There's a place in the composed hills of Igatpuri, Maharashtra, that beckons weary souls and curious minds alike a place where silence roars louder than words, and where the path to inner peace twists and turns through the complex of your own thoughts. This is Dhammagiri, and I've had the privilege of embarking on not one of my two 10-day Vipassana meditation courses at this mystical retreat. Strap in, folks, because I'm about to take you on a journey filled with introspection, humour, and the unexpected!
Igatpuri My Journey to Inner Bliss: @Dhammagiri
What is Dhammagiri?
Dhammagiri, Igatpuri the "Hill of Dhamma," is not just any meditation centre. It's the Grandmaster of Vipassana meditation centres, the Jedi Temple of self-examination, and the enchants of mindfulness, all rolled into one. Founded by the late S.N. Goenka, this oasis of silence offers a safe haven for anyone seeking the art of Vipassana meditation.
The Birth of Stillness
In a galaxy not so far away (Igatpuri, actually), S.N. Goenka established Dhammagiri in 1976. This sprawling retreat centre has since witnessed countless seekers treading the path of inner exploration.
- The Golden Pagoda: Trust me; you won't need a map to find this one. It gleams like an inspiration of enlightenment, and you can spot it from miles away. This magnificent pagoda houses a gigantic golden meditation hall where you'll spend a lot of your time.
- The Buddha Statue: The serene Buddha statue nestled amidst lush greenery is a reminder of the enlightenment sought by the Buddha himself.
- Meditation Halls: Dhammagiri boasts a variety of meditation halls, each with its own unique vibe. The grand hall, where the actual Vipassana meditation takes place, is a sight to behold.
Unknown & Interesting Facts
- Did you know that Dhammagiri offers courses in multiple languages, making it a truly global hub for meditation enthusiasts?
- There's a dedicated "noble silence" code. No, you can't whisper that hilarious joke to your neighbour. Zip it!
- The daily routine involves hours of meditation, but it's not all serious. There are occasional group sittings, which are like the "comedy hour" of meditation. Trust me; you'll cherish these moments.
Attractions Beyond Meditation
- Trimbak: After your course, take a day trip to Trimbak, a town famous for the Trimbakeshwar Shiva Temple and its stunning surroundings.
- Camel Valley: Go on a camel ride! Because why not add a little adventure to your spiritual journey?
- Bhatsa River Valley: Explore the lush Bhatsa River Valley, perfect for nature lovers and hikers.
Read More: Ravishing Retreat
My Experience!
Now that I've shared plenty of realm of theories, it's time to embark on 'my tale' of Vipassana! Are you prepared? Buckle up, for you're about to journey into a realm of enchantment and mystique. Hooray
As above i mentioned i attended two times 10 day Vipassana meditation course at Dhammagiri, Igatpuri. So, that I am sharing my first time experience thoroughly. When I registered myself for the course, there was a long waiting of 3 months! Therefore, it is recommended that you plan this in advance. I was glad that, being doing yoga regularly I've lots of experience of sitting straight without changing the posture. A day before at night I packed the items that required as per instructions given like Alarm clock, torch, odomos/Mosquito coil, door lock, sleepers, Bedsheets-blankets, umbrella/raincoat (as I visited in rainy season). Important document like Aadhar Card & passport size photo as well. It took a lot of courage to decide that I would go to Vipassana. The thought of not talking to family scared me the most for the next 10 days.
Reaching Dhammagiri
I stay at Chembur. So, I took local train from Chembur to Thane via kurla as i booked a ticket for Tapovan Express which departs from Thane at 6.50 am and reaches Igatpuri at 9.35 am. Wants to reach on time I recommended railway route is the best for Mumbaikars.
I reached Igatpuri station at exactly 9.40 am & took share auto-rickshaw from outside the station & reached Dhammagiri in 5 minutes. Again, I suggest to reach the course registration office before 10 am. This is because, the good rooms are allocated in the beginning.
While there was so much crowd as they were gathered for the same, by standing on a queue it took lot of time. So, I filled a form. one of the assistant teachers who will scrutinize the information written in your form and instruct you on how to go about the course. Then as per instructed I Deposited all my valuable in course office, including my mobile, pocket, money! You will get back your belongings on the last day. This is the time I got my phone back and took all awesome pictures.
