LIGHT OF EDUCATION IS LIGHT OF GOD

 

I had the profound privilege of embarking on a 10-day Vipassana Meditation Course in the serene environment of Titwala, Mumbai, from September 30 to October 11, 2023. This transformative journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. In my 66 years, it stands as the pinnacle of my educational and spiritual endeavours. Within the condensed span of ten days, I found myself immersed in a profound ocean of knowledge, dedicated to elevating, and liberating the human spirit.

This experience encompassed a comprehensive A-Z training, guiding each participant towards the highest state of being. Rooted in ascetic and austere principles, it served as a stepping stone towards purification and elevation. The entire course was a celestial canvas of conscious living, characterized by:

- Commencing each day at 4 am

- Retiring to rest at 9:30 pm

- Embracing a vegetarian diet

- Breakfast at 6:30 am

- Lunch at 11 am

- Tea and a light snack at 5 pm

- Engaging in daily discourse by Guruji from 7 to 8:30 pm

- Forgoing dinner

- Adhering to strict anti-wastage measures for food and water

- Respecting all forms of life

- Embracing a down-to-earth attitude in living and interacting with others

- Maintaining the highest standards of hygiene and sanitation

- Upholding an unwavering silence

- Dedication to 12 hours of daily meditation

- Seclusion amidst a pristine natural environment

- Renunciation of comfort and luxury

- Noble and Brahminic Culture (Aryan Culture)

-  Cultivate Purity

- Upholding Dharma above everything

- Focus on Anitya and Samata

- Practice of Non – attachment

- Utmost meditative living

- Detachment from desires

- Equanimity

- In the core of heart treat your clients Devas and Devis

- Serene and meditative mood of living

 

The most profound lessons I took away from this course encompassed the messages of impermanence (Anitya), eternity (Nitya), equanimity (Samata), non-attachment, desirelessness, the simplification and sublimation of lifestyle, and the pursuit of purity in thought, word, and deed. These teachings hold the potential to liberate individuals from suffering and pave the path to lasting bliss and ultimate liberation. Furthermore, the course enriched me with the wisdom that Dharma, righteous living, is the most precious wealth to attain and share with others. In a nutshell, every facet of this course was nothing short of splendid.

However, I would like to offer two recommendations for enhancement. Firstly, extending the break duration after each meditation session to 10 minutes, instead of the current 5 minutes, would be a more compassionate approach, considering the taxing nature of prolonged meditation. Secondly, it might be beneficial to provide senior citizens with the option to sit on chairs during meditation sessions, as extended floor sitting can prove physically challenging and disruptive to concentration.

Given the course's remarkable transformative power, I fervently hope that its reach will extend to every corner of the world. In a time when the world is increasingly driven by science and technology, the need for virtuous individuals is becoming rarer. The Vipassana training possesses the potential to elevate and purify all human beings, ultimately leading to a more blissful and peaceful world.

I must commend the course for its emphasis on respecting and valuing every drop of water and every form of life. The practice of forsaking comforts and luxuries imparts vital lessons in resource conservation, fortitude, and tolerance, which collectively purify both body and mind. A noteworthy aspect of this course is its universal appeal, free from religious prejudices.

I wholeheartedly recommend that every citizen considers embarking on this profound journey. My family and I feel exceptionally fortunate to have participated in this remarkable program. As of today, it stands as the most enriching course I've ever undertaken. Our deepest gratitude extends to our revered Guruji, S. N. Goenka, and all those who are associated with this noble mission.

Santosh Chowdhury and family

West Bengal