I’m going for Vipassana again
A 10-day silent meditation retreat
Disclaimer: I won’t be responding to any comments between 12th July & 23rd July because I will be meditating.
What is Vipassana?
Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art Of Living. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation.
Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.
The scientific laws that operate one’s thoughts, feelings, judgments, and sensations become clear. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control, and peace.
(Source & Read More: https://www.dhamma.org/en/about/vipassana)
Where did I do it the first time?
The first 10-day retreat was at Meditation Center, 45km from Mumbai in a place call Igatpuri (http://www.giri.dhamma.org/), with
from 14th May to 25th May, 2014.Why am I going for Meditation Retreats?
Retreats provide a way for me to observe my body in relation to my mind & thoughts. I have been going through a lot of anxiety and stress, the retreat is a way for me to observe those feelings without any emotional judgement of good or bad, letting me be mindful of my own body and thoughts.
Disclaimer: Not a replacement for professional help or medication.
Is it easy?
The retreat is not easy or hard, you’ll get out of it what you put into it. It is possible for you to be skipping meditation through the day and not giving your best and that will be reflected in what you get out of it.
In my opinion, if I have taken 10 days of my life to do something, I’d rather give it my best for I don’t know when I get a chance to do it again.
Will I be enlightened at the end of it?
Nope, that isn’t the goal in the first place.
So are you Buddhist now?
Nope. Going for a meditation retreat doesn’t make you Buddhist. The practices are definitely those taught by Buddha. There are no pictures or signifiers of Buddha anywhere at the center since the goal is to learn the technique and not to idolize the person who taught them.
What are you doing for 10 days?
Basically, this x10.
4:00 am Morning wake-up bell
4:30–6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30–8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00–9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00–11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher’s instructions
11:00–12:00 noon Lunch break
12:00-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00–2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30–3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30–5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your own room according to the teacher’s instructions
5:00–6:00 pm Tea break
6:00–7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00–8:15 pm Teacher’s Discourse in the hall
8:15–9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00–9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm Retire to your own room — Lights out
You can read more about the Code of Discipline (https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/about/code)
What’s with the silence?
Being silent in all forms of communication, be it speech, written, sign language is necessary since the goal is to be working in isolation. In my opinion, the idea is to be free of all external influence (cause through any communication) and to be 100% be with yourself.
Where am I going this time?
I’m going to be meditating in Menomonie, Wisconsin (http://www.visuddhi.dhamma.org/) from 12th to 23rd of July, 2017.
If you have any other questions, feel free to comment. I’d love to be of help to you.
Official FAQ’s for Vipassana visit https://www.dhamma.org/en-US/about/qanda
