Vipassana Meditation

• What Is Vipassana Meditation?
• How To Do Vipassana Meditation
• Vipassana Meditation Precautions
• My Last Course Letter (example)

What Is Vipassana Meditation?

Vipassana, means to see things as they really are.

Vipassana Meditation's main focus is self-purification through self-observation, focusing on the mind-body connection - but this is often reduced down to focusing on your breathing and your thoughts.

While I am told that there should be one "overall" Vipassana Meditation technique, I have learned over the years that there are often branches of branches for almost every mode of philosophy and doctrine.

Please bear in mind that Vipassana Meditation was developed long before modern TV, internet, books, newspapers or even radio so the amount of information that students focused on was almost strictly to do with esoteric teachings.

This is an important point to remember. This same principle applies to Zaze meditation and the original concept of TM.

My personal opinion is that Vipassana Meditation works better with "Controlled Meditation" as your main meditation method.

This helps reduce clutter and fluff.

Firstly there are 2 types of Vipassana Meditation.

1. is where you go to a Vipassana Meditation retreat and meditate for between 10 - 12 hours a day and some of these retreats can last UP TO 14 days but most usually go for 2 - 7 days.
2. is where you combine "water fasting" with your meditation so that you focus with a more pure mind set. ** Water Fasting should start at least 3-5 days before you start your Vipassana Meditation retreat and you must have people in attendance who are medically trained (just in case).

Please Note.

Firstly I will be focusing on the 10 - 12 hour Vipassana Meditation method here and not the shorter versions.

Vipassana Meditation Retreats.

The Vipassana Meditation Retreat method has a lot in common with "Pond Meditation" and "Gurdjieff Meditation" methods in that they are more of an end game meditation - rather than a normal short style of meditation.

This means that they can condense months of meditation into days and the results may sometimes be quite extreme (for some people).

Some Ashrams allow 5 minutes every hour for a break, but this is a very Western concept.

Weekend Retreats

I would strongly suggest that if you are genuinely serious about this method, that you do not eat for at least 1 day before starting the retreat - if you are just doing a weekend.

This helps eliminate constant toilet breaks where the late returning person disrupts the class and often returns with a nauseous smell still attached to themselves.

5 - 7 Day Retreats.

This is my opinion, but 5 - 7 Day Retreats (IMO) should be done as tests.

The real benefits (for most people) only happens after 10 or more days (usually).

This is typically because it takes most people at least 1 full week to let go of their mundane world.

This is a great time to do "Water Fasting" if you really want to get the maximum benefits from Vipassana Meditation.

Fasting "may" give you greater spiritual experiences but I would caution you to ASK the person leading the group IF they have had previous experience with people Fasting for 5 or more days.

On Medications?

People on Medications - especially psychotropic medications - should NOT do a Vipassana Meditation Retreat.

I would also STRONGLY suggest that you read the following 2 pages as well.

1. "Meditation Sickness"
2. "Meditation Headaches"

If either of these occur during your session, you should STOP immediately and try again in a few months after you have taken vitamin and mineral supplements and eaten healthier food.

"Sugar" removes critical minerals from your brain and this can and does cause unscripted emotional reactions.

Meditation increases blood flow to the brain and this "may" cause an unhappy reaction if your diet and nutrition are poor.

Meditation increases blood flow to the Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) which increases oxygenation in specific regions of the brain like the prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and insula, leading to better focus, mood, and memory.

How To Do Vipassana Meditation?

The main goals of Vipassana meditation which literally means "to see things as they really are" which means that in order for you tp see reality as it is, you need to "unlearn" everything you have been taught and that you believe to be true.

You need to develop a "detatched" non-reactive awareness of your experiences (because some will be extremely intense) as you begin to notice the impermanence of all experiences - physical, mental and even spiritual

You need to find THE Path back to THE Source of Creation itself and any preconceived ideas you have about what you think reality is, will be wrong.

I elaborate on the "Path" here on the "VeAhavtah" page but you need to use google translate to understand some of the text BUT the catch is that it does not really translate because The Path is actually called VeAhavtah.

I am giving you the winning lottery numbers but how many of you will see it?

Everything else is an "Illusion" - search your heart to see if my words are true or not.

