Tag: Vipassana

S.N. Goenka

Submitted by lucas on Tue, 01/22/2008 - 18:29.
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Fast Facts

Other Names and Nicknames:

Satya Narayan Goenka, Goenkaji

Function:

Spiritual Teacher

Traditions:

Buddhism, Vipassana

Main Countries of Activity:

India, all countries

Date of Birth:

1924

Place of Birth:

Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar)

In His/Her Body ("alive"):

Yes

Other Related Gurus:

Sayagyi U Ba Khin (Goenka's Dhamma teacher), Buddha

Locations

The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at ten-day residential courses taking place in numerous Vipassana locations around the world. During these courses, participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results.

There are over 100 locations around the world, both permanent Vipassana centers as well as non-center locations.

There are numerous Centers in India and elsewhere in Asia; ten Centers in North America; three Centers in Latin America; eight Centers in Europe; seven Centers in Australia/New Zealand; one Center in the Middle East and one Center in Africa.

Course structure and content is completely identical in all centers.

The main center and most impressive one is Dhamma Giri, located in Igatpuri, Maharashtra, India.

Location Website:

http://www.dhamma.org/en/cnc/centers.shtml

Etiquette:

There is a well-defined code of discipline for the courses. The core percepts for the course are the following: All who attend a Vipassana course must conscientiously abstain during the course from killing any being, stealing, sexual activity, telling lies, all intoxicants. Old students (those who have completed a course with S.N. Goenka or one of his assistant teachers in the past) are expected also to abstain from eating after midday, sensual entertainment and bodily decorations, high or luxurious beds. Additional precepts include observing silence, Separation of men and women, avoiding physical contact. It might sound a bit frightening but you will be surprised to find out how easy it is to observe these rules within the framework of Vipassana. Plus, the teachers and the assistants are so compassionate and everything is done there with kindness and softness.

Daily Schedule & Opening Hours:

4:00 am Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
11:00-12:00 noon Lunch break
12:00-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your own room
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm Teacher's Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm Retire to your own room--Lights out

Registration:

Prior registration is required. You need to check for courses scheduling in your preferred center and apply for the course by completing and submitting an application for a scheduled course. The schedules, forms and list of centers can be found in the link provided above.

Prices and Fees:

There are no charges for the courses - not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit.

Services in Location:

All services needed including food, accomodation, cleaning materials etc. are provided in the center

Accomodation:

Accommodation in center is provided for course participants.

Maps and Pictures of Location:

Links

S.N. Goenka's Vipassana official website

View Video

Books & Media

Recommended Books:

Meditation Now: Inner Peace Through Inner Wisdom

by S. N. Goenka

(Paperback)

Celebrated Vipassana meditation teacher S. N. Goenka interprets the Buddha\'s teachings in this collection of lectures, essays, and interviews. These writings provide insights into how one of the most influential contemporary Buddhist practitioners defines Vipassana and how he uses it to achieve peace of mind and lead a happy, useful life. Included are transcripts of recent talks given at the World Economic Forum in Davos and at the Millennium World Peace Summit, and a previously unpublished interview conducted by Alan AtKisson, former editor of In Context magazine.

The Discourse Summaries

by S. N. Goenka

(Paperback)

The 11 discourses in this volume provide a broad overview of the teachings of Buddha to help meditators understand what to do and why, so they work in the proper way and achieve the proper results.

The Art of Living: Vipassana Meditation: As Taught by S. N. Goenka

by William Hart

(Paperback)

The Ancient Meditation Technique that Brings Real Peace of Mind

Vipassand-bhavand, \"the development of insight,\" embodies the essence of the teaching of the Buddha. As taught by S. N. Goenka, this path to self-awareness is extraordinary in its simplicity, its lack of dogma and, above all, its results. The Vipassana technique can be successfully applied by anyone.

Based on the lectures and writings of S. N. Goenka--and prepared under his direct guidance--The Art of Living shows how this technique can be used to solve problems, develop unused potential, and lead a peaceful, productive life. It includes stories by S. N. Goenka, as well as answers to students\' questions, that convey a vivid sense of his teaching.

