“You are the source of all purity and impurity, no one purifies another”

The quote by Gautam Buddha hits the bull’s eye while addressing all the problems existing in an individuals life. Normally, we always end up targeting an external source for the reason of problems in our life, but it is not so.

With this understanding, I ended my 10 days Vipassana course at Mehsana, Gujarat.

What is this course all about?

Vipassana is a method of seeing things as they are, instead of adding our own perspective or reacting to it. Just observing. The whole course revolves around the ‘power of observing the reality, equanimously’

The technique taught can prima facie be divided into 2 different parts.

First Part

First 3 and a half days are a combination of focusing on the breath and experiencing the sensations near our nose and on the upper lip. This is what they call the “AnnaPanna”. The observation was to be done with neutrality (i.e. no like or dislike was to be generated for any sensation). This helps in developing the concentration along with sharpening the focus and takes our mind from a ‘thousand thoughts mode’ to a ‘lesser thoughts mode’.

The first day was a war between my mind and myself. As I continuously strived to focus on my breath, the cunning mind eloped towards its old pattern of thinking relentlessly.

The process of unlearning happened during these 3 days. The mind had always learned to think, think and think for a very long period but nobody taught how to not think. So this was the time when it unlearned the process of thinking, by focusing on the breathing pattern and observing it.

Second Part

From the 4th day, we are taught the technique of Vipassana. In this technique, we are told to observe the sensations that occur on each and every part of our body with an equanimous intent, not developing any liking or disliking towards those sensations.

WHY WERE WE ASKED TO DO SUCH OBSERVATION?

Just like every dark night is succeeded by a sunrise and again the rising sun is succeeded by a dark night, everything in life keeps on changing continuously. It is called the “Law of Impermanence”. Every emotion and feeling gives rise to a sensation in our physical body. You might have observed yourself sweating when in fear and experienced butterflies in your stomach while meeting that person, haven’t you? Everybody does! But are they not temporary in nature? They come and pass.

And, what do we do? We hold on to those sensations and either crave for more or develop a feeling of hatred for them. Based on those temporary sensations we develop a strong habit of hatred or attachment for something or someone. How illogical it is? Why can’t we just live in the moment and enjoy what is right now? Why do we want to drag things with us?

This is another habit that we have formed. The habit of creating strong liking and disliking towards things, people and situations. By observing each sensation with persistent equanimity, the old habit pattern gets subdued by the new habit pattern of accepting the reality as it is and not reacting to it.

From 4th to 9th day we were told to practice the Vipassana technique in various different ways. On the 10th day, we were taught the practice of “Mangal Maitri” i.e. wishing well being for each and every living being on this planet.

What are the course rules?

Vipassana Meditation Centre is located worldwide providing courses of various durations which teaches the technique of Vipassana. I attended a 10-day course. The whole course is free of cost. If you wish to donate any amount at the end of the course, you can.

“Dhamma Divakar” – Mehsana, Gujarat.

We were not allowed to take anything with us on the premises except for clothes and toiletries. Phones, Wallets, Books, Pen & Papers were to be submitted before the course began in the Office.

This is the office where we submitted our valuables and completed the formalities before the beginning of the course.

The rooms provided for the stay were simple and clean. Mostly, one person is allocated one room but in a few cases, a room is to be shared between two members. The room and the washrooms are to be cleaned by the person living in it, all the materials required for cleaning are provided by them.

There were many rules as such, but one of the most irresistible rules in this course was maintaining the silence. They called it the “Noble Silence”. According to this rule, during the first 9 days, no participants are allowed to communicate with each other either by words or any kind of gestures. If they face any problem with respect to the stay or any other facilities, they should talk with the volunteers on the premises. At any cost, none of the participants should interact with each other. This kind of silence was necessary as it acted as a catalyst while the technique was implemented.

It was made sure that we didn’t even talk while having our meals. The sitting arrangements were designed accordingly.

They provided with simple and healthy meals three times a day. The last meal was at 5:00 pm, after which they asked us not to consume any food. However, in case of any health problems, the participants were allowed to consume food thereafter only after getting permission from the main Teacher (whom they called the Acharya).

The daily schedule starts from 4:00 am in the morning till 9:00 pm at night, with meditation practice of 10-11 hours a day. Breaks are given in-between for freshening up.

The meditation hall in which we used to practice.

This is the photo of what they call the “Shoonyaghar”. A small cell which is allocated to the new participants on the 6th day and to the old participants from the 2nd day. Meditating in this small cell gives a totally unique experience of being in solitude.

On the 10th day, we were allowed to talk to each other and in the evening on that day, mobile phones were given to us so that we could talk to our families.

What value did it add to my life?

A lot of Humility. A handsome amount of Patience to consider others opinions. The idea of ‘Creating’ instead of ‘Reacting’. The Empathy to understand that everybody is on their journey to improve, give them some time & love. The habit of doing my work by myself. The idea of observing my own self instead of finding flaws in others. Every cause results in effect and that effect again causes something to happen.

I tried my best to put the experience in words here for you but words have their own limitations when it comes to expressing the deepest and most touching experiences. So if you can manage 10 days out of your life and get an opportunity to visit one of these centres, then please do try it once.

MAY GOD BLESS YOU! 🙂