Vipassana Meditation Course (10 Days)

Vipassana is a Buddhist meditation technique. In India, Mr S.N.Goenka spread this technique by formulating it in 10 day course. There are many Vipassana centre in India and around world, where this 10 days Vipassana course is conducted. This course is very unique in its own. It is fully free and open to everyone. While in Bhutan, S.N.Goenka learned this technique from his Buddhist teacher. After sometime, when he came to India, he started preaching same technique to everyone. Some years back, he passed away, but his preaching is still being followed through his videos by his followers.

I heard lot about 10 days Vipassana course from my friends. But I never got chance to experience it. This is the first time ever, I am trying something like this. I do meditation at home for peace of mind. But I am not a regular meditator. I meditate it only when I feel a need. That to I do for 20-30 mins only. Here whole day probably be doing just meditation. I know this will be totally a new experience. I am hoping for so many new learnings from this 10 day course.

I have holidays coming, in month of December during Christmas. I have registered for this course from their website during my holidays. Since I am already travelling to my hometown during this period. So the location I have chosen is Bada Centre, Kutch. It is near to my hometown.

Few days back, I registered myself for this course from their website. My registration is accepted. Now I am ready to experience my first ever 10 days Vipasana meditation course. 

Day Zero

Today is day when I need to reach Kutch Vipasana center. They asked me, to come with RT PCR report and vaccine certificate, to be inline with COVID guidelines. I already had vaccine certificate. For RT PCR report, 3 days before, I had given sample to Madhapar PHC. They were supposed to give me report today. I went there couple of times. A lady there came late at 11 am. She told they have no electricity and they do not give report if it comes negative. I was thinking why, they don't share report for negative result. May be, so only needy people comes and not one like me? I am bit disappointed, since I am visiting them 2-3 times from morning. But that's okay.

After that I made phone call at Vipassana center and inform them about the same. They said to come with the Vaccine certificate. Rapid test, if possible, they will do there at center. With that a bit of relief.

Travel to Bada

At 1 pm, after lunch and taking blessings of Lord Krishna and my mother, I started my travel. First took sharing Rikshaw from Madhapar to Bhuj. Then from Bhuj, took sharing Cab to Mandvi. I reached Mandvi at around 2:30 pm.

In Mandvi, I found one guy, who came along with me in same Cab, is going to Lyza. I am not much familiar with this route, so I decided to following him. We took sharing Rikshaw to Lyza. We sat on open back seat and were doing chit-chat.

It is a winter season but environment is very pleasant in the afternoon. It is not very hot and not very cold. We are passing through a farm on both side. A blow of wind is making an environment very blissful. While we were discussing, came to know he is doing business as travel planner. He just came from Mumbai and going to his home town for Mataji havan which happens every full moon. I told him about my plan to go to Vipassana center. He said, he went there to Vipassana center in past. But he didn't do 10 day course, b'cos of nature of his business. While knowing more about him, he found from a Jain family. I asked if he does "aathai". "Aathai" is fasting system in Jain. They don't eat for 8 days and just boiled water. It is one of the most difficult fasting. He told he does "aathai" fasting, during that period mostly remains at home. I also shared my Navratri fasting experience.

After about 45 minutes, we reached Lyza. He guide me the place from where I can get sharing Rikshaw to Bada.

With this incident of stranger, I realised people around us are very similar to us. Just that we are not aware of it or may be we don't have time to learn new people around us. From Lyza, I took one more sharing Rikshaw and finally at 4 pm, reached Kutch Vipassana Center

Reaching Center

What an energetic environment it is! So many people has already came. At entrance, gate keeper is checking vaccine certificate for each of us. I shown him mine. He didn't asked for RT PCR report, so had bit of relief.

After that, at next desk I shown my online application form. They asked to do some formalities and sent me to next desk. At next desk, there was a queue, I waited for 15 mins and finally my turn came. Volunteer took my application and noted down some information in his registration book. Then he allotted me a room and gave me a ID card with all details mentioned in it. 

Next I went to laundry desk, as I planned to opt for laundry service. Guy sitting there, took some deposit amount and gave me two tokens with threads in it. And he told they will collect and return cloths from the seat outside Dinning hall. Two token has been given one for each day.

