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Ten Days of Silence

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Re: Ten Days of Silence

#51

Post by oskarth »

Animats wrote: post #31

From the article: "About half a year ago I started taking psychedelic drugs fairly regularly. Partially because they were fun, but also because I could see how they benefited me therapeutically. When I heard that meditation could produce similar effects, I found a ten day intense silent meditation course I could join in Italy." Huey Lewis & the News: "I want a new drug One that won't make me sick One that won't make…

This is such a dismissive attitude. What Feynman is talking about is putting something artificial in your body with potentially adverse side effects. This has very little to do with sitting still in a room and watching your breathing. This is something people have done for thousands of years, and it consists "only" of sitting.

Going on a surf vacation for 10 days isn't going to have nearly as big of an impact as something like this in this dimension. You may a get a lot better at surfing really quickly, and meet some friends. Which is great!

If you don't think meditation is for your, fine, don't do it. But don't downplay people's experience by imposing your own limited world view on it.

EDIT: My intention is not be dismissive of surfing as an activity. I would be surprised though if OP went on a 10 day surfing retreat and wrote a similar article to the one we are reading now.

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#52

Post by [deleted] »

futuravenir wrote: post #20
savage_platypus wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reads like a scientology ad

Unlike Scientology, Vipassana courses are free. They provide food, shelter, and an incredible experience on the donations of others. If you want to give a donation after you've finished the course (and only after you've finished the complete course, they won't accept donations otherwise), then you are welcomed to.

[deleted]

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#53

Post by oskarth »

futuravenir wrote: post #20
savage_platypus wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Reads like a scientology ad

Unlike Scientology, Vipassana courses are free. They provide food, shelter, and an incredible experience on the donations of others. If you want to give a donation after you've finished the course (and only after you've finished the complete course, they won't accept donations otherwise), then you are welcomed to.

I have never done a Vipassana retreat, but I've played around with that style of meditation with good results. To me this is one of the most admirable aspects of it - so many of these so called "spiritual" (a misguided umbrella term) retreats/courses functions more as a way for the founder to get rich than to do something good. See the founder of Bikram yoga.

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#54

Post by 001sky »

oskarth wrote: post #51
Animats wrote: post #31

From the article: "About half a year ago I started taking psychedelic drugs fairly regularly. Partially because they were fun, but also because I could see how they benefited me therapeutically. When I heard that meditation could produce similar effects, I found a ten day intense silent meditation course I could join in Italy." Huey Lewis & the News: "I want a new drug One that won't make me sick One that won't make…

This is such a dismissive attitude. What Feynman is talking about is putting something artificial in your body with potentially adverse side effects. This has very little to do with sitting still in a room and watching your breathing. This is something people have done for thousands of years, and it consists "only" of sitting. Going on a surf vacation for 10 days isn't going to have nearly as big of an impact as some…

Meditation is commonly practiced by all kinds of people, many of whom don't do it in the tradition you may associate with 'Meditation'. I wouldn't be so dismissive of surfing. Activities that force you to clear your mind (so you don't die or seriously hurt yourself) are other candidates for similar outcomes.

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#55

Post by bencollier49 »

devnonymous wrote: post #25
savage_platypus wrote: post #6

This sounds like more feel-good pseudoscientific hogwash. Is there any evidence that "not talking" can actually lead to an improved life, or is this yet another fad that makes people feel good about themselves?

Umm, it is pseudoscience inasmuch no real study has been conducted (it isn't 'exciting' enough ...yet). So, yeah this is anecdotal but that doesn't make it false. A number of people I know have been through the vipasanna course and express the same sentiment. I wonder why it is popular now to expect ^someone^ to do the research and present ^evidence^ before they can even begin to become curious about something. Does…

Blame the homeopaths and chiropractors.

I think this is in a different class though, it's subjective, so the tests aren't necessarily necessary.

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#57

Post by ctolsen »

compbio wrote: post #34
crindy wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Did you sign up just to bash vipassana? I'm curious as to why you feel so strongly about the issue. If it works for some people, it works for them. Does it cause harm to you if other people give it a try?

Scientology and some Thelemic orgs use Vipassana and other meditative techniques to ensnare their students. The wonky experiences like out-of-body experiences are used to market the system. So it works, yet is still abused to capitalize on the spiritual progress of followers. It works, but so does a parlor trick works when your audience does not pay full attention. Your question: 'Does it cause harm to you if other p…

The article compared meditation to psychedelics because the author is misguided. They may produce remotely similar states of mind. That does not mean they are equal.

There is no claim of salvation in meditation. Only claims of personal benefit in terms of calm and compassion, plus an increasing body of scientific evidence of cognitive benefits.

Invisible men in the sky are the antithesis of Vipassana, and anyone who uses it to ensnare anyone are frauds. The only benefits are within yourself, and the teachings make that abundantly clear.

Also, implying that Vipassana and meditation can harm anyone is absolutely ridiculous. It cannot do that anymore than reading a book or eating breakfast can.

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#58

Post by Delmania »

babuskov wrote: post #12
futuravenir wrote: post #2

Vipassana is an absolutely wonderful experience. A 'brain washing' where it can rid your mind of all the crud that has accumulated from our culture and society. It puts you in touch with your body in a way that nothing my life ever has. I'd be happy to answer some questions if anybody has any.

I tried Vipassana on my own while I was a student (it was much easier to get stretches of peaceful time). I read the instructions from a book and managed to get into a different state of mind in about 45 minutes or so. Is there really some point in sitting and trying it all day long? I mean, if you cannot "get" it within an hour, aren't you doing something wrong? Or it takes different length of time for different peo…

>Is there really some point in sitting and trying it all day long? I mean, if you cannot "get" it within an hour, aren't you doing something wrong? Or it takes different length of time for different people?

Disclaimer: I am more a follower of Zen Buddhism.

There is no right or wrong. The goal of this, any other forms of Buddhism, is satori. It can take some people a year, some people a lifetime, but at the end, practice and satori are one.

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#59

Post by Delmania »

futuravenir wrote: post #15
babuskov wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I tried Vipassana on my own while I was a student (it was much easier to get stretches of peaceful time). I read the instructions from a book and managed to get into a different state of mind in about 45 minutes or so. Is there really some point in sitting and trying it all day long? I mean, if you cannot "get" it within an hour, aren't you doing something wrong? Or it takes different length of time for different peo…

It took me about a week. And it totally caught me off-guard. I had no expectations going in. It definitely takes different people different amounts of time. And if you are suffering, it is that much more difficult because you have pain that is holding you with attachment. I'm not able to get into that state very quickly at all...I haven't been in that state for years actually.

Do you continue to sit?

Re: Ten Days of Silence

#60

Post by carrotleads »

futuravenir wrote: post #5
BlackJack wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've signed up for a 10-day course in mid August and am stoked about what I'll gain and also about the sheer difficulty. Could you talk more about the long-term effects of Vipassana on your body/life?

I did it first in 2011. I've only done one session. I've tried to go back a few times but have created barriers in myself to doing so. It will do me more to go back to Vipassana than any single thing I can do for myself. It puts you at the center and you just follow along, being true. As far as long-term effects, I came out of the experience glowing. Heat didn't bother me. I saw clearly. The afterglow lasted for abou…

If it was benefecial, why didn't you do more of it..

Surely as rational people that is the course to take?

I see the same with my Yoga practice... touchwood, I am mostly healthy and I should do more Yoga but somedays I am looking for reasons not to do my usual tiny practice..

Is it cause we don't make the outward connection between the practice and our wellbeing?

PS : thinking aloud and trying to see if I am alone in this...

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