Guest guest Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 I just saw the film "Mother Teresa" last night, and wanted to recommend it to the group. Although it's not what I would call a great film artistically speaking, the content was so beautiful and inspiring, and there were so many moments when I saw our own Amma in Mother Teresa's words and actions. Her perfect faith, unshakeable integrity, and total compassion, mixed with a childlike stubbornness was so very familiar! I also wanted to ask if anyone here has ever done a vipassana retreat? I have been feeling very drawn to that experience and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it. love, Prajna "Children, all of spirituality is contained in that one word: Awareness." - Amma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 21, 2006 Report Share Posted June 21, 2006 Dear Prajna, My brother attempted to do a vipassana retreat somewhere near the Sierra's. ( I do not know the name of the place, but he had to apply and be accepted to go.) This was a silent retreat for a week or 9 days and he did not have a very good experience and left early. He does not have a regular meditative practice so this was just too much for him and he was not clear on what he was getting himself into. The other part of this place that he did not like was that they repeatedly played videos of the leader of this organization...so there was no personal contact with a live teacher, but only video to teach the technique. If you have a strong meditation practice....it might not be such a huge jump in reality for you as it was for him, he was not at all prepared, or ready to look at himself and to do the deeper work. Hope this helps. ONS S --- Prajna - Brianna <prajnaji > wrote: > I just saw the film "Mother Teresa" last night, and > wanted to recommend it to the group. Although it's > not what I would call a great film artistically > speaking, the content was so beautiful and > inspiring, and there were so many moments when I saw > our own Amma in Mother Teresa's words and actions. > Her perfect faith, unshakeable integrity, and total > compassion, mixed with a childlike stubbornness was > so very familiar! > > I also wanted to ask if anyone here has ever done > a vipassana retreat? I have been feeling very drawn > to that experience and wondered if anyone had any > thoughts on it. > > love, > > Prajna > > > "Children, all of spirituality is contained in that > one word: Awareness." - Amma > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been > removed] > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 24, 2006 Report Share Posted June 24, 2006 I have done several vipassana retreats. They are difficult and wonderful. This is the type of meditation that Buddha taught. To be silent and meditative for so many days is an amazing experience. You basically watch your thoughts in silence for days. It is an opportunity to gain a lot of insight, ( It is also called insight meditation,) Most retreats have real teachers who teach the technique. There are usually good talks about spiritual practice in the eve. I have not gone for several years, but talking about my experience is bringing back fond memories. Mary Ann Duckworth - Prajna - Brianna Ammagroup Wednesday, June 21, 2006 1:17 PM 2 things I just saw the film "Mother Teresa" last night, and wanted to recommend it to the group. Although it's not what I would call a great film artistically speaking, the content was so beautiful and inspiring, and there were so many moments when I saw our own Amma in Mother Teresa's words and actions. Her perfect faith, unshakeable integrity, and total compassion, mixed with a childlike stubbornness was so very familiar! I also wanted to ask if anyone here has ever done a vipassana retreat? I have been feeling very drawn to that experience and wondered if anyone had any thoughts on it. love, Prajna "Children, all of spirituality is contained in that one word: Awareness." - Amma Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 Mary Ann, can you journal when taking the vipassana meditation retreat? Mary Ann Duckworth wrote: > > I have done several vipassana retreats. They are difficult and > wonderful. This is the type of meditation that Buddha taught. To be > silent and meditative for so many days is an amazing experience. You > basically watch your thoughts in silence for days. It is an > opportunity to gain a lot of insight, ( It is also called insight > meditation,) Most retreats have real teachers who teach the technique. > There are usually good talks about spiritual practice in the eve. I > have not gone for several years, but talking about my experience is > bringing back fond memories. Mary Ann Duckworth- > -- Be Love, Egyirba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 No, journaling is not part of the practice. It is very structured. There are periods of sitting meditation followed by walking meditation. Meals are also silent. Mary Ann Duckworth - Devi's Daughter Ammachi Saturday, June 24, 2006 10:55 PM mary ann Mary Ann, can you journal when taking the vipassana meditation retreat? Mary Ann Duckworth wrote: > > I have done several vipassana retreats. They are difficult and > wonderful. This is the type of meditation that Buddha taught. To be > silent and meditative for so many days is an amazing experience. You > basically watch your thoughts in silence for days. It is an > opportunity to gain a lot of insight, ( It is also called insight > meditation,) Most retreats have real teachers who teach the technique. > There are usually good talks about spiritual practice in the eve. I > have not gone for several years, but talking about my experience is > bringing back fond memories. Mary Ann Duckworth- > -- Be Love, Egyirba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 whew! that would be hard then! :-) Mary Ann Duckworth wrote: > > No, journaling is not part of the practice. It is very structured. > There are periods of sitting meditation followed by walking > meditation. Meals are also silent. Mary Ann Duckworth > - > Devi's Daughter > Ammachi <Ammachi%40> > Saturday, June 24, 2006 10:55 PM > mary ann > > Mary Ann, > > can you journal when taking the vipassana meditation retreat? > -- Be Love, Egyirba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 25, 2006 Report Share Posted June 25, 2006 It is hard at times and great at times. The idea is to be mindful, watching the mind and body without judgement. Mary Ann - Devi's Daughter Ammachi Saturday, June 24, 2006 11:10 PM Re: journaling whew! that would be hard then! :-) Mary Ann Duckworth wrote: > > No, journaling is not part of the practice. It is very structured. > There are periods of sitting meditation followed by walking > meditation. Meals are also silent. Mary Ann Duckworth > - > Devi's Daughter > Ammachi <Ammachi%40> > Saturday, June 24, 2006 10:55 PM > mary ann > > Mary Ann, > > can you journal when taking the vipassana meditation retreat? > -- Be Love, Egyirba Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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