10-Day Vipassana Silent Meditation — What to Expect (Part I)

For over a decade now I've attended numerous Vipassana retreats—or "courses," as they are referred to—a better term for setting expectations—around the world. Vipassana courses are tedious; days are absent of distractions and filled with meditation, along with necessary gaps for food, rest, and evening discourses. I won't claim that the courses are perfect, but they have been immeasurably valuable to me, so I'll do my best to give you enough context to decide whether attending one is right for you.

What is Vipassana? Vipassana is essentially a practice of self-observation dating back to the teachings of the Buddha. That being said, it's a highly secular practice. The particular variation of the 2500-year-old practice I follow became popularized by Indian-Burmese businessman, S.N. Goenka.

To this day, the courses are primarily guided through video and audio recordings of S.N. Goenka, who passed away in 2013. There are also so-called Assistant Teachers present to provide personalized feedback and support. To be fair, that may sound a tad ceremonial and dogmatic, but there is fair reason and advantage to it. In the discourses, Goenka emphasizes a secular and experiential understanding of the practice. With each day of practice comes an explanation of its purpose and helpful insights. As Goenka explains, theory must come with practice—it's only helpful to the extent it aligns with our personal experience. There is no requirement or request to believe anything beyond that experience. It's a very grounded practice, appealing particularly to those wary of new-age woo-woo.

The 10 days that follow are not easy. Some of the most challenging and gratifying moments of my life were spent sitting on a cushion.

I’ll share more practical tips for the course next week.

Until then, take care wherever you are.

Naser