Vipassana meditation
"The world is now facing serious problems threatening mankind. It is just the right time for everyone to take to Vipassana meditation and learn how to find a deep pool of quiet in the midst of all that is happening today.”
What is Buddhist meditation?
Buddhist meditation consists of two steps: calmness of mind and insight (Vipassana). The student is helped to develop calmness and concentration by encouraging him to focus his attention on a spot at the base of the nose. In this way he can be aware of the in-breath and the out-breath.
When the mind is given only one object it gradually becomes calm and steady. |
Respiration mindfulness has several advantages: |
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It is a common belief that a person whose power of concentration is good can achieve better results. There are definitely many advantages that accrue to a person who undergoes a successful meditation retreat. It doesn't matter whether this person is a religious person, a business person, a politician, a worker or a student. |
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- I would like to meditate
- Course schedules worldwide
Location Date Teacher UK May 18 - 28, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi June 15 - 25, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi July 20 - 30, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi August 24 - September 3, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi September 28 - October 8, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi November 2 - 12, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi December 21 - 31, 2012 Mother Sayamagyi February 1 - 11, 2013 Mother Sayamagyi March 8 - 18, 2013 Mother Sayamagyi April 12 - 22, 2013 Mother Sayamagyi Australia NSW May 25 - June 4, 2012 Dr Mark Peterson July 6 - 16, 2012 Mr Michael Fraser September 7 - 17, 2012 Mr Richard Walsh November 9 - 19, 2012 Mr Richard Walsh January 4 - 14, 2013 Mr Michael Fraser February 22 – March 4, 2013 Dr Mark Peterson April 12 - 22, 2013 Mr Richard Walsh July 5 - 15, 2013 Mr Richard Walsh Australia WA August 6 - 16, 2012 Mr Douglas Solomon November 30 - December 10, 2012 Mr Gregory Solomon Austria July 6 - 16, 2012 Mr Franz Zelsacher August 24 - September 3, 2012 Mr Erich Kucher October 25 - November 4, 2012 Mr Hubert Knaus December 28 - January 7, 2013 Mr Erich Kucher Weekend Courses: May 25 - 27, 2012 Mr Franz Zelsacher November 30 - December 2, 2012 Mr Franz Neuner USA June 15 - 25, 2012 Mr Craig Storti September 21 - October 1, 2012 Mr Craig Storti November 30 - December 10, 2012 Mr Craig Storti Germany October 12 - 22, 2012 Mr Horst Jughard Italy Weekend Course: September 14 - 16, 2012 Mr Renzo Fedele Japan April 27 - May 7, 2012 Mr James Emery September 7 - 17, 2012 Mr James Emery
(course held in Aomori)Weekend Courses: June 16 - 18, 2012 Mr James Emery July 14 - 16, 2012 Mr James Emery November 2 - 4, 2012 Mr James Emery Netherlands July 20 - 30, 2012 At IMC UK November 2 - 12, 2012 At IMC UK February 1 - 11, 2013 Mr Matthijs Schouten Singapore June 1 - 11, 2012 November 23 - December 3, 2012 Mr Roger Bischoff Switzerland March 28 - April 7, 2013 Mr Eugen Jung Ukraine April 27 - 7 May, 2012 Mr Roger Bischoff - Words of Appreciation
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"Meditation can take the edge off a hectic urban life" Carl Honore wrote in In Praise of Slow: “My mind is learning to be quiet and still for longer. I feel less impatient and hurried. In fact, I am so relaxed I do not want to leave.
Without my realizing it, my brain has also been engaged in some very useful Slow Thinking. By the end of the week-end, ideas for work are bursting up from my subconscious mind like fish jumping in a lake. Before returning to London, I sit in the car and scribble them down.
