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