Next, it was time for me to submit the phone and valuables. Before returning phone, I dial Home to inform my parents about my reach. And then finally submitted valuables and phone to them. They note down one number in their registration book and written same on my ID card. Everything looks so well planned.

Room Setup

After that I went inside campus, searching for my room in big campus. After a while, searching here and there and asking people, finally I found my room D11B. One guy is already there. It is double occupancy room with attached bath. Room is quite good and clean.

They are specially designed cottages with walls in between. In one cottage there are 4 rooms. In our D row, there are 4 such cottage. So total 16 rooms and 32 people. There are cottage from A to G. Each are of different styles but somewhat similar in look. All has basic facilities provided. It seems to be a big campus. Also there is construction going on for new building nearby.

Just after reaching room, I did some arrangement for my bedding and others. I was bit tired with morning rush and then journey to reach here. Took 10-15 mins small nap. Post that had hot water bath. It felt so relaxing.

Dinner

After bath, I went out and seen people are going towards Dinning hall. It was 5:30 pm in evening. I thought it might be Tea time. I went there, there was yellow Khichadi Kadhi and Tea. I thought may be today is special day since people has travelled, that's why odd time. Came to know it was dinner 😇

I was getting anxious about dinner timing. I should have checked time table on their website. Finally I asked one guy about dinner time, who was serving it. He nodded and told it was a last serve of the day. Also he told by expression to not to speak in the hall. I understood.

After food, seen folks outside dinning hall, were talking to volunteer and were enquiring about the timings. I also inquired about the day's schedule. Volunteer told timetable for that day and for the week ahead. It was now clear that there will be no food all this days after 5 pm. It should not be big challenge for me since last Navratri, I did fast for 8 days only on fruits. With that thought I kept myself motivated.

Next thing was to get up early by 4 am all these 10 days. That should also not be a challenge for me, since I used to get up early by 5 am from last few days. Somehow I was trying to keep myself motivated and not get scared with early food and wakeup timings.

Random Talk

I went back to the cottage area, folks were doing chit-chat, since "maun" (no talking) was not officially started yet. I joined them, came to know about my room mate. My room mate was from Surat, he recently was shifted to Anjar, Kutch and he was staying here with his family. He seems to be very obedient fellow. His wife was doing job in health care and she also came with him in this course. Men and women are fully isolated. So he can not reach out to her unless for any emergency case.

Then one guy next to our room, had came from Haryana. He runs business there and some how reached here. Other guys came from Surat, Rajkot, Ahmedabad etc. Random discussions were going on, on topic like meditation, religion, politics, etc.

Practice Started

Finally at 6:30 pm, we were informed to reach dinning hall again. There they gave us initial introduction and told all the rules and regulations to be followed for next 10 days:

• No speaking
• No reading or writing
• No music or singing
• No phone (already submitted)
• No smoking, alcohol, etc
• Full proper cloths
• No activity which can distract others
• After taking food, wash own food dish and keep it to the allotted seat number
• No religious activities, not even wearing any kind threads for 10 days
• Light out at 9:30 pm
• Get up by 4 am
• 3 time food (breakfast, lunch, evening snacks). Very less oil and no onion, garlic in food. Simple but healthy food. No limit on amount of food one can take.
• Sit at allocated location every day in breakfast, lunch and dinner
• Those who were taking medicine, can continue to take. And can also talk with the teacher about the same.
• Follow the schedule with full discipline.

Time table for 10 day was like this:

• 4:00 am : Get up
• 4:30 - 6:30 : Morning meditation
• 6:30 - 7:15 : Breakfast
• 7:15 - 8:00 : Morning break
• 8:00 - 9:00 : Aadhishthan meditation (determined meditation in which one need not move even a bit unless very uncomfortable)
• 9:00 - 11:00 : 5 min group wise QNA with teacher and then meditation
• 11:00 - 11:45: Lunch break
• 11:45 - 12:30 pm: Rest
• 12:30 - 01:00: One on one and QNA with teacher (optional)
• 01:00 - 02:10 : Meditation
• 02:30 - 03:30 : Aadhishthan meditation
• 03:30 - 05:00 : Meditation
• 05:00 - 06:00 : Tea break
• 06:00 - 07:00 : Aadhishthan meditation
• 07:00 - 08:45 : SN Goenka's recorded video lecture
• 08:45 - 09:00 : Last meditation
• 09:00 - 09:20 : One on one and QNA with teacher (optional)
• 09:30 : Light out

Anyone who could not follow these rules, due to any reason, were allowed to leave. But no one left the room. Everyone were ready to make it.