I was allocated a double occupancy room, though some were allocated a single occupancy room or even a hall! if you forgot to bring some essential items, you can go out & buy stuff & come back till 5 pm. The institute has scarcity of water, but the drinking water is purified by reverse osmosis! Rest assured that it is awesomely clean! Don’t forget to carry your own water bottle, otherwise you will be forced to use one of the disposable packaged drinking water bottle for rest of the course. Around 2.30 pm i reached my allocated room where i meet my sharing partner who was a senior citizen we introduce each other respectively with long conversation & then we rested some time. At 6 pm, as per instructed there was a management meeting, we were told about all the rules to be followed. Then we were taken to the meditation hall & were allocated seats where you will be seating for all the 10 days. You are also assigned a teacher the same day. You can have further interaction with your teacher. They are very much experienced, approachable & look forward to resolve your queries, difficulties.
If you have any problem, like severe backache, not able to sit down due to old age or something else you can inform the management / teacher & ask them that you will need a chair for meditation. You can inform this even at the time of registration or later.
After this meeting, Noble silence starts (Arya Maun)
Time Table for 10 days
Except 1st & last day, schedule is pretty much as shown below. Wake up at 4 am & sleep by 9.30 pm.
4:00 am Morning wake-up bell
4:30-6:30 am Meditate in the hall or in your room
6:30-8:00 am Breakfast break
8:00-9:00 am Group meditation in the hall
9:00-11:00 am Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher’s instructions
11:00-12:00 noon Lunch break
12noon-1:00 pm Rest and interviews with the teacher
1:00-2:30 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room
2:30-3:30 pm Group meditation in the hall
3:30-5:00 pm Meditate in the hall or in your room according to the teacher’s instructions
5:00-6:00 pm Tea break
6:00-7:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
7:00-8:15 pm Teacher’s Discourse in the hall
8:15-9:00 pm Group meditation in the hall
9:00-9:30 pm Question time in the hall
9:30 pm Retire to your own room–Lights out
10th day:
On 10th day, after morning group meditation, you can talk to other people. Collect your valuables, buy books/ CDs that you wish. You can make the donations if you wish.
Next day morning, by 6.30 am the course is over. You can have your breakfast & leave or opt to give service for few hours & then leave. 7/7.30 am there are buses right from Dhammagiri for Nasik, Kasara
My 1st day
So, as per the scheduled The morning bell rang at 4 am, and I had to be in the main meditation hall to start the practice at 4:30 am. It took me 2 days to adjust to this timing. We were given instructions to follow on a daily basis. For the first day, we were asked just to concentrate on the breath. And just the opposite of what I had thought, it was super tough! My mind wandered in all directions. I visited here & there like Earth, mars, space, past, good/bad thought met all the aliens, music in those little two hours!
When we were out for breakfast at 6:30 am, I was feeling dizzy.by eating love felt little bit better. The next marathon of meditation started at 8:00 am and ended at 11:00 am for lunch, I was super irritated by my mind. Why can’t you be a little quieter? Lunch was simple but satisfied as chapatti, one cooked vegetable, plain rice and dal.
By resting in a room at 12 pm to 1 pm felt good & rejuvenated. At 1:00 pm we started again and ended at 5:00 pm for snacks. Now, I wanted to speak to someone, but everyone ignored my smile! Ouch!! Then I remembered the rule of Arya Maun a complete noble silence. At 6:00 pm we started again and were given instructions for the next day at 9:30 pm. I was back at the room, and in bed by 10:00 pm. Well, the routine was going to be the same for the next 10 days!
Food
As per the schedule, your day begins at 4 am. And after about two and half hour meditation, breakfast is served at 6.30 am. Make sure to reach the lunch room on time, because there is often only limited breakfast. Same applies to lunch at 11.00 am
Here is the breakfast menu for the ten days to the best of my memory
Day 0: (evening snacks): Upma
Day 1: Poha
Day 2: Dhokla
Day 3: Sooji
Day 4: Sabudana
Day 5: Idli
Day 6: Upma
Day 7: Poha
Day 8: Dhokla with tamarind chutney
Day 9: Sooji
Along with this, brown bread + tea, with/without sugar + milk + amla achar are served everyday For lunch there is simple chapati, one cooked vegetable, plain rice and dal.There is no dinner, instead there is evening snacks for new students and lemonade for old students.Evening Snacks: banana and rice puffs (with ten percent of corn flakes, chick peas and groundnut)
I craved for nice spicy food on first 3 days, but then it stopped bothering me & I realized that the simple meals there tasted even better than the best food I had ever tasted! That experience was amazing :)
On the last day by 6.30 am we were provided with awesome breakfast of sweets, pulav! & special Mumbaikars famous street food Vada-Pav & left opt at 7.00 am there was bus waiting for us & we gathered & seated respectively it was right from Dhammagiri for Kasara. so, at 7.30 bus departed & my memorable journey ended but it was the beginning of our sensational mind journey through Vipassana.
