The infrastructure might be very similar to the center I attended, and it will definitely be a challenge. You can do Jordan Petersons Self Authoring. Fucking Goenka. Thanks for this wonderful writeup. My 10-Day Vipassana Retreat - Dr. Ehssan Sakhaee I was still in pain and changing positions, however, I could now sit cross-legged for 20min without moving, which made me feel very happy. After the discourse, there was a short break followed by approximately thirty more minutes of meditation in the hall. You can do other positive psychology exercises. 2. Plus, for various reasons, attending a Vipassana retreat was just something I felt like I had to do sooner or later. It definitely doesnt need to be a ten-day retreat. I was able to fall asleep fairly quickly and sleep through most of the night. I handed over my mobile phone laptop, camera and everything to the staff of the centre. Love the name of your website btw , Dear. There should be no attachment or aversion formed to these sensations. I found an ideal place in Kandy Sri Lanka. The meditation in the room was much better because I was able to switch on the fan and sit comfortably on the bed. However, Im always thinking: Whats next? It was the first time in 10 days that we had the opportunity to talk to them and I discovered that some of them were taking the course for the second or even third time. So I kept carbs to a minimum as best as possible. The retreat will definitely help you in the type of skill you described. Great Write-up. Lunch break was two hours long. Phew, so I really wasnt the only guy going through living hell here. It sounds very strict do they go through your bags when you arrive? ), Thank you for the kind words, Camille. The cool thing I realized was that I had much more self-discipline, vigor, and strength than I expected. In the beginning, it was all about sharing ones experiences and struggles before the topics changed to real life matters such as entrepreneurship, politics, spirituality, and so on. The good thing is that I can get back a decent amount of concentration and mindfulness fairly quickly. Frankly, it was brutal. This is impossible. Long story short, I missed out on courses a couple of times until I finally managed to register on time and get accepted for the course from sep-19 to sep-30. As I reached the location, I found that its an ideal location to unwind and forget all my connection with the outside world, it was cool and quiet. During the Vipassana retreat, participants learn the basics of Vipassana meditation as well as two other techniques (Anapana Sati and Metta). At 5:00 PM, we had a one-hour break to have some chai and puffed rice (the last meal of the day), and as the sun was setting, we headed back to the Dhamma hall to meditate for another hour. Still, the practical approach (or the technique) presented was a complete fresh take on how to practise Buddhism. I also felt calmer after the retreat and somewhat more balanced. The fifth and sixth days were very similar, in that we had to scan our bodies for sensations. How does it work? The Buddha's Technique If you know what I mean? But since I left the course, Ive been using social networks and the Internet less, and I will also establish a day when I wont use phones, computers or the Internet at all. I am also done this 10 days vipshanna course. They suggested that I dont expect anything meaning dont go with a specific expectation. This 10-day Vipassana retreat is definitely not easy or for everyone! I live by myself anyway. This retreat is full with a long waitlist. Lauren Eckstrom reports. Thanks, Peter. Great !! After either breakfast or cleaning, we parted ways and re-entered the world. Some of the airline companies that fly to Varanasi are: Indigo, SpiceJet, Air Indiaand Hahn Air. Conclusion: Would I Do it Again? Im the kind of person who talks more than I listen. After reviewing the Code of Discipline for Vipassan courses and checking the course schedule, you may apply for a course. She is not keen for me to go which i understand. It was supposedly taught by Buddha himself in India more than 2500 years ago. Doing a 1 to 2 days session couldnt be enough? Read the code of discipline Check the course schedule Apply via the schedule Vipassana OHIO - Dhamma.org The login page will open in a new tab. Do you feel the way the retreat is designed can help for such a type of meditation (after the retreat of course) ? Finally, I returned to my room at 9:00 PM, took my second cold shower of the day, and went to bed. I was much better at dealing with pain, discomfort, and restlessness. As you get pushed to the outer edges of your limits, you find that the reserves are there. Bells were our wake-up call and the signal for all activities. At least that was the case for me. By the way: Which center did you go to? Because many things have happened in my life that Ive never imagined, Im not the kind of person who worries too much about the future. In theory, I believe the idea of no practice, no effort could work. Would I Recommend it to Others? On the tenth day, when we could talk again, I noticed that all the people from India were extremely happy and exhilarated and their happiness was so contagious that we foreigners also