With this, now the "maun" was officially started and we are supposed to not to speak, not even by eyes and expressions. After that, we went to Dhamma hall (meditation hall) for meditation. They told us to stay outside, until they allot a seat numbers to everyone.

It was too cold outside, even with socks, sweater and cap wore, I was shivering. It was a night before full moon. Moon was clearly visible in front of me. It was cold and calm environment. I was enjoying this beautiful environment to de-focus myself from the cold. Next day, it was full moon. And as per Indian calendar, it was my birthday as well. I made strong determination to give my best, and learn maximum from this 10 days course.

After some 15-20 mins, finally they started calling names and student were being sent inside the hall one by one. Every students has been allotted a seat number. The number allotted to me was 45. I was told to seat on the same seat for all 10 days. And at the same seat number 45 in dinning hall, I am supposed to sit.

Seats in the meditation hall were special. I was seeing it for the first time such seats. A light blue coloured square seat of ~6 inch height, and one little pillow of the same colour was placed on top for the support. I could not understand, what was the idea to provide such seats. May be just to make it comfortable for long sitting. The hall was very big and almost 100+ students were there in the course.

After sometime, a recorded video was played. The S.N.Goenka in the video, asked us take 5 oath for the next 10 days.

1. No speaking by words or even expressions. if require any help, speak to volunteer or teacher. That to limited
2. No killing or harming activity 
3. No steeling activity
4. Celibacy
5. No toxic, alcohol, smoke, drug, etc

For old students, those one who had already done one 10 day meditation, 3 more oath were taken. I was a first time and a new student, so they were not applicable to me. After oath ceremony, first meditation session was started. He guided us on how to do it exactly.

The first lesson was to keep eyes closed, sit straight, focus on the breath. Air was coming and air was going. If mind wander here and there, no need to worry. Remain calm. Get mind back to the breathing. It seems very easy, but when I did, found how difficult it was to keep mind on one place.

Finally session finished by 9 pm and we were sent back to the room. Back to room now, I was felling very tired. After changing clothes and setting up 4 am alarm, I slept at 9.15 pm itself. We were not supposed to keep light on after 9:30 pm, so have to sleep anyways.

Day One

Sharp at 4 am, my alarm rang and at same time bell from Dhamma hall also rang. There were volunteer who also came just after that bell rang. They were waking up each of us. The volunteer had small bells, like one we used to keep in our temple at homes. They were continuously ringing it till we start room light and acknowledge that we are awake.

Hearing the first bell, I wake up immediately, finished brushing teeth and emptied bathroom for other guy. It was too cold, did some jogging to heat up body. Then I did some stretches. By 4:20 am again bell rang again. It was time to go to meditation hall.

It was first day so I was very excited. Meditation hall was just in front of our room, hardly 50 meters distance it was. I went out of our room, very few people were there. I went inside the meditation hall, few people were already doing meditation.

I sat on my allotted seat. I closed my eyes and started doing meditation, the one I learned yesterday evening from the Video session. Being cold, I wore mask and also forgot to take out specs. Teacher in front of me put torch light on me and was trying to tell me something. I thought he was asking me to take out specs. So I took out specs and kept on the left side. After sometime, a volunteer came to me and politely asked me take out mask as well. Now I understood what teacher was trying to tell with the torch light. Since we were meditating on the breath, mask might create a problem was the idea. I took out my mask and continued the meditation.

At 6 am, some recorded Slok Vandana (kind of prayers) by SN Goenka started. I was hardly able to understand any word, but continued sitting with my eyes closed. At last day, I figured it out that these Sloks were in Sanskrit or Pali language. At 6:30 am, prayer was over and we were dispersed back to our cottage. I had lot of leg pain. In past, I never seated so long and continuous.