If you think that you know "God's Name" , then again, you are deluding yourself.

Variations

I have heard of several "variations" of Vipassana Meditation and your teacher may have their own variation, so I will simply offer you some suggestions to consider.

I will repeat this a few times on this page and that is you need to have a very good grasp of "Controlled Meditation" if you want to do advanced Vipassana Meditation.

Otherwise you mind will be all over the place like a small boat in a massive storm.

Vipassana meditation is a meditation technique focused on insight and observing your breath and bodily sensations.

Vipassana starts with Anapana (awareness of breath) as it enters your nostrils and then you follow this breath as it enters your lungs and right down to your abdomen.

Note all sensations as it enters your abdomen, and then envelope the breath with loving-kindness (Metta).

When you exhale, also visualize exhaling this "Metta" out into the universe and see it contribute to creating harmony in ALL of Creation - not just the part you see or understand.

There are various visualization exercises which go with this breathing but I will show you the one that I like the most.

Breathing ↟↟

Let us start with breathing.

There are many different breathing methods (Pranayama) and I would encourage you to find the one which suits you the best.

I have more information and links on the "Pranayama" page.

Your Focus ↟↟

There are 2 main aspects to focus.

1. is internalized focus
2. spatial awareness

The "internalized focus" is where you become aware of your breath and body but then you need to try and understand your connection to the Universe.

To do this you need to concentrate (Samatha), using a calm mind to gain deep insight into the true nature of reality. The "Holographic Universe" makes sense if you "Die" (NDE) and come back, but to "normal" people, it is hard to grasp.

This becomes very complex if you read the Vedic texts like the Bhagavad Gita and the Ramayana and realize that what we think reality actually is - is just a drop in the ocean of truth and this is further exacerbated by mis-truths and disinformation (religious and commercial) we have been fed during the course of our life.

And then we have Multiverses and how do we become Greater than ourselves and help unify these multiverses? Perhaps the "Unified Multiverse Theory" is correct or perhaps it is based on limited information?

Spatial awareness.

Spatial awareness is a good way of expanding your mind so that you can process much more "data" and thus come to a faster conclusion.

Remember that YOUR conclusion is only based on what you have learned and if that information is false or incorrect, then so will be your conclusions.

I would suggest that you utilize the Mano Buddhi mantra to help achieve this goal.

Watch the Mano Buddhi study first and then click the second link.

And if you think you have all of the answers, please watch the 3rd video "How Does Light Work?".

1. "Mano Buddhi Study"
2. "Mano Buddhi Mantra"
3. "How Does Light Work?"

Controlling Sensations ↟↟

Sometimes people have an "Out Of Body" experience and this is perfectly normal (kind of).

I would suggest that you read the "Astral Travel" page to get a better understanding on what to do if this occurs.

What Is My Purpose? ↟↟

If you understand what "Karma" is and you understand how it works via "Reincarnation" , then have you ever asked yourself the following questions?

1. What Is My Purpose?
2. How Can I Rectify My Karma?

What Is My Purpose?

When you are in deep meditation, you can actually use these words "AS" your mantra.

I would strongly suggest that you read the "PreCog Thoughts" page which may help many of you expedite your Karmic cycles by utilizing a part of your mind most people are unaware of.

Karmic cycles are different from Time "Cycles" even though the 2 are interconnected.

Use the "What Is My Purpose?" as your mantra - but be genuine or else you will not get truth back.

How Can I Rectify My Karma?

You have 2 main choices.

1. Live multiple and good lifetimes.
2. "Psalms And Karma"

Remember that Karma does not care if you believe in it, it simply exists.

My Suggestions ↟↟

Do water fasting for several days before you start your Vipassana Meditation retreat and continue "Water Fasting" for the duration of your Vipassana Meditation.

Memorize at least 1 of the Psalms (in Hebrew if you like a challenge) and use that as your universal mantra.

Draw in Love and Compassion on every breath and then exhale it out into the world when you breath out.

When you exhale, also visualize exhaling Metta (Loving-Kindness) out into the universe and see it contribute to creating harmony in ALL of Creation - not just the part you see or understand.

