Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center

following an opening ceremony. Persons who have already taken a course at the
center can participate in 10-day courses.
Accommodation: Women and men live in pleasant small single rooms in separated
quarters. Thin mattress on concrete or wooden floor. If this is too hard, bring sleeping
pad. Blankets can be borrowed. A sleeping bag is particularly useful during the cooler
season.
Shopping: Items of daily use (toothpaste, chocolate, coffee, Coke and laundry
detergent) can be bought in a small shop at the Wat. Meditation pillows and digital
alarm clocks can be bought in Chiang Mai. White clothing sometimes can be
borrowed.
Food: Breakfast (6 a.m.) and lunch (10:30 a.m.) are varied and of good quality.
Breakfast consists usually from rice and various vegatable dishes. At the noon time
there is one vegetarian and one non-vegetarian meal, with plenty of side dishes, rice
vegetables and tee for drink. There is plenty of soy sauce, brown sugar and spicy red
chillies. After noon no meals should be taken (drinks such as milk, tea, coffee, and
yoghurt are permitted). Drinking water is filtered and therefore potable (to be safe,
bring own disinfectant, or boil). At 5p.m. there is a warm soy milk for drink.
Medical care: Very good by Asian standards. The closest clinics are in Chiang Mai.
The region is not considered malaria area, but in other parts of Thailand malaria is
endemic. Hygienic conditions in the Wat are good.
Costs: Donation.
Rules: Participants commit themselves to observe the eight silas (moral precepts).
Clothing should be white, comfortable, and decent (no shirts or tank tops). Wake-up
call is at 4 a.m.
Climate and best time to go: November to March.
Note: A warm jacket is useful during morning meditation. Good conditions, intensive
practice, and expert individual instruction.
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