So I just signed up for my first Vispassana course…and I have no idea what to expect. From what I understand, this is a completely free 10 day course on meditation, during which the participants are expected to observe ‘noble silence’ at all times (no talking to anyone, or even making eye contact!). The 10 days are spent learning and practicing meditation techniques in a quiet rural setting. Here is a breakdown of the daily schedule:
4:00 am Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am Meditate in or your room per the teacher’s instructions
11:00-12:00 pm Lunch break
12noon-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in or your room per the teacher’s instructions
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm Teacher’s Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm Retire to your own room–Lights out
So what do you think? Sounds intense and challenging, but most worthwhile pursuits tend to be just that. I’m convinced I’ll either lose my mind, or find it for the first time, but I’m quite excited regardless. So has anyone done one of these courses before? Or heard anything about them? Is there anything I should do to mentally prepare myself for this experience?
There’s also seems an odd dichotomy between a published rigid schedule and all the new-agey, search-yourself, granola feel to the program.
Why not stick a bunch of energy bars & some water in a backpack and head into the woods for a day to wander then sit, or sit, then wander, or whatever rather than all the direction?
4:00 am Good God! What’s that sound!
4:30-6:30 am Sleep sitting up.
6:30-8:00 am Eat granola and drink non-caffeinated tea.
8:00-9:00 am Contemplate my neighbor’s navel
9:00-11:00 am Contemplate my navel
11:00-12:00 pm Organic veggies - where’s the meat? Still no Caffeine
12noon-1:00 pm Instructions on how I incorrectly contemplated my navel.
1:00-2:30 pm Contemplate a different part of my navel
2:30-3:30 pm Forget navels, start thinking about other parts of my fellow students.
3:30-5:00 pm Fantasize about that cute student I saw last hour
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break: Where’s that damn Caffeine!!
6:00-7:00 pm Let’s be bored together
7:00-8:15 pm Interconnectedness of all beings, bad quantum science mixed in for validation
8:15-9:00 pm Damn, I’m sleepy but I have a headache from caffeine withdrawl
9:00-9:30 pm Time to fake progress for my classmates so I look enlightened.
9:30 pm Finally: ZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzz
I think it sounds fantastic, provided of course that the teachers are quality. I would do it myself, but I cannot rationalize the time spent right now. Good luck, and I hope you find the insight you are looking for.
That’s a LOT of meditation. I think I could only handle maybe 1/3rd of that daily. Meditation is hard work you know? It’s not just sitting there like a lump, although I’m sure you know that already.
Be prepared for the silence to be a Culture Shock, and, then, relish it. Mostly, relax into it, and hear your teachers for guidance. Really listen to them as people (not deities) who have experience. Ask questions about what your mind gurgles up, and don’t be shy about asking questions, that’s what the teachers are there for.
