Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center

How to get there: A taxi from the city center is about US$ 15, from the airport about
US$ 10. From the city center (Sule pagoda) there are also public busses. From the
bus stop it is only 2 minutes walk to the centre.
Meditation technique: Based on Mahasi Sayadaws method of Vipassana
meditation/insight meditation. Formal meditation is in turn sitting and walking;
durations are adjusted according to individual level. Primary object of meditation is
the rising and falling of the abdomen. Much value is placed on the development of a
continuous and uninterrupted mindfulness in all activities of daily life, that is, all
activities outside of formal meditation. Hence all movements during eating, dressing,
getting up etc. are done consciously slowly in order to be mindful at any given
moment.
Language(s): Instructions, talks, and interviews are given by Sayadaw U Indaka and
are translated into English by a translator. The Swiss nun Ven. Ariya Ñani is usually
at the centre during the cool season (December to March). Therefore, instructions,
talks, and interviews can be translated into German and French. It is also possible to
get teachings directly from her. Please inquire whether she is at the centre or not.
Course duration and dates: Since there are no group retreats, no dates need to be
observed. You can start a retreat at any time. Minimum stay is 10 days, no upper
limit. Special arrangements can be made in advance.
Lodging: Meditators are accommodated either in kutis (bungalows) with two rooms
each and shower/toilet or in the single rooms with attached shower/toilet in the
'Sangha-Gonye' building. Each room contains a bed, a drawer, and a table. Mattress,
sheets, pillow, blanket, mosquito net and thermos are provided by the center. All
room have fine mesh windows against mosquitoes.
What to bring: Insect repellant (the area around Yangon is malaria-free), personal
medications, warm sweater and socks for the cool season (December to February),
sitting cushion. Most items of daily use such as soap, toothpaste, flashlight, and
batteries are available in Yangon.
Food: Daily two full meals. Breakfast is at 5:30 a.m. (full meal with fried rice or
noodles and noodle soup as well as fruit, cake, coffee, tea) and lunch at 10:30 a.m.
(rice with five to seven different curries, fruit, desserts). You can choose between
vegetarian and non-vegetarian food. In the evenings, fruit juice is served around 5
p.m. You can fill your thermos with hot water during mealtimes. Clean, filtered
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