Vipassana Meditation Short Intro

[IDM011]

Mn this meditation destroyed my mind...hate it

[tarunbahuguna]

if you have attended it once you can stop yourself from coming again and again

[JcubedEnt]

NomMyhoRengeKyo

SGI.ORG



[JaguarEarlobe]

WARNING - although this 10 day course can be extremely beneficial, one day i will do one.. I have ready many stories and have personal friends who have had extreme problems. People lose they're minds and end up ni deep depressions. suicide has been known as a result. This seems to be the case with people who are at all psychologically unstable... which is hard to determine in yourself, as grwoing up in a western (I hat e that phrase) civilisation cant fail to give you psychological delusions

[aivuks]

@JaguarEarlobe that's why it is VERY important and crucial that applicants write down HONESTLY their physical and psychological conditions in the application form prior the course.

[DemianHermann]

If you are a truth seeker, search "Truth Contest" in Google and click on the 1st result, then open The Present and read what it says. Everyone needs to see this. The Present will turn this world right-side up if it reaches enough people.

[aka3740]

@DemianHermann Great site!

[stejeafra26]

@DemianHermann Thank you.

[shalom43]

Faith in Jesus is the answer to everything.

[shannonleec]

The best gift 

[uilium]

Everyone should watch some of the YouTube Buddhist Monks...there is one in particular that who has over 200 videos and there are different types of approaches but he is such a great teacher even if he wasn't a monk he would be a good teacher...some monks are not good teachers , especially for teaching westerners and total laymen.

[123anicca]

best 10 days of my life........feel so lucky...m finally at peace..........dont miss dis guys

[zoo899]

what are the benefits of this over other forms of buddhism/ meditation?

i feel like i don't usually hear about such life-transforming experiences from people who have been on other kinds of buddhist retreats...

[123anicca]

@zoo899 recently i came across many people who had done other technique of meditation or other types of yogic practices......bt after doing vipassana they claim dat this is wat they hv been looking fr all their life.....so my advice to u is jus go n experience it fr yourself ....this technique is very scientific, non-sectarian n result oriented......i wish d welfare of all ,may every1 be happy,peaceful n liberated

[zoo899]

@123anicca

hm ok thanks 123anicca!

[sumitbargale]

good

[kresslerk]

No dogma needed!! Just be kind and listen to your mind, what is so threatening about that guys?

[PhysiologicAli]

sweet

[animalcolm]

Just returned from a 10 day course and it was a truly incredible experience. There was no dogma involved, no blind faith, no chanting. Literally all we did was to observe your respiration and the sensations in your own body, and by doing so you start to slowly change the habit pattern of your mind at a deep level. I feel like I have more access to compassion, and am less afraid. Changed my life!

[lissettestmichele]

VIPASSANA MEDITATION iS A CULT!!!!!! they are well trained in subtle control schemes they increase religious chanting as course progresses, claim you are experiencing cleansing or your impurities are the cause for your concern/ alarm. I've been so several retreats and I have never felt like getting the hell out as I did there.

[lissettestmichele]

VIPASSANA MEDITATION iS A CULT!!!!!! they are well trained in subtle control schemes they increase religious chanting as course progresses, claim you are experiencing cleansing or your impurities are the cause for your concern/ alarm. I've been so several retreats and I have never felt like getting the hell out any place as much as there.

[Entropy56]

I'd go there to shag some hot babes, but I didn't see any...

[StokesDaddy]

now are there any mantras you have to cant.. or calling in energies or becoming one with a supernatural power?

[sellersi]

Was also for me the toughest but most rewarding experience. Try yourself to sit quietly, in any position with your back erect and unsupported (so you do not fall asleep but are comfortable) and even for a short time, perhaps 15-20 minutes stay quietly, with your eyes closed, and simply listen and observe your natural breathing with out counting, or doing anything but observing. Notice how hard it is to stay concentrated just on this one simple task as you will see your mind wanders.

[sskhaw91]

lol why debate here?

[egon1009]

fartasses!!!

