Vipassana Day

Vipassana for people of colour

Time: 11:00 - 6pm

Dates : Sunday- May14th

Vipassana for people of colour is a day retreat and gathering at the peaceful grounds of the Buddhapadipa in Wimbledon, London. It is an opportunity for us to gather in community and support our practice through vipassana.

Aims and goals for the day: Developing discernment, clear insight, focus and energy in the body.  Enjoy a metal detox. 

Sometimes it can be easy to believe that we are not wanted, and this can become our default position in life. It’s not easy to get out of the frame of reference if our conditions and conditioning has time and time again been meet with that reality. Our mind then can gravitate towards seeking evidence to confirm this reality at the same time our hearts become numb, and our overall vision of the world can feel contracted. Mindfulness has helped over time to sit with the spectrum of this disease. It’s made me realise the difference between disassociation with the body and its causes being othered, betrayed and feeling unwanted. At the same time, it helped to realise all conditions are subject to are impermanence and not to necessarily believe them to be absolute truth. If we believe something about ourselves which has negatively impacted our mental health other people don’t see the whole picture or history and that is only one frame of who you are. For this reason, trying not to judge but to understand is important. If you can not help don’t harm, always give people the benefit of the doubt that their reactivity or demised current state is only a fragment of their lives.

Vipassana is a process of working with the body though a series of regimented exercises. They are based on ancient wisdom of the Budhha but are applicable to anyone who is seeking liberation from our own thoughts which can imprison us. Vipassana is a process of understanding our own mind my assessing our own inner wisdom and working though stages of concentration, calmness and clarity. It is like the dark clouds which have become us suddenly lifting only to find a state of clarity, openness and coming back to our selves. In the west various institutions and programs have copied and redesigned the methodology of standing walking sitting practice because it simply works. At the Buddhapadia days we gather in comfort each other as people of colour. We can bring our whole selves and enjoy its benefit.

Please join us from 11 till 6pm on Sunday May 14th– You can give a donation or buy a ticket and bring food and songs to share.

Schedule

11:00 Welcome and gathering.

11:30 Shared Lunch

12:00 Introductions and discussion

1:00 Standing, Walking and sitting mediation

2:00 Solitude time

3:00 Chanting, Standing, walking and sitting

5:00 - 6:00 Closing circle and libation ritual

FAQ 

1. What is Vipassana ?

This practice is suitable for both beginners and advanced practitioners.

Vipassana meditation is a form of mindfulness that comes from the original teachings of the Buddha but can be found in all cultures. Vipassana, meaning "to see things as they really are," like all meditation techniques is open to people of all faiths or none and all nationalities and ethnicities. Vipassana requires no belief system as it's a non-sectarian practice.

It is a journey of self-discovery, and presents an opportunity to experience for one's self the truths of ancient teachings. The goal of the practice is the equivalent of a mental detox; and the development of values such as compassion and equanimity, and the increase of empathy. One of the benefits of the day is the opportunity for silent practice under the trees.

2.What is overtoning?

Overtoning is a practice of chanting or harmonic singing where we make a sound and modulate the voice so that we can produce other sounds or notes simultaneously. This helps the body to resonate the primordial sound of OM. This is applied to the Shakras of the body, and is a helpful way of bringing our attention to the sensations of the body. This helps with grounding and self-regulation.

3. The benefits of chanting

Om Ah Hum Vajra Guru Padma Siddhi Hum

This is one of the most important Buddhist mantras. It is very useful both for learners and for the most advanced practitioners. In this mantra the whole universe is like a crystal (in some translations – a pearl), which is inside my heart (or inside a lotus flower – representation of the 'I'). This mantra is chanted, meditating on the connection between us and the universe, with a sense of altruism, love, and dedication. The main benefits of chanting is that it has a way of detoxing the mind.

4. What is standing meditation?

Standing meditation is a powerful method of healing the body from injuries and chronic illness. It increases vitality, internal strength and fitness, as well as overall body power. Standing meditation makes use of five very specific postures to deeply release long held stress and tension. The legs, spine and shoulders become very strong yet relaxed. Unnecessary tension is released from the joints and muscles, making them more flexible and elastic.

Standing meditation makes use of specific relaxed abdominal breathing and mental imagery, and awareness of the inside of your body

5. What is walking meditation?

Walking meditation is a practice that pairs mindfulness meditation with slow, deliberate walking along a predetermined path at a pace and in a space where you can walk silently and won’t be disturbed. The motion of walking becomes your anchor.  You focus as you begin to pay more attention to the bodily sensations as you move one step at a time, keeping your attention on acute or small movements.

6. Libation ritual

An ancient practice from the African tradition in which water is poured into the ground or on the base of a tree. It is a dedication to our loved ones and ancestors.