What no one tells you about Vipassana retreats

The best (& worst) bits of 10 day silent Vipassana retreats taught by S.N Goenka

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[theliterarytarot]

Vipassana changed my life. It was a beautiful way to start building mindfulness and a mind-body connection. It’s about forming a relationship with yourself.

[johnrichards]

Before Vipassana, I'd never meditated at all, not a single second, so I was entirely unprepared. Since then I've done seven 10-day courses, in Australia and India. I'm not inclined to do any more as I've moved in another direction. But the retreats transformed my mind which therefore shaped my life. Definitely worth the days of struggle. And it's not all struggle. There are days of joy too.

[missmerrily]

My first Vipassana 10 day retreat was hard. I felt I was failing... I seemed to lose all concentration, and wriggled and squirmed during the hours of sitting. Only when we spent time meditating in front of the class, with our meditation teachers did my mind feel really calm and peaceful. No-one left though. Every last one who entered, met together at the end to discuss our experiences. On the day of the forgiveness meditation, first one person cried, then we all did! I imagine they are well used to it! But the real benefit came when I got back to normal life. Suddenly I was more peaceful, calmer.... walking along the street i would automatically step aside for other people, and my meditation practice was so much deeper. Now I know what to expect I don't go through all this stuff... but then again, I don't have the massive leap forward that I took with the first one.

[willieluncheonette]

"Buddha’s way was Vipassana — vipassana means witnessing. And he found one of the greatest devices ever: the device of watching your breath, just watching your breath. Breathing is such a simple and natural phenomenon and it is there twenty-four hours a day. You need not make any effort. If you repeat a mantra then you will have to make an effort, you will have to force yourself. If you say, “Ram, Ram, Ram, ” you will have to continuously strain yourself. And you are bound to forget many times. Moreover, the word ‘Ram’ is again something of the mind, and anything of the mind can never lead you beyond the mind
.Buddha discovered a totally different angle: just watch your breath — the breath coming in, the breath going out. There are four points to be watched. Sitting silently just start seeing the breath, feeling the breath. The breath going in is the first point. Then for a moment when the breath is in it stops — a very small moment it is — for a split second it stops; that is the second point to watch. Then the breath turns and goes out; this is the third point to watch. Then again when the breath is completely out, for a split second it stops; that is the fourth point to watch. Then the breath starts coming in again… this is the circle of breath.
If you can watch all these four points you will be surprised, amazed at the miracle of such a simple process — because mind is not involved. Watching is not a quality of the mind; watching is the quality of the soul, of consciousness; watching is not a mental process at all. When you watch, the mind stops, ceases to be. Yes, in the beginning many times you will forget and the mind will come in and start playing its old games. But whenever you remember that you had forgotten, there is no need to feel repentant, guilty — just go back to watching, again and again go back to watching your breath. Slowly, slowly, less and less mind interferes
.And when you can watch your breath for forty-eight minutes as a continuum, you will become enlightened. You will be surprised — just forty-eight minutes — because you will think that it is not very difficult… just forty-eight minutes! It is very difficult. Forty-eight seconds and you will have fallen victim to the mind many times. Try it with a watch in front of you; in the beginning you cannot be watchful for sixty seconds. In just sixty seconds, that is one minute, you will fall asleep many times, you will forget all about watching — the watch and the watching will both be forgotten. Some idea will take you far, far away; then suddenly you will realize… you will look at the watch and ten seconds have passed. For ten seconds you were not watching. But slowly, slowly — it is a knack; it is not a practice, it is a knack – slowly, slowly you imbibe it, because those few moments when you are watchful are of such exquisite beauty, of such tremendous joy, of such incredible ecstasy, that once you have tasted those few moments you would like to come back again and again — not for any other motive, just for the sheer joy of being there, present to the breath.
Remember, it is not the same process as is done in yoga. In yoga the process is called pranayam; it is a totally different process, in fact just the opposite of what Buddha calls vipassana. In pranayam you take deep breaths, you fill your chest with more and more air, more and more oxygen; then you empty your chest as totally as possible of all carbon dioxide. It is a physical exercise — good for the body but it has nothing to do with vipassana. In vipassana you are not to change the rhythm of your natural breath, you are not to take long, deep breaths, you are not to exhale in any way differently than you ordinarily do. Let it be absolutely normal and natural. Your whole consciousness has to be on one point; watching
.And if you can watch your breath then you can start watching other things too. Walking you can watch that you are walking, eating you can watch that you are eating, and ultimately, finally, you can watch that you are sleeping. The day you can watch that you are sleeping you are transported into another world. The body goes on sleeping and inside a light goes on burning brightly. Your watchfulness remains undisturbed, then twenty-four hours a day there is an undercurrent of watching. You go on doing things… for the outside world nothing has changed, but for you everything has changed."