[RRydnew]

Thank you reforest4fertility for saying the same thing that I have been saying since I saw this misleading, patronizing and insulting video. People live thier lives proactively and do not and should not live thier life always retreating and/or in the "middle". I encourage all of you to stop this and start living your life proactively and with moderation in all things, seek out a good church or temple and be a better human being and not some post

[reforest4fertility]

STOP THANKING ME, RRydnew, I don't agree with you at all. You're a nut, devoid of contextual understanding. I was decrying Goenka vip's specifically. Then your "seek out a good church or temple" itself shows ignorance that would be supreme if it wasn't so unfortunately so widely held. Yes, there are problems with Theravada Buddhism, but all religions retain cultural baggage--is the nicest way of saying it. Xtianity is much worse. Buddhism at least has a practice & includes loving kindness.....

[BrainDamage83]

1) what's a "good" church or temple?

2')how does going to a good church or temple make you a better human being?

[reveries119]

@RRydnew lmao why can' others choose to live the life they feel will be best for them? Who are you to offer the way for others to follow?

[FantasticArts85]

@RRydnew which video do you mean?

[amberjellyfish]

RRydnew I don't wish to patronize you but you have completely missed the point of Vipassana meditation. It is a wondeful opportunity to relieve yourself fro suffering and at least progress on the path towards liberation and perhaps enlightenment. The fact that you found it boring is interesting. It would seem you favour much lighter meditation techniques which are quick fixes. Equanimity with awareness of your body`sensations! Your mind makes you bored.

[RRydnew]

No, this course makes me bored and yes you are not only patronizing but insulting to even say this. If you cannot answer one simple question, stay the hell out of the conversation! Your uninformed opnion only hurts not helps.

[RRydnew]

First, I did not say it was incorrect, it was some Buddist Monks that I know that said it was incorrect. I do agree with them. I do not have a quick fix for anything but I do not run away and meditate on myself as this establishes ad nauseum. Only one person actuallly attempted to answer my question and I am thankful that he/she did. It just makes me very angry with all of this "you missed it crap" Take a little of your own advice and check yourselves before you patronize a desenting opnion

[amberjellyfish]

Inform me. You tell me the answer I would be delighted to hear it. I am the most open minded soul. I think I personally miss the point of Vipassana. I just found your comment "boring" hard to understand as that is clearly your mind at work.

What is a conversation without opinions? Why should it be your conversation?  I think you have moved from boredom to anger!

[yeahyeahman3]

checkout "Vipassana rap" on youtube to get a beatbox summary of the awesomeness that is Vipassana.

[drkulvinder]

vipassana meditation -how seual misconduct & no drug misuse & then comes the training of breathing eerc izes & how gradually one starts getting a deeper feeling of self belief,deep calmness,control etc & eercize szelf control.

[fair7deal]

Pancha Niyama Dhamma

Five Conditions or Laws of Dhamma

youtube com

watch?v=TmvTSTcdyVA

[overlander]

I just did the 10 day course. The hardest, most confronting rewarding experience I have ever had!

[jeffandmissymello]

im drinking the kool aid and buying some amway later on

[pary88]

Don't let anything stop you from trying this.

[frankbough1955]

if your new to meditation it will be one hell of a ten days.the physical pain from sitting in the same posture for 15 or so hours a day can be excruciating.not to mention the mental torture .however it is well worth it .

[maddfurey]

how right you are. my first retreat was a physical and mental living hell and it was worth it. i am always amused by those who show up thinking it's going to be some sort of pleasant health spa type retreat.

[wildfire1965]

I recently had a friend tell me that his daughter went to one and she said it wasn't worth it. Surprised, I asked him why. He told me that she said, "...it was booooorrring". I laughed and asked him, what else did she expect...a vacation? LOL I'm registered for my first 10-day retreat in GA in Feb 2010. Am looking forward to it and trying to prepare for it as much as possible in advance.

[RRydnew]

Cancel asap! I did one not too long ago and it truly was boring. I, like you, was looking for it and did some advanced work and believe me.....BORING! I felt like I wasted 10 days of my life doing this. I wish I had those days back.

[wildfire1965]

I am curious. What makes you say it was boring? Did you realize before you went that you would be sitting in meditation for 10.5 hours/day without music or guidance? What was your personal practice like (frequency, average amount of time per sit, guided, semi-guided, silent, with music, etc) before you went?

[RRydnew]

I have praticing Yoga (Bikram and otherwise) for almost 15 years. I was told that it would be like this before I went but being a woman of my word, I went anyway despite the intel. Sorry that I did. It was just more of the same new-age babble I hear on the streets every day. I dont discourage others if they want to attend but I let them know about my expirences ad verbatium should they ask.

