20 Day Vipassana Experience

Difference between 10 Day and Long Courses:

• Note system to communicate with male/female managers
• Assigned seating for meals
• Asked to monitor food – middle path – I was the hungriest I’ve ever been on a course!
• Look 2-4 steps ahead to go deeper, not even looking at nature
• No checking as per 10-day, 2x private interviews with teacher and noon interviews with teacher available should you need.
• Morning chanting as per 10 day but then complete silence till 6pm group sitting
• Discourses are audio only. I think this not engage the eye sense doors so you can go deeper into practice.
• Annica (awareness of Impermenance) – annica vidya (awareness of arisig and passing away)- Continuity of practice in during non-seated mediation. Meditate continuously – Sanjapao 
• Meditation cells – My thoughts on this is that it is not that dissimilar to a meditation cave. No other activity is done there. Dark – sensory deprivation to go deeper? 

Similarities:

• Schedule
• 1/3 of course time dedicated to practicing anapana
• Practice – technique is the same but your experience of practice will change as your awareness and equanimity develop.

Discover real peace and harmony within yourself, naturally this will overflow to benefit others

S.N. Goenka

Post Course Integration:

Vipassana courses in the Goenka tradition always have the last day of the course as metta day. Noble silence is lifted and there is always no physical contact at any Vipassana centres. I never really understood why this but it is there for good reason. Students are very sensitive after a course as they have work at the deepest level of mind. Obviously the longer the course, the deeper you go.  Metta day is actually a very important day that I didn’t fully appreciate in the past. The “shock absorber” as Goenkaji puts it.

My practice is becoming a practice that continues in life. Obviously, I’m not aware and equanimous 24/7  – I still have a very long way to go! But, my awareness thought the day in all my activities has certainly increased.

My twice daily sittings have been interesting as the past few days, I’ve been rather agitated. I suspect deeper sankaras are arising which is a wonderful opportunity for me to work with and keep clearing…

My mind feels different and I’m not too sure how to explain it – From a neuroscientific perspective, breaking the old habit pattern of my mind or old neuropathways – but in Vipassana you don’t rewire. I guess its because as soon as you rewire you create another habit pattern which facilitates more unconscious behaviours or habits. Hmmm something to ponder…Perhaps its so the mind can consciously choose from any possibility or potential in the field and isn’t limited. Any neuroscientists/ meditators out there please comment, your input is always appreciated.