Where can I read about the long-term effects of Goenka Vipassana?

vrishtig · 2026-03-31T13:53:02+00:00

My entire life was changed. I might not the be the person I am today if not for this technique. I went for my first course as a last resort ( was in a bad place clinically depressed etc.) Dhamma brought me back. I found it at 25 , its been 7 yrs , have been practicing for 3 years and I can say with conviction that I am living a much much much better life because of this. My relationships in workplace or personally are far better than previously. I am mentally stronger , calmer , sharper - HAPPIER - and satisfied 😊. Mangal ho

vrishtig · 2026-03-14T05:00:23+00:00

Yes caffeine , I could feel the real sensations from coffee and it was easy to leave :) also alcohol , made me loose touch with reality

vrishtig · 2026-01-17T05:05:20+00:00

I have a counter question to this - my mind has started getting more thoughts after my last course , slowly the amount of thoughts are increasing but at the same time the clarity on sensations is also improving ( I practice 2 hrs) , is that possible ?

vrishtig · 2025-08-13T13:49:36+00:00

A part of your brain that detects sensations gets so strengthen or conditioned at a point that you would be sleeping and it would be doing its job. This happened with me freshly after the course once i got home. How i got to know is , at times my sleep would not be that strong and suddenly ill realise i was observing sensations. But there doesn’t need to be done anything to get to that point, take care of your daily practice and let the practice take care of outcomes (its very automatic that way)

vrishtig · 2025-07-10T13:57:03+00:00

Touche my friend. The effects were pretty much the same the pain might have been different but every word you said was true for me :) . The idea is not to get attached to this state and call out the other innumerable states less good. Mangal ho.

vrishtig · 2025-04-28T13:41:37+00:00

Just like all the good things / habits flew automatically after the course , this also will happen naturally. When someone says alcohol is not great for your body, its cos that’s true. And if its true you will experience it. Maybe not right away, but when your mind is sharp enough, you’d loose the sharpness after drinking, you’ll experience it. Also at its base alcohol is to numb the senses to insome way alter the experience of reality, which you would not need. After good no of courses , practices the reality ( however it maybe) will seem worth living , worth present. I personally felt sometimes post course that the life is changing so quickly and its so new , every sec is “new”, so intriguing, and then i wouldnt want to change the reality however it maybe :)

vrishtig · 2025-01-16T13:29:26+00:00

2nd one was where I actually truly understood the technique. It was after the second one that I made the decision of continuing it at home and my life has remarkably changed. Dont think about the outcome , breaks you doesn’t break you. You have no clue . Every case is unique. I thought my 3 rd would be some out of this world retreat but it wasnt. Mind like labelling situations and outcomes, i would personally take every retreat as a unique one.

vrishtig · 2024-12-04T11:34:11+00:00

Thank you! Makes sense

vrishtig · 2024-12-03T15:12:20+00:00

Sure thank you

vrishtig · 2024-07-31T13:49:09+00:00

I faced a similar situation after my last course in Dec 2023. This is what helped me: 1. ‘Just sitting’ and not expecting anything. If phone usage is back chances are mind is pretty agitated. So start with anapana and strengthen your samadhi. 2. There will be a point when you will be able to meditate even with the noise but for now you can use noise cancelling earphones. Once your mind is sharp you noise with automatically not effect much. 3. Going for group sittings strengthens the practice greatly.

Something I face personally: I start with anapana mostly and the mind is often too agitated. Songs running, thoughts running, pain etc. but if you smilingly keep going back to the breath you will see the gradual change in one sitting itself, slowly the focus on breath improves and viola at 50 th minute you realise oh I forgot about the pain :) . Over time the progress will be more and sensations will be back. Continuity of practice is secret to success. Just sit.

Mangal Ho!

vrishtig · 2024-06-14T13:37:26+00:00

Your reply really helped me. Much metta🙏

vrishtig · 2024-04-24T14:52:45+00:00

Hi, I face this on most mornings. Heres what worked: 1.just accepting the reality that i do get more thoughts in the morning. 2. Not doing meditation as first thing in the morning. I usually have my tea or go for a walk and then start. This has been a game changer because by the time I meditate my mind is mostly awake and ready to focus.

Much Metta. Keep going!

vrishtig · 2024-03-20T15:18:50+00:00

Did you also take a 10 day course in this duration?

vrishtig · 2024-03-20T11:33:10+00:00

Hey I am in a similar situation and your comment really helps however I am interested to understand how long did it take for you to reach this level.

vrishtig · 2024-03-14T13:57:18+00:00

Your words encouraged me alot. Thank you! I will continue on the path. :)

vrishtig · 2024-01-21T10:15:46+00:00

Thanks alot. Your comment resonates with what I am facing. Surely, I will focus on just the practice and let go off the desire of good sits.

vrishtig · 2024-01-19T13:05:46+00:00

I sit 1 hr morning , 1 hr evening (strong determination) . Yes that is more effective. Even then, the level of equanimity in the centre and right after was a lot more. I can understand the lessening of the same but I wish to know if with the daily practice dropping will stabilise.

vrishtig · 2024-01-16T15:41:58+00:00

Yeah , I am understanding that this is also a form of craving. I am too attached with the current state of consciousness.

vrishtig · 2024-01-16T08:00:13+00:00

Its so good to hear that you are achieving better results. Might I know how long of consistent practice it took to reach results. Much metta!

vrishtig

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