I recently participated in a 10-day silent meditation course to learn/practice one of the most ancient techniques of meditation, Vipassana. Since returning about a week ago, I've been slowly getting back into the swings, and in that brief time, I've already had a couple dozen conversations about my experience. I'm writing a mini blog series to codify my thoughts.
This is the final of three (3) posts about this experience, detailing my advice/suggestions to people who want to give Vipassana a try. If you haven't already, I suggest first taking a look at Part 1 (general overview, some logistical questions), and Part 2 (specifics about my experience before, during, and after).
My partner did it together with me; here's Part 1 and Part 2 of what she wrote.
So you're interested in participating in a 10-day course to learn the Vipassana technique, that's excellent! :)
There are a few (simple) suggestions I would like to make to prospective new students:
- Do not do too much research about the experience that others have had at/with Vipassana. Whereas the benefits of the technique are universal to all meditators, the journey through 10-day course is an extremely personal experience, unique to each individual meditator. Reading too much about the experience of others in advance of the course increases the risk of your setting too many/high expectations.
- Register for a 10-day course only if you have a strong determination to sit through the entire duration. The technique is taught progressively on each of the 10 days; it is done so in order for the new student to best learn the technique and experience its benefits.
- After your application/registration are accepted and you've arrived at the meditation centre, you will find a booklet similar to the below Fig 1. This booklet is concise and details the Code of Discipline for meditators; it's an exceptionally well written document where ~95% of the words have a significant meaning. Take a booklet, consult it when you have questions, and follow its instructions strictly (i.e. to the word) for best results. I did not follow this advice, needlessly endured the consequences of improperly learning the technique, and later understood the reason being that I neglected some of the Code of Discipline.
Fig 1 - Vipassana Meditation booklet with details about the course and technique.
- Pay close attention to the booklet's section shown in Fig 2, particularly this: "...meditate exactly as the teacher asks, without ignoring any part of the instructions, nor adding anything to them."
Fig 2 - Vipassana Meditation booklet section: Acceptance of the Teacher and the Technique
- Prepare to work hard for 10 consecutive days, and work as though you are in isolation. The temptations of distraction will be endless. You might become lost in your thoughts. You might worry about some part of your past or future. It's only natural that this should happen. What's important, is that when you find yourself in such a situation, you bring your focus back to the physical self, accept that your attention has wandered, and continue working progressively through the technique as it has been taught.
- After 10 days of working diligently to give fair trial to the technique, you are your own master. If the technique doesn't work out for you for whatever reason, that's completely okay. Consider continuing to practice what worked for you, leaving out the parts that didn't. You are the master of your practice.
Fig 3 - Summary at the end of the booklet; sums it up quite well :)