vipassana course what to bring

Please bring a warm jacket, a rainproof coat and/or umbrella, a warm hat, warm gloves, warm socks, sweaters or shawls, boots or wellies and slippers. Please don’t bring shorts, tank tops, transparent, tight or revealing clothing; bring leggings or tights only if they will be covered to the knee by a skirt or dress.

Full Answer

What do you bring to vipassana Malaysia?

Sarong/large scarf: A sarong is a very useful item at Vipassana Malaysia! I used a sarong to cover the window that shone light onto my bed at night. I also used it as a cover up when it was nippy when meditating in my room early in the mornings, and as a super thin blanket to sleep with (their blanket was a bit thick).

Who conducts the courses offered at the Vipassana meditation center?

All courses offered at the Vipassana Meditation Center, Dhamma Dharā are conducted by assistant teachers of S. N. Goenka using audio and video tapes of Mr. Goenka’s instructions and discourses. All ten day courses begin the evening of the arrival day and end early morning of the departure day.

Is vipassana offered for free?

Thus Vipassana is offered free from commercialism. Students taking the course for the first time may give a donation at the end of the course. You may give a donation, small or large according to your means and volition. You donate not with the idea of paying for what you have received, but to give someone else the same opportunity in the future.

What do I need to bring to a meditation class?

Seasonal outdoor wear: raincoat, umbrella, boots, hat, warm clothing, and Yak Trax (or similar shoe traction devices for the ice/snow). Meditation cushions: We supply a large base cushion for every student. We have a limited supply of smaller sitting cushions, so please bring any additional cushions that you may need.

What should we do before Vipassana?

Vipassana Preparation: How to Be Ready for Your First Ten-Day Silent Meditation RetreatAdjust Your Circadian Rhythm. ... Get Familiar With Different Meditation Postures. ... Know The Rules and Guidelines. ... Arrive Early to Meet Other Meditators. ... Learn About Self-Compassion. ... Read My Article on How to Survive on Your Vipassana Retreat.

Who should not do Vipassana?

Obviously, someone who is physically too weak to follow the schedule will not be able to benefit from a course. Even those suffering from any psychiatric problems, or those going through emotional upheavals, should not attend the course. Does one have to be a Buddhist to practise Vipassana?

Can I learn Vipassana on my own?

You may find it helpful to focus on an object or your breath while you observe any bodily sensations, thoughts, or feelings. This type of meditation is good for people who don't have a teacher to guide them, as it can be easily practiced alone.

Is Vipassana meditation difficult?

The Vipassana retreat remains one of the most difficult things I've ever chosen to do. By Day 6, I felt exhausted by the pain, the sleepless spider-filled nights, and a mind slowly unspooling. Some people talk about intruding memories of childhood or overly sexual thoughts during their Vipassana experience.

Is phone allowed in Vipassana?

The following items are not allowed during the course. So even if brought to the center, they are to be deposited along with any other valuables, for safe custody with the management on day zero, till the end of the course. Cell phones or palm tops. These shall not be used as alarm clocks during the course.

What is the right age for Vipassana?

Eligibility for Children Course & Timetable. Students from the age of eight to sixteen eighteen years are eligible to attend the courses.

Can I do Vipassana lying down?

When you practice Vipassana the entire day, you also should practice lying down meditation along with sitting, walking, and standing exercises. You should practice the sitting and walking meditations between 30-60 minutes in duration while standing and lying down meditations are to be done in 5-15 minutes.

Is Vipassana good for depression?

Vipassana is found to be effective to reduce the severity of depressive symptoms significantly (p=0.001). Vipassana could be the option for treating depression along or coupled with other methods.

Is Vipassana good for anxiety?

The Vipassana did not cure me of insomnia or anxiety permanently. Instead, it provided me with a valuable tool: it showed me that I could manage my mind more than I realized. By doing so, I felt more in control of the catastrophizing, despite the fact that it is always there.

Does Vipassana cost money?

According to the tradition of Vipassana, there are no fees or charges for attending the courses, not even for accommodation and food.

How do I survive Vipassana 10 days?

In September 2017, I attended my first ten-day Vipassana Meditation retreat....What Else?Nap during lunch break. Meditation requires tons of energy and focus, both of which are finite resources. ... Go for walks. You'll sit for ten hours during meditations every day. ... There's no shame in going home early. ... Keep perspective.

How many hours a day do you meditate in Vipassana?

10 hoursThere are many different lengths of Vipassana retreats — from 3 days to 3 months, with 10 days being the most common — but they all involve at least 10 hours of meditation a day.

Clothing. Back to top

Please bring a warm jacket, a rainproof coat and/or umbrella, a warm hat, warm gloves, warm socks, sweaters or shawls, boots or wellies and slippers.

