Vipassana – Nobel silent meditation for 10 days
Can you imagine meditating for 10 days in noble silence? Without any conversations, distracting stimuli such as telephone, book or music.
Stop in literal form. Withdrawal from the daily rush, being in an action-driven mode.
Vipassana gives you the opportunity to see what is in your mind.
Looking at it and noticing how much we do not live in harmony with ourselves.
For the first time in the course, I was 100% focused on eating my meal. Slowly, with awareness and gratitude. Every day we eat on the go, looking through the phone .. and we kind of eat, but with our minds we are somewhere else .. the result is that we usually eat too much .. but this is a topic for another post: )
Now I will focus on the issue of Vipassana meditation.
What is Vipassana?
What is Vipassana?
What contraindications?
What is the code of discipline in Vipassana?
What is the day like on the course?
Where can the course be held?
My Vipassana Experience.
1. What is Vipassana?
The word “Vipassana” means “to see things as they are.” It is one of the oldest Indian meditation techniques. The Buddha discovered it over 2,500 years ago. It allows you to “overcome” various ailments.
This technique has nothing to do with any organized religion or religious movement. It allows you to completely remove all disturbances and impurities from the mind.
A deep process of meeting yourself and listening to your inner voice.
Everyday hard work on ourselves, which brings us closer to our true source.
2. What is Vipassana?
Vipassana is the observation of natural breathing and the concentration of the mind.
It is a 10-day meditation in complete silence, away from the hustle and bustle of the city and everyday problems.
The first course is total meditation, and later, after completing the 10-day course, the next ones can serve during the course.
(help in its preparation and course + meditate).
Older students are those who have completed a 10-dayVipassana meditationcourse. They have the opportunity to serveDhammaon the courses included in the schedule and choose a course of various intensity, eg 3 days, 20 days, etc.
3. What are the contraindications?
Depression, taking antidepressants or other mental illness.
Why? Because, for example, a person with fears can only make them worse and have even bigger problems.
The Vipassana course is not a “vacation” trip – it is very hard work on the mind.
So if you are struggling with any problems, know that by running away from them into meditation, you can make your situation worse. First, solve your problems with a therapist, for example, and then, when you feel that you are ready, sign up for the course.
4. What is the code of discipline in Vipassana?
sīla – moral conduct.
samādhi – concentration of mind.
paññā – wisdom through insight.
All participants of the course must follow five rules:
- refrain from: killing any creatures,
- refrain from stealing,
- abstain from all sexual activity,
- refrain from lying,
- to refrain from taking intoxicants.
The next very important rules are:
– noble silence (no conversations with anyone),
– refraining from other meditation techniques,
– separation of men and women
– avoiding physical and eye contact,
– suspending all yoga and sports practice,
– giving back the phone , books, not listening to music,
– having a comfortable, simple outfit (women should not have leggings and bare shoulders, and gentlemen should not have pants at least up to the knee),
– hand wash only,
– adapt to the meals that are served during the course: vegetarianism (more veganism)
5. What is the day like on the course?
4:00 am | Wake- up bell | |
4: 30-6: 30 | Meditation in a meditation hall or rooms | |
6: 30-8: 00 | Break for breakfast | |
8: 00-9: 00 | Group meditation in the meditation hall | |
9: 00-11: 00 | Meditation in the room or rooms depending on the instruction given by the teacher | |
11: 00-12: 00 | Lunch break | |
12.00-13.00 | Rest and individual talks with the teacher | |
1.00 pm – 2.30 pm | Meditation in a meditation hall or rooms | |
14.30-15.30 | Group meditation in the meditation hall | |
15.30-17.00 | Meditation in the room or rooms depending on the instruction given by the teacher | |
17.00-18.00 | Tea break | |
18.00-19.00 | Group meditation in the meditation hall | |
19.00-20.15 | Evening lecture | |
20.15-21.00 | Group meditation in the meditation hall | |
21.00-21.30 | Time for questions in the meditation room | |
21.30 | Turning off the lights. Time to rest in the rooms |
6. Where can the course be held?
It is up to you as the courses are carried out all over the world.
You can take the course in Poland, Spain, India or Russia.
The evening lecture is available in your native language.
* However, it is worth choosing a course where you will understand the teacher’s instructions, and if you have questions, you will be able to ask them at the appointed time.
7. My Vipassana Experience.
I took the first course in Poland.
The story is that 3 years had to pass for me to mature for this decision, because when I first heard about the course, I thought: “10 days without talking? I wouldn’t say anything? There are no options. It’s not for me “.
At the right moment, it was time for me to participate in the course.
I am very happy with this first course, it was amazing!
Before I started and got on the course (registration and order of applications apply, so not everyone can enter), I decided not to read about the course. I didn’t want to know what awaited me there, I didn’t read any book and I didn’t want to hear too much from the people who took it.
I knew only the basic information. It was the best decision for me. Perhaps you will want to know “how to adjust to the upcoming events and feelings”, but I preferred to give up my expectations of “how it should be”. I went with the flow and opened myself to what was supposed to be.
I would like to add that the lectures are amazingly in line with what is created in the head during the course.
For 10 days I did not talk to anyone, I did not maintain eye contact and I did not smile at anyone. Instead, I used the charms of nature – I went for walks in the forest every day (as well as other course participants).
My outfit was not entirely correct, which I later realized … (slight fluff)
As they say, you learn from mistakes: D.
The food was delicious because it was vegan.
For the first time in my life, I focused on eating and tasting it, not browsing my phone.
Getting up without an alarm clock turned out to be very easy for me! It’s amazing how the body can create the natural rhythm of the day and wake up according to it :).
After 10 days of the course, when we break the noble silence and we can talk to each other, I met wonderful people!
Beautiful stories and energy was varied, because there were people like me (for the first time) and older students who had already taken the course one time in a row.
I would like to add that I was on a Polish-English course, so people from different countries were there :).
Did I know after the course that I would have the next one?
No, I didn’t know, but I was open to the fact that I could feel such a need and I did.
The next one I did was in the UK, 3 days long.
Do I recommend Vipassane?
Of course! After the course you feel calm, full of joy and you have the desire to share it with the whole world (I felt so)
But you know, the final decision is yours 🙂
Let me know if you would take part in a 10-day Vipassana meditation course?
Hugs! 🙂
Roksana
Hi! I am Roksana and I am glad that you visit my website! :) Yoga adventure waiting for you!