Has anyone been on a Vipassana meditation course?

Question

I'm thinking of going on the said course but just wondered if anyone else has been on one or knows someone who has and if so what was it like? It seems to be 10 days of not speaking and only being spoken to by a video tape of a teacher for 45 mins a day. Is that it?

Answer 1

i assume you are talking about vipassana retreat. The entire day is spent in silent meditation practice with alternating periods of instruction in sitting and walking meditation.

the daily schedule is something like this:
4 am Morning wakeup bell
4.30 - 6.30 am Meditation
6.30 - 8.00 am Breakfast Break
8.00 - 9.00 am Group Meditation
9.00 - 11.00 am Meditation
11.00 - 12.00 Lunch
12.00 - 1.00 pm Rest
1.00 - 2.30 pm Meditation
2.30 - 3.30 pm Group Meditation
3.30 - 5.00 pm Meditate as per instructions of the teacher
5.00 - 6.00 pm Tea Break
6.00 - 7.00 pm Group Meditation
7.00 - 8.30 pm Teacher's discourse
8.30 - 9.00 pm Group Meditation
9.00 - 9.30 pm Question time in hall
9.30 pm Retire to own room. Lights out.

they serve vegetarian food. The emphasis was on eating slowly, chewing well and enjoying each morsel by concentrating on the food.

the 1st retreat is always the hardest, but also rewarding. if you have benefitted from the 1st retreat, you will usually go for more.