Toiletries. Back to top

Please bring a towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, unscented deodorant, shampoo, shaving kit, sanitary supplies.

Other items. Back to top

Please bring a travel clock, torch (with spare batteries), drinking water bottle, thermos.

Please note! Back to top

Property is kept at the centre at your own risk. The Vipassana Stichting is not liable for any loss or damage to property however caused. The required items that have been listed cover all seasons. Please bring items appropriate for the season. Rain gear is always advisable.

For meditation

We provide meditation cushions (or backrest or chair as permitted by the conducting teacher)

Clothing

Please bring comfortable loose clothing during the summers, and a warm jacket during the winters, sweaters or shawls, slippers.

Toiletries

Please bring a towel, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, unscented deodorant, shampoo, shaving kit, sanitary supplies and sunscreen if needed. a Please don’t bring perfumes, aftershave, scented creams, scented powders or any other products that smell strongly.

Medicines

Please bring your medicines that you regularly take as per doctor prescription or any emergency medicines that you feel you may need.

Other items

Please bring a travel clock, torch (with spare batteries), drinking water bottle, thermos.

Please note

Property is kept at the centre at your own risk. Vipassana meditation center is not liable for any loss or damage to property, however caused. The required items that have been listed cover all seasons. Please bring items appropriate for the season.

Clothing

Bring enough warm and comfortable clothing for the duration of your stay.

Toiletries

Please bring your own towel, soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrush, unscented deodorant, shaving equipment, sanitary supplies, etc. Please do not bring any perfumes or strongly scented toiletries.

Useful Extras

A bottle for drinking water and a thermos for hot water may also be helpful. You could bring meditation cushions and a shawl however these are also available for use at the centre (Please note that these must be separate items from your bedding).

Bedding

We provide a bedsheet. Extra blankets and pillows are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.

How long is Vipassana meditation?

These ten-day Vipassana meditation courses are very serious, a deep operation of the mind. They can be a rigorous undertaking, both physically and mentally. They are residential, in a rural setting, and presuppose a high level of responsibility and maturity from each student.

Can bed bugs cause red welts?

Bedbugs. You may have learned that bedbug infestations have recently made a resurgence in the United States. While not known to cause any disease, they can bite and leave itchy, red welts on skin. At Dhamma Dharā we are making every effort to keep students safe and pest-free.

What clothing should not be worn at the center of the body?

Tight, transparent, revealing or otherwise striking clothing (such as low risers, shorts, short skirts, tights, leggings, sleeveless, tank or skimpy tops) may not be worn at the center. Skirts, shorts, and capri pants must cover the upper legs and knees when you are sitting cross-legged.

Is Vipassana meditation hard?

A Vipassana meditation course is very demanding both physically and mentally. It is important that you are prepared for the rigorous nature of the course. After you have completed the application process if anything related to your physical or mental health changes, please contact the center prior to the course.

Can you use a cell phone as an alarm clock?

Cell phones and other personal electronic devices may not be used as alarm clocks during the course; they must be deposited with the management upon registration. They will be returned on the last day when the course is over.

Can you reserve single rooms at the Men's and Women's Center?

The men’s and women’s residences have single, double and triple rooms with bathrooms. Due to limited availability, single rooms cannot be reserved. You can see more photos of the center at the About the Center and Photos page.

Can you give a donation at the end of a course?

Students taking the course for the first time may give a donation at the end of the course. You may give a donation, small or large according to your means and volition. You donate not with the idea of paying for what you have received, but to give someone else the same opportunity in the future.

3. Beware of Affective Forecasting

Affective forecasting is one trick of your mind that deserves special attention. Affective forecasting means predicting our future mood. As human beings, we’re terrible at it. Most of the time, it turns out, we just predict our future emotional state equals our current emotional state – how I’m feeling right now is how I’ll feel in the future.

4. Remember Nonresistance, Nonjudgement, and Nonattachment

Eckhart Tolle, the great spiritual teacher, writes in A New Earth: “Nonresistance, nonjudgement, and nonattachment are the three aspects of true freedom and enlightened living.”

5. Remember the Wisdom of Impermanence

You’ll hear about this on the retreat, so I’ll keep it short. Impermanence means that nothing lasts forever. We live in a world of constant change with the only constant being change itself.

7. Know That Everyone Else Is Struggling, Too

Comparing yourself to your fellow meditators, though inevitable, can cause problems. Why? Because it will look like everyone else is doing much better than you. You won’t see their internal fights. All you’ll see is them sitting dignified and (seemingly!) peacefully in their meditation postures.

What Else?

Nap during lunch break. Meditation requires tons of energy and focus, both of which are finite resources. To reload them, I suggest taking a nap during the lunch break. I did this eve​​ryday and I feel like it made a positive difference.