People wishing to learn Vipassana meditation have to undergo a minimum 10-day course under the guidance of a qualified teacher. During these 10 days, students live within the course site observing noble silence, without any contact with the outer world and not even communicating with fellow students. Their day begins at 4:30 a.m. and continues until 9:00 p.m. and perform at least ten hours of meditation.
"Most of us are preoccupied with avoiding distress and anxiety. We seek pleasure, gratification. So, surviving a 10-day lesson in Vipassana will be challenging. You spend most part of your day away from daily comforts meditating, isolated and battling with your mind. There may be many instances, especially on the 4th and 6/7th day, when you'll want to run. But, if you keep the faith, your pain will finally go away and you will never be the same again," said Rajat Khare, vipassana who recently completed his third Vipassana course in four years.