what is vipassana course

by Clare Simonis V 9 min read

How to learn Vipassana?

Jul 21, 2021 · Vipassana, or insight meditation as the practice is also known, has enjoyed widespread popularity in recent years, with many people attending the gruelling ten-day courses that are available across the globe. Like many of the popular techniques of meditation that have found their way to the west, Vipassana is a traditional Buddhist practise that has been taught …

What to bring to a Vipassana course?

Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind.

What I learned from Vipassana?

10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am. 10-day Executive Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana ...

How effective is vipassana?

Vipassana means "to see things as they really are". It is a logical process of mental purification through self-observation. From time to time, we all experience agitation, frustration and disharmony. When we suffer, we do not keep our misery limited to ourselves; instead, we keep distributing it to others as well.

What happens during Vipassana?

Vipassana meditation is the practice of observing the subtle sensations throughout the body without reacting to them. You scan the body with your attention, noticing the sensations arise and simply watching them. If a sensation is pleasurable, you observe it and let it pass.Jun 29, 2020

How difficult is Vipassana?

Yes Vipassana is quite difficult. You are just going to meditate everyday for 10 days. (First session is of 10 days). Sitting in a still position for 1 hr and 2 hr for many times in a day is hard.

What are the rules for Vipassana?

When you take a Vipassana course, you agree to abide by five precepts: no killing, no stealing, no lying, no sexual misconduct and no intoxicants. No writing, no talking, no eye contact, no communicating.Mar 31, 2016

How do I start Vipassana meditation?

3:335:49How To Do Vipassana Meditation in 5 Minutes | Karan Bajaj - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou do 30 minutes in the morning catalyst in the night. You find a place to sit comfortably idlyMoreYou do 30 minutes in the morning catalyst in the night. You find a place to sit comfortably idly with your back erect. So that you are in a pose of attention. Your eyes are closed.

Can I do Vipassana at home?

If you're interested in trying Vipassana meditation at home, follow these steps: Set aside 10 to 15 minutes to practice. It's recommended that you do Vipassana when you first wake up in the morning. Choose a quiet area with little to no distractions.

Is Crying normal during meditation?

It turns out that crying during meditation is quite common. Although meditation usually serves as a stress reliever for many people, it can also elicit difficult emotions at times,1 including crying. This isn't always a bad thing, though. “Letting it all out” can ultimately be therapeutic.Dec 10, 2021

Can we use mobile 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.

Can I exercise during Vipassana?

Are you allowed to exercise or do yoga during a Vipassana course? Simply put, no. We were advised not to do any other form of exercise during the course.Apr 10, 2020

Can we do Vipassana at night?

Yes, You can do Vipassana any time whenever you want. There is no specific time for it.

Can I learn Vipassana online?

Never ever try to learn Vipassana from books or online tools. I won't recommend it. If you really want to learn it, register at any of their centers. If you have some reasons for not being able to attend it, please understand well that it is after all a question of priorities.

Who created Vipassana?

In 1969,Goenka started teaching Vipassana in India. Seven years later,in 1976,he opened his first meditation centre called Vipassana International Academy,also known as Dhamma Giri,at Igatpuri near Nasik in Maharashtra.Mar 14, 2014

What is 10 day Vipassana?

10 days, 11 hours of meditation per day. No talking or communication of any kind, not even hand gestures or eye contact. No reading or writing materials of any kind. No exercise, no entertainment, no physical contact, no leaving the grounds, no food or drink besides what was provided.Aug 2, 2014

What is Vipassana Fellowship?

Vipassana Fellowship's online meditation courses have been offered since 1997 and have proven helpful to meditators in many countries around the world. The main text is based on a tried and tested format and serves as a practical introduction to samatha (tranquility) and vipassana (insight) techniques from the Theravada tradition of Buddhism.

Who is Andrew Quernmore?

The course is led by Andrew Quernmore, a meditation teacher for over 20 years and with a personal meditation practice of more than 35 years. Andrew trained with teachers in Sri Lanka and in England and has taught meditation in London colleges and at retreats in the UK, Europe and Asia.

What Is the Vipassana Meditation Technique?

The Vipassana technique involves sitting as still as possible whilst scanning the body and observing physical sensations.

What Is the Philosophy of Vipassana

Vipassana aims to teach the meditator about the true nature of impermanence and how to view that impermanence with equanimity.

What Is a Vipassana Silent Retreat?

The 10-day silent meditation retreats created by SN Goenka can be found all other the world and teach Vipassana in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khi.

Can You Do Vipassana at Home?

Yes. Vipassana should be incorporated into everyday life and practised consistently to achieve the full benefits.

How long is a 10 day meditation course?

10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin after a 2 - 4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30 am. 10-day Executive Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana ...

What is a bilingual course?

