A friend, who was quite depressed earlier, told me she wanted to take the Vipassana 10-day course. Yet, due to her schedule, it’s impossible for her to take 10 days off from work. She wanted to find a way to solve her problems and was expecting Vipassana would give her the solution.
I then explained to her that Vipassana was no more than a meditation technique and that’s what the course taught. During class, she might or might not have her problems solved. So, basically, there is no guarantee.
Vipassana is not the only way. There are hundreds of techniques to reach to the state of pure awareness. They are the doorways to the pure witnessing consciousness. And we must understand that these techniques are important, yet, they are not the meditation itself.
So don’t limit yourself, be open and explore different techniques if possible. For my friend’s case, it’s probably better for her to take a meditation course with less commitment in time. Meditation is fun and simple. It’s often too simple for us, the complicated beings, to comprehend right away indeed (haha 
).
Let’s learn to be aware. That’s all it takes to a life full of love, peace, and joy.
Here you can find more about my experience with Vipassana meditation.
Hi, I have been experienced Vipassana for years and it changed my life on planet! I found your blog becos I m going to Lijinag on the 29th and shocked by reading this articles. I shouldn’t be surprised becos I met many ppl from Vipassana in different unexpected occasions and knowing I’m not alone. Hey, how is your trip planned and can we share info thru emails? Please reply…
Hi Nicki,
Happy to meet you here
And sure, I am more than glad to share ideas with you on Vipassana and other topics. I have just sent you a mail to your hotmail account. Pls check.
Cheers!
I have been considering attending the 10 day vipassana course. If somehow I can figure how to deal with the loss of income for 2 weeks.
But I have another concern that maybe you could help. Reading further some material on S.N. Goenka and Vipassana. He seems to be saying that Vipassana is the only form of meditation that gets to the root of the Mind and can clear out all of the garbage. That all other forms are helpful but only superficially so. That causes me to pause. Anytime anyone says there is only 1 way makes me nervous.
What are your thoughts about this? And please share any other thoughts you have on Vipassana.
Thanks……..brian
Hi Brian,
I havent read other materials on S.N. Goenka and Vipassana, but only the discourse review that is given to the graduates after completing the 10 day course. While I dont have a strong impression that, in our discourse, Goenka keeps saying that Vipassana is the ONLY form of meditation that can do a thorough job in cleaning our garbage, I am not surprised if you have got such impression.
If the saying of there-is-only-one-way makes you nervous, you are probably more sensitive than others, and would feel uneasy with anyone saying anything in that area or just sounds like it. I really dont remember if Goenka has said Vipassana is the only way (he might?) but I bet, to him, its the best way. Maybe that’s where you have gotten such impression from your reading?
Anyways, let’s just put aside the exact wording in the readings.
Even though Vipassana claims that it is a meditation technique that is free from religion. It does carry a strong sense of Buddhism. It is attributed to Gautama Buddha, so how could it not be?
With my limited experience in Buddhism, its a religion that accepts the existance of other religions. It probably says it’s the best, yet, not the only one.
Brian, I would recommend you to take it slowly and observe how much you ,yourself, are bothered by this. Take it only when you feel totally good about it. After the 10 days, you may find it wonderful, or you may find it a waste of time. Either way, nevertheless, it will be a valuable experience for you will surely learn more about yourself
Hope this help. And let me know if you have more concerns. I love sharing, only that I will soon work in another farm where internet access is limited.
Cheers!
~s
hi, I just came across you blog and know you participated the Vipassana retreat. I am new to meditation and read some book of Osho, did you participate any other meditation class? If you are interested, let’s share your experience.
Hi, a monk from Burma told me that S.N. Goenka’s method of meditation is a short cut without the practice of Metta (loving kindness) so may not get your mind free from defilements. I am not sure if this is true.
Do you agree?
Cheers
Vipassana is one of the many meditation techniques to bring one to pure awareness. Everyone of us has our own preference, has something that work better on us while others don’t. For the monk, what he has said about Vipassana is true – the monk can’t find Metta in Vipassana, and hence, not the best way to free himself from defilements. It is true in his point of view.