became very happy. We were told about some of the basics of the technique along with some of its history and some instructions for the meditation itself. Be strong and all the best Marilena!! I would simply say that these are all different experiences at home meditation, 1-2 day retreat, or 10-day retreats. I believe now I can pay much more attention when someone is talking to me, and also to the sounds that surround me. Instead, the average person I met was very much like me: interested in the world, open, tolerant, committed to personal growth, and determined to explore his or her full potential. All free of charge. Is it frowned upon to leave the course midway? Repeat. How Does It Work? My experience was very positive. At the same time, I was feeling relieved that it was over and was looking forward to get back to normal life again. Meditators are encouraged to scan their bodies from head to feet, and feet to head, looking for sensations (pain, heat, itching, pressure, pulsing, vibration, etc), acknowledge those sensations, and understand that they will arise and then pass. The first step in Vipassana is always cautious and shaky. Im not 100% sure, but I think people used it on my retreat. He is passionate about anything that helps him become a more peaceful, productive, and loving version of himself. I hope I can navigate as well as you did. Registering for the Course - an Unexpected First Hurdle How I Prepared THE 10 BEST Vipassana Meditation Retreats in 2023/2024 BookRetreats.com Vipassana Meditation Retreats Vipassana Meditation Retreats Showing 1 to 30 of 112 results Recommended first Free Gift 3 Day All Inclusive Nurture in Nature Retreat in WNY, US Great Valley, New York, United States Jul 14 - 16 | Sep 29 - Oct 1, 2023 Im reading a book called Get some headspace, and its about meditation. Its just too easy for the mind to come up with excuses. , Oh, wow! I had to change my posture approximately every 5 minutes. I tried to keep things as low carb, high fat as possible because I think it optimizes your energy levels and your brains capacities. I did this by waking up at 4am for five days leading up to the retreat. Fatigue rarely was a problem for me during those ten days, while it definitely was for others (they told me afterwards). It seemed like the meditation would be much harder than what Id thought !! This was helpful because it made me realize that they were struggling just as much as I was. I left the center feeling a bit strange but still accompanied some people from the course to meditate at the site where Buddha gave his first speech. Vipassana in the context of the Buddhas teachings means very specific introspective insight into the true nature of self in relation to the world. Namaste! In the aftermath, I have to say I was very well prepared. Unfortunately, I do not know the answer to your question. And that increase in concentration which then lead to an increase in productivity is a big reason why I want to go on retreat again. 10-Day Courses For all adult students new to Vipassana The tried and tested way to best learn this ancient meditation technique is during a ten-day residential retreat. One week prior to the course, my preparation started. I must be vigilant to keep it! Course Structure I meditate an hour a day still, but not 2hrs well see what happens when I leave the next 10-day . Pericles. And just in case I didnt make it clear in the article: I think attending a retreat is highly beneficial. But hopefully i can finish the course. From the fourth day, when they started teaching the Vipassana technique, there were three mandatory one-hour sittings, where no one could leave the Dhamma Hall, change position, or even move their body. Book your flights with Skyscanner, that is the website that I use and trust. The Precepts and Course Rules. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. And this might be the reason why my mind is always racing Although Im a calm person, my mind wasnt at all. He recommended this to me as I am going through some rough times in my life. All courses are conducted by assistant teachers of S.N. I was positively surprised and we hit it off right away. I am still grieving and dealing with all sort of emotions However, reading about your experience is very helpful. The last step is to learn the meditation of loving kindness or goodwill towards all (Metta technique). After sitting for about 10-15 minutes, I already started experiencing lots of pain and discomfort. To learn Vipassana meditation one needs to develop one's own experience during a residential 10-day course. Retreat Center Schedule 2023 - Insight Meditation Society During the course, we were eliminating old sankaras, and learning how not to create new ones. No more anger. According to the teachers, this was okay because the chattering and meditating didnt go well together anyway. Thank you for a great article. Everyone was uplifted, positive, and in a great mood. My 10-Day Vipassana Experience (Silent Meditation Retreat) - NJlifehacks The Vipassana retreat has a very strict timetable that all students are required to follow: It is expected that students will remain at the centre for the entire period of the course. You can meditate. The highlight