Vipassana Meditation Course Review
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I’ve been back for a full two days now from the Vipassana Meditation retreat, and I’ve been taking some time to reflect on my overall experience. I’ve come to the conclusion that it was incredible.
I didn’t realize this when the course had completed because there was so much information floating around in my head, but now that most of that has quieted down I can view the experience objectively. This post may be a bit long because it’s meant to serve as a review of the course. Please bear with me!
Some Background Information
Not only did I learn a wonderful technique over the course of 10 days. I learned Dhamma, the art of living, as taught by the Buddha. Although Vipassana is a technique developed by the Buddha, it is completely non-sectarian, non-religious, and universal. Anyone can utilize the practical application of the technique, and anyone can expect to obtain the same universal benefits.
At my course there was an array of blacks, whites, asians, indians, Christians, Hindus, Muslims, etc. The purpose of Vipassana is to transmit experiential knowledge of Truth by giving you the opportunity to directly experience Truth within the framework of your body. As you can imagine, this is powerful stuff that can change lives.
The course is taught with a series of audio and video cassette tapes of S.N. Goenka, the primary teacher of the materials. Along with Goenka, there is one male and one female assistant teacher assigned to the course. They are there to clarify any confusion students may have, and to guide the progress of the course.
Arrival
When I first arrived at the course, I was nervous and didn’t know what to expect. Were the people going to be friendly, loving, and compassionate as I expected them to be? Was it going to be a cult-like gathering with a bunch of people wearing loin cloths and sporting thick unkempt beards?
I was pleasantly surprised when I walked into a registration room full of normal looking people, and was greeted by a nice lady. I filled out a “New Student Form,” was given a room number, and was asked to go and settle into my room. This is also when I gave the lady all of my valuable personal belongings, such as my phone, wallet, and car keys (so I couldn’t escape later).
I proceeded to my room, and there was already a gathering of students in the hallway. I got a chance to meet most of them, and I noticed that these weren’t ordinary people. These were exceptional people. They were very open minded, and many of them had done some really cool things (running marathons, traveling the world, attending personal development seminars, etc). I was savoring my right to talk, because this was the last talking I would be doing for the next 10 days.
After our hour long chat session, we made our way to the male dining hall where the course orientation was being held. At the orientation we were told the rules of the facility, and the rules of the program in general. There were certain course boundaries we were not supposed to cross for our own protection (this place was in the middle of nowhere and there was known to be dangerous wildlife abound). Also, there were male and female boundaries to prevent us from interacting with the opposite sex. This made sense because that sort of interaction would create a huge distraction in our meditation endeavors. At this time we were also informed of the daily timetable, and were told that if we wanted to get the maximum benefit out of the course we were to adhere to the timetable strictly.
Daily Timetable
Wake up bell: 4:00am
Meditate in the hall or in your room: 4:30-6:30am
Final group meditation in the hall: 8:15-9:00pm
Breakfast and rest: 6:30-8:00am
Group meditation in the hall: 8:00-9:00am
Meditate in the hall or in your room: 9:00-11:00am
Lunch and rest: 11:00-1:00pm
Meditate in the hall or in your room: 1:00-2:30pm
Group meditation in the hall: 2:30-3:30pm
Meditate in the hall or in your room: 3:30-5:00pm
Tea break: 5:00-6:00pm
Group meditation in the hall: 6:00-7:00pm
Evening discourse: 7:00-8:15pm
Final group meditation: 8:15-9:00pm
Lights out: 9:30pm
As you can see, there’s a TON of meditation and not much time for anything else. I was already aware of the schedule before arriving, so I wasn’t surprised. But some of the other students had a look of “what the hell have I gotten myself into?” on their face. After all of the instructions were given, we made our way to the meditation hall, and as soon as we stepped inside, the silence for the course began.