See yourself in the presence of The Creator for the duration of your meditation just like it says in "Psalm 27:4".

Observe Noble Silence.

Please read the "Yantra Meditation" page - it may help many of you who are looking for a visual focal point.

Observe Noble Silence.

Good Luck.

Vipassana Meditation Precautions

If you are going to do a Vipassana Meditation Retreat, you need to understand at least 1 basic thing.

There is no talking.

Farting and belching are generally frowned upon - as well - and this is why I suggested (above) that you consider "Water Fasting" at least 1 or 2 days before doing the Retreat.

IF you have been Fasting for several days before going into the Retreat, I strongly advise you to inform the person in charge of the group, and in FACT - I strongly urge you to call before you go and ask IF it is OK to do several days of "Water Fasting" before starting the group session.

Not all of the people leading these long Retreat Groups are Au Fait with the effects of prolonged Fasting "combined" with Prolonged meditation - so please pay attention to this.

Smoking ↟↟

Smoking is my personal annoyance.

Some people pop out for a cigarette (commercial or cannabis / dope / ganja) and then come back smelling like smoke.

These are some of the most ignorant people (in my opinion) and there should be rules that anyone who smokes "anything" is removed from the Retreat because of the disruption they cause to others.

This is one of the very few times that I am selfish - but smoking disturbs, irritates and upsets many people which causes them to lose focus and thus waste the money and time they spent going to the Retreat.

While all genuine retreats are free, people still have to pay for accommodation, airfares and other associated costs to attend the retreat - which can easily amount to over $100 a day.

RULES ↟↟

There should be a set of rules sent out to ALL participants before the event and smoking should come with a clause that if people smoke (anything), they are to leave the group and lose their payment.

They should read and sign and return BY POST so that you have legal precedent over them in case it gets to that situation.

Download

Sorry, I am thinking from the 1980's about sending out a letter.

While this should also be an option for us elderly folk, may I suggest a downloadable "PDF" (like this) which people can print directly or download and print, sing and return BY POST (for legal reasons).

DO NOT USE and Online Form because then there is NO signature and this signature is your legal friend.

Unfortunately we must think defensively these days and this defense includes legally.

FREE Example PDF

If people are coming to your retreat to try and get some kind of legal (financial) compensation (it happens), then this "legal document" will go a long way to extricate you from their nefarious intentions.

Here is a free downloadable example "PDF" which you can replicate and insert your own requirements.

I would strongly suggest that you include the Medications aspect because people on psychotropic (mental) medications sometimes have abreactions, epileptic fits or worse.

I would strongly suggest that you kept some CHROMIUM + VANADIUM Supplements available in case of epilepsy.

Legal Reasons 2 ↟↟

I would also strongly urge you to have people re-read and re-sign the (new second) document when they arrive at the Retreat so that they have 2 warnings which is a stronger legal argument against them IF it goes to court.

Not everyone has Noble thoughts and Noble intentions.

I have heard people say that they did not read or sign the first document because their partner read and signed it - and these are also people you do not need in your group - those who openly lie cause distrust to seep into the group and this creates a subconscious focus AWAY from what people came there for in the first place.

You will note that the page clearly states that it is a "Legal Document".

Unfortunately, even making them leave will cause a sad ripple throughout the group and basically create a negative atmosphere in something which should be a very positive experience.

Special Needs ↟↟

This will sound a bit off, but unless you are set up for special needs, I would suggest that you do NOT accept these people at all.

While most special needs people are decent, you will find that there are a also a lot who are very bitter - very bitter.

If you want to do special needs people (like wheelchairs etc), then you must have an access ramp in place (especially if you are in the UK).

In fact, if you want to do special needs, you should do a dedicated special needs group.

Dis-Dis-Dis-Disturbing

It is quite disturbing to be engaged in deep meditation and have someone next to you in a wheelchair crap themselves and then ask (expect) you help (do all the work) clean them up - and when you refuse (as I did), they go off on a tirade that destroys the entire group. So I went home as did many others and we wasted our $$$.

This is especially aggravating when you have flown to a retreat and then this happens.

While the group per se may be free, we still had to pay for air fares, accommodation, meals + taxi and other peripherals.