I come back to room, took 5-10 mins rest. There was hot water also coming, so took bath. Then collected cloths for laundry and went to dinning hall for breakfast at 7 am. Cloths were supposed to be placed outside the dinning hall. I kept my cloths there to send for laundry on the bench with the number tied.

From today, I need to sit at allotted seat number in the dinning hall. My sit was in 3rd row in the center. It was good location for me. Breakfast was also good. There was Upma plus corn flakes and hot Tea and Milk.

Already feeling hungry. Had good breakfast. Post breakfast, went to room, did some room cleaning. Now nothing more to be done, since cloths were already sent to the laundry.

I went out and I was walking outside. The campus was big. I walked from my room to the dinning hall and then to the other end of the campus. There was beautiful garden and cottages on both side of the walking path. Some of the trees were cut. But many were still there. May be they were planning to replace them with the new ones. There were many Banyan trees and Peepul trees in the campus. My favourite one was beautiful small plant in front of the hall with yellow flowers on it. It was very pleasant feeling coming out of me whenever I look at that plant. 

At 07:50 am bell rang. It was call for the next meditation sitting. Today whole day meditation was to be done on the breath only. At 9 am, bell rang, meditation finished. Teacher asked new students to continue meditation from Room for the first day.

I went back to the room, and I continued my meditation on bed till 11 am. At 11 am bell rang again. Now it was time for the lunch break. It was too early for lunch, but since breakfast was done early, I felt hungry already. I went to the dinning hall and had lunch. The food was good.

Post lunch, I came back to the room, nothing to be done, so again went out and was walking from one end to the other end of the campus till 1 pm. I found, many people were like me, roaming here and there. Some were sitting in the sunlight. I also sat in the sunlight for sometime. At 12:50 pm, bell rang for next meditation. We did meditation till 2 pm. Then 5min break was given. And again started meditation till 5 pm. There were so many continues sittings. Somehow I was able to manage it. May be because it was my first day and my excitement level was high.

Finally at 5 pm, bell rang again, meditation was over and we break for the Tea. I went back to room, took 5 mins rest, then went to dinning hall for Tea. Unlike yesterday, today in Tea time, it was just fruits (apple & banana) + Tea + Murmure (snacks). I was expecting some hot food. First thought came, that everything was provided for free, and it is not good to ask for more. Second thought came that, I should learn to manage things from whatever is available.

With these thought, I eat whatever food was served. Since there was no food after this, I took bit more than needed. Don't know why I was feeling like that for the food.

I realised, may be this is how people, who do not get enough food for the day might be feeling. I felt, I was so lucky at home to get food whenever needed. But there are people who don't even get enough food for a day. In my thoughts I said "Thank You" to Lord Krishna for all this.

After Tea, again was walking. At 05:50 pm, bell rang and it was time for the next meditation session. Did meditation for one hour. Then break for 5 min. At 7 pm, now it was recorded video session. This session were bit lighter. Since it was not meditation session and so we can move legs freely. It was the theory part of the meditation done in the day time. After the video session finished, 15 min meditation was done. In that session new lesson was given for the next day.

In next lesson, we still need to focus on breathing but to smaller area of nose. We need to focus on triangular area formed between nose and lips. After new lesson, I went back to room, again was trying to sleep at 9 pm.

But today, no sleep till 10 pm. Some of the theory told in the video session were coming in my mind. It was not easy to accept certain thing told in that session. Whatever he told was totally different, from what I learnt so for about meditation and religion. He said there was no Soul, and all Puja-Path we did were useless. Everyone need to work hard to achieve things. There is no such thing like God. This new theory sounds practical. My mind was ready to accept it, but not my heart. There has been many good thing happened with me in the past, which I totally feel could not have been possible without a grace of God. The fight between my mind and my heart kept going on. Finally I decided to give my 100% to learn this practice properly for 10 days and do not think much about theory sessions. If after 10 days, it looks promising, I will continue the practice, else I will stop. With that resolution in my mind, I slept for the day.

Day Two

Again same schedule as yesterday. From today, each day were same. So I am not writing repeated schedule here.

Today at breakfast, there were no hot snacks left. And at lunch time, I was late and I felt they closed kitchen early. I already had lunch, some more I was thinking to eat, but could not able to since kitchen was closed. This two incident generated a feeling of anger in me for the Kitchen guy. I realised we feel different emotions based on things happening with us and around us.

