Vipassana: The Way of Life.

Vipassana: Today is a special day in the history as its "20-10-2010", so I just thought of writing/sharing something on Vipassana meditation. So lets start the journey of this beautiful meditation technique:


What is Vipassana:


Its derived from Sanskrit word called "Vipasyana" means Seeing in a special way. Vipassana means "Seeing things as they are". To see things as they are means, to see the truth; to see the reality. To be in that moment in that place right now. Its all about living in that moment.

Vipassana teaches us to live in the present moment. If we can learn to be in where we are currently; we can really attain the peace.


How this meditation is done:


I am not an expert on this topic nor a teacher So I wont describe any details. I will just share what I personally did to learn about this technique:

1. S. N. Goenka is a reknowned teacher of Vipassana. He has several centers for teaching this ancient technique all over the world.
2. I came to know one such center in Dehradun. So I enrolled myself to a 10 days retreat in Dhamma Center of Vipassana in Dehradun.

What happens in 10 days Vipassana retreat:

1. During the first 3 days we learnt "Aaana-Paana" a technique of observing breathe. How we breathe in and how we breathe out.The point of observing sensations in that process of breathing.
2. For the next 7 days we learn doing "Vipassana" means observing sensations all over the body. Scanning the mind and body to know whats going on in that very right moment.

Is this course free?

1. Yes absolutely; its free
2. If you want to donate something at the end of the course you can. More than money they believe that people who are benefited should share their knowledge and time with others.

Rules during those 10 days:

1. No mobile is allowed. We cannot talk to our family/friends for 10 days of course.
2. We cannot talk to anyone except our teacher for 10 days.
3. Food is served only at prescribed time in Dhamma Center.
4. Medicines are allowed.
5. The meditation starts in morning from 4:30 AM. There are gaps and group meditations sessions in between. In Overall a wonderful lifetime experience.

Arrangements:

1. Both men and women stay separately.
2. One need to wash one's utensils and clothes.
3. Beds are provided.
4. Two people share one room. They are not allowed to talk to each other. A complete silence is observed; one can only talk to Teacher.

What can we do to make the retreat really beneficial:

1. Just obey the rules.
2. Normally one meditates around 10 hours daily during 10 days of this course.
3. I never felt so happy after 10 days of course in my life. I would recommend to experience and learn this beautiful technique.

What after 10 days of course:

1. Maintain the minimum practice as suggested by your teacher during the course.
2. Sometimes its not possible to give the amount of time. But it really pays to maintain the timings of your meditation. 

Is it for everyone:

1. Yes; people from all religions are welcome.
2. Remember Vipassana is mentioned in almost all Dharmas be it Hinduism, Muslim, Sikh or Christian religion.
3. Its just a technique, a way of life.

How to enroll:

1. http://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schsalila.shtml
2. The centers are all over India since I went to Dehradun center only so I have given the above link. One just need to contact over phone for the registration and report a day prior to start of the course.

Some links:

• http://www.dhamma.org/
• http://www.tarabrach.com/
• http://www.shambhalasun.com/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._N._Goenka

Recommended Readings:

• "Radical Acceptance" By Tara Brach.

Mussorie: The queen is here.

Mussorie: Some snaps from one of my trips to Queen of Hills. 

Company Garden Mussorie (Snaps below):

Mussorie Hills (Photo below):

 

Got Chance to meet with Ruskin Bond in Mussorie Mall Road (Photo above)

Culture Gully: Kingdom of Dreams Gurgaon

Culture Gully: Kingdom of Dreams:

We went to this place recently. Its in Gurgaon, we just visited this place. Here are my comments and some snaps from same. Camera's battery was little down, so bear with me for the Photos quality.

Elephant Statue at Ticket Counter (Photo below):

View from Car Parking (Photos below):

Just outside the Culture Gully:

Inside Culture Gully:

Panting on a wall:

Some photos from inside Shops:

How to go:

1. Get to IFFCO Chowk via Toll Bridge to Gurgaon (from Dhaulla Kuaan, New Delhi). 
2. Take left on IFFCO Chowk.
3. You will see a board for Kingdom of Dreams. Follow the directions.

