What Is Vipassana?

Vipassana is an ancient meditation technique discovered in India & rediscovered around 2500 years ago by Gautam Buddha.

The entire practice is actually a mental training. Just as we use physical exercises to improve our bodily health, Vipassana can be used to develop a healthy mind.

Any person irrespective of caste, religion and gender can practice Vipassana meditation.

In India & around the world, there are >160 centres where you can learn Vipassana meditation absolutely FREE.

A new student has to go thru a 10 days course (Technically 11 days). This 10 days course includes your accommodation, food & learning sessions. You need not pay any amount, fees of charges for the same.

Though there are some strict rules which you are expected to follow for your & other participant’s benefits while attending the course:

1. No mobile phones/electronic gadgets are allowed for entire 10 days of meditation. (You must keep mobile phones in lockers on day 0, which is handed over to you on 10th day). An emergency number of centre is shared to you by center, in case of any emergency, your family and friends can contact the centre emergency number who will inform you the same.
2. You are expected to observe noble silence. That is, no talking or communicating either by words, gestures or expressions with others. (Though you can ask questions related to meditation only with teacher in the Interview sessions held everyday at 9pm).
3. You should wash your own utensils. Most centers offer paid laundry service, else wash your clothes by yourself.
4. The day starts at 4am & ends at 9:30pm. You are expected to follow this strict routine.
5. During the course it is absolutely essential that all forms of prayer, worship, or religious ceremony — fasting, burning incense, counting beads, reciting mantras, singing and dancing, etc. — be discontinued.
6. The playing of musical instruments, radios, etc. is not permitted. No reading or writing materials should be brought to the course.

Moreover, you are expected to follow the Code Of Discipline aka the 5 precepts during the course:

1. To abstain from killing any being;
2. To abstain from stealing;
3. To abstain from all sexual activity;
4. To abstain from telling lies;
5. To abstain from all intoxicants.

Here’s how the daily routine for Vipassana is to be followed:

4:00 am           Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher’s instructions
11:00-12:00 noon Lunch break
12 noon-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your own room according to the teacher’s instructions
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm Teacher’s Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm         Retire to your own room–Lights out

Daily, around 12 hours of meditation sitting is done. Be mentally prepared in advance before going for the course else you’ll find it extremely difficult to practice.

All those who wish to participate in this meditation course can do so by registering on  https://www.dhamma.org/en/courses/search

Now you would be curious, how this course is offered for free? What are the strings attached? The answer is simple. Your entire course is sponsored by anonymous past student’s donations. The organisation accepts donations from students who feel they got benefited by this course. However, it’s not mandatory to donate if you take this course.

Read about my Vipassana Experience here