Bilingual courses are courses which are taught in two languages. All students will hear daily meditation instructions in both languages. The evening discourses will be heard separately. Old students are those who have completed a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course with S.N. Goenka or his Assistant Teachers. Old students have the opportunity ...

How long is the Executive Course?

For more information please visit the Executive course website. The courses begin after a 2-4 pm registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation, and end the morning of the 11th day by 7:30am. 10-day Courses for Old Students have the same timetable and discipline as 10-day courses.

How long is an old student short course?

Course Type. Old Student Short Courses (1-3 days) are for any student who has completed the 10-day course with S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers. All old students are welcome to apply to attend these courses, including those where it has been some time since their last course.

What is the purpose of Vipassana?

The technique of Vipassana is a simple, practical way to achieve real peace of mind and to lead a happy, useful life. Vipassana means "to see things as they really are". It is a logical process of mental purification through self-observation.

How long does it take to learn Vipassana?

Students wishing to learn Vipassana meditation undergo a minimum ten-day course under the guidance of a qualified teacher, during which time they take precepts not to kill, not to steal, not to commit sexual misconduct, not to speak lies, and to refrain from intoxicants.

How does Vipassana help us?

Vipassana enables us to experience peace and harmony by purifying the mind, freeing it from suffering and the deep-seated causes of suffering. Step by step, the practice leads to the highest spiritual goal of full liberation from all mental defilements.

Who discovered Vipassana?

Vipassana is one of India’s most ancient meditation techniques. It was rediscovered 2500 years ago by Gotama the Buddha, and is the essence of what he practiced and taught during his forty-five year ministry.

What is Vipassana meditation?

A Non-Sectarian Technique. Vipassana meditation is for the purification of the mind. It is the highest form of awareness—the total perception of the mind-matter phenomena in its true nature. It is the choiceless observation of things as they are.

What is the illusion of self?

The illusion of a "self," binding the mental and physical functions together, is gradually broken. The madness of cravings and aversions, the futile grasping of "I, me, mine," the endless chatter and conditioned thinking, the reaction of blind impulse—these gradually lose their strength.

The Tradition

Since the time of Buddha, Vipassana has been handed down, to the present day, by an unbroken chain of teachers. Although Indian by descent, the current teacher in this chain, Mr. S.N. Goenka, was born and raised in Burma (Myanmar).

The Courses

The technique is taught at ten-day residential courses during which participants follow a prescribed Code of Discipline, learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results.

How to learn Vipassana?

To learn Vipassana, it is necessary to take a ten-day residential course under the guidance of a qualified teacher. The courses are conducted at established Vipassana Centres and other places. For the duration of the retreat, students remain within the course site having no contact with the outer world. They refrain from reading and writing, and suspend all religious practices or other disciplines. During the course, participants follow a prescribed Code of Discipline. They also observe noble silence by not communicating with fellow students; however, they are free to discuss meditation questions with the teacher and material problems with the management.

How long is a Vipassana meditation course?

A ten-day residential course is an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation where the technique is taught step-by-step each day. The courses begin on the start date after registration period and orientation, followed by 10 full days of meditation. Courses end on the morning of the 11th day by 7:00 am.

What is the first step in moral conduct?

The first step is, for the period of the course , to abstain from killing, stealing, sexual activity, speaking falsely, and consuming intoxicants. This simple code of moral conduct serves to calm the mind, which otherwise would be too agitated to perform the task of self-observation.

Who was the first Vipassana teacher?

N. Goenka was authorised to teach Vipassana Meditation by a respected Vipassana teacher of Burma, Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Born in Burma of Indian heritage, and well established as a businessman and householder, Mr. S. N. Goenka did his first course under Sayagyi in 1955 at the International Meditation Centre in Rangoon. In Vipassana, S. N. Goenka found an invaluable jewel—the jewel of the Dhamma —which dispels the darkness of ignorance.

How does Vipassana help you?

While many students often find the ten-day vipassana course a life-changing experience, the real changes are understood over time. The balanced view of “know yourself, by yourself, for yourself”, as some students call it, helps one live peacefully and harmoniously with oneself and with others. The transformation in one's attitude at the end of the course reduces stress while increasing mental equanimity.

Is Vipassana taught commercially?

To help preserve the technique in its original, authentic form, it is not taught commercially, but is offered freely instead. No person involved in its teaching receives any material remuneration. There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by voluntary donations from people who, having completed a course and having experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to benefit from it also.

What is the Vipassana?

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation . It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art Of Living. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication ...

Who was the teacher of Vipassana?

While living there he had the good fortune to learn Vipassana from his teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin who was at the time a high Government official. After receiving training from his teacher for fourteen years, Mr. Goenka settled in India and began teaching Vipassana in 1969.

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