After lunch, I enquired about laundry clothes and came to know that it will come by tomorrow evening. I had only 3 pair of clothes with me. I didn't bring many clothes, thinking laundry will anyway return clothes in a day or two. But now it was a problem. Since soap and brush were already available. I decided to wash clothes by hand only. That way I will learn something new in spare time. During my college days and my stay in hostel, sometime I had to wash my clothes myself. That learning helped me here now. Things learned once is never a waste. Who know what would come handy when.

After lunch I went back to room. I washed today's clothes. Then did some room cleaning. All this things were helping me, to be more disciplined and more independent. Along with meditation, I am also learning more about me and way I approach things. I am trying to learn, why am I doing certain thing in certain way. And I am trying to explore what happens when I do it differently.

After room cleaning, again went out for a walk. While walking I noticed, people had chosen some place to sit. Each day either they walk like me or sit at same place. Some of them sit in sunlight. Some under tree. Some on specific stones. Some are watching out on peacocks. Some are lost in their thoughts. Seeing people lost in thoughts, I was telling myself, I came here to re-discover myself and not to get lost. So whenever thoughts stuck me. I was trying to see things around and trying to be in present. But many times I just lost in my thoughts. I felt, when there is nothing to be done, no work, no entertainment, just nothing, then naturally our thoughts start taking lead and then it keep exploring.

Every afternoon we had one and half hour lunch break. Some people were washing clothes. Some used to take rest. In this afternoon free time, I started new activity, to explore new beats and rhythms with foot tapping. The music was not allowed here. But this I was not doing for entertainment, but to keep myself in present. I found one calm place. I sat there and started doing foot tapping. With foot tapping, I was counting beats continuously. This counting was to keep myself in present and tackle any unnecessary thoughts coming. After some days, I started enjoying this foot tapping. It was so much fun and new learning. Unfortunately I do not remember any of those complex rhythms, I was exploring those days.

In evening 6pm, while in meditation sitting, I noticed sound of birds. Peacocks were making lot of noise. There were others birds as well. It was like they were searching for their kids and going home. After sometime, it was quiet, no sound. It was a sign, that day is over and all birds would have probably went inside their nests. Every day in evening, I used to hear this birds voice. The voice of birds was so pleasing to me, that I just kept listening. Of course, meditation was to be done on breathing and not on sound of birds. But I feel, for a change, its okay to do meditation on sound of birds for one sitting in a day.

Day Three

Today also woke up at 4 am and followed same schedule.

One new thing I noticed today. My roommate woke up earlier than mine and he took bath before me. I felt happy seeing him getting ready early. He was not able to wake up early and for yesterday he missed morning meditation session. Later I learned from him, he had some medical problem. So it was getting difficult for him.

I felt, if I could inspire even a single person for doing good thing, with my action and without saying anything, it will be like blessings to me. I prayed to Lord Krishna to give me enough energy and motivation to do so.

Now after morning breakfast, I did room cleaning and I was sitting on bed to take some rest. I heard one mosquito flying and making noise on top of my head. I reacted immediately and killed that mosquito with a clap.

After the incident, I felt so bad of killing it. One of the oath taken on day one was broken. Whole day I was thinking about this incident, and feeling regret for my  action. At the end of day, I come up with resolution in my mind to not react like this again. If I would have hold my initial reaction for some time, I would have got time to do the right thing. A small incident, but a big learning for that day.

Now it was a lunch time. I was in queue and taking food from food buffet, another person unknowingly hit me. With plate in my hand, some food spilled over to the floor. I was looking at same kitchen guy with whom I developed anger yesterday, to give me a cloth, so I can clean it. He was so kind that, he himself cleaned it for me. I felt guilty about myself for getting angry on him yesterday. This incident generated lot of love and kindness for him.

Same person, same place, different incident, caused different emotion. I learned my emotions are very much incident specific. If incident is not pleasing to me, I feel bad emotions and if incident is pleasing to me, I feel good one. Since I can not control this external incidents, then I can not control my emotions as well. I felt this is a huge topic to explore in itself, and many more experiences will give me more insights. May be that is the reason we don't love or hate same person all the time. Because emotions just keep changing based on incidents.

