The meditation training at Doi Suthep offers a unique technique that combines walking (6 steps) and sitting (28 points). This technique will be taught progressively throughout your time at the centre. If you choose a shorter duration, such as 4 days, you may not cover the entire technique of 6 steps and 28 points. However, anyone who practices for at least 14 days will learn the complete repertoire.
Some of us find the 28 points particularly useful for helping us sit upright during meditation. A long-time meditator from the UK shared that he had tried other forms of walking meditation, but this specific technique—walking with 6 steps and sitting with 28 points—was his first experience. He expressed a wish that he had learned it earlier, as the technique remarkably helps us sit upright more easily. I wholeheartedly agree with his observations. I felt that the points provided a grounding energy in the lower body during the first half of the training, while creating a vortex of uplifting energy in the upper body during the second half. This was all done progressively, starting with 15 minutes of walking and sitting in each session, increasing by 5 minutes each day (eventually reaching 20, 25, 30, 35 minutes, etc.), until the ultimate goal of 1 hour of walking and 1 hour of sitting was achieved.
I took the 21-day course, which culminated in a final training of strong determination over the last 3 days, involving an isolation practice of Vipassana Meditation (Vipassana is a Pali word that means "insight" in English). During intense meditation, we often gather wisdom and insights about ourselves and our lives. Participants are instructed to remain in their rooms for 72 hours, minimizing time outside except for toilet breaks. Showering and sleeping are discouraged during these 3 days to ensure a continuous, non-disrupted mindfulness practice. The objective is to strengthen your resolve to practice before leaving the center. However, do not worry; you will also have 1 full day to recover by relaxing and not engaging in much activity before exiting the safe environment.
Many of us who signed up for the 21-day course were not aware of this format. However, the center is respectful and will ask you to consider whether you want to take on the challenge a few days before you embark on this journey. Prior to my own confinement, I observed three younger meditators went through the 3 days of isolation. One young man emerged with an incredible insight into his ability to manage his anger, which he had struggled with previously. Another man shared a torturous night where he imagined himself as Nelson Mandela while walking for 8 hours straight; this experience humbled his ego. A young lady entered with many worries and left feeling disappointed, as she did not gain any special insights. Due to my past meditation experience, I understood the importance of practicing equanimity during meditation, so I went in without any expectations and emerged without disappointment or any major paradigm-shifting insights.
A meditation retreat differs from a yoga retreat, where socialization is available and encouraged. In a meditation retreat, we are required to maintain noble silence as much as possible. No reading, listening to music, or writing is permitted. In some ways, the training requires us to mute our senses so that we can focus on mindfulness. Feelings of boredom are common; however, when mindfulness practice is approached with the right attitude, you will discover many things to observe within the mundane practice.
In addition to walking and sitting meditation, our daily routine included chanting and listening to dharma talks. Some students found these two activities challenging. There were no specific instructions for the chanting, nor was there guidance on how to chant. The teacher would enter the room, take three bows, and we would follow his chanting using a chanting book for the next hour. Initially, it was a huge cultural shock for me. Imagine sitting there for an hour, having no clue about the Pali words, their pronunciation, or the tune. Gradually, however, I found ways to "enjoy" the session. One student shared with me that one of the highlights of his day was chanting, as he discovered he could follow the seemingly impossible Pali chant. When I adopted this mindset, things changed for me. I found my mind becoming more alert as I tried to follow the ancient text and melodic chant. It wasn’t so bad after all; in some ways, this is a form of cognitive training.
Our Thai monk teacher was both animated and humorous, captivating us with his dharma talks. He filled his presentations with big gestures and relatable stories that conveyed essential concepts of Buddhism, enhancing our meditation practice. However, some students found his English challenging to understand, leading to mixed reactions. While some struggled to connect with his teachings, others found them engaging and enriching. This experience highlighted a fundamental truth: perspective varies greatly among individuals. Given the same teachings, some may reject them, while others embrace them wholeheartedly. I made it a point to extract whatever insights were most beneficial for my own journey, particularly the important reminder about the quality of sleep and how regular meditation can significantly improve it.
Due to language limitations, some information may not have been conveyed optimally. I discovered a series of videos made by a monk from the same tradition (the lineage of Ajaan Tong's teaching). You could watch these to get a sense of how forest tradition meditation practice was conducted.
The video on walking meditation highlights its benefits, and the reasons provided make a lot of sense. This has motivated me to maintain my walking meditation practice.
I recommend watching the entire series, or at least the first three videos. Despite the monotone quality of his voice, Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu is an excellent presenter. The information he delivers about the foundations of meditation is refreshing for an experienced meditator like myself.
Related blogs:
Coming soon :
Vipassana Meditation @ Doi Suthep Temple | 4. My Practise
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