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.
victory
Dear all,
I completed 4 vipassana courses,but i never had problems with food (even outside my state). (ACTUALLY ABOUT VIPASSANA centre I FELT THAT I AM LIVING IN MY HOME WITH INTENSIVE CARE FOR ME). Neither i heard of such food problems before. I sent my father (54 years of age worked in police department for 34 years) for Vipassana course.as he always dealt with crimes and criminals with no fixed hours/duration of duty, without sufficient sleep at proper times,no meals/breakfast at proper time.he became short tempered. (As He Strictly Followed Every rule during vipassana meditation,NATURE rewarded him with peace,Harmony,Happiness ,Silence. His Such a Melodious,happy,calm and quiet voice,which i heard first time in entire life) His firth Sentence after 10 days of NOBLE silence (avoiding speaking except to teacher) was “THE PURPOSE OF MY BIRTH IS COMPLETED”after listening this I cried, I Realized that I did great thing for my father.the best which any son/Daughter can do for his/her father.
About food he told that in his entire life time he never had such a nutritious food.even my experience is also the same.Every body should note one thing that if we break rules during vipassana course knowingly/unknowingly intentionally/unintentionally.then we will not get all the benefits.And if we follow rules with all dedication,Persistence,patience and courage THEN NO ONE IN THIS WORLD CAN STOP THE IMMENSE,IMMEASURABLE BENEFITS OF VIPASSANA MEDITATION because of which that meditation has survived for 2500 years of History.Murders cried after doing vipassana in Tihar Jail (The Biggest Prison of India,Where Permanent Vipassana Meditation Center is Opened).
just thought to share because i read surprisingly negative about Vipassana.
Breakfast And Lunch Is Nutritious And unlimited (We can take from our own hands as much as we want and whatever we want out of available items). Only Dinner is small which helps to get concentrated Sleep and assist in better Meditation.this rule for less dinner was decide on the basis of thorough study,observations,analysis, discussion.and from the feedbacks and true positive,negative experiences of lakhs of meditators(Those who are habitual with luxurious life styles have to struggle little bit more.)
There is only One Best, free of cost thing in this world that can bless and bring revolutionary changes in all aspects of life is Vipassana Meditation.
everybody who want to experience haven on earth,please copy following sentence with quotes and paste in Google search.
“vipassana meditation experiences”
and THEN click on videos.and select video of 15.13 duration.different meditators from different countries and different profession and different religions shares their Vipassana experience on SCREEN.
please copy following sentence with quotes and paste in Google search
“S.N.Goenka ( Palestra- Millennium World Peace Summit – ONU”
and THEN click on videos.and select video of 15.18 duration.
I will not get a single rupee or money for this post.Neither do i expect it.Why i have written this much is i have experienced revolutionary changes in me.Honestly i am enjoying haven on Earth itself.Same experienced by my father… …Who is no more now. few days Before is death he asked me whether he can be allowed 14 days paid leave for vipassana meditation by government of India AGAIN? But i replied him sadly that the leave is granted once in three years. Then he said Check and read that rule again and find whether any concession/relaxation/exemption/exception is allowed or not?
Even though I was Sure about rule. i old ” father dont worry there will be some exemption surely I will check and inform you soon”. But my father passed away before getting second opportunity to go for vipassana meditation.
Dear brothers and sisters please note one imp thing that
as these meditation courses are run on donations willing fully given by old students if there is any thing wrong or hidden disadvantage,then they must
have felt the shortage of money to continue the courses.But they did not and i am Hundred percent sure that they will never have the shortage of donations.
thanks
victory