In evening another incident happened. There were many dogs inside our campus. One of them was dark and strong. Because of that, I unknowingly had developed a fear with that one. When I was walking, I saw that dog on the path. I went ahead, and then automatically visualisation started in my mind, that may be that dog is following me, may be dog will bite me, may this, may be that. After walking some more distance, I looked back and found no one was coming.

I realised, when emotion of fear is present, mind generates some thoughts automatically. Those thoughts then creates more and more thoughts and visualisation. All this visualisation and imagination generates more fear. A small fear would take a big form. Even though it has nothing to do with reality, this thoughts forced me to look back and check if that dog is coming. Fear is a big threat to us, as it forces us to take action without us being aware of the whole thing. 

Finally day was over and it seems, it was full of learnings.

Day Four

Today also same schedule as usual.

After lunch, in afternoon break, I found one new place to sit. It was behind the drinking water facility. There was a narrow road. A very few people go there. The place was just in front of "Pagoda Hall". On one side of the road, I was sitting on the fence. And on other side of road, ie. in front of me there was small garden with few plants.

I was staring at one of the plant and found that there were some threads or something of that kind was flying in the air. At first, I thought it may be some problem with my specs. I removed the specs and I was still able to see that tiny thing flying in the air. It was very small, but due to sunlight, it was clearly visible to me.

I felt, in 3-4 days of "maun" and meditation, my other senses has started developing. It increased my focus to some extent, that I could see such smaller things. That place had become my new exploration centre. Next each day, in afternoon break, I used to sit there and find such things. My foot tapping was also going on.

After lunch break, found there was a change in afternoon meditation schedule for that day. There was a continuous session from 2pm to 4pm for 2 hour. Generally it used to be 1pm to 2pm and then 3pm to 5pm, but that day it was something special.

In afternoon session, S.N. Goenka in the recorded session, guided us to feel sensation in each part of body one by one. We scanned through each body part and we're trying to feel the sensation. It was a very long session, but I really enjoyed it. When it ended I felt lot of pain in legs due to no movement for 2 hours. After meditation was over, I remained sitted for 1 min and then came out. It was a new experience. The "body scan" meditation technique we did is called Vipasana. So now the actual meditation technique was started. So far we were just doing meditation on breath. The aim of breathing meditation was to keep mind on one thing. The aim of Vipasana meditation was to see things as it is without reacting to it. So just observe it and keep observing, but do not act.

Day Five

Today also, the same schedule as usual. Woke up by 4 am and followed regular meditation sessions. Now in meditation practice we need to do only body scans the whole day.

In afternoon, I again went to the same place. I was trying to check if mind is still as sensitive as yesterday and able to see those lines. I was able to see same that day as well. That place was becoming more interesting to me. The plant in front of me, were guarding me against the direct sunlight. Since it was winter, it was anyway colder than usual and it was very pleasant environment.

After lunch break, had couple of more meditation session and then concluded for the day. 

Day-6

Today also woke up early and followed the same routine.

In the evening, after breakfast, I was walking in the campus. Even though there were many people around, I was feeling very lonely inside. I thought to go back home and end the meditation course there. Physically I was tired with all continuous sitting. Emotionally I was feeling lonely. Many things were going in back of my mind. I literally started crying for sometime while walking. It was tough day. I was not feeling well. Somehow I managed it and told myself that I am strong and with the time, things will get better.

After that, in the evening meditation, I was not able to focus either. All negative emotions and thoughts took over. My mind of was going out of control. Somehow I just finished the day. It was very difficult day for me to manage.

Day-7

In morning, I was feeling bit sick, due to lot of repeated meditation setting. I was not able to figure out whether I am making progress and really learning anything or just wasting the time. Then after I woke up and was ready for the first meditation, I promised myself to be more positive and stronger. In morning before going to meditation hall, prayed to Lord Krishna and rising Sun for a Good day.

