Complete silence is maintained during retreats at all times except during teacher interviews. This practice originates in the Theravada tradition of the teachings of the Buddha. Learning to observe experiences from a place of stillness enables one to relate to life with less fear and clinging. Seeing life as a constantly changing process, one begins to accept pleasure and pain, fear and joy, and all aspects of life with increasing equanimity and balance. As insight deepens, wisdom and compassion arise.
Insight meditation is a way of seeing clearly the totality of one's being and experience.
Growth in clarity brings about penetrating insight into the true nature of our experience and increases peace in our daily lives. Vipassana Retreats are designed for both beginning and experienced meditators. Daily instruction in meditation and nightly Dharma talks are given, and individual or group interviews are arranged with the teachers at regular intervals. A typical daily schedule starts at 5am and ends at 10pm. The entire day is spent in silent meditation practice with alternate periods of sitting and walking meditation.