Advise Your Group ↟↟

Advise the group members before they come IF you have any special needs participants.

People do not like to pay hard earned money to go an sit in a group and have someone Un-Zen them.

My Last Course Letter

4 pages and double sided.

Below is a short outline of my last Vipassana Meditation (advanced) Course Letter. Some details are missing.

This was for a 12 day retreat (+ one day to arrive and 1 day to leave) making a total of 14 days.

Your letter will be different but this gives you some idea how a professional course + retreat will be run.

The goal of Vipassana Meditation is focus on elevating yourself above the mundane and those who choose to wallow in the mundane are not welcome. How is that for simple parenting?

Vipassana meditation aims at the highest spiritual goals of liberation from all suffering, and full enlightenment.

Students must remain within the course "Retreat" boundaries throughout the course.

Vipassana Meditation Confirmation

Participants must confirm bookings at least 2 weeks before the Vipassana Meditation course starts (Date here).

Costs

• The course is free.
• The accommodation costs $90 (USD) per person per night and includes all bedding, meals, showers, towels, soap.
• Sheets and pillow cases are washed daily.
• Vegetarian meals are prepared onsite.

Donations

If you want to donate after the course, then this is your choice and we thank you.

Payment and Refunds

• All payments must be deposited into our account 2 weeks before the start date of the Vipassana Meditation course.
• Cancellations may be accepted Up To 7 days before the start of the next course (Insert Date Here).
• Refunds will be issued Up To 7 days before the start date of the Vipassana Meditation course.
• If you leave (or are asked to leave for any reason) during the course, there are NO Refunds.
• Accommodation costs are paid in advance to the Retreat Center..

Introduction Day (Day 1)

• There will be an "Introduction meeting" before starting the course.
• The course will start on a Sunday so all participants are expected to be onsite by 2 PM after which the "Retreat" will be closed and no one enters (but you can leave at any time).
• If you are fashionably late - then please do not come because the "Retreat" door will be closed and there are no refunds.
• Synchronize energies of all group members.

Observe Noble Silence ↟↟

• ALL form of communication with fellow students, whether by gestures, sign language, written notes, etc., is not allowed.
• All students must observe Noble Silence from the beginning of the course until the morning of the last full day, but they may speak with the teacher and management.

Laundry

• Staff use natural soaps and Borax (sodium tetraborate) to wash clothes - so No chemicals and No bleach is used.
• No personal Laundry Facilities because people tend to talk while waiting for clothes to wash or dry.
• Washing machines and dryers are not available, so for the 12 day course - students should bring sufficient clothing for 10 - 14 days.
• Dryers are only used when raining otherwise air and sunlight are used to dry and freshen the washing.
• Accommodation staff can wash your used clothes on the last day of the retreat (the day before leaving day) for a $20 fee per person.
• "Soiled" underwear will NOT be washed.
• Any clothing with blood will not be washed so bring some plastic bags if you may have this issue.

Bathing

• REMEMBER - No talking
• Showers are time limited. (5 minutes per person per day)
• Showers only available, no baths.
• Showers are all cubicles with full enclosure.
• Bathing may be done only "after" meditation hours.
• There are 6 male cubicles and 6 female cubicles.
• No singing in the shower please.
• Showers are token activated and last 5 minutes so after that you will have to buy another token.
• TIP: No one cares how you look, they just care how you smell.
• Baby soap (dispensers) are supplied.
• Scented commercial soap is NOT approved because of the distractive smell.
• Showering - on the last day - you will be given 20 minutes.
• (6) Hair dryers are supplied for those who need them.
• Towels are supplied free and washed daily.

Bedding

• There are 4 beds per room.
• Bedding is supplied including a futon, 2 sheets, 3 blankets per person and 2 pillows (+ cases).
• Sheets and pillow cases are changed and washed daily by staff. **
• ** If you bring your own bedding, the staff are not responsible for washing your sheets and pillow cases. This is to avoid accusations of any damage to bedding which may already have damage.

Optional Recliners

The retreat has 10 recliner chairs which you can substitute instead of a futon. You must specify this request at least 7 days before arriving.

Course Costs

Donations if you feel inspired to do so.