After morning meditation session, cell number were allotted to all new students. Old students were already allotted cell on day one and they were doing meditation from their respective cell. So far I just read "cell" and had never experience or seen, how it looks like. Next to Meditation hall, where we were doing meditation so far, there was Pagoda hall. This Pagoda hall had so many smaller rooms. These smaller rooms of size 3*3 feet were called "cells". There were no light inside those cells. Some light from the corridor was coming inside. These cells were designed for students to meditate in isolation. There was no distractions from other students or of any other kind. It was fully isolated and perfect place to meditate.

There were some rules to be followed in the cell as well.

• It was not mandatory to meditate in the cell
• If someone is not comfortable with cell, they can continue their meditation in the main hall
• One can come to the cell in morning and afternoon meditation without taking permission from teacher
• Silence needs to be maintained inside the cell, so they don't disturb others.

The cell allotment today, filled lot of positivity inside me. I felt freshness. I was bored with lot of repeated regular sitting. It motivated me to compete the course now. It distracted my negative emotions to some extent. I was feeling much better than yesterday.

After allotment, I went to my allotted cell room for 11 am meditation. I did my first meditation in the cell. It felt so good. It was amazing feeling. After meditation was over and when I opened my eyes, I saw big spider in front of my seat. Boooom. It was dark room, but with some light coming from corridor, I could see it clearly. That spider scared me a little bit. But not too much.

Today in evening, me and my roommate finally broke "maun". So broke one more auth. Some folk next to our room left. My roommate was observing them and he was narrating me the whole incident. After that we started talking more. One of the volunteer, was passing by our room that time and noticed we were talking inside the room. He knocked the door and asked us to strictly follow rules. After that we stopped talking for the day. But next day we again talked a bit, but in low voice. We were discussing about our personal background, reason for coming here, etc. We were also sharing our thoughts on learning from this course and experiences.

Day-8

Today, I was more positive. Inspired from junior guy, who was not wearing sweater or cap and was coming bare foot in 4 am meditation. I also decided to experience same. It was so difficult to give away comfort in such a cold, but I decided to give a try. So in morning meditation, I went bare foot with no sock and wore normal t-shirt. No sweater, no cap. Two days before, I tried to do same, but felt very cold so could not able to follow it. Now I had a stronger determination to do it for remaining 2 days and experience it. If it start impacting my health, I can discontinue it anyway.

The 4 am, early morning meditation I practiced inside the cell. Spider fear was still there in my mind. The peaceful environment was attracting me to come to cell for meditation. There was not much difference in meditating in cell vs meditating in hall. They were almost similar experience, with one difference that in cell there was lot of peace and cold environment than in the meditation hall. In evening, I did meditation in main hall.

After evening tea, I thought to explore the other part of the campus. So while exploring it, found new track for walking. There was a road on backside were people used to walk, but I did not went there. It was newly made cement road. On other end of the road, the new building was under construction. Few of them were almost ready, for others work was in-progress. Once these buildings get ready, this center can double the accommodation.

There were so many wind turbines were visible from the road. The sea coast was hardly 2 km from that place. It was good to see those wind turbines, rotating fans and the growth of renewable energy. May be in few years, the growth of renewable energy would definitely pick up. The global warming has already warned with so many natural calamities. If we keep harming our nature, nature will mirror the same. So best thing to do is, stop harming our nature, so it do not harm in return.

Day-9

Now, almost reaching the end of course and very few days left. We are keep repeating the same meditation technique which we learned so far. It was the last day of "maun". From tomorrow, we will be able to speak officially. I already broke the auth on sixth day. May be next time, if I come back. I will keep it till the last day.

Today, also I am not wearing sweater and winter cap and was going bare foot for 4 am meditation. I hope to continue till the end. It is December end. It is very cold. But I am able to manage. It is fun doing it. Challenge myself and finding the breakpoint.

One of my secrets for able to sit longer time was walking and doing stretching during breaks. Initial few days were so tough to sit continuously for 2-3 hours. But after so many days doing it, it has become habit. Leg pain still happens, but can be managed.

In evening, there was a sudden change in climate. It suddenly become cloudy and very cold. There was some time before the next meditation. So to protect myself from this sudden change, I went to room and wore all winter wears like sweater, cap, socks. I think it was my breaking point. It's good to know your limits and try to go beyond slowly step by step.

