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Sharing a Youtube review from someone who had attended a Goenka meditation retreat. There are many of their centres around the world. And this guy (Tobius Decimus Meridius). I am glad he provided his feedback - both positive ones and not-so-positive ones too.
I may comment on some of his feedback as part of my sharing.
A few comments:
1. Yes, usually we (men and women) are not allowed to wear shorts (especially in the meditation hall) as it is not appropriate. It comes from an Indian origin culture, therefore, exposure of one's legs may be looked upon as inappropriate. As this is just a minor thing, it should not bother most Western people.
2. It is not advisable for beginners to straightaway plunge into a 10-day or 2-week retreat. They should do a 1-day or at most 3-day retreats (or weekend retreats). Most people who attend the 2-week retreats are those that are usually at least accustomed to the schedule of long meditation sessions. As it is intensive in nature, it is not surprising that those people not used to the length of sitting and other rules will slowly drop out of the meditation session within a few days.
3. Yes, it can be painful. There are a couple of beginners who stack up cushions so high until they seem to be like riding on a horse when they sit in meditation. They look ridiculous. The idea of meditation is NOT to avoid pain at all course. By not moving during sitting, eventually you will learn to overcome the pain. Mind you, it's not just pain. Body itching and other sensations will be experienced too.
4. Although I have not been to a SN Goenka retreat, I know it is not a cult. They are just being strict about the methodology. In the Mahasi retreat, we are not that strict about being silent (although not to say that it is okay to chat loudly or moving your body noisily in the hall), more important that meditators should note any noise or anything they hear or see or touch. The Mahasi method is different from the SN Goenka. Within the hostel rooms, we can have our little chats to share info/ experiences, which can be very useful and informative. You'll be stupid if you don't "buddy" with at least someone else and share with each other.
5. What he says is looks like only normal paying attention. That's how even he can "meditate" during filming. His eyes and physical movements do not support the kind of action meditation that is practised at Mahasi centres. The expectation of every moment of noting and applying vipassana is much more intense at Mahasi centres. It is noted that he said he was told off for walking. And in the daily schedule, there is no formal walking meditation sessions. Merely sitting sessions. Over in Goenka centres, they emphasise more on sitting meditation. In the first few days, they practice breathing meditation to gain some concentration (Samatha). Thereafter, from the 4th or 5th day, they do meditate on the sensations that may arise anywhere in their body. In such cases, their mind may be going all over the place since sensations arise in almost every moment at different places in the body. If your mind if not settled enough in concentration, it will be very difficult to realise any insight into the sensations. Moreover, you are changing your focus on various sensations as they appear and disappear. But in Mahasi centres, walking and other activities form part of the daily meditation each meditator is expected to practice. This is to provide the meditator to focus on just the walking sensation that arises from your feet and ;eg as you are walking. During the other daily activities, the meditator focuses on every movement of the body and notes every object that is predominant in their consciousness at that moment. During sitting, they focus back to the rising and falling of the abdomen. During the sitting and walking sessions, the mediators are developing their sharpness of focus by only having one object. Then during the other activities in between the walking and sitting, the skill developed are used to note the arising and falling of every object within their six sense doors. If one only learns to focus on one object at the beginning of the retreat, the skill gained during this short period may not yet be good enough for vipassana. In the one-to-one or group interview sessions with the teacher in Mahasi retreats, you are expected to give a full report not just on your sitting meditation but also walking and other daily activities. The expectation to practice the mindfulness in all aspects of your life is very high in Mahasi centres. Some people may complain of this as negative, but this is how one is taught to practice mindfulness in your life once you end the retreat and go back to your usual life. If you are not given a chance to practice full mindfulness in all aspects of your life, but only during sitting, then you will have problems maintaining your mindfulness once your retreat period is over. Without this practice, it is very difficult to believe they can maintain their meditation during shower and other activities.
6. Those people with psychology or mental problems should resolve their issues first before doing meditation. Sometime ago, I mentioned the case of one American who started the meditation retreat but at night, he would talk in his sleep. Actually, I noted there are 2 "demons" inside him, and not just one. Whether the "demons" are just psychological demons or not, I wouldn't know, I noted he is also on medication. But I thought that the metta meditation might have been better for him. Not vipassana. But here, I am side-tracking a little.
That's all for now. But I appreciate this kind of video feedbacks. Good that he finds it beneficial. Just to inform, at Mahasi centres, the Metta reflections & chanting are done at the end of every day. And not just the last day of retreat. Yes, it is super duper way to have peace at least with yourself. I am not saying Mahasi centres are better than Goenka centres, or vice-versa. NO. Good or bad experience depends on the individual person. And I will leave it at that. Next, I will be sharing a person with negative experience.
#SNGoenka #Vipassana #meditation
If you like this blog post, try read some other older posts, such as this - https://buddha-and-me.blogspot.com/2014/12/2014-year-in-review.html
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