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Published: February 28th 2014
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Jobe!
This isn't at vipassana, but just a photo of my new hippy friend Jobe After ten days of complete silence, and over 100 hours of meditation, I can now say I have successfully completed the vipassana meditation course in black health, blue mountains. I can honestly say I have never experienced something so moving and deep within myself. By far the most challenging thing I have ever taken part in. One would think that basically doing nothing all day would be quite easy. By being limited to doing nothing but meditate, eat and sleep without having any contact with others what so ever, it pushed me to explore my own thoughts and mind. What a shocking realization of how ignorant I have been for most of my life. Most of you are probably unaware of what the idea behind vipassana is, and I'm still wrapping my head around the idea myself. I won’t go into details about the technique because I’m nowhere near qualified enough to teach it, and I don’t want to give anyone the wrong idea. Basically it's a deep operation on the mind, converting our heavy patterns of reacting to everything in either a negative or positive way, into a steady equanimous mind, (the originally teachings of the Buddha). Sitting for 11
hours a day in the same position is agonizing, but the pain you feel was not the fact of sitting, but literally the past - aversions, grudges, fear, cravings, and any other negative experiences- coming to the surface to be felt and released. I noticed patterns in my thought process, constantly flipping from the past to the future, memories and new ideas. Kind of like intense conscious dreaming. Memories from when I was a little kid and completely had forgotten arose, as well as people I seemed to have forgotten existed. Although you go through the painful memories, there is also the great new ideas that pop into your head (example: next year I would love to coach a kids soccer team!) The days felt like weeks, and I got progressively loopier as the course went on. Needing some sort of intellectual stimulation I found myself reading shampoo labels, folding clothes to perfection, and making up songs about my situation. The 1.5 hour discourse at the end of the day was like going to the movie theatre, what a treat. Goenka, the teacher of the technique has given me such great new things to ponder over, incredible universal philosophies, and
a better understanding on the true teachings of the Buddha. I have attained a better understanding of truth as it applies to the nature of our reality, and the nature of our being. Vipassana has such a wonderful outcome, although the process is long and exhausting. The food was extremely good, the view over the mountains was amazing, and the reawakening of ones senses was a beautiful bonus. I feel I have a better perspective of the world I seemed to so blindly live in, as well as appreciation for those who have helped me become who I am today. Thoughts have become more clear, and I feel I have better self discipline when it comes to eating, finishing a task, or even carrying out a plan or idea. Not only have I became a better friend to myself, but have also made incredible bonds with people I have just recently met. Vipassana seems to collect the coolest, strangest, most interesting people! I love my new friends Maddy, and Urmila, from Melbourne, and Jobe, Pat and Jacob from Sydney! Hope to stay in touch and provide a new contact if they ever come to Canada!
All in all, I can’t
My wonderful friend Urmila
Urmila and I snuck out on the last night after noble silence was lifted. We watched the stars and talked about the world. She told me about India and I told her about Canada. So lucky to meet such a wonderful person! recommend the course strongly enough. I believe every human being should give it a try and see for himself/herself how much this technique can improve his/her life. If you’re closed minded to the idea of taking a chance with a 10 day course, remember, it’s only 10 days. After that you’re back to your normal life, but with a new experience under your belt. Also, Vipassana meditation is non-sectarian, non-religious, and universal. No one will try to convert you, and you won’t be subjected to any sort of sequestration or indoctrination. With that in mind, give it a try! See for yourself what all the buzz is about. I assure you in the end you’ll be glad you gave Vipassana a chance. Meditation > medication. Bhavatu sabba mangalam - May all beings be happy!
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Brigitte von Schwerin
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Liebe Charlotte.I want to HUG you.What can I write? Just H U G S and thank you for your Love. Love, Oma and Opa