Surprisingly, many were interested in my recent experience the passage of the retreat (almost Vipassana) on Samui. I was told that Recently, such events have become more private and fashionable. phenomenon, but I did not think that almost everyone has heard anything about by this. When I learned about retreats 5 years ago, then so few people knew about it even remotely.
Please take a lenient attitude to my post and thoughts in it. it My first retreat experience, although I think about eternal questions and Practices for quite some time. Maybe someone will find it all. nonsense, someone wrong interpretations, just remember we all our own perception of the world and its own explanations, we are all different. I I tell only my experience / thoughts and only what I found out for this a week This is not an informational post.
The content of the article
- 1 About life and the event itself
- 2 Briefly about meditation
- 3 My impressions and experience
- 4 On the map
Contents
About life and the event itself
Vipassana means to see things as they are. And sort of as it is not entirely correct to say “was on Vipassana” or “practiced Vipassana”. But in common people so often say, and Google now also tells me that this is a kind of meditation technique, meditation courses. But oh well, we will not go into the terms and definitions. The event itself, where I was, is called a retreat, and the technique of meditation that we practiced – Anapanasati (practice conscious breathing). That is, it is not quite Vipassana, but somewhere beside. Our teacher said that there are various practices, someone one more suits someone else.
Russian-language retreats also take place in the Moscow region (Goenk centers), but I could not get there. I can’t say that I was really burning by desire, because if it were, it would probably have fallen. There just a lot of participants, you need to sign up strongly in advance, and places end a few minutes after the start online registration. At least it was before. For a few years, I generally forgot about the existence of retreats and my desire to go there get there. And then I drew a trip to Thailand and completely accidentally in the Vkontakte group I got rid of the meditation center link Deepabhavan It turned out that it was at that time when I would be on Samui, there will be a retreat in Russian (my understanding English is not good), right on New Year’s dates. Everything is simple Fits perfectly in my itinerary, I could not go there. The more i’m very calm about celebrating the new year and was glad to be able to meet him far from Olivier and monotonous congratulations. Plus, it’s quite symbolic, as they say, how to celebrate the New Year, and spend.
All participants of the New Year’s retreat on Samui
So, the retreat began on December 31st on Koh Samui in Thailand near the Lamai beach. We were almost 90 people. Those who decided Meet the New Year in this way. I thought we would much less. Initially there was a mini-interview where once again told about the rules of conduct in the retreat center (to be silent, not consume substances, follow the mandatory daily routine) and asked about the intention to complete the retreat. Hardly anyone not I had an interview, but once again I could understand for myself, but is it worth Then we took all the equipment and settled on dormitoriam, separately male, separately female. Because I did not have a camera, then all the photos were taken in last day before departure.
After the introductory lecture and a short sightseeing tour, where what is found is the rule of silence (silence). AND began our weekdays. Funny the first night I woke up from the salute and for a long time I could not understand what it was, then I remembered that this was the New Year and calmly fell asleep.
We got up at 4:30 am, and at 5 am we started reading. (read excerpts from books). at 5:15 the first session of meditation, yoga, another meditation session at 7:30 breakfast. Fed 2 times a day, lunch was at 11:30. And at 17:30 evening tea with banana (and sometimes without). Between breakfast and lunch, between lunch and evening tea, and after evening tea there were lectures and meditation sessions. Only about 6 hours of meditation per day. End of classes at 21:00 and at 21:30. Time fought back with a gong.
Meditation room
It overlooks the beach, watched during meditation standing
Here either the volunteer or the teacher was sitting, supporting his appearance us
The so-called Russian sala, here in the morning you can do yoga
The gong that woke us up every morning
The food was Thai, simple and uncomplicated, usually rice with vegetables (all food is vegetarian, egg maximum). Every day was given 2-3 small slices of watermelon, a couple of bananas and a dessert made from something incomprehensible thai in the pot. Every time you open it, You look and do not understand what it is. Then you even start and still not clear. In general, it was difficult to stay hungry, so how it was possible to come up several times and put yourself still. But 2 times per day, as well as just such a diet, obviously not everyone will be like
The dishes were washed independently and rather sparingly – in 4 basins: in the first one there is very soapy water, in the second one less soapy, in the third one and fourth without soap. Very amateur way, to squeamish people not at all like it.
Dining hall and table with food, where everyone fits in turn
Outwardly ugly, but delicious rice porridge with ginger
Fruit is always strictly by quantity.
