A Journey of Transformation Through Vipassana Meditation

As travelers, we often seek external adventures—new cities, cultures, cuisine, and experiences. Sometimes, we visit families and friends or travel for business. I met a guy recently who travels to wherever it is warm—others to follow the solar eclipses. Yet, the most profound and inspiring journey often lies within us. I had the privilege of recently attending my second 10-day Vipassana meditation course at Dhamma Sacca, located in Candeleda, Spain, a two-hour drive northwest of Madrid. My first course at Dhamma Patāpa in Jesup, Georgia, was an intense and transformative experience, leaving me sure of the changes I'd undergone but unclear of the complete technique. Vipassana is a practice that encourages deep internal exploration, and it has been instrumental in my own journey toward greater self-awareness and inner peace.
What is Vipassana?
Vipassana is one of the oldest forms of meditation, meaning "clear seeing" or "insight" in Pali (a classical Indian language). It was rediscovered by the Buddha over 2,500 years ago and is taught today as a method to gain insight into the nature of reality. The technique focuses on mindfulness and self-awareness, teaching us to observe our bodily sensations and mental states without reacting to them. Vipassana's core principle is that everything in life is impermanent. By practicing mindfulness of bodily sensations, Vipassana reveals how attachment to things—whether emotions, pain, or desires—causes suffering. You become miserable when you create a delusion that you cannot fulfill.
The tradition of Vipassana was passed down for centuries and was reintroduced to the modern world by S.N. Goenka, who learned it from his teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, in Burma. Goenka began teaching the technique in India in 1969, and his method has since spread globally through more than 200 centers. The technique is taught at 10-day residential courses, where students follow a strict code of conduct and practice the method intensively. These courses are not commercial but are offered free of charge, with expenses met through voluntary donations from students who have previously benefited from the practice.
The beauty of Vipassana lies in its practicality and simplicity. It is not tied to any religion or belief system but offers a practical tool for developing a peaceful and balanced mind. Through disciplined observation, students gain insight into the nature of their own thoughts, emotions, and sensations, leading to a greater understanding of the self.
My First Vipassana Course in Dhamma Patāpa, Georgia
When I attended my first course at Dhamma Patāpa, the Southeast Vipassana Center in Jesup, Georgia, it was a difficult and overwhelming experience. I had just left a corporate job, experienced a tough divorce years before, shrank my household possessions for simpler living, experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and all the psychological impact of that, and found myself immersed in the unfamiliar and often frustrating corporate culture of the U.S., which felt starkly different from the cultures of Europe and the Caribbean that I was accustomed to. Corporate life in the U.S. often emphasizes competition based on origin and systemic inequalities that were foreign to me, and this left me stressed and uncertain about my identity and purpose. The systemic inequity was like a slow leak in a dam—barely noticeable at first, but over time, it weakened the structure until it eventually cracked, causing irreparable damage to the foundation of society.
During my first days at Dhamma Patāpa, I experienced intense physical and emotional pain. I remember complaining to my teacher about the discomfort in my knee and the sharp pain in my ribs, like a stab wound that seemed to intensify during meditation. My teacher responded excitedly and with a huge smile: "That means it's working! YOu are doing good. Observe the pain and remember its impermanent nature." I wondered about the consequences of slapping him then! It was a challenge to accept this, especially as I had so much pain from my personal life that I had yet to deal with. But over time, I began to realize that these physical sensations mirrored the emotional pain I was holding onto. By the fifth day, I felt a shift—I began to understand that just as the pain would pass, so would the emotional turbulence. It was a deeply transformative experience that gave me the tools to remain at peace, no matter the external circumstances.
My Second Vipassana Course in Dhamma Sacca, Spain
Fast-forward to my recent experience at Dhamma Sacca in Spain. The center, nestled in the picturesque rural town of Candeleda in the Sierra de Gredos mountains (which was part of my daily view), is dedicated to offering students a serene space for meditation. The name Dhamma Sacca means the "Truth of Dhamma," it is a fitting description of what the center stands for—teaching the universal truth of impermanence, mindfulness, and balance.
This time, my meditation experience was different. The insights that eluded me in Georgia were clearer in Spain. I found myself less distracted by the past and more focused on the future. While meditating, there will inevitably be distractions. I value those, too, and know they are also impermanent. The distractions helped me realize the direction I was headed in life and the ambitions I wanted to pursue. Yet, I also understood that I must avoid craving and aversion—attachments to these visions that cause suffering—because nothing is permanent, not even me!