After that, I went to hall and our meditation started. When we were doing meditation, was hearing sound of wind. It started blowing faster than before. Today no sound of peacock and other birds. Due to wind, some windows were making scary sound. Continuous sound of rain was also coming. A horrible imagination of all this was taking shape inside me with lot of unknown and visualisation of fear. I was thinking may be teacher will ask to stop meditation. But we didn't stopped. At 7 pm, meditation finished. When went outside, found that there was a rain but not much. There was cold wind blowing. Environment was not as horrible as I imagined. But evening was definitely much colder than usual.

I felt again same thing about feeling of fear. We just create lot of visualisation of something which doesn't really exist or not going to happen. Our brain start thinking about the worst case scenario, which hardly happens. And result is we make ourselves weaker by not fighting for it.

Day-10

Today is the last day of the course and "maun" will officially finish after morning meditation. In morning meditation, lot of thoughts were creeping in, about what will happen next when we go back to the real world. How we will manage them? What might have happened outside in these days? Etc.

At the end, new type of meditation was taught. It is called "Maitri Bhavna". It is 5 min meditation to be done after each normal meditation. In this 5 mins, we just pray for all living beings to be happy. A kind of gratitude towards world and everyone. It's a beautiful thing to be done after each meditation sitting.

After learning this new meditation, finally at 11 am "maun" officially broke. We started talking to each other. Lot of noise. It was like a pressure cooker finally opened after holding from so long. So many days we spent there. Each day show same faces. But don't know their names. We sat together and did meditation, but all in isolation. Now when "maun" was finished. Everyone were sharing their experience and observation. Every one observed something here and there. Now the people were revealing all their observations about each other in great details. Lot of fun and energetic environment it was.

The schdeule was bit different for today and was more tight than usual. First I went for donation and book purchase. Bought some nice books to read. After that had lunch. In lunch, we had feast. Sit number doesn't matter anymore, so few of us changed table, sat on one table, did lunch togather. Everyone had some story to tell.

I found person sitting next to me all these days was studying in BJ medical, Ahmedabad doing MS. Found few folks from Pune, working in IT company. Few folks from telecom background working in Reliance and other big companies. One uncle next to our room was retired farmer. There was European from hungry also had joined us. Many different people from different places had came.

We tried to connect with volunteer also and tried to understand more from their experience. Here I met one of the volunteer, who was hosting and managing most of it. The one who caught us talking in the room as well. One who gave me ID card on day 1. He was the one who, along with other volunteer, managed whole course so beautifully.

The whole afternoon went in chit-chat. At 5 pm, we got our mobile phones as well. Once phones were returned, everyone went back into their own world. Making phone call, checking messages, emails, etc. I took some time to take photographs and capturing beautiful memories to remember.

Then had evening meditation, phone to be kept switched off. Afeter that disbursed for the day. Some of us were doing chit-chat till late night. One of the volunteer came and asked us to sleep, since tomorrow also needs to wake up early.

Day-11

Today also needs to wake up by 4 am. Just one last meditation session, after that one video session and then ending ceremony.

The last meditation also finished. We went for breakfast one last time. Took some more photographs. And finally started disbursing back to home.

I had talk with one of the guy from Bhuj, who came by Car. I came along with him till Bhuj. Also had few other people with us.

Final Words

This was my first experience with Vipasana meditation. Overall I felt good. There were some challenges. But after all challenges when I finished the course, it gave me so much satisfaction and sense of achievement. It also increased my mental strength.

One good thing I learned here is, the importance of discipline. Every day we need to follow the same timetable. There was no escape. Wakeup on time, meditate on time, food on time, sleep on time. One of the good habit to keep in general.

I don't think, I have changed drastically in this 10 days. But definitely, I learned and experienced something new, which I never did before. Some video lectures were overwhelming. But if we consider only practical part of it and keep practicing it. It is good habit to build for stress relief.

I would not recommend this course to everyone. These 10 day meditation courses are not so easy. It comes with lot of mental and physical challenges. If you are willing to take on, I would not stop you and encourage you to give it a try. In my personal opinion, one should experience at least once in the life time. And then based on your personal experience, you can decide what to do?

Final line before ending;

भवतु सब्ब मंगलम् - May all beings be Happy and live peacefully !