of Day 1 was undoubtedly the Dhamma discourse in the evening. It involves mentally scanning your body from head to toe and observing the sensations in your body as it is, with an equanimous mind. Just going through the motions with acceptance and equanimity. Thanks for the kind words, Isabelle! Vipassana is the oldest of Buddhist meditation practices used for enhancing mindfulness. After that, you were free to keep meditating in the hall or meditate in your room. I came here without knowing what to expect from this course but thanks to you, I have a fair bit of understanding now . An uplifting and hilariously enjoyable read! But then, after 45min, I started feeling so pain in my buttocks and the soles of my feet. Any practice is just unnecessary stress for the body and mind. 3. Even better, he had very little previous experience with meditation and was simply there because a friend had recommended it to him. And then theres the path you mentioned, the one that involves no effort or practice. Which one is right or works better I have no idea. But its a good question, and I agree with your thinking behind it. My name is Pericles Rosa and Ive been to over 50 countries. Looking back at the full ten days, I dont think Ive had another meditation that was nearly as pleasant as this one. And thats it. Thanks again for your insights. Nils Salzgeber is the author of two books and co-founder of the popular NJlifehacks blog. At the same time, others mentioned that they had people in their rooms who were snoring as well. Heya Shikha, Im sorry to hear about your struggles. The only thing that concerns me is back pain issues and restless legs I suffer from those greatly!! I would request a reading of http://www.buddhanet.net/pdf_file/noble8path6.pdf till end to understand the underlying science behind the Vipassana technique. The posture that I always wanted to have, whether walking or sitting, I have now. Yes, please let me know how was it. Not joking. This time we had to focus our meditation on the triangle formed between the top of the nose and the mouth in order to find some sensations (2nd day); or just on the area between the nose and mouth (3rd day). He was about my age, a serial entrepreneur, an avid reader, and an overall cool dude. You wouldnt happen to know at what time of day the registration to apply would open. My 10-Day Vipassana Experience (Silent Meditation Retreat). During the course, I learned how to enjoy the moment that Im living in and neutralize the thoughts that are not related to it. Would sure have been nice to ask Goenka about it.. but thats, of course, no longer possible. The evening of day 4 gave me the first taste of adhitthana. To learn Vipassana meditation one needs to develop one's own experience during a residential ten day course. The retreat is in a week so I am not sure if I am ready and strong enough for it at this moment. And we have to keep that in mind at all times. At dinner, I met even more people and continued to be impressed at how successful, down-to-earth, open, and non-woo-woo most of them were. My fellow meditators were struggling just as much, some seemingly even more than I was. Besides the distractions already mentioned, we now had two more: a man burping loudly every other minute for the whole day, and another one, farting unscrupulously. COURSES IN OTHER LOCATIONS. The Center currently accommodates 70 students. After that last session, there was the opportunity to stay in the hall and ask questions. Doing this 10-day Vipassana retreat, and particularly not talking during those days, was very beneficial to me! Also, keep in mind that youll (almost) always experience some discomfort and at times severe pain. Thank you in advance for your help. I was really surprised to meet so many successful, driven, and like-minded people at the retreat. Every evening, from 7:00 to 8:30 there was a discussion group, which consisted of a video explaining the technique, and giving a brief of what we will be doing the next day. Hi Vivi, thanks for sharing your experience. All in all, I am very happy with my Vipassana retreat. On day 2, I had my first positive meditation session (I put positive in quotation marks because theoretically youre not supposed to judge your meditations). On days 6 to 10, the adhitthana sittings really werent a big deal anymore. They just want to torture us! From your article it seems like doing such a retreat in not worth it. Hi Nils, I am planning to go for the 10 days at Hyderabad. Wow, thats beautifully written, Julie. Days begin at 4.30 a.m., so it's not for the faint of heart. The body signaled its unhappiness through pain, aches, and discomfort. I immediately took up a cross-legged seating position and, at first, the feeling was awesome. Vipassana Meditation Retreat - 10 Days - Unearthed Retreats After that, I made my way to the room I got assigned for the next ten days. It seems like we cannot spend a single day without checking our Facebook status, Instagram account or emails. Yes, I was glad I made it through and Im sure it was incredibly beneficial to my growth as a person. On the first day of my first retreat, I remember having to adjust and change posture every couple of minutes. Not to mention that I