Along the journey I have had the privilege to have been introduced to Vipassana Meditation by a dear friend, Richard Honsberger. If it were not for his insight, I might still be blind. When I was ready, I made the time to do a ten day meditation retreat. It was a great opportunity to sit and face myself; and once I had completed the ten day retreat, I came out beaming, full of energy, and healthy; due to the generosity and loving hands of the volunteers who prepared the delicious vegetarian meals to sustain us all while we did the real work we were meant to do. I have done several sits since, and for those who are interested in experiencing meditation in a secure environment, and do not know where to start I suggest Vipassana Meditation. Here is some information from their site. Do visit them at http://www.dhamma.org/
For those of you out in my neck of the woods there is a centre in Sutton, Quebec.
Quebec Vipassana Meditation Centre
Dhamma Suttama
Sutton, QC, Canada
http://www.dhamma.org/en/schedules/schsuttama.shtml
Vipassana Meditation As Taught By S.N. Goenka
in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
This is the international home page of the organizations which offer courses in Vipassana Meditation as taught by S.N. Goenka and his assistant teachers in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin
Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India’s most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, i.e., an Art of Living. For those who are not familiar with Vipassana Meditation, an Introduction to Vipassana by Mr. Goenka and Questions & Answers about Vipassana are available.
The technique of Vipassana Meditation is taught at ten-day residential courses during which participants learn the basics of the method, and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results.
There are no charges for the courses – not even to cover the cost of food and accommodation. All expenses are met by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, wish to give others the opportunity to also benefit.
Courses are given in numerous Meditation Centers and at non-center course locations at rented sites. Each location has its own schedule of courses. In most cases, an application for admission to each of these courses can be made online.