Vipassana Retreat Tips

[Pateedm]

Hey guys,
I will be attending a 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat in about a week. This is the first meditation retreat that I will be attending.

I was just wondering if you guys have any tips for the retreat or any reports on any retreats that you've attended. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little bit intimidated and nervous but also excited and interested.

Thanks

[Brandon Nankivell]

Been to two now with the most recent being a month or so ago.

• Don't mix the technique with anything like psychedelics, especially if this is your first time, just do the technique, nothing else
• Stick it past day 2, don't listen to your mind making up all these excuses, it becomes easier
• Bring the stuff you need to sit comfortably (it may be more than you expect, bring pillows, mats, cushions, extra jumpers etc)

[Johnny Galt]

@Pateedm If you're tired, during the periods where you can do your own thing, or meditate in your room, sleep! 

[Pateedm]

@Brandon Nankivell

Thanks man. How did you go? How was the second one compared to the first?

@Johnny Galt

Something I'm a master at 

[Vynce]

Everything will be explained there. 

However I recommend not to eat too much. Especially when your mind is thirsty after new sensations like food, you will eat just because you are bored. 

However a full stomach won't let you into deep awareness.

Definitely a point I want to improve on next time. 

[Space]

On 30/07/2022 at 3:27 AM, Pateedm said:

Hey guys,
I will be attending a 10 day Vipassana meditation retreat in about a week. This is the first meditation retreat that I will be attending.

I was just wondering if you guys have any tips for the retreat or any reports on any retreats that you've attended. I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little bit intimidated and nervous but also excited and interested.

Thanks

1) Give it everything you've got. Really really try you're hardest to make the most out of every single meditation session. Try not to slack off on sessions in the evening or nearer the end of the retreat. Every time you sit down for a new session, set a quick little intention to give it everything and try your best.

2) Don't quit halfway through unless you absolutely have to. It's really important that you stay for the full 10 days because on day 10 the noble silence is lifted and it's more relaxed. It's important to have this day to transition back to normality.

3) A few useful items to take: 1) ear plugs - an absolute must, unless you're in a private single room. Every retreat I've been on there's been someone snoring. 2) Shoes that you can slip on and off easily. You'll be going in and out of the meditation hall a lot, so it's useful to have shoes you can slip on and off easily. However, if you know the climate/weather will be bad, obviously take the appropriate boots/shoes, etc. 3) Wristwatch (turn off hourly bleeper) - they do ring bells for certain sessions, but it's just useful to have because you won't have your phone to check the time. 4) Optional item is a small pen and paper to write down the timetable. There will be notice boards around the site that show the schedule but I always find it useful to have a little timetable in my pocket that I can check without having to walk halfway across the site to find a notice board. 5) Optional: Your own pillow and other bedding items that you think will make your sleep as good as possible. 6) Good water bottle - highly recommended to take. 7) You're not supposed to take snacks but I usually take a few small bits with me, like some sweet snack bars, bag of nuts, dark chocolate. This is up to you. This might not apply to you but I always take caffeneited tea bags and coffee because the center I go to only provides decaf. And I don't want to go through caffeine withdrawals on a retreat haha! 8) Take some basic medication stuff like paracetamol, anti diarrhea and anti-constapation (yes I've had to use all of these on different retreats). Something about changing your schedule and meal times that fucks with my gut. 

4) Optional advice: Don't do too much socialising on the day of arrival. I've been on retreats where there's just so much chatter and talking with new people and then all of a sudden it's noble silence. The other downside of socialising too much on arrival is that it can create distractions for the rest of the retreat. You end up thinking about what you said or what other people said or what others have done or not done etc. Any retreats I go on these days I minimise or totally remove all socialising with other people there (except for staff and managers) to the absolute minimum. I'll just go and sit in my room until the first meeting.

5) The last thing I'll say is really try to enjoy it as much as possible. Every moment remember that you're doing something that very few people are willing to do. You're also in a position of privilege to be able to do this. When things get challenging, remember that you're doing something extremely special and quite serious. You're deconstructing the fabric of reality and self. This is serious stuff. But it's also something that should be enjoyed as much as possible.

I think that's everything. Goodluck!

[Sine]

On 30.7.2022 at 4:58 AM, Johnny Galt said:

@Pateedm If you're tired, during the periods where you can do your own thing, or meditate in your room, sleep! 

What is your reasoning behind this? I would say if you feel tired, then go meditate in the hall. If you can't sleep at night, then meditate while lying down. 

[Salvijus]

You don't really need any tips. Just arrive like a clueless wanderer and you'll be okey ? 

I'm considering doing a 3rd vipassana retreat also next month. 

1.A banket could be nice if it's cold in your country. Usually early mornings can be cold a bit.

2.Taking showers everyday is helpful to stay fresh and maintain mental balance.

3.Walking bare foot or lying on the grass is helpful also.

4. Don't go with the impression that the retreat is dificult. 10days is designed for beginners. Every noob can go through it with a little bit of detremination

Good luck

Edited July 31, 2022 by Salvijus

[axiom]

@Pateedm

Agree with everything said so far. 

Definitely a +1 here for sleeping if you absolutely have to. I slept for two or three of the afternoon sessions. 

Also a +1 for eating very little. This helps you concentrate and reach deeper states.

You'll have many moments of doubting what you've got yourself in to. You will probably have moments of plotting your escape in the middle of the night. Stick with it. It's all part of the process. I really didn't think I would make it through. I was in so much pain on days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 that I was literally counting down the hours. Never has a 10 day stretch seemed so long in my entire life.

Avoid the temptation to ask for a chair or any kind of back support. The pain is part of the process and it will be worth it. Remember that everyone else there is sitting in pain as well. Pain is actually very useful.