had been meditating on a regular basis for over a year. 10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. After a few days, youll have your go-to postures, and eventually youll be able to sit in them for the full 60 minutes. I sold many of my personal belongings and moved to Egypt for six months. The same timetable is used on all retreats all over the world. Its very beneficial, too. I am definitely going to stay in contact with a few of the people I met there. Many of them were self-employed, business owners, entrepreneurs, students, or retired. The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at 10-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practise sufficiently to experience its beneficial results. Again, I just did the best I could under the circumstances. One hundred hours of meditation in ten days? In real life, however, I dont think its a sensible strategy for 99.9999% of people on our planet. After the discussion group, we went back to the Dhamma Hall to meditate for another 30 min. And its not like these courses take place 3x per month. Our mind, especially mine, is always connecting facts from the past and the future, and, in doing so, trying to escape from the present. Recently, I attended a ten-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat ten days without technology, speaking, reading, writing, listening to music, exercising, or communicating in any way. Hey Liana. Meditation is a way to calm us down and to have a time to ourselves, which is so hard nowadays with our busy life. I understand your concerns, and I agree that youll probably be thinking about your daughter a lot during the ten days. (PS: I loved your stop procrastinating book!! In fact, it is believed that Vipassana was developed as a technique by the Buddha. Plus, there was even dessert such as pudding or pastries. Green salad was always available, too. According to some philosophies, there are two ways to achieve effortlessness, an effortless flow of life. No need to freak out. I certainly agree with you , good story until this Dont be a pussy., Where is this retreat please send me details as Id love to go to a 10day retreat Are you also doing one n Switzerland, This is where I went: https://www.sumeru.dhamma.org/en/. What kind of cushion/support did you use I assume you can bring your own. I usually just had a glass of tea and then went outside for a walk until the next meditation started. I wouldnt be worried about it. I drove from Colombo to central hills in Kandy. My breakfast for the coming days would always be the same. The fans were switched off, and suddenly, we had a glimpse of what was waiting for us for the next 10 days. Instead of fighting with myself, resisting the pain, and getting angry at whatever thoughts my mind was producing, I just kept reminding myself to stay detached and non-reactive to whatever was happening. After the course, however, I realize that most of them make total sense and are simply there to make life easier for the students. My ego and desire for flattery have drastically reduced, making me a greater emotionally-stable person. I have been through a lot of stress at work recently and I am also dealing with the losses of my mother and mother in law. And thats, I think, to do with the retreat. Morning wake-up bell. Meditation is becoming more and more popular but many people still dont know its benefits. Instead of the usual two-hour meditation, however, we listened to a final talk and some chanting by S N Goenka. By airplane, you can use Varanasis international airport, which is located one hour from the city center. According to the Vipassana technique, each time we react to a body sensation, we create a sankara, a positive or negative attachment. In January 2015, I attended a 10-day Vipassana meditation course in a bird sanctuary outside Auckland. We only had the three mandatory sittings, and also learned the meditation of loving kindness (Metta technique), which consists of repeating phrases such as: May all beings be happy, be peaceful, compassionate May I generate love, true love, compassionate love May all beings share my peace, my harmony. Thanks for sharing. No life is without misery. I expected registration for a course to be a quick and hassle-free process. I can image how hard its for you all those changes, and I wish you the best of luck. The breaks between the sessions were just long enough to get some water, go to the bathroom and stretch a little bit. 10-Day Vipassana Meditation Experience & My 3 Takeaways - The Soul Jam Aug 2 Leadership, Personal Development, Leading Self, Mindfulness My 10-Day Silent Retreat (Vipassana) In December 2019, I decided to go on a 10-day Vipassana meditation. The average meditator wasnt removed from the world, spaced out, woo-woo, or otherwise weird. Southern California Vipassana Center (SCVC) - Dhamma Vaddhana However, it also gives a false sense of spiritual advancement. But I can confess that during the almost one month since I left the Vipassana retreat, Ive meditated every day, and I really feel the necessity to do it. But my mind started wandering again, plus I was having dirty thoughts. For me, with the exception of maintaining noble silence, the rules were not that