Meditation instructions were given at this first meditation. I remember sitting and thinking, “easy enough!” Since the orientation took up so much time, our evening meditation only lasted for about 30 minutes. After this we were dismissed and had 30 minutes to get ready for bed. I wasn’t used to going to bed at 9:30, so I didn’t fall asleep until about midnight. Almost as soon as I fell asleep, I was abruptly woken up by the morning bell at 4:00am. I thought to myself, “oh %&#$, this is going to be terrible!”
My Daily Experience
The first day was extremely intense. No one is used to meditating for 11 hours a day (unless you’re a monk, then it’s a breeze), so my body was constantly having to make adjustments. My body wasn’t too happy with the adjustments it was having to make, so it gave me a hard time. As the days passed it became more cooperative, and I was able to obtain some incredible results by the end of the course.
I followed the daily timetable scrupulously, observed all of the rules to the tee, and made full use of the theoretical information transmitted in the daily evening discourse. If you plan on attending the course, make sure you do the same so you can obtain the best results possible in the short 10 day period.
The only time I broke silence was to talk with an assistant teacher. At noon, students are allowed to set up an interview, and are permitted to quietly as the teacher any questions they have about the teachings. This was highly beneficial for me, because there were many theoretical aspects of the technique I didn’t understand and I wanted to clear some things up. The teacher was very knowledgeable, as he had been practicing Vipassana for 35 years! I found that understanding why everything works the way it does helped me obtain better results from the practical application of the technique. In the end I realized how wonderful the system really is.
The Verdict
I won’t go into details about the technique because I’m nowhere near qualified enough to teach it, and i don’t want to give anyone the wrong idea. I will, however, comment on the quality of the teaching and the effectiveness of the program design.
Over the years, hundreds of thousands of people have attended a Vipassana meditation camp, just like me. And over those years the people who designed the program have constantly worked to perfect it so that students can obtain even better results. My experience was nearly flawless, and everything I was told I would obtain by the end of the course I obtained.
I have to give the Vipassana Academy credit for creating such a fine tuned, effective method to alleviate the human race of its pains and miseries. I can confidently say that every student who signs up for a 10 day program will obtain tangible results at the end of the course if they give the technique a fair trial by observing all the rules and recommendations.
Here are some of the benefits I received by attending the course:
- Freedom from pain and misery, and the ability to prevent myself from causing any future pain or misery in my life
- The ability to maintain a balanced mind in ANY situation, regardless of how great or how bad it may be
- Strong compassion for my fellow beings, human or otherwise. So much so that I’m now a vegetarian (and I was a hardcore meat eater before the course began)
- Stopped drinking alcohol
- The ability to apply an intense focus to any task I wish to accomplish
- The discipline to follow through with any task I wish to accomplish
- A better understanding of Truth as it applies to the nature of our reality, and the nature of our being
- The confidence one gains when he/she accomplishes something momentous (it feels like I just finished climbing Everest)
In the short period of 10 days I somehow managed to acquire all of these benefits, and many of the other students are able to say the same (I know because I talked to them after the course.) I strongly recommend that everyone take a course because I know it will be life-changing for any individual.
If you do decide to go, make the commitment to yourself to stay for the entire 10 days no matter what. A few students left in the middle of the course, and I’m sure they all regret it now. If you ever find yourself questioning some of the practices during the middle of the course, be patient. I assure you by the end you will understand exactly why everything is set up the way it is.
All in all, I can’t recommend the course strongly enough. I believe every human being should give it a try and see for himself/herself how much this technique can improve his/her life. If you’re closed minded to the idea of taking a chance with a 10 day course, remember, it’s only 10 days. After that you’re your own master once again, but now with a new experience under your belt.
Also, Vipassana meditation is non-sectarian, non-religious, and universal. No one will try to convert you, and you won’t be subjected to any sort of sequestration or indoctrination. With that in mind, give it a try! See for yourself what all the buzz is about. I assure you in the end you’ll be glad you gave Vipassana a chance.
