Namaskar. I am here with Blog Part # 5.
I described almost everything that I remembered till the end of Day 10, our last day of the meditation course. I had forgotten to mention that after Day 3, my mind did not go back to remembering my home and all my kith and kin. I was absorbed in cleaning my mind. It was probably only once on Day 7 that I remembered my granddaughter Shaarika Jee. The rest of the days were free from all mental links.
The next day, Day 11, was to be the day we would be heading to our homes and residences outside the Meditation Village as I would call it. We were told on Day 10 that we would have to attend a discourse from Guru Jee at 4.30 AM the next day in the meditation hall. So, I set my Alarm for 4 AM. (I had brought an alarm clock from the utility room the day after my alarm clock had failed to ring at the pre-set time) I was up on time and readied myself. I was in the hall at 4.30 AM. Everyone came to the meditation hall in time. The discourse started. Guru Jee summed up the entire programme of the last ten days. He set out a course for us to follow once we were home. He wanted us to continue meditation at home. One hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. He additionally asked us to imbibe the habit of meditating for five minutes each time we went to bed at night and get up early in the morning daily. He asked us to adhere to the five precepts (already mentioned by me in blog #2 in detail) in daily life. The gist of other things communicated with examples follows below.
He told us that Vipassana Courses are all free. No money is charged for lodgings, eating, meditation etc. The centres are all run on donations. The donations are accepted only from the people who have attended the Vipassana classes. Thus in our cases, we became eligible for donating only on day 11. This appears to be a noble way of giving, to help continue a noble cause. Earlier students paid for my expenses during the course at the centre. Before leaving I paid a little money as a donation, to help the centre pay the expenses for students coming in future.
The centre takes donations from ex-students in the form of selfless service also. They work in a voluntary capacity to keep the premises clean, manage the kitchen, look after the gardening activities, mow the grass, manage the finances, plan for the future, and related activities. They do not take anything in return. This service not only benefits others, but also helps those offering it, to eradicate egotism, to understand the teaching more deeply, and thus to advance on the path. A win-win situation for everybody.
Guru Jee speaks of Dhamma. This is not what we ordinary people understand of Dharma, in terms of religion and sects. He means the universal truth which is above religions. The universal truth is above religions like Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism etc. He says that people suffer in this world irrespective of what religion the sufferer is associated with. The solution, therefore, must be above religions too. Vipassana is not a religion. It is a science, where the students are taught to look inwards, clean their minds, improve themselves, and become better people. And not to fear death. At all times we should do the right thing. We should shun anger. We should look, feel, and remain cool. And then we should be able to help and guide others to follow the same path. Guru Jee says that by teaching Vipassana, he shows us the path. We have to work on our own minds. It is like an operation of the mind not to be done by a surgeon but by ourselves. The teachers will provide guidance.
Guru jee acknowledges that people follow different methods to advance spiritually. He does not say that anything is bad. He says that Vipassana is a tried and tested method which has liberated many people both known and unknown to us. He says that Gautam Budha followed it and attained nirvana. After attaining nirvana, he taught this path to others. Guru Jee says that we should adopt only one method to succeed in the path of liberation or advancement in spirituality. Following two systems simultaneously is like riding two boats simultaneously with one leg in one boat and the other leg in the other boat. When in such a situation, when the boats are moving, the person will not advance but fall into the river.
The discourse was over at 06.25 AM, I went back to my room and then for breakfast in the dining hall. The menu was not very extensive. Some thin watery soup of some type that I had not ever seen in my life. I did take it. It tasted different from what I am used to. I was grateful to the organization for offering me so much love. I followed it with a cup of tea. No bread and butter on the menu today. Breakfast was over and I went to my room. I packed my items and then cleaned the room and the bathroom thoroughly, as was expected from the leaving students. I returned the room table fan and the alarm clock back to the utility room from which I had taken the fan on Day Zero. I kept all my items in the corridor outside and waited for Narinder Jee to pick me up.
My Conclusion:
Through these blogs, I am only describing the technique in a nutshell. I am not teaching or preaching it for you to follow. You would be confused if you followed me. If you are interested, just apply, and join a course where there would be a properly trained guide to teach you the technique. There is no way anyone can offer a do-it-yourself technique to you.
Vipassana course is truly valuable and has the power to change our lives. In my case, I already feel I am a different and a better person after having attended the course. I am trying to be a better person every day. Since my return from the course, I have modified my daily schedule. I have reduced the time I spend watching TV. I have effortlessly found two one-hour time blocks in the mornings and evenings every day to meditate as per the technique taught.
A lot of videos are available on YouTube about Vipassana meditation and practices. There is a set of 11 discourses headlined, Day 1 Discourse, Day 2 Discourse, and so on, as spoken by Guru jee. The discourses are in English as well as in Hindi. You may listen to them if you so desire. But to understand and appreciate the technique, you should attend a full 10-day course. It is so rewarding.
I am still a Hindu and a follower of Sanatan Dharma. Following Vipassana has only made me look a little deeper and understand better.
At the end, I would have the following message to all fellow travelers on the path of Dhamma.
Be Happy.
Keep the torch of Dhamma alight. Let it shine brightly in our daily lives. We should always bear in mind that Dhamma is not an escape. It is the art of living in peace and harmony with oneself and also with all others. We should live a Dhamma life.
We should not miss our daily meditation sessions in the mornings and evenings.
Whenever possible, we should attend the weekly group sittings with other Vipassana meditators.
We should attend a 10-day repeat course every year. This will keep us strong in our resolve to have a satisfying and contented life.
We should always be confident to face the ups and downs of life with courage, bravely and smilingly.
We should renounce hatred and aversion. It will end animosity, and generate love and compassion, especially all those who do not understand Dhamma and are living an unhappy life.
May our Dhamma behavior show them the path of peace and harmony.
May the glow of Dhamma on our faces attract more and more people to the path of real happiness.
May all beings be happy, peaceful, and liberated.
Sabh ka Mangal Ho. Sabh ka Kalyan Ho. Sabh Sukhi Rahey.
Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu (Meaning - Well said, well done, we share this wish.)
Adding link below to a peaceful verse related to Vipassana:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbtNnCU56No&ab_channel=VipassanaMeditationDHAMMAHALL
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