I'm planning on a vacation to Thailand this summer(in 20 days probably) for about 2 month and want to know if you have any recommendation for a Vipassana that I can kick off my meditation journey with. I thought about doing the standard 10 days Vipassana course but don't know nothing
To start I have been meditating for roughly 20 minutes a day, for the last 4.5 montha. During my meditation today after maybe 20 minutes of noticing, noting and describing thoughts and sensations as "pleasant", "Unpleasant", "Neutral", and "felt with aversion, attachment" etc. Then returning to breath / open awareness I noticed that I was tense in my head and as I relaxed I felt these like "gates" open as part of my awareness descended further down from my normal sense of being in my head and it felt more and more loose / flowy like a liquid that was being poured in from the top of my skull (very subtle feeling though it wasn't violent at all)and I became more calm and serene.
Frustration and annoyance made these gates close and the feeling of my consciousness / looseness in my head go back up. While it is descending from the head where I normally feel my consciousness it is calm and this tends to happen when I am not necessarily focusing on anything or trying to control my consciousness. This happened ONLY after I stopped trying to force my attention on my breath and instead remained open to thoughts and sensations without letting them control my mental state / awareness.
I also realized I cannot control the outcome or try to grasp for it. I must always release all expectations and assumptions because the mind cannot conceive what could possibly happen next and grasping for it causes it to recoil away.
Also I noticed that what is accompanied with this sensation I will experience a strong tingling in my butt / tailbone that feels like a swirling whirlpool, and over time if it matters I have become quite aware of a swirling sensation in my awareness within my head that seems to be somehow correlated with my emotional state and thought patterns / lack of thought patterns being identified with the ego.
What am I experiencing? I would like to read about this. Does anyone have any input on this? I would be thrilled and very grateful if someone can shed light, thank you!
I am thinking of doing a 10-day service at CVC North Fork. Does anyone know what the male server accomodations are like? I assume everyone gets their own room just like the students, but do each room come with a private bathroom or do they share? Thanks in advance!
I live in a predominantly Catholic country, so I discovered Buddhism on my own through books. I have been practicing different types of meditation for about 10 years. Whenever I have time, I sit down to meditate, and I also try to remain mindful throughout most of my daily life.
After several years of meditation, I found some old documents from the time before I started practicing. According to the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), my personality back then was an ESTJ (Supervisor/Enforcing). However, after years of meditation, I realized my personality has shifted. Now, I am an INTP (Designer/Architect).
Is this type of shift common, and have any of you noticed something similar?
Is there a specific personality type that Buddhists tend to develop after long-term meditation and practice?
Or do different personalities simply migrate toward various other types through Buddhist teachings and meditation?
I've noticed that after practicing Vipassana for a while, I became much more aware of how different sounds affect the quality of attention, not because they produce meditation, but because they reveal different reactions of the mind.
Over the last few months I put together a long listening piece as a personal experiment around that idea, and I'd genuinely be interested in how experienced meditators perceive it.
The soundscape is rooted in recordings I made in the mountains between Puebla and Veracruz, Mexico, mixed with instruments and sounds that have been part of my family's history. My grandmother was a traditional healer, and one of the first sounds in the piece comes from an old ceramic jaguar whistle that belonged to her. I recorded its raw breath together with fire and low drums, not as a ritual, but as part of telling a personal story through sound.
The middle section shifts into the actual acoustic environment of those mountains: wind through the trees, goat bells, and a short poem recited in Náhuatl that I remember hearing growing up. I wanted that part to function almost like an auditory landscape rather than a musical composition.
The final section becomes much more minimal. I used slow repeating pulses, subtle left to right movement and long sustained tones to create an environment with as little musical "narrative" as possible, making it easier to simply observe whatever arises. Whether the mind becomes calmer, restless, bored, attached, peaceful or distracted is, of course, part of the observation.
What I found interesting during my own listening was watching how quickly the mind labels sounds as pleasant or unpleasant, starts anticipating what comes next, remembers previous sections, or begins constructing stories. The sound itself became secondary; the reactions became the practice.
Rather than evaluating it as music, I'd be interested in questions like:
Did the sound encourage more observation or more craving/aversion? At what moments did you notice the mind wandering the most? Did any section make it easier, or harder, to remain aware of bodily sensations? Did you find yourself listening to the sounds, or observing the mind reacting to them?
I'm not suggesting this replaces meditation or that it produces any particular state. I'm simply curious whether an intentionally designed listening environment can become another object of observation in practice...
I'd love to hear your experience if you decide to give it a listen!
I've been using vipassanaai.org, and it told me that I'm not supposed to scan symmetrically (i.e. both legs at once), but instead focus on each part of the body on its own.
Have I misunderstood? I thought the technique was to do the body symmetrically, so each side of the chest, each arm together, etc.
