Excellent rundown on the practice with good references and a rare degree of practical insight. Would have loved to have read this before my first course, so thanks for making it available to all.
This was expertly written. I love your view of Vipassana as a technology- there is a lot of fluff that seems to come along with it, that is not necessarily related to its efficacy as a method. Far too many of us today walk around as "Sophisticated Response Machines". I really want to try a retreat, but am nervous as they are known for their intensity.
Thank you Cameron! Yes, it was quite intense and some of the folks left early, but it was made easier in many ways too: the teachers were very kind, and I talked to one almost every day, which was immensely helpful, the breaks in between the meditations were key (during which we could walk paths in the woods) and the food was great too. If you want to read more about my firsthand experience (indeed, it wasn't easy!), it's also posted here: https://blog.charlied.org/p/tasting-a-spiritual-psychedelic-mind. I hope you try a course one day when you are feeling ready!
Excellent rundown on the practice with good references and a rare degree of practical insight. Would have loved to have read this before my first course, so thanks for making it available to all.
Thank you Dee See! Yes, I'm definitely interested in doing another course now with this understanding of what's happening.
This was expertly written. I love your view of Vipassana as a technology- there is a lot of fluff that seems to come along with it, that is not necessarily related to its efficacy as a method. Far too many of us today walk around as "Sophisticated Response Machines". I really want to try a retreat, but am nervous as they are known for their intensity.
Thank you Cameron! Yes, it was quite intense and some of the folks left early, but it was made easier in many ways too: the teachers were very kind, and I talked to one almost every day, which was immensely helpful, the breaks in between the meditations were key (during which we could walk paths in the woods) and the food was great too. If you want to read more about my firsthand experience (indeed, it wasn't easy!), it's also posted here: https://blog.charlied.org/p/tasting-a-spiritual-psychedelic-mind. I hope you try a course one day when you are feeling ready!