14 day Satipatthana Vipassana Meditation Retreat – Mahasi Sayadaw lineage

Vipassana means introspection, intuitive wisdom, intuitive knowledge. Vipassana is often translated as Insight.

Nowadays Vipassana meditation is mainly practised in Burmese, Ceylonese and Thai temples on the basis of the handed down teachings of Lord Buddha. The Vipassana meditation technique in the courses is passed on in the same way as it is traditionally practised in the temples in Northern Thailand under the guidance of the Ven. Ajahn Tong (Phrathepsiddhajahn). It is an intensive form of the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition with walking and sitting meditations, i.e. it is a traditionally Buddhist meditation technique.

Part of the retreat is a daily reporting time that the teacher holds with each student individually to help them in the process.

A confessional binding to Buddhism is neither presumed nor expected.

Schedule

4:00 am – Wake up. A gong will sound to wake you up. Please turn on your light so we know you are awake.

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

6:30 am – Breakfast (the gong will sound)

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses) 

11:30 am – Lunch (the gong will sound)

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

6:00 pm – Soya milk drinks, yoghurt, chocolate will be be set out around 6:00 pm

– Individual Meditation (sitting, walking, pauses)

10:00 pm – Bed time

Tea, coffee and water is provided all day long in the eating area.

Please advise the teacher if you have any medical conditions we need to be aware of, or if you have any problems or questions please don’t hesitate to ask.

What is expected of you

During the course participants are asked to adhere to the eight Buddhists precepts.

1. To abstain from killing any living creature.
2. To abstain from taking what has not been given.
3. To abstain from any sexual activity.
4. To abstain from bad speech, i.e, telling lies, gossiping or bad language.
5. To abstain from taking intoxicants. (drugs or alcohol).
6. To abstain from eating solid foods after 12 midday.
7. To abstain from sensual entertainment (Dancing, singing, listening to music, entertainments,using perfumes, jewellery etc.
8. To abstain from sleeping in high and luxurious beds.

The courses are conducted in noble silence.
If you have any questions or difficulties you can always speak with the teacher or the assistant.

Costs

In the Vipassana tradition it is customary that the guiding teacher receives donation from the participants. The teacher doesn´receive a payment besides the donations of the participants.

The costs for food and accommodation are on “sliding scale” between 770-980€. It is up to your own judgement and possibilities how much you pay.
Thank you for your support.

The purpose of donation:

• Donation…
• is an act of gratitude for what one has received
• is like alms offered in the begging-bowl of a monk
• is a support of a spiritual place, so that it may continue to welcome us
• is like an offering of water to the tree of spirituality to helps it grow and expand
• is like a roof that seals and protects what we have learned
• is the necessary final step in our spiritual training

Martin has been meditating for more than 30 years. 14 years ago he came across this particular form of Vipassana meditation and it was a life changing experience. He subsequently spent years practicing in Northern Thailand often going straight from one retreat into another. Soon he was asked to assist in leading retreats by revered teacher Thanat in Chom Thong  in Thailand and Phra Ofer in Isreal under the authority of the venerable Ajarn Tong Sirimangalo coming from the Mahasi lineage.

In 2008 martin was asked by his teacher to set up a Vipassana meditation centre in the mountainous region of Pai. His years of experience in leading retreats show especially during the ‘report times’ (private daily talks between the teacher and the retreat participants) where he helps the students through their challenges with his compassion, characteristic humour and deep understanding of the processes they are going through.

In the last years Martin has also organised and taught retreats in Northern Italy, England, Wales, Israel, France and Austria.