What to do:

1. State food restaurants.
2. Some dance programs of states.
3. Set experience

Price:

1. 750 Rs per person from which
2. 50 Rs is refundable.
3. 100 Rs. is entrance ticket
4. 600 Rs a person can/must spend inside Culture Gully for food and shopping.
5. This 750 Rs ticket is only for a day. Any amount not spend from 600 Rs will be in vain.

Suggestions:

1. I will prefer Delhi Haat to it. From a set (Film Sets) point of view it looks good provides a different view all together.
2. Price is definitely on a higher side. 300-400Rs per person sounds more logical.
3. From my personal experience good to go once but not like the place where you would like to spend your money again.

ALMORA: A thing of beauty is a joy forever.

Almora: Almora one of the district in Kumaun region of Uttrakhand is a great place to experience the beauty of Hills Uttrakhand offers to its visitors. Some snaps from our trip to Almora region:

KMVN Hotel where we stayed:

View from Hotel (Photo below):

Hotel View:

Almora:

Jageshwar Temple: One of the ancient temple which is now preserved by ASI India is known as great worship place for Lord Shiva. It consists of over 100 temples of different God's. Known for its architectural style of ancient times is a must visit for any tourist coming to Almora.

Deer Park Almora: Well looking for a zoo in the heart of Hills then thats Deer park for you in Almora. Nice experience. Some work is still going on to renovate this Zoo. But overall a must for a person coming with Kids. Along with Zoo it offers a nice trekking too.

How to reach:

1. We came to KathGodam via train from Delhi.
2. Almora is around 2 hours drive by car from KathGodam.

Where to stay:

1. I liked to overall experience in KMVN series of Hotel so the same is available in Almora too. 
2. Nice place to stay with family.

What to do:

1. Almora Mall, small market area to surf around
2. Jageshwar Temple a must to see
3. Deer Park and trekking.

Ranikhet: A Place to watch for in Kumaun Hills

Ranikhet is a beautiful place known for the "Kumaun Regiments" stationed here. The place is full of great scenic views, the Golf course, Army area and of course the Chaubatia garden.

Ranikhet Army Golf Course (Photos Below):

A Battalion practicing (below):  

Army's statues (Photos below):

India's true success mantra "Jai Jawan Jai Kisaan"

KMVN Hotel where we stayed (Photo below):

The Chaubatia Garden (Photos Below):

How to reach:

1. We came from Kausani to Ranikhet (Around 2 hours by Car)
2. The route from Kausani to Ranikhet is very scenic
3. From Delhi to KathGodam via Train

What to see/do:

1. Spend good amount of time in "Chaubatia Garden". Do take the guide to let you know about the garden and its surrounding Corbett Park forest.
2. Golf Course, its nice to visualize a golf course so beautifully managed in the surrounding of Kumaun Hills.
3. Army area, you will find its clean and well managed.
4. Some ancient Hindu Temples.

BeautifulWorld: Kausani - A Gateway to Himalaya.

Kausani - A Gateway to Himalaya.

Kausani is a great place to be around. We went there in July 2010 and it was a memorable trip. This place is full of great scenic views. Its very peaceful and beautiful. Following is my collections and memories from this trip:

Kausani Scenic view of Himalaya:

The Photo below was taken from the KMVN Hotel Kausani:

The snap below is of "Baijnath temple", very ancient temple known for its old architecture. Nice place to worship and to understand the acrhitecture of those times:

The great poet "Pt. Sumitra Nandan Pant" was born here. His house is a museum now. Collections of Photos from his home in Kausani village:

How to reach:

1. We came to KathGodam near Haldwani by Train.
2. We took a Taxi from KathGodam to Almora (Around 2 hours)
3. Its another around 2 hours from Almora to Kausani

Where to stay:

1. Lots of good hotels around in Kausani
2. I liked KMVN Hotel, its at a decent place and very scenic view from KMVN hotels. We liked overall experience at KMVN Hotel.

What to do/see:

1. Sunset/Sunrise scenic views of Himalaya.
2. Tea Garden
3. Baijnaath Temple
4. Gandhi Ashram
5. Spent sometime in quite admiring the Himalayan beauty around this great place.