Mayka, Well, a 10 day vipassana course is pretty much like an 8 day sesshin except in the following ways. The vipassana course goes for 10 days and there is absolutely no talking, reading, writing or any form of communication whatsoever. Wake up at 4am; last meal 11.30am; lights out at 9.30pm. Mediatate all other times. There is no emphasis on how you sit to meditate and you can use whatever you like (any number of cushions etc). The first 4 days just gets you to concentrate on the air moving in and out of you nostrils with the 4th day concentrating only on the space below the nostrils where the breath enters/exits. On the 5th the Vipassana 'technique' proper begins which involves a kind of 'scanning' of the body (from head to toe) or subtle sensations. This has the effect of pushing the consciousness into very subtle levels. On the 5th or 6th day you're expected to not move for one hour - not one movement! This is realllllllllllllly difficult and pushes you into levels of pain you cannot begin to imagine! However, an amazing thing happens. You can be in intense pain around the 40 minute mark (if you haven't moved), but suddenly the body/mind experiences a letting go of the pain and changes to intense bliss and euphoria - and I mean ecstasy (personally, I don't think this is anything 'spiritual', but just the effect of endorphins). The lesson learnt is that nothing lasts (pleasure - pain) and so not to cling to/avert anything. Equanimity is the state that walks that middle line. Now, this may all seem pretty obvious to those of us aquainted with Zen and Buddhism *but* reading or imaging pain/pleasure is one thing, but the intense experience of it (try not moving *at all* for one hour) is another. Furthermore, the course is absolutely free of any religious icons/paraphenalia and is also completely free of cost (incl. accom. and food). An amazing experience. The SAS of the meditation retreats! Mike