Basically I want to know if there is a place online where I can go and ask questions about the technique and trust that I'm getting an answer from someone who I can reliably expect to be in the know (an assistant teacher or whatever). Reddit can be really useful but at the end of the day, you don't know who is responding and just because someone sounds like they know what they're talking about, that doesn't mean they do, and I obviously want to be sure of the information I'm receiving. Thanks.
Did the course, was impressed to actually experience some benefit. I had sort of worried it just wouldn't work for me, but I've felt lighter and freer since completing it and when keeping up my practice.
However, there were a lot of things Goenka said that I didn't buy in to. This ranged from stuff I'm open to but don't know enough about to have an opinion on, but am skeptical of given his other claims (the account of how the whole thing works involving sankharas etc.), to stuff I straight up disbelieve and am unlikely to be convinced of (reincarnation, nearly all Vipassana mediators remaining conscious and smiling at the time of their deaths, etc.).
I'm also slightly concerned that I could have easily felt better during the course just because I was eating well and wasn't on my phone all the time and stuff, and have felt better afterwards simply because I've felt like I was doing the right thing/on the right path by keeping up with the practice.
Basically, I'm open to the technique working and providing some of the benefits advertised, but I don't really trust Goenka's claims in this regard given that he makes a lot makes a lot of claims I can't get on board with.
What I'm looking for is long term practicioners - particularly people who share my doubts about the more unlikely claims Goenka makes - who can attest to the benefits of keeping up with the practice. I'd be interested to hear how long you've been practicing, and what benefits you think it has brought you.
Thanks.
This month I'd have my first 10 days of Vipassana and after re-reading daily schedule I have concerns of what to do in a free time: 90min of breakfast, 120min of lunch, 60min of tea time, and especially all after 21:30?
Besides that I eat & drink fast enough I'm an 'owl' ie going to sleep after 2am is my regular thing.
What do you recommend to make yourself busy with all that enormous free time there? Going out isn't allowed. Books & journals also are not allowed, but maybe I can bring Rubik's cube and use it only in my room?
Because of so many restrictions I understand why it's challenging for many not to go crazy and so why some can't make till day 10
Curious how you actually sit when meditating— cross-legged, kneeling, chair, whatever. Do you stick with one position, or switch it up?
I have been meditating for a while and still trying to find the best positions to sit.
There is an emphasis on observing sensations on 10-day retreats and seeing thoughts as distractions from one's concentration on the bodily sensations.
But Vipassana on thoughts does exist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch-3i3ZXGEg&t=131s
My question is if on the 20 day courses there is an emphasis or switch on also practicing Vipassana on thoughts, and not only on bodily sensations?
Dear Dhamma Sibilings,
Myself been bit interested in science & being a Vipassana meditator, recently I had a thought if there is any possible connection between the Double slit experiment & Vipassana Meditation, since its a process of observing ourselves.
Anyone who is into Physics & into Vipassana as well, did you ever tried to figure it out ? Are there any studies done on this?
Hello, I was thinking of going to my first 10 day Vipassana retreat, but I am unsure if it's the right path for me. Recently, I've realized my body seems to carry a lot emotionally in the form of pain. If I feel sad, I'll get a headache or my pelvic area will hurt..the pain is quite severe so I usually will have to take pain meds so that I can work and not just be in bed all day. Ill also feel a lot throat tension if I need to cry or my legs will be super restless if I'm anxious about something. All of this pain get relieved when I have a good cry and my body feels like it released all the pent up pain. Lately a lot of the emotional pain has been due to grief and sadness that got very very stuffed down (for example: parent passing away 20 years ago and some familial abuse). But I've noticed that I'll get a headache over smaller things too. I discovered this through many years of float tank therapy (I sometimes do long 3-6 hour floats), ayahuasca (I tend to be very grounded during it so not much visuals), breathwork, yoga, therapy. I would love to not have so much pain and just release my emotions quicker. It takes a long time to finally release (usually through the above mentioned modalities like float tank) and I feel better and then ill be good for a bit and then I go through the cycle again and again. I've never done Vipassana meditation before. Do you think it would help me or solve this? I was wondering why the retreat is so long. Would there be a benefit of staying a few days or is it better to do the full 10 days? I've also read that it can really change a person and I'm slightly worried about that as I don't currently have a lot of support from family or friends. I also tend to go into a freeze state really easily where my body and mind just shuts down a lot.
I'm going on my first Vipassana retreat soon, and coincidentally, it starts the day after my first ketamine infusion treatment. Surveying as many people as possible about their thoughts - is ketamine the day before (over 24 hours) beginning Vipassana a good idea? Ketamine clinicians and many others who are well-versed in these sorts of healing spaces and processes think with the right mindset going into ketamine, yes, it could be ideal.
Tiny bit of background - I have a fair amount of meditation experience, and experience with using or entering psychedelics or altered states with the intention of healing, reflection, discovery, and recovery. I've been building up emotional strength very intentionally recently, and feel confident entering both of these experiences with the purpose of further strengthening and stabilizing my mental health, after a few years of battling depression and anxiety, alcohol addiction, and a handful of moments of suicidal ideation. I've never been hospitalized for my mental state. Very thankful for any insights.