I understood that everything I fought for, the identities I tried to fulfill, the pain I believed others caused me or I caused others, and even my various careers would eventually pass. This awareness helped me remain calmer and more centered. Even as I sat through the usual aches and pains, I was able to accept them as part of the process. The jobs, career, wealth, that favorite car—life is fleeting, and by embracing this, I could find peace amidst the discomfort. It became clearer that nothing is worth holding onto if it causes suffering.
A core part of the practice is to abstain from any form of harmful or negative behavior. This includes:No killing: Participants should avoid any harm to living beings.No stealing: Avoid taking anything that is not given.No sexual activity: Participants should refrain from all sexual acts during the course.No lying: Truthfulness is essential for creating an honest environment.No intoxicants: Alcohol or drugs of any kind, including tobacco, should be avoided.
Why it’s important: These ethical precepts help purify the mind, reducing external distractions and internal conflicts, allowing participants to focus fully on their meditation practice and the cultivation of inner peace.
Vipassana and My Travel Philosophy
For me, Vipassana is not just a meditative practice—it's a part of my travel journey. Yes, I explore new places and cultures, but I also seek inner transformation, whether it's in a new city or a quiet retreat. This period also included my birthday, a time to reset. I once did such a reset by climbing a mountain. Travel is not just about external exploration; it's about understanding the world within us. Vipassana provides the tools to navigate both the outer and inner landscapes of our lives.
As I reflect on my experiences in both Georgia and Spain, Vipassana has transformed me into a more compassionate, understanding, and peaceful person. My practice is imperfect, and I will still get angry, anxious, and stressed, but now I have a tool that has taught me to be less reactive, embrace impermanence, and observe without judgment. It's helped me realize that the true journey begins within, offering hope and optimism for personal transformation.
I encourage anyone interested in personal growth and inner peace to consider taking a Vipassana course. Regardless of your religion or spiritual beliefs, Vipassana is about mindfulness and cultivating peace through observation. It's an inward journey that can significantly enhance every aspect of your life, from the way you approach challenges to how you relate to others.
5 Rules (or codes of conduct)
All students must observe during the 10-day course:
1. Noble Silence (Mauna)
- Description: No speaking or engaging in verbal communication with fellow meditators. This includes both speaking and gestures. The purpose of noble silence is to allow students to focus entirely on their own meditation practice and avoid distractions. Although this includes eye contact, we often communicate with eyes because there are about 120 people in the same place. Some minor interaction is inevitable.
2. No Physical Contact
- Description: Students must refrain from any physical contact with other participants, including gestures like handshakes, hugs, or any form of touch. This rule helps maintain a space of inner focus and discipline, free from distractions or emotional entanglements that can arise from physical interactions.
3. No Writing or Reading
- Description: Writing, reading, and keeping a journal are strictly prohibited. This includes reading books, letters, or any other form of written material. This precept is designed to avoid mental distractions. The goal of Vipassana is to focus solely on observing one’s sensations and thoughts rather than engaging with the outside world. This rule ensures that participants do not use reading or writing as a way to escape from the discomfort or insights they may encounter.
4. No Eating After Noon
- Description: After noon, participants cannot consume a full meal. Dinner comprises fruit and drinks like water, tea, or herbal drinks for new students. Old students, like me, could only have tea or lemon water. This rule helps simplify the meditation experience by reducing distractions and cravings caused by food, digestion, and related physical activities. It also aligns with the idea of practicing self-discipline and detachment from indulgences, supporting mental clarity and focus.
5. No Use of Personal Devices
- Description: During the course, participants must relinquish all personal electronic devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and any other form of communication or entertainment technology. One friend told me he could not do Vipassana because he was addicted to his phone. The absence of personal devices ensures that participants are not distracted by outside influences, such as social media, messages, or the internet. This allows for a deep, uninterrupted focus on the meditation process.
6. No Practice of Religious Ritual
- Description: Participants are not allowed to practice their religious rites like prayer, touching needs or rosaries, chanting, singing, or anything else, whatever the religion. This helps one focus on sensations that are real to you rather than those incited by a religious fervor of feelings or visions.
If these rules seem too challenging to follow for 10 days, ask yourself why and what benefits they give you—and I don't mean surface-level benefits but profound, lifelong benefits. What void are you filling?
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Dhamma Sacca, Candalele, Spain, Photos by author


Dhamma Sacca, Candalele, Spain, Photos by author




Dhamma Sacca, Candalele, Spain, Photos by author
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