[ginamanriquez]

Wonderful words of wisdom from such a young man. You can see that meditation has really influenced his growth.

[bubblefish]

In regards of clothing, people is requested to dress "with modesty", being so, wearing long pants/trousers/skirts, not wearing see-through or tight revealing clothes, wearing sleeved T-shirts/shirts. This is in order to help others to maintain their mind focused without unnecessary triggers 🙏🏼 Every norm or rule in the Vipassana centers, is to benefit the meditation procces but many people fail to understand it. The best advise to go for a 10 day Vipassana retreat, it's to surrender for that period. You are there to experience the process of deflection of the ego. It's beautiful to watch how much you (your ego) wants to fight revolve resist and refuse go by those small basic simple seemingly unimportant "rules". Surrendering for those 10days, makes your life so much easier.
Understand also that, Vipassana is a technic to learn to see and accept the reality of the present moment as it is, remain equanimous to it; Well, the reality is that there's a code of conduct to which you (your ego) is reacting, and by doing so, you fail to accept the reality as it is 😊

[ToddDouglasFox]

They don’t follow you when you leave the retreat. They don’t ask for money. They don’t solicit. It’s more like sweat lodges in that it’s hard to face one’s self especially when it’s something new for a person. A cult takes over your life and doesn’t allow you freedom when you want to do something else. In Vipassana it really isn’t about beliefs or sticking to a way of life, it really isn’t even about the method of meditation, it’s about being a more fully alive and authentic person. That is not “cult like”. Vipassana wasn’t controlling for me. Yes there were requirements like silence and sitting but they were not enforced. If one went outside of the requirements, they were gently guided and not forced to leave or comply. The one thing you said I agree with is that some people are not ready for something intensely personal and perhaps transforming whether it be through meditation or some other intensive spiritual pursuit. The retreat organizers for Vipassana do not screen. Everyone is welcome. If something comes up for someone, the organizers will reach out to obtain outside professional assistance. I’m glad you got so much benefit. It’s one more step in life’s journey when you do these types of inner experiences. In the case of Vipassana it’s not an effort to recruit or take advantage of one’s sincere intentions. One is there meditating with guidance and food and sleep quarters and afterword the retreatant simply leaves. I applaud all who improve themselves by becoming more of themselves. 🥂 🙏 👊

[kagie]

Vipassana is the best thing that I have ever done. Changed my life forever. Thank you for sharing your story.

[toddgy.]

I cannot wait. I’m going in December. It’s exciting. I’ve come into a very centred and free place in my mind lately. Clarity at an all time high. I’m exciting to practice and further this experience! It’s all stemmed from quitting alcohol forever, about 11 weeks ago. I simply let it go. I am finished with it. So finally I’m able to keep my mind in the place of clarity. It’s honestly been life changing already. ❤

[Louisadamson]

My first was in 2012, and remember it vividly. The discourse toward the end when goenka described the change in demeanor common between arriving and the last day, where the students change to a lighter and loving existence is so clear. I attended a second one, and then began trying to serve a course and sit a course every 12 to 18 months, which I found very helpful in keeping the benefits and practice during regular daily life. As a volunteer server, which is often in the kitchen, it requires interacting with the other servers and the three main group meditation sittings each day. There is some other meditation time besides the group settings, and the rules outside the kitchen are just as is expected of new and old student practicing Nobel silence.

This is a great video and does a excellent job laying out the expectations and traditions goenka maintains for anyone planning to attend. I'm out of practice now and from the pandemic restrictions I'm definitely overdue to attend a retreat. Thanks.

[itsMelissaS]

I had a terrible experience. Its hard to watch people talk about how amazing it is when my experience was so bad. I watched your video before going and felt motivated and at ease. Now, I feel like it ruined my life. Guess i'm just a "casualty" as you say.

