#meditataion

When I arrived at Dhamma Vipula it looked more like an abandoned construction site than a Vipassana Centre. I made the taxi driver wait while I confirmed that it was the correct place. It was. A security guard ushered me to a room at the back where registrations and the dining hall was located. Inside it was simple and clean, and lunch was being served. After registrations, food, and the welcome meeting we commenced meditation and the operation of the mind, as Goenka describes it, began. Facility-wise Dhamma Vipassana doesn’t compare to the centre in Pomona, but people don’t come to a Vipassana course for the facilities. At times it felt like a prison - the windows are barred reminding students that we cannot leave the centre grounds for ten days, and we follow a strict timetable for eating, bathing and working enforced by bells and stern- faced volunteers who are there to serve the course.

Sitting the course for the second time was beneficial as I knew what to expect and could take in all the information from the lessons with a clearer understanding of the Vipassana values and technique. I did however realise that at this point in my life I don’t feel compelled to practice Vipassana as a way if life. The guidelines required are impractical for my current lifestyle, but I wholeheartedly agree with the moral values of the teachings and will definitely meditate at my own pace and listen to Goenka’s discourses when I need motivation. He speaks of many things, but the lessons that struck a chord with me are the following:

To be happy we need to be less materialistic. When we crave a new pair of shoes, we’re unhappy until we’re at the till paying for them. But once we’re walking down the street in our new footwear, we begin to crave something else. The wanting is never ending which leads to misery.

Goenka speaks of letting go of attachment to things, places and people. Anicca; the law of nature, is the law of impermanence. Everything is constantly changing and nothing is permanent, therefore it seems insane to become attached to something when it’s inevitable that it will change. Once you lose that item or person or whatever it is that you are attached to, longing, craving and misery will follow. Forget ‘mine’. Nothing truly belongs to anyone.

Gift economy; giving charity without expecting recognition. I feel bad to admit that I was thinking they accepted my application so quickly because I’m a foreigner and I’d make a large donation; this couldn’t be further from the truth. I left on day 9 and they didn’t even mention a donation. I enquired and Rupa, one of the servers who is so lovely and helpful said I couldn’t make a donation as I didn’t complete the 10 days. She explained that only when you complete the course and feel the full benefits of Vipassana should you make a donation to finance somebody else’s Vipassana experience.

Having compassion for everyone, even those who are rude or nasty. We can never know what drives people to behave badly. They might be sick or ignorant or living with deep rooted sankaras. We shouldn’t generate anger or ill feelings toward anyone, no matter what they may have done. If someone gets angry with you, and you respond with anger, it just adds petrol to the blaze. Respond calmly, throw water on the fire and balance the situation.

Live morally. If you’re unsure whether an action is moral, just question whether anybody is being harmed by it. If you live in a way where your choices don’t affect others negatively then you can be a moral person. This has to be true of your profession also.

And most importantly- Accept each moment as it is, not how you would like it to be, as it already is. Don’t fall into the trap of feeling that happiness will come when you get that promotion, or meet that person, lose weight or change your life situation in some way. Acceptance of your current situation - of your reality - is the only way to truly be happy.