Meals

• Herbal teas
• Light Vegetarian meals

Men and Women

• Men and Women will be separated. **
• Couples will be separated to reduce chances of talking and intimacy.
• Couples will also be separated during meditation to reduce chances of distraction.
• Couples should not contact each other in any way during the course. The same rule applies to friends and family members.

** Psychologically, men are easily distracted by women so to keep the group focus and utilize the sexual tension as a meditation fuel source, men and women are separated.

Intimacy

• Couples caught being intimate will be asked to leave and NO refunds.

Physical Contact

• Participants should have no physical contact with any other members while on site.
• Participants caught having physical contact will be asked to leave and NO refunds.

Children

• Small children are NOT Allowed under any circumstances.
• Minimum age to participate is 18.

Physical Exercise

• Strenuous exercise should be suspended during the course.
• Passive exercise like walking or bike riding is acceptable - ideally for a maximum of 30 minutes a day.
• Students may exercise during rest periods by walking in designated areas.
• The "Retreat" contains a gym of 10 spin bikes and 10 walking machines.

Religion

• Religious Objects include - but are not limited to - Rosaries, Crystals, Talismans, etc.
• No such Religious items should be brought to the course site.
• If brought accidently they should be deposited with the management for the duration of the course.

Clothing

• Clothing should be modest and ideally loose (except undergarments)
• Do not wear clothing which emphasizes the crotch (groin) or breast areas.
• Long over tops or shirts are requested please.
• Simple cotton or linen shirts, pants and undergarments should be worn.
• NO synthetics or tight fitting undergarments or clothing like regular bras (100% cotton bras are better but not the tight fitting types).
• 1 Bra size larger than your normal size is suggested for comfort.

Shoes

• No hard shoes allowed.
• Soft Slippers only allowed for the duration of the course.

Outside Communication

• No outside communication is allowed.
• No cell / mobile / smart phones allowed.
• You cannot reset your mind if you do not give it a chance.

Music, Reading and Writing

• NOT allowed.

Recording Devices and Cameras

• NOT allowed.

REMEMBER

• No talking and take great care that your actions do not disturb anyone.
• Take no notice of distractions caused by others.

Advanced Timetable

Retreat starts at 5 AM and finished at 10 PM.

Schedules are based on each specific groups level.

Typically at least 10 - 12 hours of the day is spent in meditation so please be well versed in controlled meditation before you enroll because many people leave because they cannot handle the discipline.

Sleep Problems?

• ** Sometimes people find it hard to sleep after such an intense day of meditation with all of the thoughts and emotions churning up.
• There is a "portable strobe" technique I was taught that helps reset both hemispheres of your brain.
• Turn on a light near you like a torch or other private light.
• Stare at the light and BLINK as fast as you can for 60 seconds.
• Then turn off the light and try and sleep.
• If you still cannot sleep, repeat Light + Stare + Blink very fast.
• Then turn off the light and try and sleep.
• If you still cannot sleep, repeat Light + Stare + Blink very fast.
• Then turn off the light and try and sleep.
• If you cannot sleep, repeat Light + Stare + Blink very fast.
• Usually most people do not get past 5 of these.

Alcohol and Drugs

• No drugs, alcohol, or other intoxicants should be brought to the site.

Tobacco and Drugs

• Smoking (anything), vaping, e-cigarettes, khat and chewing tobacco and similar substances are not permitted on the course.
• Those taking prescription medicines, MUST provide a doctor's prescription and should also provide details on the application form.
• If you cannot abstain from these for 14 days, then please DO NOT attend the course.

Mental Health Issues

People with significant mental health issues have occasionally come to Vipassana courses with the unrealistic expectation that the technique will cure their mental health problems.

Vipassana meditation is not a substitute for people with mental health issues.

If you want to see a major contributor to many (many) mental health related issues, try "Sugar".

I would also encourage you to read the following 2 pages as well.

1. "Meditation Headaches"
2. "Meditation Sickness"

Vipassana Is Not

• Vipassana is not a magic health bullet.
• Vipassana is not a cure for cancer or other disease.
• Vipassana is not going to give you the winning lottery numbers.

We hope that you experience Love and Light during your stay with us on our retreat.

Thank you for your attention to the above details.

Signed..............