Is Vipassana meditation a fast track to liberation?* Part V

Which things to take with you to Vipassana

·      Alarm clock (old-fashioned mechanical one, not on your smartphone)

·      Flashlight

·      Lock for your door

·      Umbrella for protection against rain or sun

·      Comfortable pants or skirt to sit in the meditation postures for long hours

·      Couple of modest T-shirts or cotton blouses

·      A hat

·      Sunglasses

·      Himalayas: rain umbrella, coat, rain pants, waterproof boots

·      Indian rupees—currency—1,000 rupees will be enough to pay for laundry and small purchases

·      Bottle for water

·      Electric kettle might be useful, if permitted

                                                                              Vipassana retreat Pushkar 

After the course 

On the tenth day of the course you will get an opportunity to buy some books about Vipassana meditation based on teachings by the founder of the technique, Gautama Buddha. 
Also for sale are DVDs and CDs with lectures of the organizer of Vipassana centers worldwide, S.N. Goenka. The main languages of the books are English and Hindu, however, DVDs and CDs are available in a number of languages.

The lectures are the most valuable asset in the methodology of Vipassana nowadays. You can download them to your laptop or smartphone and listen any time. 

The lectures are extremely helpful for refreshing your memory back home, whether you are going to continue practicing the Vipassana meditation in the future or not. Well-structured and thoughtful lessons are delivered with a calm voice of a reader with a daily teaching. 

                                                                                                      Pagoda in Mumbai 

Questions & Answers

1.Q: what is being liberated?

A: being liberated means to have a freedom from Samsara; no return back to the physical world.

2. Q: is not freedom already present?

A: The freedom, which is already present, gives you a chance to take higher risks. It's not liberation itself.

3. Q: can i liberate after attending the first course of the Vipassana meditation?

A: No. The liberation process takes much longer time.

4. Q: Does the liberation have something to do with enlightenment?

A: Yes. A person who reaches full enlightenment is liberated from Samsara.

5. Q: how long it takes to get full enlightenment?

A: For Siddhārtha Gautama, known as Buddha, it took about 6 years

6. Q: I don’t want to liberate. Is there any other advantage of Vipassana Meditation?

A: Yes. For example, Anger management.

7. Q: What anger management has in common with liberation?

A: A person who is able to control his anger does not generate new karmic nodes.

7. Q: Are foreigners and Indians have separate premises for practicing Vipassana Meditation?

A: No. All people are meditating in the same hall, getting instructions in Hindu and English (other languages are available via audio player).

 8. Q: I like to practice meditations along, is there any chance to have a private room for the meditation?

A: Yes, you will have a chance to practice Vipassana meditation in your own cell in Pagoda.

Do you have your own question?

Most Sincerely,

Jacklyn A. Lo

*Note:  This article is based on my personal experience and thoughts after my first 10-day meditation course of Vipassana, and is not presented to be an absolute truth. – Jacklyn A. Lo