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Transitioning from a silent retreat at Nilambe to eating spicy street Kottu

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Sophia R.•15385 rep•2

I am finishing a 7 day silent meditation retreat at the Nilambe center in the Kandy mountains. Will diving straight into the loud Kandy nightlife and eating extra spicy street Kottu upset my stomach and my zen state.

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6 Answers from travellers

✓Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. The food at Nilambe is very pure, mild, and strictly vegetarian to support your meditation practice. Your microbiome will have adapted to this gentle diet over the 7 days. Eating a greasy, highly spiced street Kottu immediately afterward will almost certainly cause severe gastrointestinal distress. Break your retreat diet gently with a mild dhal curry and string hoppers first.

45
D
Dr. Ruwan W.•5480 rep•1

Historically, Ayurvedic practitioners always advise a transition period called Samsarjana Krama to rebuild the digestive fire after fasting or clean eating. Do not skip it.

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Tariq S.•14290 rep•1

I did exactly this. I ate a massive roasted chicken kottu two hours after leaving a Vipassana retreat. I was violently ill for two days. Listen to the doctor above!

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Lucas M.•11510 rep•2

The noise shock will be worse than the food shock. Kandy city traffic and loud pub music right after a week of absolute mountain silence will completely overwhelm your nervous system. Take it slow.

9
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Aisha T.•18335 rep•2

If you must go out, Slightly Chilled Lounge in Kandy is a bit more relaxed than the loud roadside street food stalls, and their food is slightly less aggressively spiced.

9
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Ethan B.•11910 rep•2

Drink plenty of King Coconut water. It will help bridge the gap between the retreat food and adjusting back to normal street food.

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Noah K.•11360 rep•2

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