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

Since 2013, I've attended numerous 10-day Vipassana courses at various Vipassana centers around the world, from Northern and Southern California, to Dubai, Armenia, and India. In part 1, I shared what the course is and why you may want to join, but now I'll go into a few practical things to keep in mind.

Does it matter where?

Not really, but choosing a comfortable place can help. 10-days of Vipassana is hard enough, without also being in a wildly unfamiliar environment and culture. The technique is essentially the same wherever you go and for your first course you'd be better off going somewhere with fewer distractions. If you search for courses you'll find centers and non-centers. Non-centers are essentially places that are being used for the purpose of courses, but weren't built for that purpose. In Armenia, the course was hosted at a youth summer camp, and in Dubai it was at an old resort next to a mosque. Fyi, The Muslim call to prayer can be distracting during a silent mediation course. My most comfortable sits have been in the U.S. with quiet, air-conditioned rooms in Twenty-nine Palms. That said, the best option is the one that is most available to you.

Is it really free?

Yes. There will be an opportunity to give a donation at the end of the course, but there's no obligation or even request for it. The center is run by volunteers, and once you complete a course, you also will have the opportunity to volunteer for future courses. Volunteering is an experience in itself, it's not silent but there are 3 daily group meditations, and it's a fun way to give back while connecting with other meditators.

How's the food?

It's vegetarian but pretty good. It will, like everything else, vary by culture. Food in the U.S. is very western, and in India, very Indian. There's a 7 a.m. breakfast, followed by an 11 a.m. lunch. There's also a 5 p.m. tea time, for new students, consisting of fruit and tea. For old students, it's only lemon water. This is one of those things that will take some adjusting to. I don't really have any advice for it other than trust that you will adjust. The schedule and meditations will teach you the value of eating only what you need to feel energized.

Sleep as much as you can

This is my real top tip. The first meditation of the day is at 4:30am and the final is at 9pm. The rest of the day is filled with hour-long sits with short breaks in between, and 3 major breaks; a 1.5hr breakfast break, a 1hr lunch break, and a 1hr tea break. My strong suggestion is to sleep or nap whenever you have free time. The naps really save me from feeling tired throughout the day and falling asleep during meditations. Resting well will help you make the most of your awake time.

I hope you found this helpful. I'm thinking to do a video on the topic soon, so stay tuned for that and let me know if there's anything else you think I ought to cover.

Wishing you a Happy Spring Equinox (Persian New Year),

Naser