Washing dishes in 4 basins
Room for evening tea, and full-wall panoramic TV
We slept on wooden beds on a mat, that is, no mattresses. Who had a travel mat with them or a rug for yoga, they were sleeping much softer. The shelter was given a thin a blanket, you know this, like a fleece rug. I slept on one half of the blanket, the second half was hiding. I was tough, but not cold, the temperature did not fall, it seems to me, below 24-25 degrees
We washed with cold water (no water heaters), washed scooping out the tanks to conserve water. Men think a little who brought difficulties, but the girls with long hair were more difficult. Water, of course, is not as cold as in Russia, but not warm, room temperature somewhere. There was no toilet in the toilets paper, but you could buy it in the store, which is the majority and did.
Male dormitory
My wooden bed with mat
Wooden cushion for very advanced
How do you like the combination of “men’s souls”? 
Right here scooping up for washing
Everybody, while registering on the first day, chose for himself social work: sweep the path, wash the toilets, wipe the dishes, clean the floors in the premises and so on. I got cleaning the toilet. Well was Another option, but for some reason I signed up for the toilets.
Here I washed this toilet and 3 more people
On the last 6th day in the evening, we all gathered in a meditation the lobby and anyone could go to the microphone and talk about their experiences and impressions. With each new performance, all these are closed and strangers became more and more relatives. Was real feeling of a big family. Well, of course, it was interesting to listen, who has what results, so that was the most difficult, which was annoying, what was the easiest to compare with your feelings. Of course, on the 7th day before departure, we are still very long and communicated a lot, sharing impressions. Funny to me a few the man said that I have a very stern face in prostration. I others said the same thing, he was afraid to look and smile. It turned out all kind and cheerful people and love to talk. And we imagine thought out about others.
Briefly about meditation
Meditation is a good practice. She develops mindfulness, develops the mind. Try to follow your breathing for at least 10 minutes which is not distracted. This is such a force of will and ability to concentrate are needed. Our teacher, Ajahn Hubert, said that the essence of meditation is not correct posture, not in a fixed seat, but in the ability control your mind. That is, so that he does not control us, but we them. Then we can watch our emotions and decide how much we we want to be involved in them, regardless of whether this is negative emotion or positive. Because we usually get involved in emotions. uncontrollably and it causes us suffering. We are upset angry, offended. Meditation can help a person reduce his suffering, teach him to observe his thoughts and emotions, not engaging in them, thereby simplifying their attitude to something. You know, as they often say, you cannot change the situation, change to her attitude. At the retreat it was very good to feel that it means.
A conscious approach to life is very important, almost more important than the most meditation. In fact, this is the same practice only in everyday life. Be aware of yourself every time in the present moment. The word “real” It has 2 meanings in the Russian language: now and real, worthwhile. therefore The “present moment” reflects very well the meaning of awareness. we after all, many are accustomed to do automatically, without thinking at all: eat, brush your teeth, ride the subway to work, kiss the baby before leaving home. Perhaps only in some bright moments we they are really aware of. For example, when we see a beautiful sunset, when climbed to the top of the mountain after a week’s journey with a backpack when get off the plane somewhere in bangkok and inhale the smell beloved Asia, or when you went to a chaise on the first day of vacation with with a glass of something refreshing in your hand and finally relaxed after years of hard work. Each will have their own conscious moments.
But all life is for the most part just current moments and dim moments that we do not notice, while the mind is busy vanity, thoughts of the past and the future, washing over various situations and so on. As a result, we do not really live, skip a life. Of course, the question is whether one should be aware of such ordinary people. actions like brushing your teeth? I do not know. But to be more attentive to life it certainly makes sense. At least I understood it for myself. Especially when we are near our loved ones when we speak. something like a pleasant, and not so much when we behave somehow in certain situations. Still, life brought to automatism is not there is life, in it you can go very far from what was originally wanted and planned. And then you look back and uh, and 10 years have passed, and you and did not notice. Moreover, for some reason you were not at all there and did not at all that Well, there is such a possibility.
Here you can still write a lot of text, but I wrote only what It seemed to me very important. I think then after a year It will be very interesting to reread this post.
My impressions and experience
This was my first meditation experience. Here so that is direct specifically to do this. Similar things happened and just in life, for example, hiking meditation during long and physical load, or when a thousand kilometers in one sitting you go for driving, but this is not something not retreat. By the way, the big role was played by that I was not alone, but we were many, unnoticed we supported each other a friend. You see everyone is sitting around, not stirring, and it’s a little easier for you getting to continue. In general, a very interesting experience turned out. AT something complicated, something not. I’ll try to tell you.
Even on the zero day I was overcome by doubts why I came here. and who are these people. Not direct to want to escape, but did not give rest Thoughts that I have a lot of work, things to do there quietly sit for a week at the computer, and not here to retreat. Somewhere until the 3rd day they didn’t leave the thought that you could leave. Ok what’s in my head It was a firm intention to reach the end. After the equator it became go easy, and on the last day it was even a bit regretful that everything was already is over.