Is it possible to transfer that meditative calm from a retreat to the real world? The answer turns out to be a qualified yes… Meditation can take the edge off a hectic urban life.” (Read more)
"I will be eternally gratefull" For many many years I have lived in a state of unrest and unhappiness. There have been times when this has been unbearable and I was driven to dark places. I don't as yet know how the teachings and practice experienced during the past ten days will help me. What I do know is that this is the start of a long journey, but it is a start. I also know that I have some hope and for that I will be eternally grateful.”
Michael L.
Kent
Read more Words of Appreciation - Anecdotes
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Mother Sayamagyi and Sayagyi U Ba KhinWhen Sayagyi U Ba Khin first established the IMC in Rangoon he taught in aditthana* sittings that sometimes lasted well over an hour. He put a candle on a little plate and the group of close disciples were not allowed to move until the candle had burned down completely and the flame had gone out. Sometimes there would be just some liquid wax left in the plate and the wick continued to burn and flicker. Everybody was desperately waiting for the flame to go out. Then U Ba Pho, who was the jester of the group, one time, sneezed as strongly as he could directing the full force of the sneeze at the dying flame and the flame, finally, went out.
Everybody was greatly relieved and overjoyed and U Ba Pho was everyone’s hero.
Mother Sayamagyi after a time, approached Sayagyi U Ba Khin regarding the aditthanas. She explained to Sayagyi that she felt that everyone was sitting there just suffering excruciating pain and that they did not experience anicca anymore; that the aditthanas were not conducive to developing the mind. Sayagyi reflected on this and then agreed with Mother Sayamagyi. From then on the aditthanas were restricted to just the one hour.
Mother Sayamagyi's Respect for the Teachings Mother Sayamagyi used to come to the Dhamma hall for the beginning of every group meditation to recite the blessings and meditate with the students for a while. Then she would go to the pagoda and the assistant teacher would end the sitting. Mother Sayamagyi used to say that every time she came back from the pagoda to the walk-way joining her house to the Dhamma hall, the first thing she would do, was to check if the slippers of the assistant teacher were still there. If they were still there, she knew that the students were still meditating, and then she would take the utmost care not to make the slightest sound in order not to disturb the students.
Her respect and concern for the students went so far, that during the courses she would select her loungyis especially. She would only wear loungyis made of the softest cotton so that they wouldn’t make any sound when she walked. She was worried that the swish of the loungyi as she left the dhamma hall might disturb the concentration of her students.
When the conservatory was first used as a meditation hall and students were meditating there, Sayamagyi was very happy that now men and women were able to meditate in separate rooms. However, the buggy in which she went to the pagoda when it was raining had to pass in between the conservatory and the pagoda. Sayamagyi said, that she felt unhappy about having to go between the students and the pagoda and that she always bowed down a little. Even though she was the teacher, she felt that it wasn’t proper (akusala) to pass in front of the meditating students. Mother Sayamagyi's Lunch When Mother Sayamagyi was in charge of the kitchen at the IMC in Rangoon, every evening she discussed the menu for the next day with U Hla Htun, the cook. They decided on quantities and early the next morning U Hla Htun would go to the market on his bicycle to do the shopping. A lady student, Daw Su Su, also came with her car every day and did some of the shopping.
Under Sayamagyi’s supervision U Hla Htun and his helpers cooked the curries, the soup and the salads. Mother Sayamagyi served the food and personally made sure that everyone was satisfied and had had enough to eat. When she went into the kitchen to fetch some food for herself after everyone had finished, she very often had difficulties finding anything to eat. She would lift the lid of one pot: nothing; the next pot: nothing; the salad bowl: nothing. She looked at U Hla Htun who shrugged his shoulders and with his bright smile would say “Koun bi”, “All gone”.
Sayamagyi didn’t mind. She felt happy that everyone else was satisfied. She simply asked U Hla Htun to fry two eggs for her and ate them happily with dry rice. Sometimes, she didn’t even sit down for the meal.
Mother Sayamagyi told us this story many times, again and again. - I want to ask a question
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