Finding Inner Peace – A Guide to Vipassana in Thailand
Vipassana meditation practice teaches individuals to observe their thoughts and emotions without judgment, which helps increase self-awareness while decreasing negative emotions, stress and anxiety.
Vipassana meditation differs from other forms of mindfulness by not being linked to any particular faith or tradition, making it accessible and practiced by anyone of any background or faith.
How to find a Vipassana retreat
Those interested in Vipassana meditation may benefit from finding a retreat that offers this technique. Vipassana is a systematic method for purifying mental processes to eliminate three causes of unhappiness: craving, aversion and ignorance. The goal is to live happier lives through internalizing impermanence as truth – evidence indicates it reduces psychosomatic diseases like depression and anxiety as a result.
Most Vipassana retreats take place at private estates and are typically led by a teacher certified to practice this ancient meditation technique. Some retreats are free, while donations help support quality experiences.
Vipassana draws upon ancient Buddhist teachings to deliver life-altering techniques that have the ability to transform people’s lives for the better. Beyond relieving stress and improving physical health, Vipassana practice has also shown to increase empathy, compassion, and equanimity within individuals.
As part of your Vipassana courses, there are specific rules you must abide by to create a relaxing and peaceful environment for yourself. These include abstaining from alcohol, drugs, smoking and recreational activities while respecting both your teacher and other students – these will all be discussed at check-in.
Vipassana practitioners find the practice allows them to connect with themselves like they never have before, leading them to find it an invaluable way of understanding themselves better and finding clarity within. Because of this, Vipassana has gained widespread acclaim around the world including Thailand. While sitting is most frequently practiced form, you can develop mindfulness skills in everyday tasks by paying attention to sensations such as washing hands or walking; ultimately the key is having a genuine desire to change yourself for good.
Accommodation
Vipassana meditation, commonly referred to as simply ‘insight”, is a mindfulness practice which helps individuals overcome negative emotions while increasing awareness of impermanence and dissatisfaction in all things. Furthermore, Vipassana can facilitate deep self-understanding that helps lead to inner peace. Retreats typically held in Buddhist temples or wellness hotels provide an ideal setting to dive deep into this mindfulness practice with guidance and support provided from experienced teachers.
The International Vipassana Center in Bangkok is an increasingly popular choice among travelers looking for an immersive Vipassana retreat experience. Offering one-day introduction courses, 10-day silent meditation retreats and even bilingual courses for those who speak both English and Thai simultaneously, its sole source of income comes from donations made by former students who completed one or more Vipassana courses with S N Goenka or his assistant teachers and wish to give others similar access.
Northern Insight Meditation Centre of Chiang Mai is another acclaimed center that draws meditators from all around the globe. Their 10-day course follows strict regulations, with participants required to observe noble silence (no talking or gesticulation).
If you’re new to Vipassana meditation retreats and would like a bit of help getting acquainted, many centers offer one-day introduction courses designed to give an introduction and ease any nerves you may be feeling. These sessions typically provide information on schedule and rules of retreats; and provide the chance for any questions to be asked or concerns to be expressed about how the process works and alleviated.
Food
As part of your retreat experience, food prepared by an abudant (monk) who runs the monastery will be available. Meals are simple but tasty vegetarian fare. In particular, Wat Chom Tong served both spicy and non-spicy food which proved challenging since I’d read that Buddha recommended against it and it is repeated throughout yoga texts and ayurved literature – however its spicyness made meditation harder due to being served at lunch time when temperatures can soar!
Alongside meditation, you will receive a book that provides instructions and chants to practice loving kindness – an intense form of meditation in which positive thoughts for all people around the world are focused upon in meditation practiced daily – it can be highly powerful and life-altering.
Your retreat time will likely include much-needed silence. While the initial challenges may be challenging, it is crucial that you commit yourself and don’t give up. By remaining on track with the program you will gain greater insights into yourself as well as more awareness of life events happening around you.
If you are in search of a Vipassana retreat, explore your options amongst Thailand’s various centers. A full listing can be found on the official Vipassana site; my friends who have taken courses in Western locations reported slightly greater levels of comfort so make sure to do your research! Also keep in mind it is crucial that you arrive early at any center so as to secure yourself a space as these quickly fill up, particularly during high season periods; once inside it’s essential to remain silent and follow instructions given by an abbudant/instructor!
Activities
Vipassana retreat participants are expected to remain silent. Though this may prove challenging for some at first, remaining silent is an integral component of this experience and helps participants gain deeper insight into themselves and their minds. Not only during meditation but also while eating, using the bathroom, or cleaning your kuti. Through staying fully present during everyday tasks you learn self-awareness while expanding awareness.
Vipassana retreats can be found all across Thailand. However, one of the most popular is at the International Buddhist Meditation Center in Bangkok – offering everything from one-day introductions to 10-day silent retreats as well as hosting two one-month retreats annually.
Wat Chom Tong Vipassana Meditation Retreat, situated 60 kilometers southwest of Chiang Mai, is another popular location. This monastery is well known for its Lanna-style architecture and holds an ancient relic of Buddha. Their 10- to 26-day retreats provide structured Vipassana meditation experiences with daily sessions as well as strict rules of conduct.
No matter your choice of venue – from traditional temple to wellness resorts – Vipassana retreats provide a supportive environment in which to practice Vipassana. Temple retreats tend to focus more on tradition while resorts provide more luxurious comfort suited for individuals wanting to reap its benefits without giving up privacy or comfort. One such Vipassana retreat in Chiang Mai called Aleenta Chiang Mai Vipassana retreat features a comprehensive program that blends wellness with spirituality. Accommodation and restaurant meals are included within this comprehensive program along with various treatments offered as part of this well-structured program.
Travel tips
Vipassana meditation techniques are practiced at 341 centers across 94 countries, with retreats often selling out well in advance and special courses available for business executives and children at certain centers. Furthermore, 10-day courses offered free-of-charge due to donations from previous students enable participants to focus fully on the experience without distraction or guilt.
Since a 10-day course will require 10 hours of meditation daily, it is wise to begin practicing longer meditation sessions at home before attending. Furthermore, to prepare yourself for silence and lack of communication during retreats it may help attending yoga classes or listening to soothing music to relax and stay focused.
As part of any course, it can be natural to experience discomfort or negative emotions during its entirety. Therefore, it’s essential that you go into it with an open mind as otherwise you won’t reap all the benefits from your experience. If difficulties arise while on course, remember that everyone experiences similar feelings; these are temporary phenomena.
If you’re considering enrolling in a Vipassana course, there are plenty of resources online that can assist in your preparation. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s book Full Catastrophe Living serves as an excellent starting point, while S. N. Goenka offers full-length studies of Vipassana under his approval. Andrew Sullivan wrote an insightful piece for New York Magazine detailing his own experience with Vipassana which serves as an insightful read for anyone curious to know more about its benefits.