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Don't see why this should be the case. I got into MM through a similar Vipassana Course and there couldn't have been a better start for me. Only meditating in

Don't see why this should be the case. I got into MM through a similar Vipassana Course and there couldn't have been a better start for me. Only meditating in this style for 10 days did a few things for me that 20-30 minutes a day would not have helped with : 1 - It helped me understand the power of this sort of meditation 2 - It REALLY motivated me to keep at it ever after I left 3 - I got to learn how to meditate properly as opposed to trying something on my own for 30 minutes a day without someone to guide me through it Honestly it wasn't as brutal as people would like to think - all you need is an open mind.

wpietri 12y ago
It's basically the same reason people shouldn't sign up for marathons as their first race: most people aren't prepared. That it worked for you is great, but you shouldn't mistake your experience for the general case. I have a lot of friends who do retreats like this, and they universally recommend that most people work their way up. Regarding point #3, for those who would like guidance, I recommend finding a local meditation group. There are lots, and there are many different styles.
- colechristensen 12y ago
  It might be better to recommend a 1,2, or 3 day retreat which are also common and more approachable (and possible) to many people.
  - wpietri 12y ago
    That's definitely a more reasonable recommendation, although it's probably not the one I'd make myself. Some people take to meditation quite naturally; for some it's a real struggle. For the inexperienced but curious, about the most I'd generally recommend is stopping by some meditation group for a single sit. As an example, the San Francisco Zen Center's farm, Green Gulch, has a Sunday program that's quite nice: http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/display.asp?catid=3,123&pageid=239 http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/display.asp?catid=3,123&pageid=239 Gentle instruction, a short lecture, and then the option of casual tea and conversation. If people find themselves comfortable enough with a single sit that they're saying, "Gosh, I want 3 days of this," then more power to 'em. But that definitely wasn't my first experience. I needed a more gradual path.
    - kamakazizuru 12y ago
      I think each one has their own mileage - I was just refuting the parent's claim that you "should" do x or y - I think if you've considered it for a while and think you can stick through it - there's no harm in trying a 10 day retreat. Just as there's no harm in trying a marathon if you're generally fit. Worst case you drop out / slow down.
      - wpietri 12y ago
        That is an interesting theory, but you are definitely wrong about the marathon part. I know a number of people who have harmed themselves by attempting a marathon as their first race, a couple permanently. My concern about the harm of an unprepared person taking a 10-day class is different. Most of the people I know who went from doing nothing to trying a marathon are no longer runners. Either the difficulty and pain or the experience of failure were enough to dissuade them from taking up a regular running practice. If someone jumps into a 10-day retreat with no prior experience, I would be concerned about something similar happening to them.
- ca98am79 12y ago
  It's not like a marathon - preparation isn't really going to help you much. It's much more like "meditation bootcamp" - breaking down is part of the building process.

wpietri 12y ago

It's basically the same reason people shouldn't sign up for marathons as their first race: most people aren't prepared. That it worked for you is great, but you shouldn't mistake your experience for the general case. I have a lot of friends who do retreats like this, and they universally recommend that most people work their way up. Regarding point #3, for those who would like guidance, I recommend finding a local meditation group. There are lots, and there are many different styles.

colechristensen 12y ago
It might be better to recommend a 1,2, or 3 day retreat which are also common and more approachable (and possible) to many people.
- wpietri 12y ago
  That's definitely a more reasonable recommendation, although it's probably not the one I'd make myself. Some people take to meditation quite naturally; for some it's a real struggle. For the inexperienced but curious, about the most I'd generally recommend is stopping by some meditation group for a single sit. As an example, the San Francisco Zen Center's farm, Green Gulch, has a Sunday program that's quite nice: http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/display.asp?catid=3,123&pageid=239 http://www.sfzc.org/ggf/display.asp?catid=3,123&pageid=239 Gentle instruction, a short lecture, and then the option of casual tea and conversation. If people find themselves comfortable enough with a single sit that they're saying, "Gosh, I want 3 days of this," then more power to 'em. But that definitely wasn't my first experience. I needed a more gradual path.
  - kamakazizuru 12y ago
    I think each one has their own mileage - I was just refuting the parent's claim that you "should" do x or y - I think if you've considered it for a while and think you can stick through it - there's no harm in trying a 10 day retreat. Just as there's no harm in trying a marathon if you're generally fit. Worst case you drop out / slow down.
    - wpietri 12y ago
      That is an interesting theory, but you are definitely wrong about the marathon part. I know a number of people who have harmed themselves by attempting a marathon as their first race, a couple permanently. My concern about the harm of an unprepared person taking a 10-day class is different. Most of the people I know who went from doing nothing to trying a marathon are no longer runners. Either the difficulty and pain or the experience of failure were enough to dissuade them from taking up a regular running practice. If someone jumps into a 10-day retreat with no prior experience, I would be concerned about something similar happening to them.
ca98am79 12y ago
It's not like a marathon - preparation isn't really going to help you much. It's much more like "meditation bootcamp" - breaking down is part of the building process.