Sep 11, 2014 | Freediving, Meditation, Yoga
‘When the doors of perception are cleansed man shall see things as they truly are, infinite’ William Blake
Why learn Vipassanna ?
In the past month 2 more of our freediving instructors have challenged themselves with the practice of Vipassana. There are different approaches to vipassana, both of them enrolled for the SN Goenka course, a particularly full on and difficult introduction.
Both of our instructors are pretty adventurous people; but what follows it is an explanation of why a ‘normal’ person might subject himself to a vipassana course.
Lets start with looking at two Buddhist practices, Mindfulness and Vipassana. Aside from Tantric Buddhism, elements of both are a part of most streams of buddhism, yet they are not religous rite or ritual.
Mindfulness
Being in the now; mindfulness is concentrated awareness of the moment to moment.
It is a process of constant redirection of the attention, bringing awareness repeatedly back to the present moment.
We become aware of what we are thinking, feeling or doing or become aware of how mind perceives and experiences the world around us.
It is cultivation of the silent witness, acknowledgement of the present moment without judgement, letting go as the present moment changes. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere, anytime. Indeed it should be practised as much as possible. It requires little formal instruction but takes a lifetime to master.
Through mindfulness we become less of a slave to unconscious processes and patterns of behaviour. It can positively affect everything from motor skills to deep seated psychological issues. It is also the beginning of single pointed concentration, which is necessary for the development of insight meditation (Vipassana).
Normally practice starts with single pointed focus on the breath in the nostrils or the rise and fall of the belly, (depending on tradition). This single pointed mindfulness practice is the gateway to Vipassana.
Vipassana(insight meditation)
Being in the now, deeper and deeper.
Vipassana is considered by many Buddhists to be the single most important teaching of the Historical Buddha, his other teachings essentially just support for this one practice.
This is the practice that explores at the experiential level, ‘impermanence’, ‘suffering’ and ‘non-self’, three main concepts of Buddhism. It is a technique that provides insight into the true nature of reality, freedom from suffering and according to Buddhist teaching liberation from the cycle of rebirth.
Vipassana is deep mindfulness practice, such an intense entering into the present moment that over time our perception deepens and becomes more subtle and the present moment expands into something infinite.
This is NOT something that should be strived for, it is something that happens with the correct practice under guidance over time, naturally.
It is not a transcendental meditation practice, the experience is always firmly rooted in the body and the present moment. With time the body is so deeply felt that you become aware of the body as energy in flux, subtler and grosser forms of energy in flux. This energetic sheath is responsive to thought and emotions and likewise influences the thoughts and emotions.
Vipassana is direct experience of the mind/body connection as an energetic field and how the mind/body interacts with the present moment.
This experience of the mind/body as an energetic field is NOT something to seek or push for it will happen by itself with time and correct practice.
Karma in the body(samkara)
During practice the meditator may experience how most of our behaviour is unconscious, simply a response to the subtler currents of the mind/body.
In this way you realise that it is less important what is happening outside you than the patterns of energy within, which influence your response to external events.
Warm feelings when you see something that reminds you of something good from your past, etc.Patterns might be of fear, anger, craving, desire etc. These patterns have been laid down by previous interactions of behaviour and events.
This is the insight, the body and ultimately all reality as constant flux and flow (impermanence) and that our mental/physical/emotional behaviour influences the flux which then influence future behaviour.
But our everyday personality doesn’t recognise this impermanence and leads to much misguided thought and action. Craving leading to more craving, fear to further fear etc. (suffering).
By accessing deeper levels of awareness below the everyday personality(non-self)
we develop more independence from the subterranean currents of the mind/body.
With correct practice we lessen our attachment to the everyday self, leading to a lighter and more intense living of life.
Why the need to learn Vipassana in silence?
We don’t observe silence for the idea of ‘holiness’ or ‘tradition’
silence is the necessary starting point for the practice of vipassana.
