| I started Vipassana in 2001. A friend mentioned it | | | | stuff that had come up during the meditation |
| to me and that same evening I had booked | | | | seemed like something of the past, something I |
| myself onto a course on the internet. I was really | | | | had lost. As if a burden had fallen from my |
| looking forward to it because I had been looking | | | | shoulders. It felt incredibly liberating. I kept on |
| for something for a very long time and | | | | meditating daily and became better and better at |
| somewhere deep inside I knew: this is it. | | | | the technique and more stuff started falling of. |
| The course was very different from what I had | | | | Not always was this easy. Usually it started with |
| expected. I thought it should be about relaxation, | | | | periods of anguish, the pain of letting go. But |
| blanking the mind, etc. The first three days was | | | | when I finally let go it was just great. It made me |
| like a concentration exercise, concentrating on the | | | | into a much calmer and more relaxed person. |
| breath, calming the mind. It was hard. Not only | | | | Although anxiety and stress still come occasionally, |
| was I not accustomed to sitting for up to 12 | | | | it does not really matter any more that much - I |
| hours a day on a mat on the ground, I also was | | | | can let go and relax much quicker and easier. |
| unable to keep thoughts from getting into my | | | | It has been the greatest gift anybody could have |
| mind so I was getting upset about not being able | | | | given me. I am so much more aware, relaxed |
| to concentrate properly. I had pain everywhere, | | | | and happy then I every was. I can face the |
| was unable to find any comfortable position | | | | world, while before I just made due. I have no |
| whatsoever. There were loads of other people, | | | | stress, only the occasional storm but you always |
| whom I did not know but was unable to speak to. | | | | know that they will pass and they do not happen |
| On the 4th day, Vipassana Meditation was taught. | | | | very often any more. Even the difficulties that |
| Although it was quite an experience, it created | | | | sometimes come up are something that pass and |
| something I had not expected. Lots of things | | | | when you come out the other side, your are a |
| came up from my past, lots of thoughts and | | | | happier person. So much weight will fall off your |
| mental pain. It was hard to face. But finally, after | | | | shoulders. Just try it ... what does it matter if you |
| about 10 days of this, Metta Meditation was | | | | try. You will not change that much if you do just |
| taught and after that we could speak. It was a bit | | | | one course so try and see if you like it. If you |
| strange and by that time I did not really feel like | | | | continue, you know now what can happen and |
| speaking any more. I did feel very relaxed that | | | | what you might have to face. Then again, you |
| day. | | | | might not. Not everybody is the same. Be Happy. |
| The real interesting part came afterwards. All the | | | | |