What is Vipassana Meditation:
Vipassana is one of India’s oldest techniques of meditation, first taught 2,500 years ago. It is a practical method of self-awareness that allows one to face the tensions and problems of daily life in a calm and balanced way. Vipassana meditation is a rational method for purifying the mind of the mental factors that cause distress and pain. This simple technique does not invoke the help of a God(s), spirit or any other external power, but relies on our own efforts.
Now to the meat of my experience- I found out about this in March 2017, I didn’t need to be utterly convinced as soon as I was made aware of it. Because I had been ready for a while now to start a practise of meditation. I had read the POWER OF NOW, LIVING BUDHA LIVING CHRIST. I had even started to plan a trip to India. But you know what they say about the law of attraction- This opportunity landed on a platter of gold without having to travel to India. The best part, it was completely free. All I did was sacrifice 10 days vacation out of my 15 days vacation- Boy it was worth it.
The center closest to me was always fully booked 6 months prior, so I immediately booked in March for 10 days. If it is your first time you are allowed a minimum of 10days- No shortcuts. You think you are disciplined until you face a situation where for 10 days- No communication, noble silence (you can only talk to the teacher at designated times), no phone, no television, no writing or reading. You meditate for 8-12hrs a day with 5 mins break every 1 hour and have your last meal for the day at 11am (all meals were vegetarian)- lol this killed me. The sitting of strong determination requires that you sit for a minimum of 1 hour without changing your posture. The mental torture, and the grueling physical pain leads to an eventual surrender.
Arrival Day
On arrival day I was anxious like everyone I meet. Many of whom were coming in for the first time but have had previous meditation experiences with other techniques. The common question asked by everyone was: Why are you here, What do you expect to gain from the experience, and How did you know about this practise? There was so much chatting and bonding until the gong went off at 5.30pm.
The first thing that made me weary was how they insisted several times that you had to commit to the10 days. They made people sign documents, and also kept emphasizing the need to commit the 10 days. Little did I know that the pseudo torture of the mind was bound to make people give up or run away. And a few people did leave before the 10 days was over. I thought several times the tactic I will adopt to execute my escape but I am glad I made it to 10 days.
The next scary thing was a warning poster of BLACK BEARS. My center was located in a jungle in Quebec, a province known for over 70,000 black bears. Nobody told me any of this in all the newsletters I received prior. The worst part of it is they advised that if you come across a black bear, look her in the eye and talk to her with your hands stretched out while you move backwards gently- I wasn’t interested- If I see a black bear the only thing I can think of is RUN RUN RUN RUN RUN. AINT HAVIN NO CONVERSATION WITH A BEAR.
The final issue I had the first day was that at the first meditation, I heard chattings from the recordings we listened to during every discourse 6pm-7pm. It was S.N Goeneka( 1924 -2013); the Vipassana meditation teacher. My mind started to wonder; I did not come here for some ritual B.S or spirit nonsense. I concluded that the following day I will seek to find out what the hell was going on. Unfortunately for me, my questions were answered. They were posters informing everyone that the chattings were not rituals but words of peace, harmony, goodwill. It was in the language of PALI and HINDI. For example during the end of every meditation he says BHARVATI SAVAN MANGALE- MAY ALL BEINGS BE HAPPY.
WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS TECHNIQUE
The techniques starts with
SILA- Maintain Morality by abiding by the 5-8 precepts.
SAMADHI- Observing respiration that makes one ever present and aware.
PANNA- Wisdom by observing and discovering the ultimate truth by oneself. Not the truth told to you by your parents, spiritual teachers, family. But that experienced yourself.
We practised ANAPANA- observing respiration and sensation in the area below nostril and above upper lip for 3 days and by day 4 GOENKA informed us that we were just starting. WTF. that was literally my expression, I thought I had died and was ready to be free of this suffering and now we begin the real surgical operation. But in all the actual Vipassana meditation involved observing sensations on your body and making sure there is no craving or aversion to any sensation.
Trust me that is all. However, have you ever tried sitting still for one hour and only observe sensations on your body. My first experience felt like hell. But after the lesson on SANKARA’S ( the misery of human craving and aversion) I could enjoy pain because now I understand the universal principle of IMPERMANEMCE-ANICCA.
The technique is non- sectarian. It has nothing to do with religion, culture or even dogmas. Infact, the practice helps you truly appreciate your religion and gives you a better understanding no matter your background.
By my 4th day taking my usual walk in the forest, I had an epiphany. I realised that all my senses were heightened. I could perceive 7 distinct smell of the forest. It was a beautiful experience. I could hear so well that when meditating I could here the vibrations that make up everything. Am sure scientist know what am talking about.
You would not believe how polluted our minds are. That consciousness turns to subconscious due to all the noise.
Last day- 10th Day.
The centre was wise enough to remove the noble silence a day before we left the centre. I for one did not know how to talk. I ignorantly hid in my space listening to people talk. It was like the gates of hell was let loose. People started to talk so much that it was difficult to get people’s attention- They were sharing experiences and everyone was so happy.
I was super impressed with the coordination. The program is a free program run solely by donations of people who must take at least one 10 day course before they can give their DANA- service or money.
The center houses 140- 200 people every 10 days back to back all through the year except when they have scheduled annual cleanup/ maintenance.
In conclusion, I was more that happy I did this and would recommend to anyone. If you need more information or have questions, simple reach out to me.
You can read similiary experiences below