Dhammacari Vipassana Meditatioszentrum - Wiki
Dhammacari Vipassana Meditatioszentrum
Dhammacari it´s a very interesting option for those living in europe looking for intensive mahasi-style retreat. The Vipassana course, which you have to take if it´s your first time in the technique of Ajahn Tong, last 15 days. The normal retreat last 10 days, but they offer longer retreats some times (there´s a 25 days retreat scheduled to the end of may).
- Location: Neufahrn in Niederbayern, Germany.
- URL: http://www.vipassana-dhammacari.com/
- Tradition: Ajahn Tong
- Meditation Techniques: Adaptation of the mahasi-style (bare insight). The exercice begins with a mindful prostration, proceeds with walking and then sitting meditation. You´ll start with 20 minutes or so, and the time will increase during the course, to up to one hour walking and one hour sitting with breaks of 20-30 minutes. You should walk and sit for the same amount of time. Depending on where you are by the end of the retreat, you may receive a strong determination exercice (see below). You can find more info about the technique in general at http://wanderingdhamma.wordpress.com
- Accommodations: Medium size house, in which every meditatior gets a private room with a toilet. There are maybe up to 8 rooms - I´m not sure anymore - so the number of meditators there is small. The house is very comfortable, and well cared for. The food is great; milk and tee are available during the whole day.
- Physical Setting: Secludded place.
- Daily schedule
6.30 a.m. Breakfast
11.00 a.m. Lunch
6.00 p.m. Milk pudim is offered.
21:00 - 4:00 You may rest. Later in retreat you receive instructions as to how many hours: 5 hours, then later 4, and sometimes, no sleeping (see firm determination below).
There is also 1 hour work meditation in the hourse or in the garden, and the report with the teacher. The time will vary for each meditator.
- Cost: Dana-based
- Language: German and English.
Some extra info/comments on: Setting:
Every meditator will have a different timming and duration for the meditation. This can cause the meditation hall to be very noisy sometimes with alarm clocks going off. You´ll be encouraged by the teacher to meditate in your private room after some retreat time. Also, there will be working in the house during a part of the day.
Rites/Rituals:
When there is a considerable numbem of new students, there is an opening cerimonie for the Vipassana course, which doesn´t last more than 1 hour. On the last day there is a closing talk with the teacher.
You´ll to bow before and after each meditation and interview with the teacher.
Issues of Proper Dress:
You should wear white or light colored cloth.
Teaching:
The teacher was great in my opinion. There was some strong terminological differences, so I didn´t went far into discussing maps, but she had knowledge and gave me a brief explanation of them on the last day. She woundn´t discuss it during the retreat thought, and she woundn´t confirm any attaiments, even after the retreat.
Exercices (Firm determination):
Firm determination exercises are really something: For the 15-days Vipassana course , if you reach Equanimity or path (not sure about the criteria), you´ll receive 72h exercise of non-stop meditation (breaks will be limited for bathroom, eating - in your room - and interview with the teacher only). The teacher will be available at any time, day or night, for questions. In the 10-days retreat, the firm determination last 48h.
Worthy of recommendation on the Dharma Overground?
Only if you´re looking for a real hardcore mahasi-style dana-based insight-oriented meditation center.