Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center
Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center
Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center
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period of sitt<strong>in</strong>g follow. Beg<strong>in</strong>ners start with 10 m<strong>in</strong>utes and <strong>in</strong>crease gradually to an<br />
hour. Every week there is a Dhamma talk. It is possible to go to the daily chant<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Language(s): Interviews <strong>in</strong> English or Thai.<br />
Course duration and dates: A beg<strong>in</strong>ners’ course is approximately three weeks.<br />
S<strong>in</strong>ce courses are <strong>in</strong>dividual no particular dates need to be observed. The retreat<br />
beg<strong>in</strong>s with an open<strong>in</strong>g ceremony and ends with a clos<strong>in</strong>g ceremony. Persons who<br />
have already taken a course at the center can participate <strong>in</strong> 10-day courses.<br />
Accommodation: Men and women live <strong>in</strong> separate quarters. Th<strong>in</strong> mattresses on<br />
concrete or wood. If this is too hard for you, br<strong>in</strong>g a sleep pad. Blankets, meditation<br />
pillow and pillow can be borrowed. A sleep<strong>in</strong>g bag and fleece jacket are particularly<br />
useful dur<strong>in</strong>g the cooler season.<br />
Shopp<strong>in</strong>g: Daily necessities can be bought <strong>in</strong> the small temple-shops. A digital<br />
alarm clock, flashlight, flip-flops, water bottle, <strong>in</strong>sect repellent, toiletries and possibly<br />
tea and coffee should be bought before the retreat. You can buy this <strong>in</strong> Chiang Mai.<br />
Food: Breakfast (6:30 a.m.) and lunch (11 a.m.) are varied and of good quality.<br />
There is always a choice of two or three vegetarian dishes and sometimes fruit. After<br />
noon no meals should be taken (dr<strong>in</strong>ks such as milk, tea, and yoghourt are<br />
permitted). Dr<strong>in</strong>k<strong>in</strong>g water is filtered and therefore potable. To be even more sure,<br />
br<strong>in</strong>g dis<strong>in</strong>fectant or boil water.<br />
Medical care: In Chiang Mai there are pharmacies and a serviceable hospital with<br />
English-speak<strong>in</strong>g doctors. This area is not considered contam<strong>in</strong>ated with malaria, but<br />
<strong>in</strong> other parts of Thailand malaria is common. The hygiene <strong>in</strong> the Wat is very good.<br />
Costs: Donation.<br />
Rules: Participants vow to adhere to the eight moral precepts (moral practice rules).<br />
Cloth<strong>in</strong>g should be white, comfortable, and decent (no shorts or tank tops). Wake-up<br />
is at 4 a.m.<br />
Climate and best time to go: November to March.<br />
Note: Good meditation condition, Intensive meditation practice and clear <strong>in</strong>structions<br />
for practice. The centre is grow<strong>in</strong>g and look<strong>in</strong>g for persons who want stay long term.<br />
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