Experiences during my Vipassana Retreat
Before I decided to book my Vipassana, I had read many blogs on it, and people talked about how they healed from backache, headache, illness and migraine in just 10 days.While I did not expect my health issue to get resolved in just 10 days, I did expect ‘something’, a little magic maybe. And that happened on the third day!
While I dedicated my afternoon to the practice of breath awareness, an intriguing sensation unfolded. My right hand quivered, but it was discernibly distinct from mere physical frailty; it bore the hallmark of a force far more potent.
In that instance, I realized my trepidation toward the meditation encounter was unnecessary. It appeared that fear was an unwarranted companion, for the moment I succumbed to it, the extraordinary encounter ceased! For several subsequent moments, I remained enveloped in a sense of wonder.
I can unequivocally affirm that it was the latter – the sensation of 'something more powerful' coursing through my right hand. Even when I dared to open my eyes to investigate, the trembling persisted, and I found myself relinquishing all control.
When I told my teacher about that experience, she said, ‘Observe it!’ Well, her reply did not make me happy at that time, but now that I see it, that’s what Vipassana is all about. Observing.
Was it easy?? No, it was not!
Along with the few magical moments I had, there were a few painful moments too. On the sixth day, I could feel the heat inside my body. My stomach had some fire as if it would burn me from inside. it felt like I would vomit due to the heat.it had been there for few years but Vipassana had made me aware of that negativity, and I could feel the pain. But as a sportsman I did not want to give up and by the next day, it got better!
Along with the physical pain I experienced, my mind became more stable by days 7 and 8. I had read people saying that their experience got better as the days passed. However, for me, it was full of ups and downs. Thankfully, I survived those intense emotions
Vipassana – I go again!!!
Yes, next year full of energy & enthusiasm I went as old & experience student Of course I didn’t get demotivated by the previous weird experiences I knew They will just pass, and the benefits you get out of those 10 days would outgrow your bad memories.
While the experience might be addictive, it’s important to remember that one should continue practicing it at home. Those 10 days can only provide an essential introduction and foundation to the technique. To develop in practice is a lifetime job.
My advice if you are going to Vipassana for the first time!
There are many things I could have done to make my experience better. And they are –
#1 – Follow the routine.
#2 – Walk-in nature.
#3 – Do not talk.
#4 – Do not compare.
#5 – Start meditating at home before you go for the retreat.
Conclusion
In the heart of the Sahyadri Mountains lies a place where silence isn't empty, but full of answers. Dhammagiri, Igatpuri is not just a meditation centre; it's a portal to self-discovery, a journey to the depths of your own consciousness. Two courses down, and I've barely scratched the surface. So, dear traveller, if you ever find yourself hunger for inner bliss, pack your bags (and your patience) and embark on the odyssey to Dhammagiri, Igatpuri
"Kindness is contagious!"
FAQ’s
Q1 - How much does it cost to attend a course at Dhammagiri, Igatpuri?
Ans- Courses at Dhammagiri are offered on a free basis. If you want to donate, then you can contribute according to your means.
Q2 - Is there a specific dress code for meditation at Dhammagiri, Igatpuri?
Ans- Yes, modest and comfortable clothing is recommended. White clothing is preferred, but not mandatory.
Q3 - Can I bring my own meditation cushion or yoga mat?
Ans- Yes, you can bring your own meditation props if you prefer. However, the centre also provides cushions and mats.
Q4 - Are there any age restrictions for attending courses at Dhammagiri, Igatpuri?
Ans- Generally, participants should be at least 18 years old. Exceptions may be made for younger individuals with parental consent.
Q5 - What is the best time to visit Dhammagiri, Igatpuri?
Ans- Dhammagiri offers courses throughout the year, so you can choose a date that suits you. However, it's a good idea to book well in advance due to high demand
Secret Tip for High Engagement
Share your experiences and insights from Dhammagiri on social media using relevant hashtags like #Dhammagiri #Vipassana #InnerJourney. Engage with fellow meditators and seekers, and encourage them to share their stories too. Together, we can create a supportive community of mindfulness and self-discovery.
Remember, my fellow traveller, Dhammagiri is not just a place; it's a state of mind. Embrace the silence, cherish the laughter, and embark on your own adventure within. And hey, if you ever want to swap stories or share insights, feel free to follow me on my journey of inner exploration. Until then, may your path be filled with peace, joy, and laughter! Don't forget to follow to receive more travel tips on your next adventure! Until next time, keep exploring and making memories!
🌍✈️#DhammaGiri#Vipassana#InnerJourney#Meditation#Mindfulness#PeacefulRetreat#Igatpuri