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a Dhamma Story about Minding Your Own Business

Let me share a few impressions from my wonderful stay at the Vipassana Center Dhamma Anuradha in Sri Lanka.

After demonstrating my bargaining skills, my new friend Nishan, who drove a tuk-tuk, finally delivered me to the center.

I was filled with joy to be there at last…

I fell in love with the place immediately. The center was located in the middle of the jungle, surrounded by coconut and banana trees, along with other lush greenery. Trees bore not-yet-ripe fruits, which were a pure delight to observe.

Where I come from, we have trees full of apples, pears, plums, and cherries. Coconuts, bananas, and pineapples are only available on the cold shelves of a crowded supermarket. It was wonderful to see them growing in their natural environment. Accompanying this idyllic scenery was the divine soundtrack of wildlife. What more could I want?

Since I arrived quite early, a friendly volunteer with fundamental but sufficient knowledge of English showed me to my room. As she was leaving, she said, “Come, lunch at 12:00. Registration at 14:00,” while showing two fingers to make it clear, I have to register after 2 pm.

I understood everything, smiled at her, gave a thumbs-up, and closed the door.

Path to One of the Accommodation Houses

At the End of this Path is a Dinning Hall on the Right

For the upcoming 11 days, I would stay in one of the small, charming accommodation houses connected by paths of typical red sand. The main path linked the dining hall and the Dhamma Hall, with living quarters situated on either side.

The entire setting was beautifully maintained and filled with love.

Inside these rooms, the furnishings were as basic as Vipassana standards require.

There was a simple bed for one person with a pink mosquito net hanging over it, a mattress, and a cushion. A few hangers were on the walls, along with a small open wooden cupboard, a wooden clothes dryer, a sink, a toilet, a mirror, a shower, and a couple of buckets.

It provided everything I needed to sleep, relax, and wash myself. Most of the time would be spent in the Dhamma Hall anyway.

Interiors – Sitting Under The Magic Pink Net

The rest of the day passed quickly, and I was looking forward to immersing myself in the practice and experiencing the 10-day silence soon.

There is no desire on my side to write about the course itself or my personal experiences during the course. It’s not because I don’t want to share or because I want to hide something.

The simple reason I don’t want to write this Dhamma story about my Vipassana experience is that it’s a personal journey—you need to make your own, independent of mine.

If you’re considering applying for the course in one of the centers across the world, I don’t want you to build expectations based on my experience or anticipate specific events.

I actually want to shout from the rooftops: Go for it, try it for yourself!

Experience Vipassana meditation firsthand, don’t build it up on my experience.

My Lovely Sri-Lankan Local Comeditators

Additionally, I don’t want those who have already attended the course to compare their experiences with mine. It defeats the whole purpose.

Everyone’s experience is invaluable and unique.

We experience Dhamma in very different ways, and there is no better or worse way as long as there is the right effort. Dhamma is all about openness and transparency—there is no secrecy.

You might say

“Well, I just want to read a little about it; I won’t compare or build any expectations.”

I understand your curiosity because I’m the same way. That’s why I know you will compare. It’s natural to compare and expect.

After all, we are all made from the same material—the human one 😉

Nevertheless – If you are immune to both comparisons and expectations, then I congratulate you.

You are absolutely fabulous. Write to me in the comments below, and I might consider privately sharing my experience with you 😉

For the rest of you, amazing humans, write in the comments below if you've heard about Vipassana meditation or if you have a nice dhamma story to share. Do you meditate? How do you find your inner peace? Have you attended or do you want to attend the course? If yes, how was your experience? LOL, just kidding 🤣 🤣

Sending you tons of loving-kindness 💕

T.