If you have any specific questions at all regarding the course, don’t hesitate to contact me. Also, if you’re interested in learning more about the course, please check out http://www.dhamma.org
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Sounds amazing! As I gave up alcohol and meat eating a few years ago, I feel comfortable with that aspect; but i know my challenge will be sitting with myself, my body…all that goes on inside for 10 full days. I look forward to the experience, challenge, and serenity someday….Thank you for your articles always…
~ Lauren
Lauren,
I’m glad you’re planning on going, and you’re very welcome for the article!
I think you’ll find the experience incredible, as did I. You’ll be able to handle it just fine. It would definitely be difficult for someone who was not ready for it mentally or spiritually, but from the sounds of it, it sounds like you’re ready! Please let me know how it goes whenever you complete the course.
This sounds like it was a good time!
-your vipassana brother
Ah very interesting experience here. I imagine it must be very difficult to meditate for such long periods of time. Did you find yourself increasing with restlessness, or gaining more peace and wanting to go another few days?
It actually wasn’t that difficult to meditate for such long periods of time. The course is structured in such a way that your mind stops wandering, and you go deep enough into the meditation so that you lose a sense of time. There were a few meditations were three hours passed by in what seemed like minutes. Really cool experience.
Towards the end I did feel like it was never going to end, but I stuck it out and kept my focus until the very last day. I attained some awesome results.
Thanks for the comment! If you’ve got any other questions let me know.
Thanks for the review. I start the course tomorrow, and was looking for others’ experience. I’ve read both good and not-so-good reviews…not sure if I’m more ready to go now or less.
Congrats on making the commitment to go. Make sure that you’ve made the decision that you’re going to stick it out NO MATTER WHAT. Don’t leave when you get there no matter what, I assure you that at the end there is a reward. Good luck!
I also completed a 10 days Vipassana course three months ago and I’ve to say that it was one of the best thing I did for my life. A most pragmatic tool that permanently changes one’s life for ever surely and slowly. I’m happily reporting that I am still practicing my twice daily one hour sitting which is the most important thing in my every day life. It has brought me the balance of the mind in the midst of chaos of living. metta to all.
Thanks for the review. I have been thinking about doing a course for the past month. My primary reason for that is I would like to know myself better, what I want in life, calmness of mind. The big one though is self-assurance or confidence. I think I do lack confidence although I know I do fine. Do you think this course helps you gain confidence long term. Its a little bit objective but …Would appreciate your reply.
@ Dhamma brother – Thank you for sharing your experiences here. They will be most helpful to readers. Also, congratulations on keeping up with the daily sittings. They are crucial, to say the least.
@ Satya – Over the 10 day course you can definitely make significant progress in all of the areas you listed. Once you leave the course is when you will begin the major work, however. Vipassana is “insight” meditation, and will most certainly help you get to know yourself better. The key is to keep up the practice once you leave the 10-day course. I wish you the best of luck, and please let me know how your course went once you’re back.
I’m going to do the course on this Dec 9 at Kaufman ,TX. I want to improve myself to handle any problem/activity in life(hopefully this course would help). I have some question regarding your experienced.
1. Did you do 10-day course at this center? If so ,is it safe there specially for a girl?
2. Is the bedroom is for individual or for a group(by how many people)?
3. In the case I want to leave before complete the course ,what do I need to do or would happen?
3. What could I bring to the bedroom beside your clothes,blanket.?
Thank you for your review and reply in advance.
Nikki,
1. I did do a 10 day course, and yes it is totally safe there for women.
2. All women have their own room with a bathroom attached for privacy.
3. If you wanted to leave you would need to talk with the course manager about your concerns. I strongly recommend that you make the decision NOT to leave no matter what before attending the course, however. No matter how difficult it may be, it’s important that you complete it. You’ll understand the reasoning behind the procedure at the end of the course.
4. Bring sheets for a twin sized bed, definitely a blanket because it’s going to be cold, and bring a couple of pillows so that you can meditate comfortably in your room.
If you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly using the contact form on my website.
Thanks a lot for your quick response. I appreciated it.
I ‘m very determined to complete the 10 day course. Just wonder such in case of emergency that I need to leave.
