Open Day to accrue benefits of Meditation

Venkat Raman

Auckland, March 13, 2018

The nuances and benefits of Meditation will come to the fore at the Open Day being organised by the Vipassana Meditation Centre on Sunday, March 18, 2018.

The annual event will be held from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Centre, located at 153 Burnside Road, Makarau, Kaukapakapa, Near Auckland.

Organiser Falgun Shah said that the Centre has been operating for more than 25 years, offering 10-day residential courses in Vipassana Meditation as taught by S N Goenka.

“The Open Day affords opportunities to have a guided tour of the Meditation Centre, a short talk about the Vipassana technique, meeting people who have completed the ten-day course and enjoy afternoon tea,” he said.

Practical Technique

Mr Shah said that Vipassana is a practical technique which enables one to lead a more positive, balanced and happy life.

“The practice is a universal remedy for universal problems and has nothing to do with any organised religion. For this reason, it can be practised by everyone, at any time, in any place, without conflict due to race, community or religion, and will prove equally beneficial to all. It teaches a person to purify the mind, to free it from tensions, stresses and negativities, and to experience real peace and happiness,” he said.

Serene Environment

As well as providing excellent accommodation and delicious vegetarian food, the Vipassana Centre has a serene environment to learn the technique of Vipassana.

“Vipassana Trust is a charitable organisation, with all expenses met from donations by students who have benefited from a 10-day course,” Mr Shah said.

He said that Meditation can help us to understand our own mind.

“We can learn how to transform our mind from negative to positive, from disturbed to peaceful, from unhappy to happy. Overcoming negative minds and cultivating constructive thoughts is the purpose of the transforming meditations found in the Buddhist tradition. This is a profound spiritual practice you can enjoy throughout the day, not just while seated in meditation,” Mr Shah said.