Retreat Programme >> Course Guidelines
Course Guidelines for Vipassana Meditation Course
Students undertaking a vipassana meditation retreat should come prepared to abide by the course guidelines. The training, if followed diligently, will result in a calmer mind through the gradual eradication of impurities and, ultimately, in the realisation of the 'Nibbanic Peace within'.
To achieve a state of mind perfectly attuned and in balance, it is essential to start with a stable and sound base of conduct. For the duration of the training, each student is asked to observe the following five precepts:
To refrain from killing
To refrain from stealing
To refrain from sexual misconduct (here total celibacy)
To refrain from lying
To refrain from the use of intoxicants and drugs
In order to experience the benefits of the technique, students are expected to follow the instructions given by the teacher. During the period of training students will have to give up their previous practices and all spiritual activities. Students should not wear or bring with them spiritual objects (e.g., chanting beads, amulets, talismans, etc) or reading material of any kind.
There are daily interviews with the teacher where each student is given personal guidance. Students should provide a true and accurate account of their experiences. Throughout the course, the emphasis is on investigating the truth for oneself by practising the technique. The teaching is through experience. If what you experience is for your well-being, you can accept it; if it is not for your well-being, you will not accept it. Discourses given in the morning and evening by a teacher help to clarify the practice.
