I did my first ever Vipassana meditation course of 10 days at Dhammagiri, Igatpuri in Nashik from 6th March 2019 to 17th March 2019.

The few people who knew that I was taking this course said,” Are you sure you gonna stay there without cell phone and most importantly without talking to anybody? I would never go there. Want to become mad or what?” To this I had no answer but smile. Growing up, I loved being alone. Plus, I am an introvert, (that doesn’t mean I don’t have friends.)  so it was not a big deal for me, I thought. Kidding. Yes, it is A Big Deal. It’s a tough choice to be there for 10 days and I missed my people.

First two days were the most difficult. There was chaos in my mind, restlessness at the peak. I felt like crying which I did. By the third day I could get what was going on. I was becoming aware. And yes I did get mad… mad at people around me who talked in spite of given warnings. Yaar 10 din ke liye aate ho. Pata hai rules kya hai. 10 din follow karo bas. At Least don’t disturb the people around you. But I had to calm myself down as I was there to learn to be full of love and not anger.

I actually learnt to be more patient. We had to patiently wait in long queues to get our 6.30 am ka breakfast, 11 a.m ka lunch and 5 p.m ka final nashta. The schedule keeps us so busy and is designed in such a way that it helps us move closer to our inner selves. And it helped me. Also because I followed all the rules like a sincere kid. Trust me..following the rules helps. I will not say that I reached to the depth of my mind…because that’s a slow and long process.. and that comes with regular practice. But yes with this course I have definitely learnt the art of living and the art to move closer to the real me which is within me. The art to eradicate all sorrows and sufferings and live a life full of love and compassion.

Honestly, my body was dead after these 10 days course because it was intense.12 hours of sitting and meditating and no workout. Body felt heavy but mind has become lighter and that was important to do. Body can be worked out and brought back to good moving state anytime but bringing back the mind to its healthy and stable state is a difficult task. When the mind is healthy, everything else becomes healthier- the body, the movement, the environment. But have to mention, Vipassana has brought back my good posture which was lost in last few months. I feel free, open, lighter from inside. For Outside- I have started working out again. And my most important achievement is to sit in Adhitthana- 1 hour meditation without opening eyes and without moving.

My dearests people were worried for me. They thought I would lose my track and choose the path of vairagya after doing this course. I was warned before going that I shall not act unnatural or I should not force them to do the course after I return. Well.. there are some common misunderstandings among many. So following are the points I would like to tell you all-

1. Vipassana has nothing to do with any religion. It’s a meditation technique which uses natural breath as an important tool. 
2. You do not have to convert your religion. People from many religions and various countries have experienced the benefits.
3. 10 days is certainly a short time to go the roots of all your problems. But continuity of practice helps.
4. It does not ask you to leave your regular life and make vipassana your life.We have our normal life. We have family, friends, career. Vipassana is a PART of your life. However, it is said that whoever gets enlightened chooses to serve their whole life by teaching this art to others. Who ever reaches the enlightenment state or the state of full liberation chooses this path as life. But that is not very easy to attain. 
5. When a person is back from the course, he/she takes some time to settle back. He/she may not talk as much or may talk very much. 
6. If people tell you that you must do this course, it’s just because they have understood its importance and they want to share the benefits.
7. There’s nothing about acting unnatural. It teaches you to stop craving, control anger, and to detach. It teaches you to stop reacting the way you would normally that helps you face any fierce situation in a calm way. It develops your decision making power. Saying this, I do believe in living life fully, expressing every emotion like cry when you want to, laugh when you feel like, emote anger as well. But having done this course, all the negative emotions get emoted in a way that helps reduce the misery. 

I might have missed a few points. But I just wanted to put it out for everyone to know that some things are better known when experienced. Don’t presume things and make a view on anything before you actually experience it. And stop misunderstanding and misinterpreting this beautiful meditation technique. I practice daily and I am experiencing the benefits and so I would like you all to give it a try.

And hey, forgot to tell you, I made friends on Metta day, which I thought I would not make in such a course. All in all, it was a life changing experience.