Hello everyone, I have completed three 10-day Vipassana courses so far as a student and one 10-day course as a Dhamma Sevak/Server, and tomorrow I'll be attending my very first 7-day STP course at Kammaspur Centre (Dhamma Patthana) where apparently Gautam Buddha himself gave the satipatthan sutta sermon/discourse 2,600 years ago.
I'm really excited because I've heard many old students describe Satipatthana courses as especially profound and transformative. Since this will be my very first one, I would love to hear from people who have already attended one.
What advice would you give to your younger self attending their first Satipatthana course?
Is there anything you wish you had known before your attending your first Satipatthana course that would have had dramatically changed your experience & outcome & results? By results I mean evaporation/removal of old sankharas & breaking the behaviour pattern of keep creating inumerous new sankharas every second
- How is the overall experience different from a regular 10-day course other than it's duration is only 7 days long?
- Any practical tips for making the most out of this course and come out an overall evolved version of myself spiritually?
- Did you approach your meditation seriousness differently during Satipatthana vs compared to your first 10 day?
- What common mistakes should I avoid in terms of spiritual ego? that could potentially erase/wipe out all my progress before, during & after finishing the course and coming back home.
I'm hoping to go in with an open mind, work diligently, maintain strong determination, and hopefully deepen my understanding of Dhamma.
Any guidance, insights, or personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.
Much Metta 🙏
Anyone faced negative emotions like anger, sadness right after finishing the Vipassana meditation when practicing at home? It seems like certain situations in life where you cannot do much appear in the mind almost at the end of meditation and takes you away .. even if you are observing, you feel those emotions as emotions.
Am I doing something as mentioned in Satipatthana Sutta?
Grateful that I came in touch with Vipassana.
~I feel WE ALL should make a society buy a collective land and have a common VIPASSANA HALL. We live a normal life , whoever is free can go the the hall and practice. A close knit Vipassana village. Many spiritual traditions are allready doing it.
Ex - hare Krishna People.
(Bhadrikaashram rajpura ,Punjab india)
many such societies.
Why can't we do it, and tell me if there exists one such.....
Meditation Friends,
I've been a long-term Vipassana meditator. My first 10 day course was in 2020 and I've attended one every year since with the exception of 2025. I meditate twice daily with average consistency. I love my practice!
I'm searching for a business or startup cofounder - someone to jam through business ideas with with the ultimate goal of setting on a uniquely obviously good idea. Ideas are cheap, but if we start with a brainstorm and work through them together, perhaps we can settle on something great.
About me:
- 32M from Cape Cod, MA (currently living in my hometown, a wealthy touristy beach town)
- Interested in locating the business in Florida or potentially here on Cape Cod. For me, ultimately being in-person with a business partner is important
- Graduated from Boston College in 2016 with a degree in Finance and Entrepreneurship
- Previously served as an investment banker and private equity associate in New York City for a bulge bracket bank
- Passionate about wellness, longevity, and natural living. In addition to NoFap, I meditate daily, take long walks outside, wear bluelight blockers at night, and severely limit (and want to eliminate) social media use. I drank socially in college but gave it up to focus on spending my time on self improvement
- My younger brother's cancer journey sparked a deep interest in holistic health and integrative medicine, which became a major reason I'm passionate about wellness today
- Altogether, I bring strong finance skills, analytical thinking, and resourcefulness. I like to take step back, map problems out, think strategically and implement. It is cliche but I believe in working "smarter, not harder"
I look forward to hashing through the ideas, but I would be open to at least the below:
- Bitcoin-related ideas - I believe in Bitcoin's future and imagine there will be more startups centered around it
- Buy and Improve strategy - find an existing business, acquire it with an SBA loan with a clear path to improving it
- Health and Wellness related - simply because it is my passion, I know a lot about it, and it would force us to "practice what we preach"
- AI - I understand why people are excited about AI and I am too
- Again, I believe we can an idea that is uniquely good, and that we'll know when we reach that point
What I'm looking for in a business partner:
- Genuinely good person
- Smart, engaged person - able to get to the essence of any issue quickly
- Values health and self-improvement and likely doesn't center their life around drinking or partying
- Willing to live in Florida, the South Shore of Boston, or Cape Cod. This certainly isn't a deal breaker. The specific location will figure itself out over time, but being in person eventually is important.
Next steps:
If you're interested, best to shoot me a note and I can leave my email address below. I suggest we start by brainstorming. We will discuss ideas, research follow ups for each of us and can set a cadence for continuing the conversation over time. I'm looking to meet someone with aligned values and spend time exploring ideas together to see if a genuine partnership develops.
Thank you for allowing me to post on the subreddit. To be honest, I spend a lot of time around amazing people like my family members and girlfriend, but they don't think about self improvement the way I do. I haven't found my tribe. Vipassana is my tribe.