PebbleStorm.com : 10 day silent Vipassana meditation retreat

[SandiJames1962]

yes it IS a Buddhist retreat.

[wisesakura]

It can't be a cult because it's just making you smarter AND because it'd FREE dumbasses! (This is for everybody who is still so deep in illusion they don't realize the utter stupidity of suspecting that vipassana is a cult. What's a cult anyway? Anyparadigm is a cult. The biggest cult is this unbelievable nature-harming consumerism. Vipassana's intentions are awakened humanity, peace and harmony AND it's FREE! Get it?? In this world of your own family selling you something, perhaps it's unlcear?

[85smallz]

heres the thing- if i was to get rid of all negative thoughts i would be happier, but in a way am i not just egnoring what is bad?? how can anything change for the better this way? only by negative emotions do we know that something is wrong and then we act on this. i guess the point is not to express bad emotions ect but to take it in and use it for good

[whitebuffulo]

Little, Big isn't it all the same it is what it is, not trying to sound naieve or prententious but I guess that is up to you to decide that and i'm not trying to judge your point of view, i'm just saying knowledge is nothing without action behind it and for us to find peace it has to be within no mater what is going on around us is it not?

And that occurs Now, not later not tomorrow not when we are silently meditating even though it is much easier but now, in the moment.

I thought it was funny

[whitebuffulo]

don't you love how distracted he gets when the motor bike goes past...0:25!! If you meditate so much or just did a 10 day retreat how calming is it when you come back and lose it at some DISTRACTION that goes past?? I know I know dont judge just observe it's the ego!! not seperate just is, then again after being in silence for 10 days maybe a motor bike will grate you a bot but isn't the point of the retreat to be able to take that understanding or ISNESS and practice it NOW?? just a thought :)

[DimebagsLeftToe]

@whitebuffulo honestly, i dont think it deals with little things like that. most people would consider getting distracted by a car a very minor thought. but having your mind clouded by numerous things is a major issue. i think thats the difference?

[ruzickaw]

beginners talking how" amazing" it was.

Do it more often and it will become ordinary.

[shanna1950]

In short: the Greatest give you can give to yourself (my idea).

[shanna1950]

In short: the Greatest give you can give to yourself (my idea).

[bluespiralfilms]

I just did the 10 day course and it is amazing. It did some important changes in my mind, I am now much more aware and sensitive to the reactions that occur within my body when something I don't like happens in my life. I feel the sensations rising right away and therefore I know I must stay equanemous. It also cleared away many impurities I had. But the road is long and one must keep on meditating each day.

[vipassanut]

The Vipassana technique works in the same way for everyone but some people have more demons than others and these issues all need to be faced to be resolved rather than putting it aside in your mind by experiencing continuous pleasant sensations and then waiting for it to be triggered. Vipassana will HEAL you once and for all if you are dedicated to it...So please, everyone don't be afraid to try it.....

[vipassanut]

I'd like to encourage all those who are considering doing this meditation course. It has totally transformed my life, the benefits are indescribable. Don't be afraid of trying the 10 day retreat. It is difficult to lose all that you love in your every day life for 10 days but you will gain something much greater that you will take with you for eternity...Good luck and best wishes to you all....

[spirogrinder2]

youl come out with less than what u went in with. if u get it right

[badabumpanpun]

guess they teach you how not to get pissed off by cars passing by on day 11.

[ozerith1]

@badabumpanpun lmao!!!

[marilyndating09]

Arron , have you just been to Doi suthep on feb 2010. There is a man looks so like you. but with white hair.

[subra010]

Thanks for this..I am attending a 10 day session this week and this helped me get mentally prepared.

[fenreer420]

I just got back from a 10-day retreat at the North Fork center a few weeks ago. I imagine you're probably in the middle of your retreat right now, and having just completed that course I can guess that right at this very moment you are almost certainly taking your rest period after lunch time or you're meeting with the teacher to discuss a question you have. This is assuming you're attending the North Fork center. :) Isn't it amazing how simple things become at these retreats?

[BenjaminSmythe]

My friend, if you want to blow your mind, just try to find it. :)

[nowthatthatsthat]

"Thank you very much, Thank you."

[alukuhito]

He didn't quite get his resentment out of the way.

[peskirabbit]

I have done four ten dayers over the years, and it is a great technique, but I disagree that everyone should do it. As craigimass says, it is a difficult journey for true seekers or those who have some staying power, for whom I would say its THE pukka technique.

If anyone is thinking of doing a ten day course I would offer this advice: everyone looks and feels like shit about day 7 or so, DON'T run away at this point! By day ten everyone is sproinging about and saying "everyone should do it"!

