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Vipassana is a form of meditation that teaches one how to deal with reality as it is. Instead of focusing on the future or the past, as many of us are inclined to do, Vipassana practice helps one stay in the present time by focusing on the body. People who have completed a 10-day course at a Vipassana Centre are encouraged to serve on other retreats – this is an exciting yet daunting challenge for a new server.
What is it like to serve?
Servers are there to serve those who are meditating. This helps them to practice Vipassana in ‘the real world’ – which can be a very rewarding experience.
But first-time servers are often nervous about what is expected from them. Will they have to cook meals from scratch? What happens if there aren’t enough fellow servers? Will it be difficult for them if they’re no good in the kitchen? And what about those early morning calls? How will they cope?
The situation that first-time servers will be faced with is ever-changing. Vipassana meditation centres are situated all over the world and every centre will have a slightly different culture or feel as a result, even though the principles practiced are the same.
Every retreat experience will also be somewhat different, depending on the time of year and the participants. But wherever the retreat may be and whatever the situation, first-time servers have nothing to fear as there will always be an experienced server close by who is willing to help.
What to expect?
First-time servers often spend the majority of their time in the kitchen. The day kicks in at around 5.30 am when breakfast preparation begins. The menus are set for each day, and this includes ingredients and instructions for how to go about preparing the different meals.
The management of the kitchen and meals is normally left to an experienced server. Beginner servers volunteer to do anything from scrubbing and peeling vegetables to chopping and slicing them. There are always pots to be stirred and washed, and floors to be swept and mopped. Servers also volunteer or take it in turns to look after the dining room areas and the bathrooms.
Besides these practical ‘duties’, servers are asked to take quiet time for themselves in order to rest and attend to personal requirements like washing. Servers also attend a few compulsory meditation sessions a day.
What if there are problems?
If there are any serious problems or issues that are difficult to deal with, servers can speak to the Vipassana teacher or assistant teacher. Meetings are held at the end of each evening after the final meditation so that management issues can be discussed.
A personal interview can be scheduled with the teacher or assistant teacher, should a server require this.
One Response to “What is it like to serve on a Vipassana retreat?”
March 2nd, 2012 at 2:08 pm
[...] Heald’s book The Moving World reflects his interest in meditation, which began with a ten day Vipassana retreat. As challenging as the practice was, he found that it allowed him to perceive processes that were [...]
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