With Vipassana we are going deeper than the everyday limited personality and below the language based part of the brain. We experience the body and broader reality in a deeper and more subtle way, our perception changes becoming more unified and less bound by the rational mind’s limitations.
Language based thought is based on separation and distinction. It applies values, good, bad and it defines the everyday self ‘I don’t like rap music, etc”
While we speak we continue to stay on the surface of the mind, caught up in the thought games that the personality uses to define itself.
Meditation is a challenge for the everyday mind, which is like an animal that has free run of the house and resists losing any of it’s freedom.
The mind can resist the practice of single pointed concentration and can come up with many distractions. If we are in deep practice but then start to converse, then the everyday mind can leap back to re-establish itself strongly, making subsequent practice shallower for some time.
There is nothing wrong with the ‘ego’ or the ‘everyday self’, they are necessary functions for survival and thriving in a social world. The only issue is they make accessing deeper aspects of the human experience very difficult, at least at the beginning.
All of the rules on a vipassana course are designed to minimize opportunities for the everyday mind to distract and define itself. There is no talking or interaction with others, reading, music, dancing or body adornment. There is nothing wrong with these natural human activities, just not while learning deep meditation.
Vipassana is a very intense purification of the mind and absolutely not something to enter into lightly, a silent retreat might sound relaxing but in reality for many people it is the hardest things they ever do.
(Interestingly enough as soon as they finish they forget how hard it was at times. I have experienced this repeatedly.)
The most important rule…
If start you must finish or it can leave you feeling pretty messy for some time. Don’t leave midway, talk to an assistant teacher about your difficulties and stick it out.
I recommend all people of stable mental health and certain level of willpower to try it, especially freedivers and yogis. Actually this is one of the main goals of yoga, to develop insight. On a more mundane level it can also transform your experience of freediving.
I normally recommend doing the 10 day Goenka course as an intro because the explanation is excellent and in 10 days you can go very deep.But it is also one of the more austere approaches with sitting meditation 10 hours a day, very much focused on purification of the mind. Other approaches are less intense, therefore maybe less traumatic but also taking more time to get deep. Most other traditions use walking meditation between sits.Goenkas approach involves considerable pain in the legs through so much sitting. That said the pain is a very useful tool for learning impermanence.
Here’s a few words for the lovely and very dedicated Sarah Winick, the organiser of the local Bali courses.
Just on a side note, so perhaps others aren’t discouraged when thinking about sitting for 10 hours each day, every individual is subject to their own unique experience, here’s a public webpage that may assist some with their questions.
http://www.vridhamma.org/Vipassana-Practice
FYI for your readers: We hold 10-Day Vipassana meditation courses, as taught by SN Goenka in Bali, please note our next course with availability (October is currently wait listed) is November 5th-16th, 2014 interested applicants may review the website as listed in your blog, and register online directly through our Indonesian site www.java.dhamma.org
Feel free to join the Bali Vipassana FB group to meet other practicing Old Students on island, and to stay up to date with all of our happenings, there will be five 10-Day Goenka courses held in Bangli (near Kintamani) in 2015, the dates will be available soon.
Check http://www.dhamma.org/ for international Goenka style courses.
Check http://www.hdamm.de/buddha/mdtctr12.htm for a guide to Thai monasteries, though some of the info may be out of date it’s a good place to start researching traditional Thai Vipassanna.
Disclaimer…. this blog is personal opinion. I’m not a meditation master, just someone has been trying to learn and practice it on and off(with more off than on) for 20 years.
Sep 29, 2013 | Freediving, Freediving courses
This kind of goodness must be shared. Just in case you needed any convincing, we’ve got students’ words of encouragement…
“I came here afraid of the water only left committed to free diving. WOW! This has been a deeply moving life affecting experience for me.
Having nearly drowned twice as a child, I leave here at one with the water, having conquered a massive fear in my life. Matthew and the team are exceptionally accomplished and professional- they help impart confidence through a solid foundation of education. The biggest recommendation I can give is that I am coming to do it again!”
