10 day vipassana retreat

gracelee

Hi
A friend of mine recently completed a free 10 day vipassana retreat, and was raving about it, i decided to check it out, I feel a little concerned about the strict rules and regulations involved.

I have been on a few silent retreats, but this appears VERY strict. if i am honest the rules and regulation appear dogmatic and almost torturous but at the same time i am intrigued by it and would like to know if anyone has been on a similar vipassana boot-camp and what their experience was?

thanks
Grace

DhammaDhatu

hi Gracelee

if you are referring to a "Goenka" retreat, then yes, these can be very torturous because one is forced to sit for very long periods

Afterwards, participants often rave about them because of the high they feel from ending the torture

Whilst many people have benefited from these retreats, I would suggest doing a 10 day silent retreat that is more moderate, which has alternating periods of sitting and walking meditation

where do you live Gracelee? if i know, I can probably offer some suggestions

regards

DhammaDhatu

one of the attractions of a Goenka retreat is they are free (no money to pay)

DaltheJigsaw

Yea, i was going to do this retreat, but I am not ready for it.
Is there any others in California, specifically San Francisco Bay Area?
Thanks,
Leon

DhammaDhatu

Hi Leon

There would be many places near you, such as:

http://www.insightmeditationcenter.org/

http://www.spiritrock.org/

The issue here is they may cost alot of $

Regards

DhammaDhatu

Less costly places would be like here: http://sfbuddhistcenter.org/

I trust this organisation would provide good meditation teachings

Some of their Dhamma interpretation i personally disagree with, having hung out at their Australian centres for a while, but overall, they should be fine

LesC

Gracelee,

While it may be intense, that's the whole point. They have had phenomenal success in prisons with this method. The rigors force you to come face to face with yourself. You cannot hide. This is a silent retreat, so for 10 days, you speak to no one, except the teachers for clarification, or staff when in need. You are alone with your ego, and Vipassana (which means to see things as they really are). This will allow you to experience the truth instead of the delusions you may have been hanging onto. If you are happy with those delusions, I suggest you not go.

:om:

LesC

Further to the above...

Many places do indeed intersperse sitting and walking meditation, some even allow meditating alone or with the group. Also there will be dharma talks given daily along with instruction and explanation of the process. There is a strict time schedule for all activities, and no distractions are usually permitted. No books, no radios, no jogging... you get the idea. Nothing but you and your thoughts. Meals are simple vegetarian affairs, if you have special dietary requirements, best to make that known right up front. Likewise with medications. Generally speaking, those that have done it, rave about it.

:om:

DhammaDhatu

While it may be intense, that's the whole point. The rigors force you to come face to face with yourself. You cannot hide. You are alone with your ego, and Vipassana (which means to see things as they really are).

There is enough to face without having to endure intense physical pain that will arise if one does not have an excellent sitting posture.

The Buddha taught the middle way.

Regards

andyrobyn

I have attended one Goenka Vipassana 10 day retreat here in Australia - many years ago now, and I had been meditating already for about 12 months prior and was used to sitting, not for such long periods though. It still was a very intense experience for me and I have not found myself drawn back to do another such retreat - it was an important step for me at the time ... all I have to offer really.