S. N. Goenka\'s Vipassana courses have attracted thousands of people of every background. Unique among teachers of meditation, Goenka is a retired industrialist and former leader of the Indian Community in Burma. Although a layman, his teaching has won the approval of senior Buddhist monks in Burma, India, and Sri Lanka, a number of whom have taken courses under his guidance. Despite his magnetism, he has no wish to be a \"guru\" --instead he teaches self-responsibility. This is the first systematic study of his teachings to appear in English.

Recommended DVD & Video:

S. N. Goenka: Inner Peace for World Peace

(VHS Tape)

Video tape containing two programs:\n\n1.) An address at the UN by S.N. Goenka to spiritual and religious leaders of the world who were gathered for the Millenium World Peace Summit, August 29, 2000. (15:00 min.) Goenkaji participated in the Millennium World Peace Summita gathering of 1000 of the worlds religious and spiritual leaders, held at the United Nations under the auspices of Secretary-General Kofi Annan. The purpose of the meeting was to promote tolerance, foster peace, and encourage inter-religious dialogue. With the many different viewpoints represented, the potential for disagreement was strong. In his presentation to the delegates, Goenkaji tried to highlight what they, and all spiritual paths have in common: the universal Dhamma. His remarks were received with repeated ovations.\n\n2.) An interview with S.N. Goenka conducted by Zee TV at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, February, 2000 (15:20 min.) In this program, Goenkaji answers questions about the different aspects of Dhamma (Dharma).

Recommended Audio:

The Art of Living : Vipassana Meditation as Taught By S.N. Goenka (Audio Book) (Vipassana Meditation and the Buddha's Teachings) (Vipassana Meditation and the Buddha's Teachings)

by S. N. Goenka

(Audio Cassette)

The Art of Living is the definitive guide to the teaching of S.N. Goenka, the foremost living lay teacher of Vipassana meditation today. The print version has been translated into 15 languages.

This audio version offers an excellent way to gain or refresh an understanding of Vipassana, and to introduce the practice to others.

Vipassana practice is accurately described for a general audience and vividly conveys Goenkaji\'s inspiring teaching style, with original discourse stories from a ten-day meditation course told by him.

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Inner Body meditation

Submitted by dora on Wed, 06/04/2008 - 21:16.
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Eckhart Tolle calls it "inner body". In Vipassana, Goenka calls it "Free Flow" or "Bangha" (sometimes spelled Bhanga or Banga).

Vipassana of S.N Goenka and others

Submitted by doo on Wed, 04/23/2008 - 16:46.
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Anyone did the Vipassana meditation a la Goenka? I heard the man and he sounds profound... Is it hard?

What's the difference between Goenka's Vipassana and the other versions?

9 comments

My sexual urge has almost disappeared

Submitted by nalabonga on Sun, 07/19/2009 - 02:04.
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The more I am conscious and progressing in my spiritual sadhana, the more my sexual urge diminishes. My libido has decreased substantially since my last visit to India 2 years ago.

Are emotions merely just body sensations?

Submitted by Tania on Wed, 12/26/2007 - 20:46.
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According to Guenka's Vipassana (and maybe the Buddha, who knows), what we call feelings and emotions are merely patterns of body sensations. Everything is mapped to body sensations.

The danger in retreats and other isolated spiritual events

Submitted by atlantis on Thu, 06/05/2008 - 22:38.
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Retreats and intensives are usually good practices by themselves.

The danger I am speaking about is not about what happens in the retreat but about the outside of the retreat, about what happens after the retreat.

Non-Spiritual Spirituality

Submitted by dora on Fri, 11/21/2008 - 12:10.
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A few years ago, I took a 10-day Vipassana course. At the end of the retreat, I have noticed a surprising strange phenomenon: Some "hardcore" senior Vipassana meditators which evidently seemed during the retreat as truly advanced, as soon as the official retreat ended and thus talking started, they happened to switch immediately to unconscious behavior with their egos inflated to monstrous propositions.