Vipasana Meditation

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Questions & Answers About the Techniqueof Vipassana Meditation

Why is the course ten days long?

Actually, the ten-day course is the minimum; it provides an essential introductionand foundation to the technique. To develop in the practice is a lifetime job.Experience over generations has shown that if Vipassana is taught in periods ofless than ten days, the student does not get a sufficient experiential grasp of the

technique. Traditionally, Vipassana was taught in retreats lasting seven weeks.

With the dawning of the 20th century, the teachers of this tradition began toexperiment with shorter times to suit the quickening pace of life. They tried thirty

days, two weeks, ten days, down to seven days--and they found that less than tendays is not enough time for the mind to settle down and work deeply with the

mind-body phenomenon.

How many hours a day will I be meditating?

The day begins at 4:00 a.m. with a wakeup bell and continues until 9:00 p.m. Thereare about ten hours of meditation throughout the day, interspersed with regular

breaks and rest periods. Every evening at 7:00 p.m. there is a videotaped lecture by

the Teacher, S.N. Goenka, which provides a context for meditators to understand

their experience of the day. This schedule has proved workable and beneficial for

hundreds of thousands of people for decades.

What language is used in the course?

The teaching is given through recordings of S.N. Goenka, speaking in English orHindi, together with a translation into a local language. Tape translations exist in

most of the major languages of the world, including English.
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Can pregnant women attend courses? Are there any special arrangements or

instructions for them?

Pregnant women may certainly attend, and many women come specifically during

pregnancy to take advantage of the opportunity to work deeply and in silenceduring this special time. We ask pregnant women to ensure they are confident thattheir pregnancy is stable before applying. We provide the extra food they need and

ask them to work in a relaxed way.

Why is a course conducted in silence?

All students attending the course observe "noble silence" that is, silence of

body, speech and mind. They agree to refrain from communicating with their co-meditators. However, students are free to contact the management about theirmaterial needs, and to speak with the instructor. Silence is observed for the firstnine full days. On the tenth day, speech is resumed as a way of re-establishing the

normal pattern of daily life. Continuity of practice is the secret of success in thiscourse; silence is an essential component in maintaining this continuity.

How can I be sure I am capable of doing the meditation?

For a person in reasonable physical and mental health who is genuinely interested

and willing to make a sincere effort, meditation (including "noble silence") is notdifficult. If you are able to follow the instructions patiently and diligently, you can

be sure of tangible results. Though it may appear daunting, the day's schedule is

neither too severe nor too relaxed. Moreover, the presence of other studentspracticing conscientiously in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere lendstremendous support to one's efforts.

Is there anyone who should not participate in a course?

Obviously someone who is physically too weak to follow the schedule will not be

able to benefit from a course. The same is true of someone suffering frompsychiatric problems, or someone undergoing emotional upheaval. Through a

process of questions and answers, we will be able to help you decide clearlybeforehand whether you are in a position to benefit fully from a course. In some

cases applicants are asked to get approval from their doctor before they can be

accepted.


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Can Vipassana cure physical or mental diseases?

Many diseases are caused by our inner agitation. If the agitation is removed, thedisease may be alleviated or disappear. But learning Vipassana with the aim of

curing a disease is a mistake that never works. People who try to do this waste theirtime because they are focusing on the wrong goal. They may even harmthemselves. They will neither understand the meditation properly nor succeed in

getting rid of the disease.

How about depression? Does Vipassana cure that?

Again, the purpose of Vipassana is not to cure diseases. Someone who really

practices Vipassana learns to be happy and balanced in all circumstances. But aperson with a history of severe depression may not be able to apply the techniqueproperly and may not get the desired results. The best thing for such a person is towork with a health professional. Vipassana teachers are meditation experts, not

psychotherapists.

Can Vipassana make people mentally unbalanced?

No. Vipassana teaches you to be aware and equanimous, that is, balanced, despiteall the ups and downs of life. But if someone comes to a course concealing serious

emotional problems, that person may be unable to understand the technique or toapply it properly to achieve the desired results. This is why it is important to let us

know your past history so that we can judge whether you will benefit from a

course.

Do I have to be a Buddhist to practice Vipassana?

People from many religions and no religion have found the meditation coursehelpful and beneficial. Vipassana is an art of living, a way of life. While it is theessence of what the Buddha taught, it is not a religion; rather, it is the cultivation of

human values leading to a life which is good for oneself and good for others.

Why do I have to stay for the entire ten days?

Vipassana is taught step by step, with a new step added each day to the end of thecourse. If you leave early, you do not learn the full teaching and do not give the


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technique a chance to work for you. Also, by meditating intensively, a course

participant initiates a process that reaches fulfillment with the completion of the

course. Interrupting the process before completion is not advisable.

Is it dangerous to leave a course early?

The point is that leaving early is shortchanging yourself. You don't give yourself achance to learn the full technique and so you won't be able to apply it successfully

in daily life. You also interrupt the process in the middle rather than letting it come

to the proper conclusion. To get home a day or two early, you waste all the timeyou have invested.

How about the tenth day, when talking is allowed and serious meditation

stops? Can I leave then?

The tenth day is a very important transition back to ordinary life. No one ispermitted to leave on that day.

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Vipasana Meditation

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