Laurie B.
“It was a great experience. Kwab was extremely calm, patient & informative. A good teacher. Matthew displayed excellent knowledge, has great teaching style and runs a very good yoga lesson. Ketut & team in the cafe have a great cheerful demeanor & were very professional, enforcing the “no coffee before freediving rule”. Cafe food was excellent. Location is excellent & business appears to fit in well with the community.
The has a very cooperative feel which can be hard in a small business or any business. The affiliative/efficient & professional dynamic is visible & clearly should be maintained. This team has a good ambience.
I also enjoyed hearing about all team members’ background, philosophy, & values from rehab work, thoughts on dhamma meditation, yoga, recommendations on places to eat, corporate crime to the greens (?). The bunch are collectively mindful, considerate, compassionate & intelligent.
I also liked Nahla the kitten.”
Michael H.
“An excellent course that allowed me to gain the knowledge and skills I’d hoped for! A great balance of theory, dive practice, and stretching providing a wonderful insight into the many aspects of freediving. I particularly liked looking at how to use and ‘get to know’ your mind for your advantage in general & to apply to many areas of life! Terima Kasih!”
Elizabeth M.
“The location is great! Matthew is funny, patient. Easy to get in and out of the water; and the reef is beautiful to snorkel.“
Gillian K.
I absolutely loved the basic course so much so that after completion and an extra day of training, I decided to pursue my formation with the advanced course, which is even better. The Apneista team is truly terrific, I really appreciate their teaching ways, which aren’t at all only focused on performance, but mostly safety and having fun. I also liked how freediving is closely associated to relaxation, yoga and healthy living. I hope I can find a way to continue freediving when back home, it really is an amazing sport and hobby! Thanks so much for everything!”
Alexandre B.
“Fantastic course, great training, helped me achieve more than I had hope to and given me lots to go away with. Great venue and great people as well. Will definitely be back for more training as I feel I have more to get out of this. Absolutely stoked with what I achieved today. Thank you!”
Michelle E.
“Great course! The times where I could forget I was holding my breath and could concentrate on the moment made the whole course worth it. Great training and great preparation for life.”
Jonathan D.
“BAGUS!!! Exceeded all my expectations! Awesome instruction. Awesome atmosphere. Very professional. Excellent course.”
Bartman P.
“Thank you very much for the useful lessons, passing on new skills and patience. Was absolutely great to build the comfort up slowly and get a closer relationship with the water.”
Ana A.
“Excellent Class. Nice to put safety/physics/freediving principle in the same package. Nice to have 2 water session on the second day also.”
Benjamin G.
“Level of theory was really interesting and taught me a lot about mechanics of diving & surfing etc. Relaxing environment really adds to the enjoyment. Food was fantastic.”
Trent T.
“Amazing experience. New way to explore mind body connection and connect with your body in a great, gentle way. I deepened my experience and skill every time I went in the water. This course transformed the way I think about the open water, gave me confidence and ability to really enjoy diving. I’m very grateful to my teacher for their knowledge. Loved every minute of it!”
Magda C.
“This was exactly the style course in freediving I wanted to take. I learned a tremendous amount about the science, physiology and technique of freediving. Even having freedived before and scuba for many years, I learned many new techniques to practice in the future. This was an awesome course. Loved Everything!”
Chris D.
“I’m sure there are other excellent teachers around the world, it’s clear to me that I should learn to freedive with you.
Going with the flow of it all…
Two things are certain:
1. Jet lag
2. Learning to free dive in Indonesia with Matt
Just a matter of when…”
Dijon C.
“I can highly recommend the freediving basic course with Matthew at Apneista in Amed, Bali. The course was very satisfying in providing a background in the theory, and practice of freediving. Moreover, Matthew brings with him a depth of knowledge and experience in yoga & diving that enhances the educational value of the course. It was also fun and relaxed which helps tremendously.”
