Finding Inner Peace: My 10-Day Vipassana Meditation Journey

What is Vipassana Meditation ?

The word “Vipassana” means “insight” or “clear seeing.” Vipassana is the practice of seeing things as they really are; it’s a scientific process of mental purification through self-awareness and self-observation.

The goal is to develop a deeper understanding of the nature of reality — as it is — and to achieve a state of inner peace and liberation. This form of mindfulness meditation originated in India over 2,500 years ago and has since been practiced globally. For more info, check out the official page.

History of Vipassana

Vipassana meditation is a traditional form of mindfulness meditation that dates back to the time of the Buddha. After falling out of practice in India, it was preserved in Burma.

S.N. Goenka, a Burmese-Indian, learned Vipassana from his teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, and brought it back to India in 1969, offering courses that were open to all, regardless of background.

5 Rules of Vipassana Program

Vipassana is taught in a 10-day residential course. If you’re a first-timer, you must complete this program before moving on to shorter courses.

Rule No 1 — Maintain Noble Silence for 10 days.

Rule No 2 — No mobile phones or contact with the outside world.

Rule No 3 — Waking up at 4 am

Rule No 4 — “Eat to live” — the last meal is at 11 am, followed by an evening tea at 5 pm

Rule No 5 — Meditate for 10–11 hours daily

What is the right age for the course?

It is for all the age groups, It is also taught to kids, teenagers and adults of all different ages. To know more about children courses, you can check the official site.

It is better to do Vipassana at an earlier age as it teaches one to live and lead a better life.

Vipassana from a young age can instill valuable life skills such as concentration, empathy, and self-regulation, laying a strong foundation for a balanced and reflective approach to life’s challenges.

As individuals grow, these early lessons in mindfulness can enhance their ability to navigate personal and professional relationships with greater composure and insight. In essence, Vipassana offers a toolkit for living a more harmonious and purposeful life, and the seeds planted through early practice can yield a lifetime of benefits.

The right time to do Vipassana is NOW.

My Experience

The anticipation for the course was palpable; I was buzzing with excitement on the first day, eager to dive into the practice of focusing on my breath. To my delight, the initial session of meditation was everything I had hoped for.

However, the second day brought a contrast to my initial enthusiasm. I found myself wrestling with agitation, struggling to sit still and quiet my mind. Negative thoughts bombarded me, creating a chaos that was tough to navigate. The third day was a significant shift; I was able to meditate with greater ease, sitting for longer periods and inviting calmness into my mind.

When the 4th day arrived to learn Vipassana, Mr. Goenka’s recorded instructions guided us through the process, and the experience was nothing short of transformative. For the first time, I felt “alive”

In the subsequent days, I attempted to maintain the practice. Some sessions were smooth, while others proved challenging. The silence around me was a boon; it helped clear my mind, allowing me to concentrate more deeply on self-observation.

We were encouraged to observe our bodily sensations without attachment or aversion — neither clinging to them (राग) nor rejecting them (द्वेष) — and to observe them with objective detachment.

By the eighth day, the intensity of the course began to weigh on me. After sitting for over 75 hours, fatigue set in, and i had to really push myself to go into the hall.

The day to break the noble silence finally came. Hearing voices again felt surreal, and the sound of human conversation was unsettling after so many days of quietude. I may not know all of my course mates by name, but the interactions on that last day were warmly welcomed.

Now, as I reintegrate into my daily life, I carry with me a treasure trove of lessons and teachings from my time at the Vipassana center. It is my sincere hope and intention to continue my daily meditation practice and to integrate the principles I’ve learned into my life, to lead a happier and more peaceful manner.

धर्म न हिन्दू ,बौद्ध है ,सिख न मुस्लिम जैन,
धर्म चित्त की शुद्धता धर्म शांति सुख चैन ।

सम्प्रदाय न धर्म है धर्म न बने दीवार,
धर्म सिखाये एकता धर्म सिखाये प्यार ।

~ S.N. Goenka