| I started Vipassana in 2001. A friend mentioned it to | | | | know now what can happen and what you might |
| me and that same evening I had booked myself onto | | | | have to face. Then again, you might not. Not |
| a course on the internet. I was really looking forward to | | | | everybody is the same. Be Happy. |
| it because I had been looking for something for a very | | | | For many years, I suffered from anxiety depression. I |
| long time and somewhere deep inside I knew: this is it. | | | | tried everything, from psychoanalysis to medications |
| The course was very different from what I had | | | | but nothing really worked. Some things helped for a |
| expected. I thought it should be about relaxation, | | | | little while to relief my anxiety, but eventually it would |
| blanking the mind, etc. The first three days was like a | | | | always come back. |
| concentration exercise, concentrating on the breath, | | | | One day I was feeling particularly down, I saw a friend |
| calming the mind. It was hard. Not only was I not | | | | coming towards me on the road. We said hello and he |
| accustomed to sitting for up to 12 hours a day on a | | | | told me about somebody he met in the pub the night |
| mat on the ground, I also was unable to keep thoughts | | | | before. He said she was a very happy, radiant and |
| from getting into my mind so I was getting upset about | | | | relaxed person. I felt a little pang of jealousy because |
| not being able to concentrate properly. I had pain | | | | with my anxiety depression this was exactly the |
| everywhere, was unable to find any comfortable | | | | opposite of myself. He said that her secret was |
| position whatsoever. There were loads of other | | | | Vipassana meditation. I had never heard of this type of |
| people, whom I did not know but was unable to speak | | | | meditation, but my friend gave me the website |
| to. | | | | address. He said it was a great way for treating |
| On the 4th day, Vipassana Meditation was taught. | | | | anxiety so the same evening I was on the internet and |
| Although it was quite an experience, it created | | | | had booked for a course. |
| something I had not expected. Lots of things came up | | | | The course was great and I felt better than I had felt |
| from my past, lots of thoughts and mental pain. It was | | | | for many years. But coming home into the stress of |
| hard to face. But finally, after about 10 days of this, | | | | everyday life was a different matter. Soon my anxiety |
| Metta Meditation was taught and after that we could | | | | attacks were back again. I tried meditation but as soon |
| speak. It was a bit strange and by that time I did not | | | | as I closed my eyes all the problems of the day came |
| really feel like speaking any more. I did feel very | | | | flooding back to me so it was impossible to meditate. |
| relaxed that day. | | | | After many years of meditation and many courses |
| The real interesting part came afterwards. All the stuff | | | | and moving away from my old life, my anxiety |
| that had come up during the meditation seemed like | | | | depression has disappeared, but it has taken a long |
| something of the past, something I had lost. As if a | | | | time and a lot of effort. I am certain however that my |
| burden had fallen from my shoulders. It felt incredibly | | | | anxiety will never come back. Vipassana really is an |
| liberating. I kept on meditating daily and became better | | | | excellent anxiety depression treatment method. But it |
| and better at the technique and more stuff started | | | | comes with a cost of time and effort, not something |
| falling of. Not always was this easy. Usually it started | | | | that many people can afford. |
| with periods of anguish, the pain of letting go. But when | | | | Luckily, if it is just anxiety depression you wish to cure, |
| I finally let go it was just great. It made me into a much | | | | then there are other methods. I wish I had known |
| calmer and more relaxed person. Although anxiety and | | | | about them back then but I did not. Vipassana is a |
| stress still come occasionally, it does not really matter | | | | very involved spiritual path and although it helped me |
| any more that much - I can let go and relax much | | | | well, you need to be certain that this is the path you |
| quicker and easier. | | | | wish to travel. It has many more benefits than just |
| It has been the greatest gift anybody could have given | | | | curing anxiety and stress. |
| me. I am so much more aware, relaxed and happy | | | | There are other methods which will help cure anxiety |
| then I every was. I can face the world, while before I | | | | depression effectively. One especially I found very |
| just made due. I have no stress, only the occasional | | | | good and it is especially designed for people with a lot |
| storm but you always know that they will pass and | | | | of stress in their lives, which is usually the cause of |
| they do not happen very often any more. Even the | | | | anxiety depression. So rest assured, there are |
| difficulties that sometimes come up are something that | | | | effective methods to control stress and get rid of |
| pass and when you come out the other side, your are | | | | anxiety depression without going the path that I have |
| a happier person. So much weight will fall off your | | | | gone. But if you wish to know more about Vipassana |
| shoulders. Just try it ... what does it matter if you try. | | | | meditation, I will be happy to share my experiences |
| You will not change that much if you do just one | | | | with you. |
| course so try and see if you like it. If you continue, you | | | | |