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