[bixntram]

Not trying to get on you, RR, but if it was boring, the boredom arose from your own mind. On some level you were looking for something, anything, outside of yourself to 'entertain' you. I know, because I've been there.

[RRydnew]

This is more of that patronizing tone that I have recieved in Kaufman. Dont insult my intelligence that way. In talking with some Buddist monks that I know, they do not nor ever will prescribe this form of meditiation. They find it harmful as it is not proactive with society. You and the rest of you patronizing cronies can go to ----where you belong.

[bixntram]

RR, I'm sorry if that sounded patronizing. Reading my comment over, I can see how it might sound that way. Let me change the pronoun and rephrase my comment:

"I was bored. then I saw that the boredom arose from my own mind. I was looking for something...to entertain myself." Many monks in Buddhist countries don't meditate, but saying it is harmful is incorrect, because that's what he taught ( in the Satipattana Sutta, I believe).

It's right there in the scriptures.

Best wishes, bix

[thengayotethee]

Keeping 5 precepts (no stealing, no killing, no lying, no wrong sex, and no alcohol) for 10 days. Each day doing only more good things both physically and mentally for 10 days.

And you think doing only good things and avoiding bad things for 10 days was boring and a waste of your time? Meditation was really boring or you just can't meditate?

Evil can't say in the light. Fish can't stay on the land. Could it be that you can't stay in noble places and doing noble things?

[frankbough1955]

below the nostrils above the upper lip,

aaaaaaaany sensaation whatsoever

be verrrrrry vigilant very vigilant

[joshonn78]

start ,start again keep your entire attention focused on the area .. (what you said) .

just remain aware just remain aware just remain aware! = )

[YeshuaLionOfJudah]

Psalm 119:11

Thy word have I hid in mine heart,that I might not sin against Thee.

Verse 12:Blessed art Thou,O LORD:

teach me thy statutes.

Verse 15:I will MEDITATE in Thy precepts,and have respect unto thy ways.

Romans 12:2:Be not conformed to this world :but be ye transformed by the renewal of Your mind,that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable,and perfect will of God.

Psalm 16:11:Thou will show me the path of life:in Thy presence is fulness of joy...

[billybarb2009]

start again ..............start again

[azteca0000]

vipassan save mi life, all the world needs vipassana!!!

I meditate since 1995 and is the best thing of mi life.

about goenka: he is a real teacher, and he´s posture about some issues is hard, but necessary to keep the purity of the technique. people sometimes don´t understand this and the believe that he is a sectarian, but no, he is a real meditation teacher.

[azxcvtest]

Vipassana is good. But this Goenka guy I don't trust. Kind of Dodgy since in the guise of teaching Vipassana, he feeds his weird twisted ideology where anyone who disagrees with him is a "sectarian fundamentalist".

[Kazberhaf]

I did 10 days of hell at the centre in Herefordshire,it's the hardest thing I've ever done in my life. I was in a lot of pain 'cos of all the sitting and spent the whole time craving my home and family. It is an amazing technique, but you need to be fit and used to sitting for a long time. Good technique but there must be a kinder way to introduce novices. I was depleted for months after and it put me off for a long time after. I did really appreciate my home and family though when I came out.

[schoutski]

sounds like you didn't get much out of it.

My life and state of mind changed completely through this experience from madly depressed to happy, fit , active. intuitive. Please try meditation again.

The cosmos does not create tension, your mind does

[Hyrshau]

You're probably trying to make yourself feel better by posting your quotes and intolerant comments on every second buddhist video. I suggest that you stop and get over yourself.

[pary88]

I disagree strongly that you need to be Fit, I have a serious back & neck problem, I managed because I applied the technique to my pain and it changed into light buzzing vibrations. Plus If you have back pain they will give you a back rest. I missed my partner again I applied the technique it passed.

I am ill I have flu. When I meditate I still feel ill but comfortable & serene too, after it's a happy paradox.

Dont let anything stop you trying this

[yolkasa]

I recommend the vipassana courses for everyone! it's really a wonderful technic.

I'm from Poland and practise vipasana for 3 years, I did several courses and practise every day 2h.

It gives yo so many benefits! Really.

You change yourself, you see what you are :) Metta and Peace.

May all beings be happy.

