Preparing for a Meditation Retreat

By Kyle Harris

Meditation retreats have become increasingly popular in recent years. While considerable effort is put forth by the organizers of these retreats, oftentimes meditators have not adequately prepared, nor do they have a plan for how to best benefit from their experiences afterwards. While the teachers often are incredibly experienced, they may not empathize with the specific trials of modern urban life - its chaos and neuroses abound. If you are someone who's grown up in such a world, learning about the journey through the first ten-day meditation retreat that changed my life can be helpful. This book is the first in a series written to appeal to those interested in the benefits, with full disclosure on my mistakes, what I wish I knew, and an in-depth look at why it was the most life-changing event I've been fortunate enough to experience.

While this series may be applicable to many forms of meditation retreats, it is catered specifically to Vipassana meditation, as taught by S.N. Goenka. This is the meditation technique said to have been practiced by Gotama the Buddha, liberating him from suffering and allowing him to achieve enlightenment. I spent ten days in the California desert learning the practice of Vipassana - a technique to see things as they really are, not as they appear to be.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kyle Harris
• Release date: Nov 21, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370211944

Book preview

Preparing for a Meditation Retreat

Kyle Harris

Copyright © 2016 Kyle Harris

All rights reserved.

PART ONE

Introduction

Chapter 1

So you're considering going on a meditation retreat. Fantastic. Approached seriously and enthusiastically, you're likely to have one of the most profound, perspective-changing experiences of your life. Deciding to do my first retreat was the most important decision I've ever made. However, approached with a misunderstanding of either the benefits or the requirements will lead to at best, a waste of time - and at worst, a negative impact on your mental health. Preparing adequately is extremely important — if you even think you’re ready in the first place. These are going to be the two central ideas of this book: deciding if you should really go on a retreat, and figuring out how to properly prepare yourself.

There are a few things I want to get out of the way before we dive into whether you ought to sign up for a retreat. First of all, I will be focusing specifically on the 10-day Vipassana meditation courses for new students. Vipassana is a traditional form of meditation said to have been used by Gotama the Buddha to achieve enlightenment over 2500 years ago. Unlike more recently developed meditation practices, it is not a mindfulness meditation - vipassana isn’t meant to quickly relieve stress or casually improve emotional control. A retreat will not be an escape from life’s difficulties, a relaxing few weeks of reflection, or an intellectual game or contemplation. It should be considered work, no different than if you chose to go on an athletic retreat where only intense effort could develop your physique and endurance. The peace and relaxation you hope for will come soon enough. Like happiness, they must ensue.

Vipassana is a technique used to realize deep insights, lasting happiness, and peace. In the way a mindfulness meditator accredits his practice to enduring a tumultuous year of job changes and relationship difficulties, a vipassana meditator may say the same of his practice if his city, family or physical health faces complete annihilation. The depth of benefits a serious student of the practice will gain cannot be understated. Along with enjoying the fruits of my own dedication,