By the way, I forgot to ask you one more question,which about donation.
How to donate and by how much should it be? What would happen if a meditator leave without any donation?(just curious)
Again, Thanks for your reply.
P.S. I m impressed that youngter like you interested in this journey. I hv read some of your articles in your website, you have the different perspective toward life from other youngster i know outhere. I’m really impressed and will read your other articles.
Nikki – Thank you for the compliments
I’m just trying to understand the way things really work down here.
A donation is by no means mandatory. If you feel like you received value from the program, then you can make a donation in any amount. There are no repercussions if you leave without making one.
I wish you the best of luck on your 10 day journey. I’m confident you’ll find it insightful and beneficial in many ways.
Hi, do they provide cushions for meditating on or are students meant to bring their own?
Michael – They will supply you with a LOT of cushions, so don’t worry about bringing your own.
Hi Rahul
Thanks for sharing your experience. I had done Vipassana meditation course of 10 days in Igatpuri near Mumbai in year 2001. The benefits were excellent , it changed my orientation towards life. I hvae been doing meditation practice for very short duration since then as i am on consulting job and have been travelling alot.
I am looking for a group , wherein i can join and continue my practice of longer duration ( 1- 2 hrs.) in Sugarland Area.
Pls share the address and other details in Sugarland/Houston.
Kamlesh – Thank you for stopping by! I no longer live in Sugar Land, so I am not familiar with the local practice groups. You can look them up on the Vipassana website: http://dhamma.org by logging into the members area.
Hi Rahul, Thank you for this review! I am planning on taking a 10 day course in California at the end of the month and was reading about other people’s negative experiences and it made me a little bit apprehensive and hesitant about my decision. I am determined to complete the 10 days, and it is encouraging to read about people who have been through it and have found it to be rewarding. Thanks again.
Susanne
Susanne,
Please do drop by and let me know how your retreat goes. I’m sure you’ll find it awesome.
Hi Rahul, I’m so glad you have this available to people who are considering the experience of Vipassana. I am scheduled to go at the end of this month. I have one concern that perhaps you could provide your opinion on……. the course I am attending will apparently have some loud construction occuring during the entire 10 day retreat. They have advised us that we will hear the construction, voices, machinery, etc. but that we should still have a valuable experience. My question to you is, if this was the environment when you did your retreat, do you think it would have been a major distraction to you and somehow lessened your experience? I was considering bringing earplugs (the small foam ones that you roll between your fingers before placing in your ears) but was also unsure if that would be improper. Do you have any thoughts on this? Many thanks!
Laurie – You’re very welcome! Thanks for dropping by and asking your questions. In my opinion, the quality of the course would be affected by loud construction noise. One of the best things about the course (at least the location I went to) was the serenity and peacefulness of the surrounding environment. If you must go to this course, then I think the earplugs are a great option. They are in no way improper. They won’t take away from your learning or anything like that. Enjoy your retreat, if you decide to go, and let me know how it goes for you!
Hi,
Would you recommend this course for a person who has never done any meditation? Can this be a good start or rather too much of a challenge in such case? Maybe it would be better to prepare somehow (how?). I have had this (=vipassana course) in my mind for a long time but I am afraid this could be too hard to complete. I cannot get myself to regular meditation while at home.
All the best,
Marcela
Marcela,
When I signed up for Vipassana I had only done minimal meditation prior to going. When I first got there, I couldn’t sit up straight for more than 5 minutes without having to relax my back/legs. By the end of the course I could sit for an endless amount of time. It will be challenging regardless of if you have experience or not. 11.5 hours of meditation a day is a lot of time. But you will be fine if you decide before hand that you will be fine.
If it’s something that’s been on your mind for a while, I definitely recommend that you do it. Your intuition won’t lead you wrong. It will be a lifechanging experience!
Helo,
I hope I’ll overcome my fears and take the chance, you helped me a lot with this, thanks!
Laurie, I am interested to know if the noise bothered you when you were there. I am going in August, and I am anxious about this.