[Hervette]

Vipassana meditation is a very good technique, I did a few 10 days course at the Vipassana center in France and it have always brought me good things. You don't need to have done meditiation before, all you need is determination to stay till the end of the course. The first 3 days can be difficult sometimes and you may have doubts about what you 're doing there, but trust me , dont leave and do the full course, you need 10 days to really understand and experience the technique.

[Stegeln]

Paaaaatiently and diligently. Paaaaaaaaaatiently and diligently...

[Hungnumberone]

My wife and I took the 10 days course 5 years ago. It's the best thing that we ever done. We got out of it with a fresh and optimistic outlook of life. The burden, the stress, the suffering that we put on our shoulder because of ignorance is gone. We know how to live by the moment now. Vipassana is now a part of our life. We live a much simpler life now. We are so much happier because of Vipassana. We are always grateful of Goenkaji's services to mankind.

We strongly recommend the course

[Riverdog3003]

I am an old student of vipassana and I reccomend it to all - there are great benefits to be had in mind and spirit. May all beings be happy!

[reforest4fertility]

Yes, may we all, but how are we to arrive at a good practice in a sensible (integrative & towards balance), non-tangential direction when there's an unchallenged cult at the head of the whole practice. It's not IMS that comes immediately up by a google search, nor has centres practically everywhere world over. The "teachers" are mere functionaries, not really the humans you expect where you're in a vulnerable place after days of meditating, giving answers from policy & not tailored to the moment

[reforest4fertility]

JUST STAY AWAY FROM GOENKA RETREATS--THEY DO PRACTICALLY EVERYTHING WRONG!: They want you to forcefit yourself into the position of an equanimous meditator & stay there, as if you can just put on equanimity without going thru a process that may reflect a little, obviously safe, movement in release of trauma.

Their cold, clinical incisive way of scanning the body is not how to develop rapport internally, resolving conflicts between inner psychic splits. They don't alternate walking with sitting

[devildoodle]

May you be a happy person with your own practice.

[DanielForkbeard]

It sounds like you are caught in your own mind brother. I hear a heavy duality of right and wrong. S.N. Goenka does not teach putting on equanimity without going through a process--as you say. The process unfolds over the 10 day retreat. You've got to start somewhere. The 10 day course was my intro to a very beneficial & ongoing practice. May you sit on your own meditation cushion & be free from all heavy mental states. May you be free from all suffering. May you experience real joy, real peace.

[RRydnew]

PRAISE THE LORD AND THANK YOU!!. So far you are one of the two others on this site that has seen what I have seen!! I am going to speak to the mayor of the city of Kaufman, TX and tell him to remove this harmful place from his city and county! Please tell me what you expirenced so that I may have some backup for my presentation to the mayor. I will not use real names or addresses. Again, THANK YOU!

[SabineBe]

I have just returned from my 3rd course in 3 years, in the Dhamma centre in Belgium. This time, the peace and inner silence have so much stabilized themselves that I feel totally changed. It started from the first course, that's true, but it deepens every time.

The first time can be a big rough, especially the first 3 to 5 days. But the experience is simple invaluable. Anybody can do it. Even my 65 years old Mum, who suffers severe bodily pain, has been twice and profits a lot from it. Love,S

[reeniezickuhr]

It eradicates suffering from the past and cleans out all the monkeys running around in your head. It helps you deal with life in a more calm and peaceful manner. I recommend this to anybody dealing with old issues they can't get out of there head, drug and alcholism, and anything else that is troubling your one life. Video is of the Northfork center in Nothern California. I highly recommend it as the one to go to. timmy "Z"

[sonofthedestroyer]

I made a mistake. Planet X will be passing this year!!!!!! Not 2012

[RusskiSuperPower]

I've done this 3 times: 2 in Thailand and once in Belgium. Absolutely one of the most worthwhile things I've ever done in my life.

[mycal64]

Don`t anyone think this is a relaxing 10 day holiday. I`ve just finished a 10 day course and the first 6 or 7 days are the most painful thing I`ve ever done!! After that you learn to detach yourself from pushing away pain and clinging to the blissful feelings. A life changing experience.

[rosabiala]

it is soooooooo guteeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!1

[CountStrangulaX]

I'd be pretty fucking relaxed if I could just get ten consecutive days off of work.

[zu0832]

Vipassana is not like getting a vacation from work...it is work, but very rewarding

[pthalblu]

So, if the sexes are segregated, where would an openly, gay-person be placed?

