Vipassana Meditation
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 10:22PM I went to a ten day vipassana meditation course on boxing day.
Ten days of silence, introspection, all focus on meditation and learning the technique of vipassana.
We meditated from 4.30am til 9pm with few breaks. We lived like nuns. We didn't look each other in the eye. We were there because we are seeking enlightenment. We knew why we were doing this and it was this willpower that helped us through.
Vipassana meditation is non-religious, does not focus on any external being, object or vision. Instead the technique is about the observation of sensation on the body, with a balanced mind - without craving or aversion. The theory is that we react subconsciously to sensations and that is what causes emotion and ultimate misery. If we can observe these reactions on the body then we do not emotionally engage with them and eventually they disappear. This is the real-living-experience of impermanence.
This would be the hardest thing I've ever done and I have been meaning to go for 9 years. I worked up to this point, I meditated, I grew my wisdom, I practiced, I worked, and still, being at vipassana was the hardest thing I've ever done. And the greatest.
We aren't meant to visualise, but it seems an automatic process for my mind to feel sensations in pictures. I thought I'd share the progress of my experience.
A mind full of jaggered thoughts, leap-frogging, chaotic and unreliable.
Slowly the mind quietens to single thoughts you can see and dismiss.
Other unpleasant sensations on the body begin to show up, heartburn, sore shoulders, gallbladder pain.
But I can focus my awareness on the breath coming out of my nostrils and on to my upperlip.
I travel across my body and the pains become more severe, the pleasurable vibrations become more prominent. I am starting to be able to feel every inch of my skin.
The strangest sensations come out, then fade away. Each one a reaction I have 'let go of'.
I feel like a galaxy, shooting star sensations, electrons all over, subtle pains.
Observe Observe, do not react... I can feel my crown tingle the most.
At the end the sensations expand, they lift off the skin and I can send them out to others around me.
This only lasted a couple of days, then I was all used up again.
I'd almost consider being a full time meditator to stay in this zone. Life just zaps the hell out of me. And for those that say 'you gotta live in the real world'... well, this real world isn't the real world at all.
I'm off to the bush again by myself to find my bliss.
Will write next from there......
x
[current mood] Mushroom Risotto & The Family Guy
illustration, spiritual in Inspiration
Reader Comments (10)
Once again, amazing and inspirational Nat, I would like to do Vipassana too (I'll make sure I do it by 2019) p.s. your blog answered my question, you're in the blissful bush! Good girl :D
I went to vipassana in the UK a few years ago, Id love to go again but cant spare the 10 days from my kids, its an amazing experience Ill never forget. Your pictures explain it well xx
I liked reading your thoughts on the retreat. It was interesting to hear you say that it was the hardest thing you've ever done.. I still cant help but think it was only rainbows for everyone but me! Everyone was busy climbing to the top and proceedin to slide down the other shiny colourful side.. wweeeeeeeeee...
As you know, I climbed and climbed and climbed again. That damn rainbow was just too slippery for me. Maybe after I grow some more.. ie. get some tread on the soles of my feet... I might be able to try again with enough grip and make it to some kind of peak to peer down at least.
All the best in the bush. x
Wow - thanks for sharing. Sounds like something I would love to do someday!
This kind of meditation gives me curiosity to know more about on this.
Your illustration above helps a lot.
honey! ive been trawling through your website/blog and i came across the vipassana entry. not only have you amazingly been able to illustrate the development of the meditation process, you have done it brilliantly! that was exactly how it felt to me. you inspire me. thank you for your thoughts, creativity and vision X
it was very hard work. I tried, and after a few days I resigned. Now I regret. Then I saw no other choice.It was too difficult. Maybe one day I'll try again. I need to better prepare. This was my first meditation.
Sorry for my English
Look at all the way you are avoiding enlightment in every moment, Why do I choose the sense of separate self over total openess?
Also, emotion is not misery, it is only what happen in the moment, it is common for people to think that no emotion is better emotion...might as well become a rock. Just being whatever you are at that moment, totally open and vulnerable is an other way of seing vipassana. I would like to share more with you if you desire to do so. May you be happy