Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was taught in India more than 2500 years ago as a universal remedy for universal ills, an Art of Living. For those who are not familiar with Vipassana Meditation, an introduction to Vipassana by Mr. Goenka is available. Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnection between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind. It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion.
This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation. Healing, not merely the curing of diseases, but the essential healing of human suffering, is its purpose. The scientific laws that operate one's thoughts, feelings, judgements and sensations become clear. Through direct experience, the nature of how one grows or regresses, how one produces suffering or frees oneself from suffering is understood. Life becomes characterized by increased awareness, non-delusion, self-control and peace.
Additionally you may be interested in our answers to commonly asked questions.
Public talks about Vipassana Meditation and other events are periodically scheduled to provide interested persons with information about the technique. Audio from public talks given by S.N. Goenka are available at Pariyatti.org For information about any public talks on Vancouver Island please contact info@modana.dhamma.org
For courses available in British Columbia please visit www.surabhi.dhamma.org. For courses in Washington State please visit www.kunja.dhamma.org.
The British Columbia Vipassana Foundation received a donation in 2004, earmarked especially for centre on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver Island is a large island off the west coast of British Columbia located north of Seattle Washington and a 2 hour ferry ride west of Vancouver British Columbia. Vancouver Island has a population of about 750,000 living in an area approximately the same size as the country of Switzerland. This Island is known for its old growth rain forests, spectacular mountain scenery and abundant marine life such as Bald Eagles, Sea Lions, Killer Whales and salmon. Victoria is the capital city of British Columbia and is located on the southern tip of the Island. It has a population of 375,000 and is known for its old English character.
After much searching, a lovely 137 acre property was purchased in July, 2006 in the Cowichan Valley. The property is contained in two blocks of land with separate titles. With the purchase of the property, a trust was formed on Vancouver Island to administer this new centre, called the Vancouver Island Vipassana Association, or VIVA. The trust applied to the Canada Revenue Agency for charitable status, and this was granted as of January 1, 2008.
As the search for land ended, the next task began - to rezone the property to a suitable zoning to allow for public assembly. The rezoning process involved applications to the local area regional committee, and then to the CVRD - the Cowichan Valley Regional District. There was tremendous support both from businesses within Lake Cowichan and from the community of Duncan. There were over a hundred letters of support.
Our teacher, S. N. Goenka, named the site "Dhamma Modana". In the Pali language spoken by the Buddha, this means "Joy of Dhamma".
Approximately 13 acres of the property has been rezoned to public assembly P2A. This zoning allows us to build a caretaker’s residence and a meditation centre which can accommodate 75 people. The trust has subdivided and sold a four acre lot across the highway from the centre, leaving about 120 acres in a forestry reserve. The development of this lot included installing a large drainage system, drilling a well, building a pump house, and an extensive survey of all of the property. The sale of this lot has provided the working capital to allow us to begin to develop a centre.
The land is gently sloping, and there are stands of second growth Douglas fir, cedar, red alder and hemlock. Oliver Creek and a number of unnamed creeks run through the property. These creeks are tributaries of the Cowichan River, and are salmon bearing streams containing Coho salmon, rainbow and brown trout. The property is also home to elk, black bear and deer.
The property is located within walking distance of the Town of Lake Cowichan which is a 20 minutes drive from Duncan, B.C. The Town is also serviced by bus from Duncan. It is an hour drive from the major centres of Victoria and Nanaimo. Duncan is a town with a population of about 5,000 people known for its totem poles and temperate climate. Duncan and the Town of Lake Cowichan are in an area called the Cowichan Valley. This area was recently named one of the top ten rural places to live in Canada by Harrowsmith magazine. It has the highest mean temperatures in Canada and is home to over 75,000 people.
The Town of Lake Cowichan is a vibrant community of approximately 3,000 people, with an additional 3,500 people living in the surrounding area. The community is located on Cowichan Lake with the beautiful Cowichan River flowing through the center of town. Cowichan Lake is one of the largest fresh-water lakes on Vancouver Island. Secondary roadways provide access to Port Renfrew and the West Coast Trail in Pacific Rim National Park as well as the old growth forests of Carmanah Walbran Provincial Park.
The VIVA Trust is focusing on developing a meditation centre which will serve the community, be an attractive place for old students to relocate to and attract long-term servers who want to deepen their practice. Towards this end a building committee has been struck, whose task is to develop a long-range plan, and to design a 75 person centre and develop infrastructure such as hydro, septic, water and roads. An architect has been hired to assist in this process. We are also considering short term measures to allow us to hold day sits on the property and land development options which will provide the capital to finance a centre.
If you have completed a Vipassana meditation course and are interested in ways that you can donate or help develop our centre, please visit the Old Student web page. For passwords please contact info@modana.dhamma.org.