By Jill Sawchuk
The first time I sat for a 10-day Vipassana course was in 2001. I was 25 years old. It changed my life. Finally, practical guidance as to how to live the wisdom of the yogis, the saints, the seers. I was reading books about meditation, Eastern philosophy, yoga. I had a simple practice and was recognizing real benefits in my life. I wanted to know more.
The first time I sat for a 10-day Vipassana course was in 2001. I was 25 years old. It changed my life. Finally, practical guidance as to how to live the wisdom of the yogis, the saints, the seers. I was reading books about meditation, Eastern philosophy, yoga. I had a simple practice and was recognizing real benefits in my life. I wanted to know more.
I was looking for a teacher, or teachings to help me along the path. I boarded the plane to India and met my first guide. He was sitting beside me. He asked me why I was going to India. I explained I wanted to know more about yoga and meditation. He giggled. He told me I didn't need to go anywhere to find those answers; those answers were inside. He handed me a book by J. Krishnamurti.
I spent the rest of the flight reading this amazing little book. By the time I walked off that plane, I was already well on my way to what I was looking for. I had realized this man was right and that what I needed to do was go inside myself.
I had six months to devote to a practice; six months to develop discipline. I learned how to commit to a yoga practice and I was trying different forms of meditation. And, towards the end of my trip, I was divinely guided to a Vipassana course set up in the South of India.
It was perhaps the hardest things I had ever done in my life, but also the most life changing. I learned how to re-program my brain. I discovered a way to re-train my brain from reaction. I was blown away by this simple technique to create a pause in our habitual patterning. That pause, those brakes allow us to choose instead of react from the past.
The last day, I could not stop my tears from falling. I had never felt so much gratitude in my whole life. How could I have stumbled upon this amazing technique? I couldn't stop thinking about everyone I loved and how they needed to be in touch with these teachings. This practice.
I have recommended the course to hundreds of my students. Almost all my close friends and family have attended at least one course. When people are looking for more harmony in their lives I, without fail, recommend this 10-day course. It is really for anyone looking for more inner peace.
It is not easy. The day starts at four thirty in the morning. You sit for eleven hours a day watching your breath and/or your sensations. Your brain likes to play games with you. Wants to distract you. It will try to convince you why you can't do it.
The schedule is demanding. One hour sits interspersed with small breaks. Depending on where you do the course, breakfast and lunch can be quite simple/meager or quite delicious and abundant. Sitting in Canada makes me feel spoiled compared to the centers in India or Mexico.
The centers run on donations. You pay nothing to stay, eat and receive the teachings. If, at the end of it, you feel you have received benefit you are invited to make a donation. It is the purest organization I have ever come across. Everyone who gives service is there out of the goodness of their hearts with the intention to allow others to share in the peace and happiness.
The course requires meditators to take an oath of silence. You must also agree to no killing, no stealing, no sexual misconduct, no lying and not taking any intoxicants during the course.
The teachings are not attached to any religion or dogma or other rites or rituals. The website describes Vipassana as " a technique that will eradicate suffering, a method of mental purification which allows one to face life's tensions and problems in a calm, balanced way, an art of living that one can use to make positive contributions to society".
What I took away from the course was a way to anchor my mind in the present moment. I found a way to halt the neurosis of my thought patterns. To put a pause on the constant reaction of the brain in response to the sense organs.
I encourage anyone thinking of taking the course to sign up today! Don't waste another moment. It is the best investment of your precious time. It is not easy, but then again nothing meaningful is. You do not need experience. You do not need any special level of understanding. All you need is a willingness to learn. A commitment to the teaching and the practice. They hold a very safe space to explore this inner world. They provide for you all that you need to make that inner journey. If you have the opportunity: GO!
May All Beings Be Happy!
Jill Shawchuk
CYA-E-RYT500
CYA-E-RYT500