Everyone’s journey is different, so my personal experience attending a 10 day Vipassana course isn’t necessarily what others might have experienced. This isn’t a review of the technique or a guide on whether you should attend a course—it is just my own take on what I learned.
Firstly What is Vipassana?
Vipassana is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques. Vipassana means seeing things as they really are. One begins by observing the natural breath to concentrate the mind. With a sharpened awareness one proceeds to scan the body to observe the changing nature of body and mind. The purpose is to experience the universal truths of impermanence, suffering and egolessness.
The daily schedule is pretty much 10 full days of EAT SLEEP MEDITATE Repeat!
(Very little eat and a lot of meditate!)
4:00 am-- Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am-- Meditate in group hall or room
6:30-8:00 am-- Breakfast
8:00-9:00 am-- Group meditation in hall
9:00-11:00 am-- Meditate in group hall or room as per instructions
11:00-12:00 -- Lunch break
12-1:00 pm-- Rest
1:00-2:30 pm-- Meditate in group hall or room
2:30-3:30 pm-- Group meditation in hall
3:30-5:00 pm-- Meditate in group hall or room as per instructions
5:00-6:00 pm-- Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm-- Group meditation in hall
7:00-8:15 pm--Teacher's Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm-- Group meditation in hall
9:00-9:30 pm-- Question time in the hall
9:30 pm-- Retire to your room; lights out
Being Ready for Vipassana:
My 10-day Vipassana retreat felt perfectly aligned with where I am at in my yogic journey and in life. Though personally I felt physically and mentally ready, let me be honest, Vipassana is no holiday! It’s about facing yourself. No medals or accolades at the end! If you’re thinking about doing a Vipassana retreat, just make sure you understand what you are signing up for, your purpose is clear and you’re truly ready.
Here are some of my learnings through the 10 Days
Weight of Thoughts and Impressions: The solitude and lack of distractions (like cellphone, journal or book) made me realise how we unconsciously carry around with us a bag of thoughts, impressions and emotions and how long it takes to get rid of them.
Withdrawal of Senses: During the retreat, one gets to truly experience the withdrawal of senses and without sensory distractions, its much easier to turn inward - well if you are ready to meet your own mind!
Surrender & Seeing things as they really are: Different things can be challenging for different people in the initial days -the wake up call at 4 am, the 10 hours of seated meditation, the 2 light meals, lack of exercise, the solitude etc etc. For me the solitude was actually relaxing, but my mind was trying to fight some of the aspects of the routine and technique. Surrendering rather than trying to control things to be my way was eventually liberating (and something I need to incorporate into daily life!)
Adhithanna: Strong Determination to Keep Going: The sitting without movement for long periods can be excruciating, but I could get through that without (much) aversion. My bigger nemesis were impatience and boredom (my old friends!) I had to ask my mind several times to patiently follow the technique and let go of measuring time!
Embracing Impermanence - Annicha: The universal law of nature states that everything is impermanent. When we experience something pleasant we want more of that (craving) and when we experience something unpleasant we want to avoid it (aversion). Life will always give us both and hence we must not be attached to either. Well easier said than done! The Vipassana meditation technique gives you a very practical way to experience impermanence, cravings and aversion and our reactions to the same.
The Power of Community: Even though Vipassana is an individual practice - In the group meditation hall, there was a shared intention, a collective energy - subtle and yet so powerful that supported my practice in ways I hadn’t expected. When we broke our silence on the last day, we realised that we already had a bond with each other on a pure energetic level and we couldn’t stop talking!
Someone once asked the Buddha: What do you gain from Meditation? The Buddha replied: Nothing. But let me tell you what I lost: anger, anxiety, attachment, insecurity, and fear!
What will I take away from this experience?
The technique of Vipassana meditation.I realised prior to the course my meditation practice was the step of « calming the mind and focusing it » on a sound / action / or mantra. But meditation is the step after concentration or focus and happens in the absence of thoughts and action. It cannot be explained - it has to be experienced!
Restricting watching geopolitical news to maybe once a week (as its mostly just depressing and apocalyptic) News and social media create so many lasting subconscious impressions and unnecessary stress on the mind and body
Becoming mindful of my cravings and aversions and how I « choose » to react to them
Becoming aware of my old friends impatience and boredom and the impact they have on my emotions and decisions
Trying to stay peaceful in every situation and function on positive emotions of kindness, love, joy and non judgement (well i did say « trying »!)
I am grateful to have had the experience of a Vipassana retreat and curious to see the positive changes it will bring to me. Only time will tell! Hope this article has helped you understand what I gained from Vipassana and maybe inspired you to give it a try!
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