i have done a 10 day sit outside of jaipur in rajastan. it's gorgeous. there are peacocks running free around the property that make for a nice diversion while on breaks.

i have heard amazing things about the center in dharamsala. i have visited the grounds but did not do a sit there.

i love goenka!!
no hype

I have a fondness for Christopher Titmuss as I did my first mediation retreat with him (in California). I have heard nice things about his retreats in India. The ones at the sight below are in January/February.

www.insightmeditation.org/india.htm

Are you asking if Goenka method is a good method of meditation or are there good Goenka Vipassana meditation centers in India?

The answer to the first question: I've have received benefit from practicing Goenka's Vipassana (around three years, after three ten-day courses). Learning to observe sensations will change the way you look at yourself and the world for the rest of your life, regardless of if you ever maintain the practice. In addition, this path is a results oriented path, with the amount of benefit received directly related to the amount of personal effort. It is non-sectarian and based on the timeless teachings of Gotama the Buddha, making it both beautiful and credible.

However, a ten-day Vipassana course is based on a strict view of meditation and is very challenging. One is sitting for around 10 hours per day, on less sleep than usual. There is little tp no physical exercise. If you choose to sit a Vipassana course expect to endure quite amount of physical discomfort during your first course. You will learn that this is a healthy, purifying process, but at the time it can be very challenging and confusing. One has to really want to do a Vipassana course to be successful.

ON this note, I have heard of other types of meditation that incorporate exercise like yoga and other activities into their retreats. This is someting for you to consider, for Vipassana courses do not mix any other practices or physical activities into the teaching. This is to maintain the purity of the teaching (goenka himself says that yoga and other physical exercise complement Vipassana meditation and is an essential human activity - just not during a ten day course).

But, I will say this as final thougths. All of the precepts and restrictions imposed upon you during a ten day sit are explained reasonably during a course. There is no leap of faith or unnecessary discomfort or restriction as one learns during the ten days. There is a rational explanation and reason for all activities and rules during the course. And, Vipassana truly is a purification process of the mind. I have never felt happier, or have seen happier people, than at the conclusion of the ten day courses.

Now, your second question regarding centers in India - I am not aware of other meditation practices in India and of their centers, but with Vipassana, the first thought obviously goes to Dhamma Giri in Maharasthra. This is the original Vipassana center in India, and is the home of the Vipassana Research Institute, the Long Course Center, Vipassana Village, and also Goenka's home (in addition to his home in Mumbai). The energy sitting in this place is INCREDIBLE - I have never experienced anything like it. And the accomodation is also very nice, with private rooms and bathrooms.

However, sitting at Dhamma Giri can be noisy given the sheer size of the place. And, if you do not like Indian food, you will have a tough time. Also, consider the weather - do try to avoid the monsoon when sitting in India (I sat at Dhama Giri last summer, it rained consistently for the entire ten days).

Finally, consider the teachers as well. I am not sure where you are from, but I do believe in the benefits of sitting your first course in your own country, to benefit from the guidance and cultural understanding of the Vipassana teachers. During your first course you may have many questions regarding the practice - I found it very beneficial to have a teacher familiar with my culture and native language when answering my questions. I also found the process of asking questions at Dhamma Giri to be very challenging due to the huge number of students - this is something to consider.

Well, I hope this thoughts help! Good luck in India!

Metta,

Doug

i've just returned from a beautiful sit in jaipur, at dhamma thali. it is indeed like others said, simple yummy indian food with peacocks, monkeys roaming around. the individual cottages with private bathrooms was a nice perk and nourished the process of going inward. thali was very accomodating and tried to make the 10 day sit as comfortable as possible (laundry service, daily requirement requests if any). i highly recommend this quiet, village-like center.

The dharamsala retreat is avoidable if you want a serious go, especially first, at the technique...with 95 percent first-timers, some of whom there for "oh I did that in India when I was holidayin" fun...it's diffiucult to get a good sense of it all

jaipur is nice, so is dehradun centre near Delhi (situated along a small rumbling stream, at the base of a mountain)...the kathmandu centre in Nepal is terrific too

A member of the SA sangha with many Indian trips under her belt had the following to say on this topic (I also wanted to know about meditation cells/pagoda vs group sits as we only have a dhamma hall in Cape Town, where I have done my two 10-dayers):

Jaipur is the oldest, or second oldest Vipassana centre and has a very nice pagoda. The accommodation is OK - as usual the plumbing often leaves much to be desired, but that’s the same everywhere. It is like being in a bird sanctuary and quiet, though the monkeys do often barrage through in the afternoons. Lots of peacocks too.

My favourite is Dhamma Sindhu, Bada. It is rural, quiet except for cow bells and the occasional vehicle, but a lovely spot and good vibrations.

Dhamma Giri is ... busy and usually noisy, but it is the centre of things. However, I would suggest one of the two former.

If you want a cell experience, don’t go to McLeod Ganj, Dharmakot. It is a small centre, and the accommodation is in wooden huts with plastic walls – fine in summer and it is closed in deep winter. There is no pagoda there.