My startling encounter with reality at a Vipassana retreat

From a whirlwind of thoughts, Vipassana birthed a tranquil woman, her essence now a gentle perfume of goodwill, wishing for the blossoming of all.

Embarking on a Vipassana journey has been my longing for​ two years. Yet the moment never felt quite right until now. It is as though the universe has orchestrated this perfect alignment, signaling the divine timing for me to delve into this intensive inner work.

Vipassana, a profound 10-day retreat of absolute silence and detachment from worldly distractions, creates an atmosphere where introspection becomes the focal point. This departure from the habitual external focus on people, events, and circumstances fosters a deep internal exploration, paving the way for deep self-discovery and transformation.

Entering the Vipassana retreat, I was determined to see through the entire ten days, undeterred by the daunting challenges that forced others to flee. In Vipassana, one has to sit face-to-face with all the ordeals of the mind and body without distracting them with external stimuli; hence, the difficulty level is raised.

The stars aligned favorably in my home and work life, granting me the precious opportunity for this retreat. I approached it with an unwavering commitment to adhering diligently to its rules and processes.

Vipassana practice entails hours of breath awareness over several days, cultivating discipline for prolonged meditation.

A determined decision

My resolve to stay put for all ten days became my anchor during restlessness and impatience from the unfamiliar isolation. What drew me inexorably towards Vipassana was its essence encapsulated in the phrase “to see things just as they are.” These words struck a chord in me, igniting a deep-seated recognition that many of life’s complexities arise from our tainted perceptions and judgments. This recognition fueled my desire to master viewing reality and truth unclouded by personal biases, fostering a raw and authentic understanding of life’s intricacies.

Vipassana, in its simplest essence, is a powerful technique rooted in the sciences of deep self-purification and alignment with the eternal laws of nature and the universe. This delicate practice demands laser-like focus and subtlety of mind, guiding one to be acutely aware of the natural breath and bodily sensations. The core teaching is to embrace the reality of each moment without the mind’s additions, subtractions, or fantasies.

Progress in Vipassana hinges on a steadfast commitment to truth and the unadorned reality of the present moment. The practice entails hours of watching the breath for the first few days, cultivating discipline for prolonged meditation. This was followed by watching bodily sensations after first few days of breath awareness. Vipassana retreats require a demanding daily meditation schedule, with a two-hour morning session followed by alternating one-hour meditations throughout the remaining day, accumulating to a total of 9-10 hours of daily practice.

Despite initial challenges with distractions, daily discourses by Satya Narayan Goenka ji illuminated the purpose and method, unraveling complexities and fostering clarity.

Guru’s precious guidance

Goenka ji, a revered Vipassana teacher, reintroduced this ancient technique to India from Burma, tracing its roots to the practice that is said to have helped the Buddha attain enlightenment. Vipassana is a path of unparalleled rigor, requiring unwavering dedication, patience, persistence, and relentless personal effort. It eschews the notion of grace or external intervention, emphasizing the individual’s responsibility and agency in their transformation.

While support may arise from visible or invisible forces once the journey begins, the belief remains that true liberation is a journey one must undertake and refine independently. This philosophy resonates with Buddha’s famous counsel from his deathbed: “Be a lamp unto thyself.” This epitomizes Vipassana as a journey of self-liberation, cultivated and matured through individual practice and discipline.

Goenka ji emphasized the role of witnessing all experiences, pleasant or unpleasant, a crucial aspect of Vipassana’s ultimate objective. Central to Vipassana is the recognition that everything in this world, including sensations, experiences, and even relationships, is transient – bound to arise and pass away. This understanding unveils the perils of deep-seated attachments, which fuel suffering, highlighting the path to liberation through equanimity and freedom from cravings and aversions.

We also delved into Dharma, which is not confined to religious dogma but embodies universal truths and virtuous values such as non-violence, truthfulness, and purity of mind. True Dharma, as we discovered, fosters compassion and loving-kindness called Metta.

The grueling routine

During the Vipassana retreat, we were given two wholesome meals daily –  breakfast at 6:30 am and lunch at 11:00 am. In the evening, we could partake of chai and light snacks. The emphasis was on maintaining a light, sattvic diet conducive to extended periods of spiritual practice. We also delved deep into Dharma, which is not confined to religious dogma but embodies universal truths and virtuous values such as non-violence, truthfulness, and purity of mind.

Goenka ji’s discourses shed light on the hypocrisy often found in outwardly religious individuals harboring negative emotions. True Dharma, as we discovered, fosters compassion and loving-kindness, referred to as Metta or Maitri bhav in Vipassana. The ultimate aim of the practice, meditation, and ascetic discipline is to cultivate boundless love and empathy towards all beings, echoing Goenka ji’s earnest wish for universal liberation and sharing of peace and harmony among all.

The sweetness of Tapa

The transformative journey of Vipassana has deeply shifted something fundamental within me, arriving precisely when life beckoned its wisdom and when the universe deemed it necessary. I now perceive life with greater objectivity, maintaining a newfound emotional balance and shedding the burdensome narratives woven by the mind. Every moment is now steeped in conscious purity as I delicately navigate the currents of arising anger, worry, or any other negativity, ensuring a state of equanimity and inner peace. I hope to integrate these teachings into my daily life and interaction​s.

Remarkably, a persistent sensory discomfort in my right leg dissipated, unveiling an acute connection between mind and body, where mental healing translates into physical well-being. I wholeheartedly endorse Vipassana’s radical ability to heal both mind and body.

This sacred odyssey has gifted me with a heightened sense of clarity, an equilibrium of emotions, and a liberation from the intricate tales spun by the mind. On the tenth day, a certain joy and contentment radiated through every fiber of my being.

With a heart brimming with gratitude, I bow in deepest thanks to my family, my editor, my mother’s friend, Renu Sharma, whose words planted the seed of Vipassana in me and every soul who guided me to the threshold of this retreat. Their support was the fertile ground from which this transformative experience sprouted.

I feel a special reverence for Goenka ji. Though no longer in the body, he emerged as my alchemist, guiding me through the crucible of Vipassana. His voice, imbued with such love, compassion, sincerity, and truth, resonated with the ancient wisdom of the Pali texts, each word a blessing song for our liberation from the mind’s entanglements. Just as gold is refined in the fire, Goenka ji’s teachings and the practice of Vipassana purified my being, leaving an intense and lasting impact.

As I echo the timeless wish ‘Sabka Mangal ho’- May all beings be happy, I extend this radiant goodwill to every heart, inviting them to embrace the transformative power of Vipassana and embark on their journey of enlightenment and liberation.

A  worldwide movement

Vipassana, an ancient meditation technique said to be practiced by Gautam the Buddha, offers a path to inner peace and self-discovery. Though its practice flourished for centuries, it eventually faded from mainstream knowledge. In the 20th century, S.N. Goenka, an Indian businessman, rediscovered Vipassana in Burma (now Myanmar) under his teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Deeply impressed by its transformative power, Goenka ji dedicated his life to sharing this non-religious technique with the world. 

Today, Vipassana courses offer a transformative experience in many countries and cities. These intensive 10-day residential programs provide a structured environment for deep meditation, fostering self-awareness and emotional balance. ​

To embark on your own journey of self-discovery, visit the Vipassana Research Institute website [Dhamma Sota – Vipassana Course Schedule] to explore course schedules and registration details.

Their headquarters is in Igatpuri, about 75 miles from Mumbai, India. 

Satya Narayan Goenka discovered and re-introduced the ancient technique of Vipassana to India from Burma. Now Vipassana courses are available worldwide.