Meditation in Southeast Asia - Insight Meditation Center

lives in India. Since there are more than 50 centers worldwide which adhere to this
tradition, Goenkajs instructions are presented on video or audio tape. Usually two
assistant teachers (male and female) are present. They can answer questions and
assist with problems. Usually there is a twice daily opportunity to talk to them.
Language(s): Video and assistance teacher: Nepali, Hindi, English. Taped Dhamma
talks (introduction in the teachings of the Buddha) are also offered in other languages
(e.g. German).
Lodging: Differently sized rooms, depending on participant numbers. Rooms house
two to eight people. Clean toilets and laundry facilities. With some luck, hot showers
(solar heating). Beds (with mattress) with moskito nets. Blankets are available, but a
sleeping bag is recommended since nights can be cold.
Food: Vegetarian and tasty. Second helpings possible for breakfast and lunch. Every
day fruit, delicious yoghurt, milk, and tea are served. The friendly assistants are
helpful and eager to support meditators with dietary restrictions. Evenings, new
meditators receive fruit and tea. Experienced meditators may have lemon water.
Drinking water is filtered or boiled and therefore safe for occidentals (if you want to
be on the absolutely safe side, bring disinfectant).
Medical care: Good by Indian subcontinent standards, because in Kathmandu there
are fairly good private clinics. Malaria is not endemic in the Kathmandu valley and
hygienic conditions at the Vipassana Centre are good.
Cost: Donations.
Rules: All participants pledge to take part in the entire retreat (no leaving the
premises), to keep noble silence for the first nine days, not to read or write, engage in
sexual activities, follow rituals, prayers, or other extraneous meditation techniques, to
accept orders by the teacher and the management, and to keep the five (novices) or
eight (experienced meditators) silas (moral precepts). Yoga or Tai Chi exercises are
compatible with the method but must not be exercised during the course so as not to
distract other participants. Walks during the breaks are possible in principle but due
to the rather small size garden only short rounds with little variation are possible.
There is no explicit dress code but very distracting or indecent clothing must be
avoided.
Shopping: In Kathmandu most items of daily use can be obtained. In the centre
there is no shop. Toiletries must be brought. Sitting pads are available, a pillow may
be brought. A sleeping bag is an asset. Absolutely take warm clothing (fleece),
because during sitting meditation at 4 a.m. it can be very cold.
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