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S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 3:40 am
by Ajisai
Hello everyone,

I am practicing meditation without a teacher and I saw some members of this forum recommanding to do retreats so I looked up on the internet where I could do that someday. I'm living in Tokyo and found out that there are two Vipassana meditation centers in Japan (one in Kyoto and one in Chiba) that are offering 10 days courses.
They are teaching meditation according to S.N. Goenka.
Apparently there are many centers in the world that teach meditation from this teacher.
I was wondering if any of you participated in a 10 day lessons in one of these centers? Would you recommand it?

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 3:46 am
by Ben
Hi Ajisai,

Yes, I recommend it to most people.
I have been practicing under SN Goenka's guidance for 28 years.
I have completed many 10-day courses and longer courses both as a 'student' as well as a voluntary server.
Having said that, it is not for everybody nor does it suit everyone.
If you suffer from an acute mental illness than it is not recommended, otherwise - give it a try.
kind regards,

Ben

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:21 am
by Ajisai
Thanks for your answer Ben.

Two things are worrying me.

The first is that now I am just practicing 15mn everyday. I would like to go to this course until the end of this year because it might be not possible next year. Should I wait being able to meditate for a much longer time (like one hour) anyway?

The second one is I am quite poor. If I give a donation it is going to be very little money and I do not want the teachers and staff to believe I underestimate the value of the teaching or the opportunity they give to people. :cry:

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:04 am
by Ben
Ajisai wrote:Thanks for your answer Ben.

Two things are worrying me.

The first is that now I am just practicing 15mn everyday. I would like to go to this course until the end of this year because it might be not possible next year. Should I wait being able to meditate for a much longer time (like one hour) anyway?
Don't worry about not meditating for very long. Most people who do it for the first time haven't meditated at all.
Ajisai wrote:The second one is I am quite poor. If I give a donation it is going to be very little money and I do not want the teachers and staff to believe I underestimate the value of the teaching or the opportunity they give to people. :cry:
Don't let that worry you. The courses are open to all, regardless of their financial means, and the teachers and volunteers will not judge you negatively because of the size of your contribution. Just go!
with metta,

Ben

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:26 am
by Modus.Ponens
Ajisai wrote:Thanks for your answer Ben.

Two things are worrying me.

The first is that now I am just practicing 15mn everyday. I would like to go to this course until the end of this year because it might be not possible next year. Should I wait being able to meditate for a much longer time (like one hour) anyway?

The second one is I am quite poor. If I give a donation it is going to be very little money and I do not want the teachers and staff to believe I underestimate the value of the teaching or the opportunity they give to people. :cry:
The course is being offered to people. It's already paid for. When I gave my donation at the 10 day retreat I gave it so another person could experience it, including people with little money. Don't worry about that. Give what you feel apropriate.

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 10:53 am
by Jhana4
Ajisai wrote:Hello everyone,

I am practicing meditation without a teacher and I saw some members of this forum recommanding to do retreats so I looked up on the internet where I could do that someday. I'm living in Tokyo and found out that there are two Vipassana meditation centers in Japan (one in Kyoto and one in Chiba) that are offering 10 days courses.
They are teaching meditation according to S.N. Goenka.
Apparently there are many centers in the world that teach meditation from this teacher.
I was wondering if any of you participated in a 10 day lessons in one of these centers? Would you recommand it?
One thing you should be aware of is that all of the teaching done on those retreats is done by a video played on a television. There are volunteer assistant teachers for answering questions.

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 1:44 pm
by Ajisai
Jhana4 wrote:One thing you should be aware of is that all of the teaching done on those retreats is done by a video played on a television. There are volunteer assistant teachers for answering questions.
Thank you. Actually I read that in the center's description and that is one of the reasons why I wanted to have feedback from people who actually went there.
Modus.Ponens wrote:Don't worry about that. Give what you feel apropriate.
That's the problem: I think I will not be able to give what I feel appropriate. But you are right, I should not let that stop me. It is just that it is too bad I will most probably not be able to be as generous as I would like too :weep:

Thank you everyone for your answers.

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 2:04 pm
by Jhana4
Ajisai wrote:
Jhana4 wrote:One thing you should be aware of is that all of the teaching done on those retreats is done by a video played on a television. There are volunteer assistant teachers for answering questions.
Thank you. Actually I read that in the center's description and that is one of the reasons why I wanted to have feedback from people who actually went there.
I went on two of those retreats in the northeast United States. Granted, it was way back in the 90s, but I thought they were very good. If you can go, go and if you can be exposed to other teachers/retreats do that too.
That's the problem: I think I will not be able to give what I feel appropriate. But you are right, I should not let that stop me. It is just that it is too bad I will most probably not be able to be as generous as I would like too
Why not Google on the prices of similar retreats hosted by organizations that charge? Then raise or lower how much you decide to give to fit your finances and if you think what was offered was worth it?

Re: S.N. Goenka meditation teaching ?

Posted: Sat Aug 17, 2013 2:07 pm
by Monkey Mind
If you can't donate monetarily, consider offering service. Their are many ways a person can volunteer to help the courses, which will be explained at the end of the course.

As Ben said, many people who attend their first course do not have any meditation experience. If I could have done anything differently in preparing for my first course, I would have spent a week sitting on the floor every chance I could, not necessarily in meditation but to get my body and brain used to it.