Discover the 3 compelling reasons that finally led me to commit to twice-daily vipassana meditation, transforming my life after years of hesitation.
It was early 2013, and one day, while my husband and i were reviewing business account in my cabin, one of my employees knocked on the door. She handed me an application for an 11 days leave. Considering her importance as a key faculty member in our business, I promptly denied her request, as our business couldn’t manage without her for an extended period.
She calmly explained the reason for her 11 days leave by giving me a small flyer. It detailed the “10 Days Vipassana Course,” which was the first time I had ever heard of it. Intrigued by her leave and the idea of a 10-day silent retreat, I decided to enroll myself in the course later that year.
My first “10 Days of Vipassana Course” was an excellent experience. To achieve great results in our day-to-day lives, it is recommended to practice Vipassana for one hour each morning and evening. During the course, I felt good, noticed a decrease in my stress levels, and felt more relaxed and happy afterwards. Although I wanted to continue practicing it daily, I faced various obstacles that prevented me from doing so.
Since 2013, I have been attending the “10 Days Vipassana Course” every year and have been dedicated to integrating meditation into my daily routine. However, I have often found myself abandoning the practice over time.
Our minds are naturally programmed, making it necessary to exert deliberate and consistent effort in order to establish new habits. By consciously and consistently applying effort, in addition to creating a positive and supportive environment, our minds will more easily adopt new habits with less resistance.
Vipassana centers rely on donations and volunteers for all their courses. In 2024, I had a life-changing experience when I volunteered at a 10-day Vipassana course in Kaufman, Texas, USA, while my husband attended as a participant. Since then, I have been meditating twice a day for five important reasons.
1. The Power of Guidance: Why We All Need a Teacher.
In each course, there is an assistant teacher who helps students with vipassana meditation, guiding them to practice correctly and addressing any doubts they may have about the technique. I scheduled a meeting with the assistant teacher to discuss my struggle with maintaining a regular meditation practice, despite my love for it. She shared her own dedication to consistent meditation and encouraged me with compassion and love it her voice. Her words empowered me to take a daily practice a priority.
A guru is like a live road map. If you want to walk uncharted terrain. I think it is sensible to walk with roadmap. - Jaggi Vasudev.
2. The Hidden Influence of Friends: How Your Circle Shapes Your Future.
My co-worker, Xiling, has been a great inspiration to me.She completed her course in July 2024 and decided to serve starting in August. Xiling has shown incredible sincerity and commitment in practicing Vipassan daily. She truly embodied the teaching of Vipassana in her life, staying grounded and implementing them in every aspect. I have notice her ability to grasp the science behind the “Vipassana Technique” right from the start, despite being a relatively new students of only one month. Xiling’s practice of being present and maintaining equanimity towards all emotions is admirable.
After meeting her, I came to the realization that the number of course they have completed hold little significance. The most important factors are one’s commitment and willingness to take action. Her dedication to daily meditation practice was reminiscent of that of a seasoned practitioner, while I, despite having 11 years of experience, found myself struggling.
3. Building Better Habits: The Crucial Role of Spouse and Family Support
My husband recognized the importance of the “Vipassana Technique” and understood the difficulties I faced in maintaining my meditation practice. He acknowledged that my struggle was a result of the unsupportive environment within our family.
I remember a time when he became emotional after the “Metta Technique” on day 10, when we were finally allowed to talk. It was during lunch that his heart was filled with gratitude. He made a promise to create a consistent environment where we could both meditate regularly without any obstacles.
With the guidance of our Guru and support from friends and family, cultivating a new habit becomes easy for us.
I am grateful and glad that we both practice Vipassana meditation twice a day, dedicating an hour each time. If you are interested in learning more about Vipassana, it’s benefits, and my initial experience with Vipassana meditation, please let me know in the comments.
