workshop, many participants experienced phases of thoughtlessness, which indicates that they are moving closer to this state of pure awareness, where they can access their true self. This is a breakthrough moment—a doorway to Terra Incognita, where your authentic self can emerge without interference.
Experiences Shared by Participants After the Session:
More positive thoughts: Compared to the first two days, participants experienced a higher number of positive thoughts and a clearer sense of peace.
Out-of-body sensations: As one participant described, it felt as if the physical laws of the universe no longer applied—an experience of being momentarily outside their body, and then returning to it.
Relief from stress: For many, the session allowed them to forget about the long list of tasks they were previously consumed by, bringing a welcome sense of relief from the constant pressures of daily life.
Deeper connection with the body: Participants felt a heightened awareness of their bodies, noticing sensations like aches or stiffness that they might have ignored before. This allowed them to reconnect with their physical being in a natural, grounded way.
A relaxed, present state: There was a sense of enjoyment in the relaxed state of mind that allowed participants to momentarily forget about their immediate surroundings and simply enjoy the present moment.
Emotional release: Many participants found themselves reflecting on past anxieties, frustrations, and emotions, which were finally allowed to surface and be released. The practice of sitting in silence provided a safe space to process and let go of repressed emotions.
Note:
It is important to remember that thoughts are always in motion—they can be fast and overwhelming, or slow and persistent. However, just like a river, thoughts eventually settle down when given enough time. The key to reaching this state of thoughtlessness is patience. Don’t rush the process. Allow yourself the time and space to simply be.
And the beauty of this practice is that it is always accessible. You can pick up from where you left off, no matter how much time has passed. Even if you take a break from the practice for a long time, you’ll find that you can return and start progressing from the same point as before. The journey towards Terra Incognita is always available to you, at any time.
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