“Only your pure and good deeds — from this life or perhaps many past ones — will help you receive this life-transforming experience.” – Guruji S. N. Goenka
In May 2025, during a planned sabbatical, I found myself where I had long envisioned being: the serene and spiritually charged Dhammagiri hills of Igatpuri. A dream I had carried for over a decade finally became reality — inspired by my wife’s own early experience with Vipassana meditation, which had profoundly shaped her identity and approach to life.
🛑 No Phones, No Talking — Just You
On arrival, the transition into silence begins quickly. After verifying basic formalities like ID checks and room allotment (mine was a modest, peaceful single occupancy room), the most critical handover happens — not just of phones, smartwatches, and digital devices, but of all distractions: outside food, perfumes, pain balms, even non-prescribed medicines.
From that evening onward, “Arya Moun” (noble silence) begins — a complete vow of silence for the next ten days. No talking, no gestures, no eye contact. It felt alien at first, but gradually, this silence became a sanctuary.
🧭 What is Vipassana, Really?
Vipassana is one of the most ancient meditation techniques, rediscovered by Gautama Buddha over 2,600 years ago. Its purpose? To purify the mind and liberate oneself from suffering.
The practice rests on three interconnected pillars:
- Śīla (Morality): Abstaining from harmful acts — no lying, stealing, intoxicants, or indulgences.
- Samādhi (Concentration): Achieved through Ānāpāna — mindful observation of the breath, sharpening awareness.
- Prajñā (Insight): The core Vipassana practice — observing bodily sensations without craving or aversion, developing equanimity.
These principles aren’t just guidelines. They’re your tools, your compass, your daily work.
🕰️ A Day in the Life of Silence
- 4:00 AM: Cold shower (yes, cold — unless you wait for the hot water slot later!)
- 4:30–6:30 AM: Morning meditation in the Dhamma Hall
- 6:30–7:15 AM: Breakfast
- 8:00–11:00 AM: Meditation sessions with guidance from Guruji S. N. Goenka
- 11:00–11:30 AM: Lunch
- 1:00–5:00 PM: Meditation sessions with guidance from Guruji S. N. Goenka
- 5:00-5:30 PM: Dinner (the last meal of the day)
- 6:00–9:00 PM: Group meditation and the nightly Dhamma discourse
Meditation spans 11 hours daily, cross-legged and grounded — literally. The physical discomfort, especially in the first few days, was overwhelming. My mind screamed, my body ached, and more than once, I questioned my decision to continue. But walking away wasn’t easy — nor right. I chose to stay. And I’m deeply grateful I did.
💡 From Resistance to Resilience
Somewhere between Day 7 and Day 10, something shifted. The pain wasn’t gone, but my relationship with it had changed. I began to observe without reacting, accepting without attachment.
I wasn’t just detoxing from noise or devices — I was confronting my own mental patterns, restlessness, and ego. Living in complete silence, detached from work, titles, family, and even identity, felt like returning to a truer version of myself.
And all of this — the food, shelter, support — came at zero cost. I was living like a monk, thanks to the Dana (donation) of those before me.
🙏 What I Gained (and Gave Up)
I left Vipassana not with a certificate or reward — but with:
- Sharper self-awareness
- A quieter ego
- A renewed inner compass
- And deep gratitude for seva (selfless service)
This wasn’t a retreat. It was a rebirth of sorts — one I hope to nurture by continuing daily practice and perhaps one day, serving others on the same path.
🌱 Final Reflections
To anyone reading this who feels drawn to pause, reflect, and transform — I can’t recommend Vipassana enough. It’s not easy. It’s not comfortable. But it is real. And rare.
Sometimes, the best conversations are the ones we have in silence — with ourselves.
“May all beings be happy. May all beings be liberated.”
For registration visit: https://www.dhamma.org/en/courses/search
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