Product Description
Set on fifty acres of gently sloping land, Dhamma Rasmi Vipassana Centre offers regular 10-day residential courses in Vipassana meditation. The retreat is approximately one kilometre from shops and public transport and yet protected by corridors of trees and pockets of bushland. Mount Cooroora provides a striking backdrop to its extensive gardens, and the peaceful atmosphere of the centre encourages visiting native wildlife, including families of kangaroos.
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The technique of Vipassana meditation is a practical way to achieve peace of mind and live a happy, productive life. It is learned by attending a 10-day residential course with a qualified teacher where the student is free from distractions so that the reality within can be observed. This technique helps practitioners come out of suffering; it is non-sectarian and is suitable to all people regardless of religion, gender, race or nationality. All courses offered at the Vipassana Meditation Centre, Dhamma Rasmi, are conducted by assistant teachers of SN Goenka using audio and video recordings of Mr Goenka’s instructions and discourses.
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.
Good For
Those ready to learn the art of Vipassana meditation
Programmes & Offerings
All Vipassana meditation courses at Dhamma Rasi have three practical features. Firstly, throughout the 10 days you will follow a code of conduct whereby you refrain from speech and actions that are harmful to yourself and others (Sila). Secondly, for the first three and a half days you will practice Anapana meditation, the observation of the breath, to help calm down and concentrate the mind. And thirdly, from Day 4 onward, you will practice Vipassana, the meditation of mental purification by insight.
Regular meditation instructions are provided each day. As well, the teachers will meet with you in small groups to see that you are practising correctly. There will be other opportunities to meet the teachers on your own if you have any questions. Every evening you will hear a talk of about one hour on the practice by the school’s late teacher, Mr SN Goenka. On Day 10 you will learn a new meditation of Mettā, loving kindness, and then the rule of silence will end. You will then have time to talk to those with whom you have spent the last nine days in silence.
At about 6:40 am on Day 11, after the final talk, the course is officially over. Breakfast is offered and students take the time to clean their rooms and help prepare the centre for the next group of students. Since the centre is maintained by volunteers, this help you give at the end of the course is very much appreciated. Most of you will have left by 9 am.
Facilities
Dhamma Rasmi can accommodate around seventy meditators and is divided into male and female compounds. There is an octagonal, timber meditation hall, including meditation cells in which experienced students can work more seriously. Wheelchair facilities are available.
Food & Drink
A commercial kitchen, staffed by volunteers, provides simple and delicious vegetarian food.
Accommodation
There is a mixture of accommodation at the centre: single rooms, including a number with ensuite bathrooms, and some shared rooms with partitions, with sealed pathways connecting all rooms and facilities. There is separate accommodation for those who volunteer to help run the courses.
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