If you guys think of going back to Nepal for a visit.... please try to make this your on eof the things to do. VIPASSANA: Experience it BY DORJI TSERING SHERPA I first heard about the Vipassana meditation about 8 years back. I assumed it then that it would be in a place where robed Lama or monks would be chanting their mantras or motley of people singing and dancing in a frenzy around teachers or giggling and shaking in a yogic ways or listening in rapt attention to some wonderful fairy tales or discourses. It never ever occurred to me that it would be something totally different and unimagined. Just four years ago, a friend of mine advised that any man or woman of average education who understands practical things and logic should not make any assumption on anything but experience it by your self to know about the Vipassana. I then decided to find out for myself what it was all about and took my first step. The procedures begin with the application form to be filled and recommended by someone who has already taken the 10 days Vipassana meditation course. The details include everything from your blood type, medical history, daily alcohol or cigarette consumption habits and sign an agreement to abide by all the rules and regulation of the center. This application should be submitted to the Nepal Vipassana Center?s office at Kantipath. The center will inform you in due course of time if your application is accepted. You will then be provided with confirmation along with your bed and room and meditation seat number. The required clothes, itinerary of each day?s program with the departure time and date of the bus leaving for the meditation center will be informed accordingly. Now you wait anxiously for the D-day. Does it not sound too perfect and meticulous for a meditation course? Yes it does. There are more surprises when you reach the center. Dharmasringa is located right at the edge of the Shivapuri jungle on top of the hill looking down on the Kathmandu valley. You will find the location and the height of the center very similar to that of Darjeeling or Shimla hill stations. Dharmasringa, have modern buildings and thatched Nepali type houses with beds, bathrooms and toilets fitted with hot and cold showers. There are specific areas for men and women with separate living quarters, dining hall and meditation areas. The best audio and visuals systems are installed in the main meditation hall. There will be about 10-12 teachers to instruct and teach the art and a group of volunteers to serve you and help in any way possible. Men and women numbering about 160 take part in these 10 days course which is free of cost for the accommodation and meals. The silence and tranquility at the Dharmasringa in spite of the huge crowd is the most unique and surprising experience that one will find. Every minute and second are accounted for with perfect timings. Healthy and clean foods are served for breakfast and lunch. You may make a financial donation at the center so that another person like you can take this wonderful course and benefit from it. It is an experience of a life time. The benefit and peace of mind that you gain from this 10 days Vipassana meditation course cannot be described in words; it must be experienced by you. This scribe, has completed his 3rd 10-days Vipassana meditation course, wish to inform all the readers that every month hundreds of people of all walks of life and religion visit and experience Vipassana meditation here in Kathmandu. Hope you will also take your fist step in the right direction for your own benefit.