The Vipassana process of repeated body scanning can be really boring and mentally tiring. Switch things up a little if you want to (e.g. focus on the breath for an extended period instead of scanning throughout the body). This can help to alleviate some of the boredom whilst also allowing you to maintain focus.

If you can remain silent and *completely* motionless throughout your worst moments of pain, when your body and mind are screaming for relief, you'll have a pretty good chance of a breakthrough. Mine came on day 7. What an unbelievable gift. It was absolutely profound, and had me grinning from ear to ear.

Try to enjoy the talks (videos) for what they are. They're pretty dated now, and there may be a bit much new age nonsense in them, but they can be quite funny. 

[Vynce]

2 hours ago, Space said:

4) Optional advice: Don't do too much socialising on the day of arrival. I've been on retreats where there's just so much chatter and talking with new people and then all of a sudden it's noble silence. The other downside of socialising too much on arrival is that it can create distractions for the rest of the retreat. You end up thinking about what you said or what other people said or what others have done or not done etc. Any retreats I go on these days I minimise or totally remove all socialising with other people there (except for staff and managers) to the absolute minimum. I'll just go and sit in my room until the first meeting.

@Pateedm Super important point! Thank you @Space

[Johnny Galt]

@Sine why would l suggest this? I'll ramble here...

My first 10 day I pushed on through as you suggested and it was amazing. My second 10 day I came in with that attitude and yet I realized how tired I was from the busy world and life and so I allowed myself to nap here or there. In a few days I felt profoundly recharged as I hadn't rested in a while. My meditation then went very deep, it was so intense, the energy pulsing through my body, I had to anchor myself into my feet/earth connection, as the more I brought attention to my head (as they suggested) the more intense it became.

On 2022-07-30 at 8:03 PM, Pateedm said:

 

@Pateedm

Something I'm a master at 

If that is the case, it might be something to consider that you don't nap. Experience yourself in your exhaustion and watch the mind emotion/relations as you sit uncomfortably and your back hurts, you'll really come to see how crazy the mind is I image you'll have space outside to go for walks - take advantage of that, breath the fresh air and push on through. 

Edited August 1, 2022 by Johnny Galt

[Pateedm]

@Vynce  interesting, thanks man!

@Space wow, appreciate the detail! Thanks for all the advice

@Salvijus thank you ?

@axiom awesome stuff, youve gotten me more excited now! I'll be on the road in about 5 hours

@Johnny Galt definitely keen to walk around 

 

[Brandon Nankivell]

On 31/07/2022 at 0:33 PM, Pateedm said:

@Brandon Nankivell

Thanks man. How did you go? How was the second one compared to the first?

No wokkaz.

It was challenging. Did push past some limits though by holding it out for so long. Was also interesting to see my recurring thoughts since I was with my own mind for such an extended period of time.

I've decided it isn't the sadhanna I will focus my efforts into however, not to stray anybody else away from it.

The first one I wasn't as committed. I just did it try something new since I was travelling in Thailand.

The second time round was years later, this time seriously committed to the Truth, so I put more effort in and valued it more. Got a little more out of it.

[Brandon Nankivell]

On 01/08/2022 at 0:21 AM, Space said:

Every retreat I've been on there's been someone snoring.

Hehe. Yes.

[Shane Hanlon]

Firstly, Congratulations! These 10 day retreats have enriched my life. I hope they do the same for you

 

The main thing is to give it your all and don't leave. There will be moments where all you want to do is leave. There is always one or two people that leave every time I go. Don't let it be you.

 

It's essentially impossible to recreate these 10day retreats on your own. I attempted to do it over quarantine, but It didn't yield nearly the same benefits of actually being there with people cooking for you, guiding you, and meditating along side you. Utilize this time and you will come out the other side with a whole new peace and perspective on what meditation can do for you.

 

Also as a side note my first retreat I didn't follow their instructions because I thought I knew better. The technique they teach is powerful. Make sure to follow their instructions as best you can while you are there.

 

Good luck and enjoy

[Pateedm]

@Shane Hanlon One of the best experiences of my life, can't put the whole experience into words, it is truly a blessing. No grand awakening, satori or anything but I can feel that these 10 days have been some of the most important in my life without a doubt. 

Anicca ❤

 

[DrugsBunny]

8 hours ago, Pateedm said:

@Shane Hanlon One of the best experiences of my life, can't put the whole experience into words, it is truly a blessing. No grand awakening, satori or anything but I can feel that these 10 days have been some of the most important in my life without a doubt. 

Anicca ❤

That's so good to hear. 

Question, do you get unlimited water there?
Are there showers?
I have a weird affliction where I have to brush my teeth excessively to relieve irritation. Would I be able to accommodate this condition on a retreat? 

[Pateedm]

@DrugsBunny The water at this particular centre all came from tanks, but I'd say that there would be enough water to easily last. It'd be a bit of a disaster if they ran out mid retreat haha. There were 3 showers for the males (24 males), I never had to wait for one.

Depends on how often you need to brush your teeth. There are 3 group sits per day that go for an hour and you aren't supposed to leave the meditation hall until after the sit. It's not like a prison though, I'm sure they would be able to accommodate.

[gettoefl]

15 hours ago, Pateedm said:

@Shane Hanlon One of the best experiences of my life, can't put the whole experience into words, it is truly a blessing. No grand awakening, satori or anything but I can feel that these 10 days have been some of the most important in my life without a doubt. 

Anicca ❤

 

an --- eeeee --- chaaaa --- the end of an itcher 

sit don't scratch the name of the game

follow the instructions

no pain no gain ?

 

[Pateedm]

@gettoefl ??