Staff Reporter –
If you are one of those keen on learning the importance of meditation, more importantly practicing it in daily life, you should then visit the Vipassana Meditation Centre located on the outskirts of Auckland.
The Centre is organising an ‘Open Day’ on Sunday, January 24, 2016 between 1 pm and 4 pm at its facility at 153 Burnside Road, Makarau, Kaukapakapa.
Organiser Falgun Shah said that the Vipassana Centre has been operating for more than 20 years, offering 10-day residential courses in Vipassana Meditation as taught by the late Satya Narayan Goenka.
“The Open Day will provide an opportunity to have a guided tour of the Meditation Centre and a short talk on the Vipassana technique followed by tea. The event will also enable visitors to meet people who have completed our ten-day Meditation Course,” he said.
Practical technique
According to Mr Shah, Vipassana is a practical technique that helps its practitioners 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 one and all. It teaches a student to purify the mind, become free of tension, stress and negativity, and experience true peace and happiness,” he said.
The Vipassana Centre offers accommodation in a peaceful environment and vegetarian food. It is run by the Vipassana Trust, a charitable organisation. The Centre meets its expenses through donations and those undergoing the meditation courses.
Getting there: The Vipassana Meditation Centre is located in a quiet valley in the Makarau Valley, north of Kaukapakapa, about an hour by road from Auckland City. If travelling up the Northern Motorway, State Highway 1, take the Silverdale exit and turn left and then immediately turn right into Pine Valley Road. At the end of that road, turn right and proceed through Waitoki to State Highway 16 and through Kaukapakapa, which is a small town. From there, turn right after 9.2 kms into Makarau Road and left after 2.5 kms into Burnside Road. The Meditation Centre is 1.7 kms along Burnside Road on the left. There are signs at these last two intersections and at the centre entrance. For further information, please call (09) 4205319 or Email info@medini.dhamma.org
Website: www.medini.dhamma.org
Photo Caption:
The Vipassana Meditation Centre in sylvan surroundings of Makarau Valley
