To give one example, the root teaching of anicca strives to instil the truth that everything, good or bad is impermanent. Rather than freak out in the face of duress, Vipassana encourages you to calmly remember it will pass, and remain more level, competent and able to deal with situations of stress. A few gems of understanding such as this seem to have remained with me, resurfacing at odd and unanticipated moments. Goenka’s technique is held up as the way in which the Buddha attained enlightenment, but is determinedly stripped of any religious doctrine or ‘ism’ to offer a universal path to happiness. Essentially, I’m not sure if the course left me feeling wonderful because I spent 10 days in the quiet appreciating and reflecting, or because the magic of Vippassana brings old students back to the course time and time again. One of the most incredible outcomes of the experience was the family of strangers it forged. The end of the course involves time to reconnect with people before being let loose on the outside world. This metta day (loving kindness) is most vivid to me now. The laughter and humanity were almost tangible in the air, such mass relief that 10 days were over, but so grateful they had happened. Hours upon hours of meditation left me especially sensitive to sounds, tastes, touch and people. Retrospectively, I think the basis for connection occurred surreptitiously throughout the course. I want to finish with a little anecdote about a lovely Hong Kong lady on my course. The bond was first forged when a spider bit me on the leg in the meditation hall. Sitting down for what felt like the millionth time, I flinched at a sharp pin in my leg. Looking around, the lady sat behind me, about 20 years my senior, was brushing away the spider. I smiled. This began a conspiracy of smiles and I was met with a huge grin every time our eyes met over breakfast. Vipassana is free, made possible by students who have such an experience they dedicate money or time to strangers for the course photos of our families. Such a strange and beautiful circumstance. I am massively grateful for the chance I got to do Vipassana and although its trial should not be underestimated, it sent me back out into life feeling recharged and reawakened and reaffirmed. Vipassana is free, it is made possible entirely by students who have such an experience they choose to dedicate money or time to the food and care of strangers for the duration of the course. Every person’s response seems to be different, and I am certainly happy I did. the root teaching of anicca strives to instil the truth that everything, good or bad is impermanent Amy has just moved back to Edinburgh from Hong Kong to complete a degree in International Relations. She is loving being back in sunny Scotland and continues to practice Ashtanga Yoga. amydoffegnies@gmail.com Vipassana Information in Hong Kong G.P.O. Box 5185, Hong Kong t: +852 2671 7031 f: + 852 8147 3312 e: info@hk.dhamma.org w: www.hk.dhamma.org Although any communication is forbidden, I reasoned to myself that these few tiny gestures of warmth, surely, cannot be detrimental to the aims of the course. The lady took on a motherly role, when on the last day over breakfast she took the plate out of my hands- to my bemusement, and washed it for me. After nine days of no human contact, this small gesture of kindness reduced me to the brink of tears. When the silence ended I eagerly wandered over and was received in her huge embrace, but we didn’t speak a word of each-others languages. Later, with our possessions returned, I offered her a little key chain of a Buddha which someone had given me once…The ripples seemed to be felt around the camp…suddenly a cackle of Cantonese greeted me as ladies congregated and looked at me as I bumbled to the bathroom. Later she came to me with a red packet and a new friend translated some sentiments between us. We showed each other 28
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