hard to follow. While things improved compared to day 1, except for that one bright session, days 2-4 were still incredibly nerve-wrecking, hard, and challenging. Since then, Ive again started a daily practice. As far as I remember, I switched between back-supported meditating and non-supported meditating prior to the retreat. Over and over again I got pushed to the limit of my abilities, wondering how much longer I could take this. Im Buddhist so none of the theory discussed was new to me. And I keep doing that every time I meditate. I tried a 10 day Vipassana silent retreat in a forest monastery and I am sharing my experience with you. A limited number of You Choose fee spaces are available for ages 18-26. You say youre a recovering procrastinator, and I relate to that very much. Not only because of the course, but also because of all the experiences I had in Varanasi, and in fact on my whole trip to India. I got out of bed and nervously made my way to the meditation hall. For these three one-hour long meditations, everyone had to be in the hall. One of four groups usually stayed: old male students, old female students, new male students, new female students. Why Did I Choose to Participate in a Vipassana Course? Ive said on numerous occasions that mindfulness is the #1 skill anyone can learn in life and mindfulness is best cultivated through the practice of meditation. Being attached to anything just make us suffer when we lose it. I will try to jot down my learnings for the benefit of others. In the afternoon of day 4, just when things had started to get a little easier, we got introduced to two new practices, one of which added an additional element of difficulty. thanks alot. I have an 11 year old who has never stayed without me for such a long time. Once I understood this theory, the adhittana sittings became quite easy. . It is so interesting and inspirational to read. But I hadnt experienced anything particularly special. This experience boosted my mood and optimism dramatically. Sleep. Yes, it is. It was just always the same thing, over and over (and over!) Sometimes its hot, sometimes its cold. Once this torture introduction was over, it was time to go to bed. But do your best and you will see the results for sure. Im very dynamic and energetic and want to do 300 things in a day. The mind will come up with excuses and frankly, you wont have the discipline. Here you can find out about my Vipassana experience, and also the reasons why you should incorporate meditation into your daily life. Its a 1h tuk-tuk drive from Varanasi. 10 Day Courses | Vipassana Research Institute It was almost like a kind of flow experience. No more anxiously waiting for the gong. Home - Northwest Vipassana Center - Dhamma Kuja The teacher assigned to us was very kind and matured, knowledgeable to answer our questions. In the end, it took approximately 7 months from decision to do a course until actually enrolling and participating in one. Also, 2 times per day were impossible in the first weeks. I just couldnt sit still for longer than that, constantly giving in to the pain of my body and the restless nature of my mind. And yes, sometimes they allow chairs. Good job! Goenka, the organizations founder, is also the main teacher of the technique through audio and video recordings taken from one of his previous retreats. During and after that exhausting experience, thoughts of agony and despair were rushing through my mind: This was just the beginning just the first meditation just a taste of whats to come Im still fresh I just slept for 8 hours yet I am already completely beat I am already destroyed everything hurts how am I going to survive this?. A shower. Given me the program for the next ten days to follow with strict disciplinary code to unwind myself and to find all what I need, peace of mind. One of my roommates seemed to be tired all the time and often slept during meditation time. The daily breakfast was very good. Things went surprisingly well: I did what I was supposed to do and brought back my attention to the object of concentration every time my mind had wandered. Thank you so much for sharing your experience and making me laugh!! It might be for the better in the end, if you know what I mean. For most people, it was their first retreat and frankly, their first encounter with meditation. Vipassana, which means seeing things as they really are, is one of the worlds most popular meditation techniques. THE 10 BEST Vipassana Meditation Retreats in 2023/2024 So, what did I learn from these very long and tough 10 days? We kept struggling through our meditations (especially the adhittana sittings) with the main aim of getting better at a particular skill called equanimity. In many ways, these discourses were the highlight of my days. Two real meals. No matter what, I just kept bringing my attention back to the meditation, while staying as equanimous, accepting, and non-reactive as possible. Final thoughts on this 10-day Vipassana Retreat. We woke up at 4am one last time. My Vipassana Experience - 10-Day Meditation Retreat Review - UP Development Vipassana is a 10-day silent meditation retreatand there is nothing like 10 days of silence to show you the nature of your own mind.