[liesbethve]

they can have a single room ;-)

[icedcool]

Not at all. Is recalling a memory hallucinating? Some people would argue yes....

Meditation, may cause you to remember and see vividly things in your mind. Thats all.

[vanessaredgrave]

I'm about to do a ten-day course and then heard that some people have hallucinated while doing so. this scares me. should i be frightened?

[RenegadeRows]

dont be afraid of whwats in your mind

[Amirmourad]

No vanessa, you should not be frightened. It is simply that while meditation is a technology which not only enhances one's brain activity, concentration, mindfulness, and consciousness, it also enables one to discover different aspects of the mind beyond the familiar conscious mind. It is not that these people are hallucinating, they are simply growing more sensitive and aware of the workings of their own minds. They have cleaned internal clutter & garbage which had accumulated for years.

[Amirmourad]

Do not be discouraged. It is simply a natural part of the process, because you are entering into an internal dimension which is more subtle and abstract. Meditation does not in any way weaken one's understanding or grasp upon reality. On the contrary, it is a lack of the quality of meditativeness which prevents one from coming to grips with reality. Everything that one has ever known about life has only been known through the five senses, through touching, hearing, smelling, tasting & seeing.

[e4aditya]

Its totally wrong, it is a way to live a life and to know the reality of life too. I am from ND, Grand Forks,unfortunately there is no such place here, but you are lucky. So, don't believe in those false thing and join this. May peace be with you sister.

[sonofthedestroyer]

Be patient. Once Planet X passes earth (approx 2012), the interdimensional barriers (which keeps us trapped in 3rd dimension) will shatter and our conciousness will be free to perceive the infinte. Until then it will be nearly impossible to do so.

[persona19]

Lulz, 9/11 was an inside job, ftw!

[simongbb7]

I have done 2 ten day courses. Very transformative, but very difficult. Not easy at all. Definitely 'meditation boot camp'! However, I have no hesitation in recommending it to others. Namaste!

[ragyfish]

I did a ten day course. I will warn you do not expect miracles. I went mad and felt repressed after 10 days because Im a physical person who likes running and kick boxing. Im your a physical person you'll be fucked. If your looking for peace try kung fu or tai chi

[bboyakuka]

Im also a physical person who likes snowboarding and breakdancing. and i think you cant say that in generall all physical people will have the same problems as you do! every person has his individual fight in this course. And if you will fight the right way you will feel more love than you ever did before!

[oldnewbieraver]

i enjoyed the course although it was difficult. although one of my fellow meditators, this woman went mad on day 8. literally. she started screaming loudly without stopping, they led her away and the paramadics came n cudnt calm her down n took her away. i couldnt find out wat exactly happened because of noble silence. lol.

[maddfurey]

i think its a great technique but not for everyone. i sat 7 retreats over a 15yr period before i realized it wasn't the path i wanted to travel But glad i did what i did. my first retreat was mental and physical living hell and my favorite because the most transforming.i wish everyone could do at least one.

[MKUltra3]

excellent experience on 10 day retreat

joshua tree....

[lyndyloujones]

Excellent description of what to expect, having sat a 10 day and served on another this meditation has changed my life and others around me. thank you Goenka for sharing the gift with the world.

[dodgetheeruff]

In my 13 years of experience I have met some wonderful people at the vipassana centre and some very 'cold' insincere and arrogant people who are high up in the vipassana order/hierarchy. So much for liberation.

[bealion]

You need to deepen your practice so you can be equanimous to that. And I say that respectfully, not facetiously.

[vivaforever88]

I took 2nd 1o days course this august,Its good to see ur video .May all beings be happy ...

[fightgirl007]

Very useful I am about to do a 10 day course for the first time and have a better idea of what to expect. thanks so much ive waited years to do this...

[justsantosh]

very useful info....thanks..may all beings be happy..

[linuxguy999]

What's bullshit about it?

[taquenos]

ohmmmm ohmmmm I'm falling asleep....

[drvasudeva]

Vipassana should be done in the world while being active.

[homousios]

I came across a wonderful saying at the Buddhist Cultural Centre when I was in Sri Lanka last year. It is: "He who conquers the mind conquers the world" Vipassana is a wonderfulo tool to tame the monkey mind.

[Ninyae1]

Vipassana is a wonderful life to lead. It is the glue that goes beyond the mundane.

[Aniltheanicca]

key to the rightious path of liberation from all the miseries of life & death