Now that I’ve been practising Vipassana meditation for a few years, I’ve come to learn a few things. Like what people say when you mention a 10 day silent meditation course..
- Not talk for 10 days, I could never do that!
- Only 2 meals a day, I’d be starving
- No way could I get up at 4.30 every day
- Sounds like some kind of weirdoes cult
- What, no mobile, no email?? F*%k that!
But before we get into what Vipassana is and isn’t, let’s back up a bit and give a very brief overview of what it entails.
What Is Vipassana?
Vipassana meditation is the original, pure style of meditation as practised by Buddha in 6th Century BC in India that’s been passed down over the centuries from teacher to student.
Cross the legs, clear the mind!
To start practising Vipassana everyone must sit a 10 day residential course. Why 10 days? Well to understand the technique properly takes time and to get the desired benefits from Vipassana, you must practice correctly. This 10 day period teaches you how to do that.
And for the 10 days…
- no talking, mobiles, reading, watching TV or listening to music
- food and lodgings are provided free of charge
- participants must agree to stick to the daily schedule (up at 4.30, meditate in various sessions all day, eat breakfast at 6.30, lunch at 11, fruit at 16.30, bed 21.30) and not leave the meditation centre
So you can see why people might freak out at the thought of it 
But, there is a method in the madness: after the 10 days, Vipassana meditators often start to look at things a bit differently, viewing themselves and the world from a fresh perspective.
For me it’s been an amazing technique that’s helped me to keep balanced, be mindful of others and be happier in my day to day life. It’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and sitting cross legged in a quiet room for an hour a day is now part of my daily routine.
And with all that time to contemplate stuff, I’ve come up with a list of 5 things that everyone should know about Vipassana – particularly if you’re contemplating trying a 10 day course.
1. Vipassana promotes mastery of the mind and clarity of thought
Vipassana is all about observing yourself, looking inside your own body and mind for solutions. As part of this process you gain an understanding of why sometimes you don’t have any control over things like losing your temper, getting nervous or making dumb knee jerk reactions. Through the self observation of meditation you gradually start to gain mastery of these emotions, resulting in greater clarity of thought and more balanced behaviour in many every day situations.
2. It’s completely free – both financially and from ulterior motives
When I first considered sitting a Vipassana course, I, like many people, wondered if it was a cult or scam. One of the main things that convinced me otherwise was the fact that it is completely free to everyone, know matter how many courses you sit, where in the world you sit them or how long they are. Naturally, donations are accepted, but the choice is always 100% yours, with no pressure ever being exerted.
3. Not talking is not that hard
Everyone thinks that not talking for 10 days will be impossible! But after the course, most people realise that it didn’t really bother them. Strange as it sounds, once you get started on the technique, there’s no time for talking…
4. Vipassana is not a religion
There’s no deity worship in Vipassana, no concept of deferring to a God or an almighty being.
You focus only on the internal – you hold all the answers to your questions, you are your own salvation, you don’t look to any external power. So it’s it completely non secular and open to people of any religion or faith, plus of course those of us who don’t hold any religious beliefs.
5. Vipassana wants you to ‘be happy’
Goenka, the master teacher of Vipassana
A key mantra of Vipassana is ‘be happy’. Of course ‘happiness’ is very subjective concept, but the ultimate aim of Vipassana is to help you live a happy life that doesn’t harm you or others. And if you’re happy, you spread happiness to others around you, creating a virtuous circle of…well, happiness!
Vipassana courses are held completely free of charge all over the world in dozens of official Vipassana centres. If anyone wants to charge you for Vipassana, don’t pay, it’s a con and not Vipassana.
For more information on Vipassana in your country, check the official site.
Or please do ask me any questions via the comments section below or email me at
info@accidentalhealthnut.com
and I’ll be happy to help– I’ve sat three 10 day course, a few shorter ones and have been practising every day (almost!) for the last three years or so.
Twitter
Hey there, amazing post! I will keep following your homepage
Hello,
Thanks for your article! I was wondering if you suggest any type of preparation before the course (i.e. meditating for a certain number of hours a day) just to prepare for the 10 days, or Vipassana has its own method that will be learned once you arrive?
Hi Margaret
I wouldn’t actively prepare anything, just go in with an open mind and a willingness to listen, learn and work diligently for the 10 days. Vipassana certainly has its own way of explaining the method – and understanding this is all part of the course and the journey….Dan
Hey mate, just wanted to say that I really appreciate your post here on Vipassana. I did my retreat on the 4th of Jan this year in Igatpuri, the first Vipassana centre in the world and prior to getting there found that I starting to get quite anxious. I was not sure if it was for me and I definitely was not sure if I could handle it. I looked it up online just to check the general consensus.
A friend advised me not to do so as everyone’s experience is different and everyone gets something different out of the 10 days.
In saying that, your blog is good since it sticks to the facts and states the benefits without really selling it.
Needless to say, just as you’ve stated in your blog, if is for people who are in that space where they are seeking more clarity and focus within. It is for people who want to control their own minds rather than their minds controlling them.I could not have worded it better. Thank you Accidental Health Nut!
Just finished my first course today! Hard going but so worth hanging in there. All I would add to your comments is, don’t give up part way through the course, see it through and reap the benefits.
Great advice Moira – as you say it’s tough if you hit the wall, but the satisfaction when you break thru it sure outlives any pain – pain is temporary, victory is permanent!!