Dalton C.
“First of all thank you all again for the freedive training I honestly had the 2 best weeks of surfing after the course. Even my surf coaches were impressed by my improved which for sure came from the confidence I gained during the course.”
Carlijn C.
“Awesome course. Great technical background on techniques. Gradually increasing difficulty to allow for comfort in the water throughout. For the price of 1 scuba day I learned how to see more without paying for tanks for the rest of my life.”
Andrew C.
“I met my goals and even more. I’ve learned a lot from yoga and relaxation- I didn’t come for that purpose and the fact that I could directly see the effect of this practice into freediving was a pleasant and nice surprise. That has for sure opened my mind on this practice for other sports. I also have gone deeper in sea than what I could imagine in easy way and get rid of my fear…so much to say….
Thank you!! =-)”
Stephane B.
“Big thanks to all the Apneista team for organizing safe & friendly environment. The class teacher Matthew wass very professional & knowledgeable, ensuring very comfortable diving afterwards. Even though I was a complete beginner to the deep diving, I really enjoy it at the end…going through some anxiety & my “monkey mind” telling me ‘I can’t do it’. But…I did some “deep blue” experience with a smile at the end. 🙂
Isabella D.
“Great course! A life discovery! Great teacher, very good teaching skills, professional, reassuring, patient to answer all the questions.
Good balance between practice & theory, serious review of all the basics. Good equipment, looks brand new & well maintained. Very nice venue for the training (cafe, right on the spot). Thanks for everything, had a really fantastic time!”
Eleonore D.
“It was totally awakening and absolutely a great course. The whole set up, theory, practise, yoga was a great mix and preparation. I can’t imagine it being any better. I felt very well taken care of and safe. Thanks a lot to all of you!!”
Andrea B.
“Excellent course. Profound teaching of theory. Great teaching also in the water, particularly the way Matthew was dealing with the individual abilities and talents. Will recommend it to anyone who’s interested.”
Thomas G.
“Very happy with the course as well as the instructor. Extremely patient and able to cater for all capabilities. Safe and not pushy. Theory was very interesting and explained nice and slowly. Also very happy with my practical dives in the end. All goals achieved! Thank you!”
Travis J.
“Thanks a lot for the professional theory classes and the fantastic time in the water! Your calm way of teaching made my dives very enjoyable. I wouldn’t have expected to have such a good time doing freediving!”
Andrea R.
“Terrific! Well done! Very enjoyable!”
Ian T.
“Good course. Impressive what the body can do!”
Peter H.
“Great course. Well instructed & clearly presented. It was everything I had hoped for. We’ll definitely be back!”
Alexa M.
“Excellent in all aspects- would not change anything. Kwab in particular deserves special mention for this relaxed and calming instruction style.”
Hugh P.
“I loved the yoga & breath work. I feel this course will benefit my connection with ocean and overcoming stressful situations. I can’t believe how far we were able to dive. Thank you for your calm, cool and collected manor, it made overcoming obstacles easy! Thank you!!”
Anna K.
“This was amazing! I no idea I was capable of reaching 20 meters underwater. Kwab is an excellent instructor and I really appreciate the theory aspect of the class.”
Jordan P.
“Superb course! Exceeded my expectations. Content well presented and easy to follow- always felt at ease. And safe in the water. Inspired me to look at an advanced course.”
Peter B.
“Great for meditation, learning to feel at ease in uncomfortable situations and moving out of my comfort zone.”
Alice T.
“I really enjoyed the free diving and yoga course. I feel much more comfortable underwater compared to before the course. It was just the right amount of theory, yoga exercises, and practical freediving. I like the unique approach that Apneista takes towards freediving, combining yoga with freediving. Thank you Kwab for sharing all your knowledge with us.”
Immanuel H.
“Very Knowledgeable instructors with individualised attention to each student. Reassuring +comforting. Awesome location.“
Ashlee B.
Monday night 6pm ‘Rolling release’ workshop