And let’s face it, who better to learn meditation from than the Buddha? The technique clearly worked for him.
Vipassana meditation has been spread in over 280 international centers by one of the late teachers in this lineage, S.N. Goenka.
He believed that Vipassana Meditation isn’t meant to be kept a secret. It’s also not reserved for monks, but a tool that anyone and everyone can use for self-transformation. He’s generously shared this wisdom with thousands of students all over the world. Vipassana courses are truly a gift. Meditation is not easy — it requires a technique and a teacher, and Goenka put into place a system that offers all of this without any financial pressure.
If you want to learn how to meditate, grow as a human being, and tame your wavering mind, read on to know what to expect.
Enrolling in a Vipassana course
Enrollment for Vipassana courses takes place on their website at www.dhamma.org. Don’t let the simple website put you off — the course is legit, and it’s not a cult. You’ll need to answer a few questions about your experience with meditation, your medical background, and your current state of physical and mental health.
Vipassana courses book up quickly so plan ahead. Don’t be discouraged by a waiting list. I personally signed up for four Vipassana courses and had to cancel three before I could finally swing eleven days off from work. Many others are in the same boat and have to cancel last minute, so it’s entirely possible to work your way off of a long waiting list.
Before you go
You’ll receive a list of items as to what you should and shouldn’t bring to the course. You’ll need sheets or a sleeping bag, loose comfy clothes, and toiletries. Leave everything else at home. You’ll have to turn in your phone during the course and aren’t supposed to do any reading or writing. You’re literally there for one reason and one reason only: meditation. Leave the distractions behind.
The 10-day vow of silence
Vipassana courses are 11 nights long. Speaking is allowed on the first evening and the last day of the course, but other than that you’ll be taking a ten day vow of silence. And this is the ultimate vow of silence–no speaking, no touching, and even no eye contact permitted. As hard as I thought it would be to shut up for so many days, it was much easier than I expected.
It helped me to eliminate all of the distractions and projections that come from human interaction. I couldn’t call my boyfriend or check on my work email. There was only person to focus on: me. That allowed lots of time for introspection and self-work.
I could cut out my extraneous jabber and simply focus on the meditation work at hand. And once the course was over, words took on new meaning. They were suddenly much more precious and chosen with great care.
The Vipassana meditation technique
Every Vipassana course is the same no matter where in the world you attend. Recordings and videos of S.N. Goenka serve as the primary teacher, and there’s a resident teacher who meditates with you and is available to answer questions. The days begin with 4:30 am morning meditation and ends around 8 pm with ten hours of meditation in between. Yes, it’s a lot. But that’s the point of the course, and I have to say that it is incredibly beneficial.
Goenka teaches the Vipassana technique step by step, introducing a new step each day. It takes a couple days to transition into silence and really hone the power of concentration. Moving slowly gives plenty of time to master the method. The Vipassana technique focuses on the connection between mind and body. It teaches observation of body and breath, both of which are deeply entwined with the emotions of the mind. It’s not complicated, but it’s powerful.
The beauty of Vipassana courses is that you don’t need any prior experience with meditation. In fact, it’s better if you don’t have any meditation experience. Mixing methods can impede your progress. Goenka asks that students forget whatever they’ve previously learned about meditation and instead follow his instructions, and his alone–at least while the course is in session.
Is it worth the work?
I won’t sugarcoat it — sitting a Vipassana course was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I thought about leaving for the first six days. Meditating for 10 hours a day was killer. But I stuck it out, kept my vow of silence, and left with a few life-changing realizations about myself and my place in the world. It helped me break free from some of my emotional hangups. That’s really not the point of the course, but it’s definitely a positive side effect.
I think that everyone takes away something different. A drinking and drug-using friend of mine decided to sober up because of the course, and he stuck with it. It’s kind of amazing what can happen when you have solid time to go inward, separate yourself from the influence of others, and observe the fluctuations of the mind.
Sitting a Vipassana course is hard work. But I do believe it’s one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself. It’s an opportunity to learn a powerful meditation technique that the Buddha used to reach enlightenment.
And whether or not enlightenment is something that you believe in or even believe you can attain, you can still reap the many benefits of meditation like reduced stress, stronger immunity, stable emotions, and more energy.
So, is the work worth it? Absolutely. It’s a challenge to be silent and sit with the mind, but one that ultimately transforms the self for the better.
Have YOU been to Vipassana course? Share your stories and insights with Zenward community — you never know how many people your comment might help. :)
P.S. Want to build a home yoga practice but are not able to stick to it?
By Julie Bernier
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