samir pandit

My Experiences with Vipassana

Written by

Samir Pandit

in

a large golden building with a sky in the background

I have been hearing about Vipassana Meditation for the last 3 decades and finally decided at the start of the year that I will be doing the 10-day course at their Pagoda, Gorai. As D-day approached closer, I did get all sorts of advice from folks who have attended and some interesting comments from folks who have not even attended one such course. Some encouraged me, while few were very skeptical. I was told about various breathing techniques and why one is better than the other.

Coming to the actual course, my first impressions are :

  • Keeping Silence for 10 days is a thing that one needs to experience for himself
  • Having strict discipline for 10 days was a very easy thing for me
  • The food there is a delicious vegetarian affair and the best I had in ages
  • No solid meals after 11 AM lunch is what I loved the most
  • The meditation technique is a revelation
  • The teachings will take decades for me to understand and experience
  • This is a long journey and I have taken the first step

Here are a few things which you can expect if you plan to attend one

  • 10 days of complete silence: No talking, No reading, No writing, No phones, No expressions, No touch, No music
  • The day starts at 4 AM and goes on till 9:30 PM
  • You spend 12 hours in the day practicing vipassana meditation – 2 hours before breakfast, 3 hours before lunch, 4 hours after lunch, and 3 hours in the evening
  • You also need to follow no movement of hands and legs for 3 hours as part of this technique from day 3
  • Meditation posture is what one is comfortable in, as you need to sit for a long duration
  • There is no charge for it
  • Take the Hindi discourse, if given an option. You will fall in love with the language all over again
  • Every year a repeat of the 10-day course is recommended
  • Once you are back from this course, daily 1-hour meditation in the morning and evening is recommended

Will I recommend this to everyone? The answer is No

There is a lot to gain from this course and nothing to lose. It needs strong determination and self-discipline to take this course. I will treasure what I got out of this course for life.

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