Using your metaphor, maybe knowing risks shouldn't deter people from "exercise" but there are things people can do to better prepare themselves, and a good coach isn't gonna allow someone to deadlift 500 lbs first day in the gym which is what this is basically. I think Vipassana centers need to do a better job of informing people of the serious risks, and be specific, and not accept people who do not have a regular practice. They kind of brush over it, and give a superficial sort of vague allusion to possible risk. Another thing I wish I was informed of was that repressed traumatic memories may surface (that you may not even be aware of, hence "repressed") and they also believe past life traumas can also arise. After my experience I believe there is a duty to inform participants that is not being met.

Also if you have a bad experience, in my experience, they send you on your way. There is no support. People should know that they are not qualified or equipped to assist you psychologically or medically, and they won't. If you are a "casualty" you are left to fend for yourself.

Part of the reason for this is that there is no living master teacher. You are learning from recordings of a teacher who has passed on. There is no room for adaptation, growth or personalized advice in that. The AT's may not even be equipped to guide anyone who has an experience they haven't had themselves, and thus may look at your experience as "faulty" and not on the path. They also have no oversight, talk to you in private, and will exercise their ego on you, in my experience. While there may be benefits, certainly don't fool yourself, and take a serious look at your life. Is it THAT bad? Are there smaller steps you can take right now? Can you commit 2 hours a day to meditating as it is now? Because this is what they say you need to do to maintain the "benefits"

And in the sub-communities of Vipassana, while some people offer kindness and help, there is also a lot of bullying that happens when you criticize any aspect of the experience. Im not trying to discourage anyone from going, but just saying if you go, stay alert. Not just to the technique but the pitfalls of the organization. May all beings be safe, sovereign, and compassionate to the suffering of others.

[elitemeemoosood]

I did mine about a year ago sometime in April 2022 and it is really helpful. I didn't get to do the adult course as I am not an adult but I tried out the 3 day one they do for minors. Its an eye-opening experience. Our schedule wasn't as strict as adults (which my dad had done) and we were allowed to talk to other people but it was still an eye-opening experience. And as you said after you do it, there is a sort of negative thought spiral for some time after. I never tried to meditate again ironically until today - 1 day before my first GCSE. It is an interesting process. I am definitely going back again so I can incorporate into every part of my living.

[kasturiswami]

I really think that you have understood meditation. Wish you all the best. I am from India, a 77 year old grand mother of a 24 year-old boy.

[revelrove]

Thank you for making this video. I've the utmost respect for anyone who does a 10 day course. It was the hardest thing I ever did and maybe the most important thing. I walked away feeling like I was shining from being purified from the technique. It seated me in meditation so I am always in that space. I found my center. All invaluable, but not for the faint of heart. Your energy feels bright and clear so kudos to you!

[surabisulamanidoraisamy]

Hi all Im a hindu and this silent retreat is not a cult or religious thing. Its been pratised thousands of years thru mayan age. We call it 'mouna virtham'. It means getting detached from all negativities. Rejuvenating our body, mind and soul. It brings us towards consciousness. If you are near any hare rama hare krishna centres I would like you to go and attend some events to understand how the hindus practice unity, harmony and kindness. These good qualities embraces you as you practise silent retreat, get connected to nature and meditate to find out who you really are.

[mandakinikale]

Thanks Tobias for this video, I am sure it will encourage others to go for the retreat. I am a Vipassana meditator for last ten years and loving it.

[sbphillipsmd]

What a wonderful video. Your description, storytelling, and analogies were so crisp, concise, and clear. Thank you

[nicolettew]

This is the most succinct explanation of what one is supposed to achieve through meditation -- detaching oneself from the story running in our heads and simply observing our lives as they are so that we don't have to live in misery -- that i've watched in a long while. The delivery is on-point too. Nice work!

[PrudentStudent]

I went to one of their retreats several years ago and it was at first difficult but you do adjust. It is not that bad. I did have a room mate at the retreat that completely broke down and had to leave. I got to have the cabin all to myself which was great. The meals were okay and were vegetarian with two meals per day. No coffee but tea was allowed. It is great to get away from cell phones and computers and television. I view it as a positive experience and will do it again and as I look back really enjoyed it.

[mikes]

I've found the technique and courses to be invaluable.

One drawback with it though, is that once you really get what is, you realise that everything else is a waste of time. And I mean EVERYTHING.