[erfansvideos]

I took the course too. To me, the most amazing thing I experienced was how busy and polluted my mind was. I would of never known about all the crap I put my focus on if I hadn't explored myself / mind / thoughts / emotions through this technique.

[erfansvideos]

The good news is, now, I notice my negative self and the retreat has given me a technique to deal with it rather then react to it or push it down with drugs and other distractions. I strongly recommend but like he says, get an understanding of meditation before taking the course. Its intense

[craigimass]

I have done the course and will agree it is a very difficult undertaking. However, it can be a beneficial and spirtual one.

It should not be taken lightly. Read their intro literature carefully - they are not kidding!

If you are on medications for your mind, don't go. If you are really wacky, get settled for a while before attempting this...it is not a cure-all, but rather a difficult journey for true seekers or those who have some staying power.

[sheffars]

i did my first retreat in 1996 and met myself for the very first time there. it was easy since there were no distractions, no busy-ness, to do lists, etc. i've been back a number of times to re-connect and find it so beneficial to every other area of my life (marriage, motherhood, work).

[TheFucKKKunit]

nothing to achieve, nothing to gain, nothing to search..nothing you can do...do nothing

[pgm98387]

Very difficult for me the first course. I quit tobacco, it was a grueling torment for the first 3 days.I had to sit thru my hours of excruitiating nicotene withdrawl focus the mind on Breathing for3 days a bowl of plain rice tasted wonderful, I could smell all the trees, plants everywhere. It was like coming out of a dark cave. I had to face all my thoughts in silence for 10 days. I broke thru the mental chatter after 3 days. The most difficult thing is silence for a long time. Off tobacco4good

[jaydating]

I've done 2 of the Goenka 10 day retreats. Unlike others here, I can't really recommend them to others, unless you're a very experienced meditator. The 10 days of practicing the Goenka technique was for me an exercise in endurance, like running an ultra marathon. I didn't feel I got anything out of it. Goenka says proof of the technique is the smiles you see on the faces of those who just completed the course. They are just glad it's over, that's why they are smiling!

[maddfurey]

i thought the same thing. the people are smiling because it's over. even when we can talk on the 10 day most are giddy that it's over and are ready to leave then.let's hurry up and clean and hit the road mentality. i'd like to know what % never do a 2nd retreat. i've sat or served 6 or 7 retreats but finally gave up because i wouldn't keep up the daily practice. it was worth it for me but it's no picnic. both physically and mentally very painful

[MADAZALI]

Not me! I could've stayed another 10 days and there were others in my course who felt that way too :)

[MADAZALI]

And just to add, I had no meditation experience beforehand whatsoever.

[0022446688100]

@maddfurey

jst dont c d smile but the feeling dat day v experience is dat "v should recommend others for doing it"

n dat v should do it again

a good result is seen very soon if u giv a fair chance 2 dis technique

[Poskusin]

@0022446688100 Your spelling is atrocious. Please take the time to learn some proper grammar. You sound very unintelligent. Unless you don't care what you sound like...

[fntime]

Talk talk talk.....if you think you can accomplish what he's saying in 10 days, then you are a better man than me. It took me 10 years to break through 'life's illusion" and confront my own 'illusions'. This is not an easy task, and I think that events like this, or Wayne Dyer's $2500 'spiritual weekends at a resort' only lead to frustration and turn people away from the purpose of meditation...another gimmick....feel good without any staying power.

[fntime]

I hope I didn't imply that meditation is a gimmick, it is the answer! I know many people who try these 'meditation camps' and I find that they rarely meditate. This is also true of many 'teachers' on Ytube. If you want to experience meditation's great gift, be prepared to do it everyday for at least an hour and on weekend for longer periods. I follow the meditation of "negation", stopping thought, it requires a great deal of practice," there's no easy way out!"

[yeahyeahman3]

Try it and see for yourself, Vipassana is DEFINATELY no gimmick, its hard work

[madhattery341]

have you tried one of these Vipassana retreats, though? They have a strong workist approach. They're actually very gruelling. And they don't pretend to "enlighten" anyone in ten days or anything. Actually, on the last lecture the students are told to practice two hours a day, and that it takes a good year of this routine to really get it down. I know there are gimmick courses but these are not it.

[danshadow666]

Congrats of the success of your meditation practice.

Your comments are valid, but you may not have experience with this course.

It is made very clear throughout the course that it is only a small step on a very long path. He insists on 2 hours per day meditation practice (1 morning 1 evening) after leaving the class.

10 days is the amount of time determined to give some benefit and inspiration to continue the lifelong journey.

The course is free as a gift from previous students.

[fntime]

I wish you all well! But this could never be

my path! But if it works for others, then

God bless!