Surprisingly, ascetic and uncomfortable conditions are generally not caused my irritation or any difficulties. Not comfortable but not difficult. Perhaps the experience of walking in hiking, when had to sleep in a tent and eat simple meals as well as low cost traveling around Asia with overnight stays in hostels, prepared me for to this. Some participants said that they were really very difficult. Still, feeding 2 times a day is a very simple meal and night on a piece of wood is not sanatorium conditions. Although it should be noted that our retreat is still a light version, as usually the whole action Lasts 10 days, eating only once a day, almost no lectures and 10 hours of meditation per day. We had about 6 hours. meditation.
Probably the only thing that strained is the daily rain. Everything was wet, the washed clothes did not dry, but rotted, the walls the beds were covered with white mold, the feet were constantly wet, because walk through the puddles in the shales. And yes, I wanted cookies! Well, or something something sweet to tea. Foolish habit. The first day they gave us in the afternoon and I thought they would continue to give, but on the third day it became it is clear that banana tea is our everything. And from the physical inconvenience – I am so and could not sleep, such early waking up was given with difficulty. The first few days I was still asleep at all breaks, then take it easier has become.
But the most difficult for me was the practice itself. I do not imagine how you can sit for hours and watch your breath. Anapanasati is a technique when we monitor inhaling and exhaling (you can follow the physical sensations of the passage of air), nor on that without distracting your mind. This is just hell! My mind is constantly bored and flew away in thought. I could go into thinking for five minutes, and only after that he recalled that I was following my breath. I sat and waited when at last they hit the gong and it will be possible to do something else. Most of all I liked the lectures, at least some kind of food for the mind.
So you had to sit for 6 hours a day
I, as a person accustomed to the eternal online and the Internet, you need almost around the clock information consumption. Was really difficult in this information vacuum. Can’t read, talk too, there is nothing interesting around. I remembered who was sitting where remembered clothes, paid attention to who had what pedicure and rings on the legs, on the color of the leaves of the plants around, on the drawing stairs upstairs. A lie down to think before bed or during break was my any occupation. After all, plunge into thoughts too it was undesirable to ideally practice all the time.
Very well remembered this colorful bush
Staircase leading to the dining room
The 5th day was the toughest. There were no lectures, only meditation. And on this day, probably, the only time for the whole retreat, I managed for a long time not to be distracted by thoughts and I fell into some black something. Not for long. But sensations interesting. As if from the inside (or somewhere else) you look at everything around, almost not feeling his body, but it is easy controlling your breath. It is difficult to describe. Sorry, hit the gong and I instantly fell back.
But silence was easy. Full I was surprised too. Not thought that 7 days in silence is so simple. On the other hand i introvert and do not need constant communication. True, when removed banning silence on the 7th day, I just suffered, so many emotions, so many people wanted to share. After a couple of days, let go, emotional lift ended and even a little decadent the mood in contrast has begun. But then everything became exactly, the pendulum is over.
On the last day a lot of positive emotions.
If we talk about whether meditation helped, then as our teacher Ajahn Hubert, you need to look at the results. In my case they are that during the retreat and now – the mind has become much calmer. He is less tired and fussing. But understandable The thing is that this is a temporary phenomenon and the effect will soon disappear. Therefore, ideally, continue to practice for at least 10 minutes in day. Again, as Ajahn Hubert said, it’s better to have 10 non-tense ones minutes during the year to become a habit than to meditate on an hour, but the enthusiasm is only enough for a couple of weeks. Generally, considering that I had no expectations at all from this event, they came true more than.
I am with Ajahn Hubert
Perhaps you are wondering if I will practice meditation? I do not I know. And also I do not know if I will go to retreat. It’s too early for that speak. In general, you know, I liked the idea of a conscious approach to life when in life you show more attentiveness. If only If I could implement it, then it’s great. Also would like to point out that retreat did not make me different, i remained the same. Very unlikely meditation for several days can change a person, rather he can understand something for himself or see something in himself, and even then is not a fact. Well, this is to the questions of my friends, “well, how?”, “Enlightened?”, “what insights have come?”
On the map
Just in case, add a map, although if you are thinking on retreat, then you will be greeted near the hotel Utopia Resort or building The Icon. In the letter after registration on the retreat will be all the necessary information.
From this hotel there is a transfer to Deepabhavan.
P.S. Something a long post turned out, but in fact not all told. Ask questions if you are interested in something. By the way, fate Russian-language retreats on Samui is still in question. Ajahn Hubert leaves for Latvia.
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