Vipassana has transformed my yoga practice but I didn't notice until I returned from long-term service. I used to participate in yoga classes the same way I did sports. I would push myself to make progress, get a good workout, and hope that my flexibility might improve. My first yoga class after 7 months at the center …
Author: Ryan Shelton
A View Of Jesus I Can Accept
Christianity is a polarizing subject so I approach this topic carefully but with a belief that it's important to discuss these thing respectfully. I've always appreciate that churches try to develop communities of highly moral people trying to make the world a better place. I've alway gotten frustrated by the need to force Jesus as the son of God …
Letting Go
What does it mean to let go or to have no attachments? I hear about the life of a monk and I wonder if this is the life I should be living. I was raised to be goal oriented and to give 100% to whatever I commit to so it seems natural to pursue the Buddha's …
Potential To Change Lives And Society?
Vipassana is hard work and it takes a long-term committment so what's the upside? Why am is so motivated by the potential of this teaching? I've spent a number of years in a number of different occupations trying to figure out how to make people's lives better. First with AmeriCorps where I helped with community gardens, food banks, …
I’m Not Wierd, Vipassana Can Be Fun… I Think…
A huge challenge I have with this practice is trying to be excited about it with old friends and new acquaintances. One of my strengths used to be making people feel comfortable with who they are so they can relax and enjoy themselves in difficult situations. Now it seems that I'm the uncomfortable, insecure, uptight …
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Am I Religious?
I've been asked this question many times throughout my life and before I even have a change to think my mouth say "No" but is this still the case? I spend at least two hours a day meditating and this meditation technique was taught by the Buddha 2500 years ago. Can I still say I'm …
Competing, Fighting, and Vipassana
Work hard in school so you can earn good grades. Practice consistently so you can win on the sports field. Out think your competitors so you can make more money. These were important foundations of my education. I was taught that we live in a competitive world with limited resources so if I wanted something I …
Happiness
"May all being be happy!" That's what Goenka chants at the end of every sitting and what is shown at the end of every discourse. Happiness is an important part of this tradition but their definition of happiness is a bit different from what mine has always been. For me, happiness came from celebrating, exciting …
My First Blog – finding the right people to talk to
This is my first blog so there will be a bit of a learning curve. One of the big challenges I've faced with my Vipassana practice is finding the right people to discuss my practice. I can find friends that want to support me but can't relate to where I'm coming from or what I'm …
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The Journey Begins
I took my first Goenka Vipassana course in March 2010 and I completed 7 months of long term service at Dhamma Patapa in Jesup, GA in July 2012. I participated in long term service to gain a deeper understanding of this powerful and difficult practice. Now I'm presented with the great challenge of integrating this practice …