My first experiencse with Vipassana Meditation

I started Vipassana in 2001. A friend mentioned it toknow now what can happen and what you might
me and that same evening I had booked myself ontohave to face. Then again, you might not. Not
a course on the internet. I was really looking forward toeverybody is the same. Be Happy.
it because I had been looking for something for a veryFor 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 hadbut 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 aalways 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 notcoming towards me on the road. We said hello and he
accustomed to sitting for up to 12 hours a day on atold me about somebody he met in the pub the night
mat on the ground, I also was unable to keep thoughtsbefore. He said she was a very happy, radiant and
from getting into my mind so I was getting upset aboutrelaxed person. I felt a little pang of jealousy because
not being able to concentrate properly. I had painwith my anxiety depression this was exactly the
everywhere, was unable to find any comfortableopposite of myself. He said that her secret was
position whatsoever. There were loads of otherVipassana meditation. I had never heard of this type of
people, whom I did not know but was unable to speakmeditation, 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 createdhad booked for a course.
something I had not expected. Lots of things came upThe course was great and I felt better than I had felt
from my past, lots of thoughts and mental pain. It wasfor 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 couldattacks were back again. I tried meditation but as soon
speak. It was a bit strange and by that time I did notas I closed my eyes all the problems of the day came
really feel like speaking any more. I did feel veryflooding 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 stuffand moving away from my old life, my anxiety
that had come up during the meditation seemed likedepression has disappeared, but it has taken a long
something of the past, something I had lost. As if atime and a lot of effort. I am certain however that my
burden had fallen from my shoulders. It felt incrediblyanxiety will never come back. Vipassana really is an
liberating. I kept on meditating daily and became betterexcellent anxiety depression treatment method. But it
and better at the technique and more stuff startedcomes with a cost of time and effort, not something
falling of. Not always was this easy. Usually it startedthat many people can afford.
with periods of anguish, the pain of letting go. But whenLuckily, if it is just anxiety depression you wish to cure,
I finally let go it was just great. It made me into a muchthen there are other methods. I wish I had known
calmer and more relaxed person. Although anxiety andabout them back then but I did not. Vipassana is a
stress still come occasionally, it does not really mattervery involved spiritual path and although it helped me
any more that much - I can let go and relax muchwell, 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 givencuring anxiety and stress.
me. I am so much more aware, relaxed and happyThere are other methods which will help cure anxiety
then I every was. I can face the world, while before Idepression effectively. One especially I found very
just made due. I have no stress, only the occasionalgood and it is especially designed for people with a lot
storm but you always know that they will pass andof stress in their lives, which is usually the cause of
they do not happen very often any more. Even theanxiety depression. So rest assured, there are
difficulties that sometimes come up are something thateffective methods to control stress and get rid of
pass and when you come out the other side, your areanxiety depression without going the path that I have
a happier person. So much weight will fall off yourgone. 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 onewith you.
course so try and see if you like it. If you continue, you