I find that the path of enlightenment, is

a personal path, and not a 'feel good' exercise.....but I've never been to your

classes, so I'm talking like a man with

a 'paper asshole'. Good luck and best wishes, I hope all

accomplish what they desire on your

path.

[lxvlx]

Well you obviously haven't tried this one then...

[AphroditeVenus68]

For anyone who is curious about Vipassana I cannot recommend it highly enough. Everyone's experience of Vipassana is different so I only offer these words as an example. I did the 10 day course 4 years ago and it's possibly the best thing I've ever done for myself. It was excrutiatingly difficult - I could not hide from some dark places in my mind, and physically I found it gruelling - yet it was deeply transformative. My base level of happiness rose afterwards. Blessings.

[kiwikiswahili]

'It was excrutiatingly difficult - I could not hide from some dark places in my mind, and physically I found it gruelling - yet it was deeply transformative. My base level of happiness rose afterwards.'

well put. Vipassana drastically changed my life for the better.

If your reading this and considering a course then i think its important to know that its really difficult, but can be really beneficial, but ITS REALLY DIFFICULT.

[craigimass]

This is not Wayne Dyer.

This is you....facing yourself...

It only takes one pill to break through lifes illusions, and many did that in the 60's. However, deep changes take longer. If you did not do this course, you have no right to put it into the category of Tony Robbins and WD...after all, this one is FREE. And, oh yeah, the Buddha himself did what? SAT for LONG periods of time! I rest my case.

[fntime]

craig, if I underestimated your 'guru' then

I'll have to relisten.

I never took a pill in the 60's, but I know,

that the first illusion, is the ego, something I fight daily. But I think you might think about the 'ego'. Do you compare yourself to Buddha?

How long have you SAT and for how LONG?

What did you see?

Not a quiz, or a rebuke, I'd like to hear

about your experience.

[craigimass]

He's not my guru. No one is. I never went back....nor do I read his works, etc.

At that retreat I probably sat 120 hours in the 10 days...or something like that.

Buddha is not someone to compare anyone with....that's a little silly. Still, the human condition and the solutions remain the same.

Honestly, I have few illusions, no gurus and and not seeking anything. I have found most of my peace......ask me again in 10 years.

[fntime]

Congratulation!

Why is Buddha, uncomparable?

Craig, I feel, I have something to offer you,

but, we got off on the wrong foot.

Good luck, my friend!

I don't think I'm smarter or more enlightened than you, just a little further

down the 'road'! If ever I can help you,

don't hesitate to ask. We just disagree,

we're not enemies.

[craigimass]

Hah, fn, you're a funny guy!

The point is that anyone who measures how far they are along any road or who cares about their personal comparison to Buddha.....may not "get it".

But peace to you, anyway........it will come to you. In the end, we are all the same and all want the same things.

[fntime]

Thanks craig!!

[Kajjajja]

I really wouldn't worry about any fears about attending this retreat. I would highly encourage it after attending one in June 08. It was an extremely rewarding experience that really allowed me to learn about all the things that I'm not even aware of.

Speak to a teacher/asst. teacher if you have questions. And, it can only be dangerous if you see yourself as dangerous. You are the only person you will be confronting, in my observation.

[dickzdbc]

ive been seriously looking into this. can it be dangerous???

[absvinyl]

you really should try it! it is the best thing that i ever did for myself without question!

[lxvlx]

me too.

[Dietrick1461]

Let me make sure to tell you haw many top managers of fortune 500 companies and other leaders meditate. If there is no one to ask for advise the best person is your self...as the answers emerge from within.

[sheenstars]

I completed mine in Thailand and recently in England, wales. Must say, amazing experience.

As long as you make sure that you stay until the very last day, and completely gave into the schedules and the technique. only then you will that those 10 days of your life will really mean something indescribable

[andresmontejo]

but is it only the mosquitos and that is too tough? I might join one of the ten days courses (in Europe), but I´m a little unsure about it, is it weird in any other sense?

[theryaga]

It is only weird in that you have to live a life totally opposite to the one your currently living. It almost feels like for those 10 days your not living on earth or at least not the year 2009.

[mariellaf1]

are you an actor?

[sebastianvalle]

Just try it. Dont be afraid. Try something alternative.

[dealonly1]

Chib, u probably mean Rockford...

[MarilynHawken]

I finish mine in North Thailand famous Temple

[Chiboy00]

I just finished mine in Rockland, IL today!!

[sjantonelli]

How did it go? I'm thinking of doing this in Georgia. Any thoughts about it?

[Chiboy00]

I really liked it. I am thinking about going again. There were days when I was ready to quit, but dont! just keep on going...keep on going. You really have to push your self and be mentally ready for the challenge.

[madhattery341]

I just did the one in Georgia and it was awesome. great staff and facility.