Things to pack for Vipassana Meditations Course during Winters

As the world is becoming more and more chaotic, with every passing day, life of a normal person is becoming more and more difficult. Constant exposure to negative news like Middle East tension between Iran & Israel to death of democracy in India badly impacts mental health of individuals.

As such incidents become unstoppable and stress level rise to unbearable level, nowadays more and more people are getting inclined towards spirituality.

And rightly so, after all, the way one can overcome mental issues like depression and anxiety through meditation no prescription based drug can match it. People are beginning to attend several spiritual retreats all over the world more than ever before. One such retreat is known as Vipassana Meditation Retreat as taught by SN Goenka.

It’s a 10 days silent meditation retreat conducted at dhamma centers all across the world in which disciples meditate from 4:30am in the morning to 9pm in the evening with few break in between like breakfast, lunch and evening snack break.

When a person decides to attend such a retreat at a remotely located dhamma center the first thing that comes to his mind is what are the things he or she should pack for Vipassana Retreat. This question becomes even more challenging for people who are staying in cold countries because during winters weather at remotely located vipassana centers become even more chilly and snowy as compared to city.

Taking this challenge into account I thought of sharing my inputs how to plan packing for 10 days vipassana meditation course during winter season:

1. Warm clothes
   You must carry enough number of warm clothes such that you have three to four layers at any given time. Thermals for innermost layer, woollen sweater for middle layer and a thick windproof and waterproof jacket for outer layer are most important set of clothes one must pack.

2. Shawl
   Shawl is a rectangular utility warm cloth item which can be wrapped around upper body to protect against cold weather. It easy to wear and remove quickly and is a must during a vipassana retreat. It’s so common for vipassana students to wear a shawl not only during winters but also during autumn in early morning and late even meditation sessions.

3. Socks
   You will probably have to wear two layers of socks depending on how cold your feet get during winters and your tolerance levels. Inner socks should be capable of absorbing your sweat ensuring you are not spreading odour and stink in dhamma hall and disturbing other disciples practice.

I have accumulated entire list of items that one must carry during winters and during normal season as well. If you are planning to attend 10 days vipassana course than these articles are must read for you:

For Winter Season:
Vipassana Packing List for Winter Season

For other seasons like summers and autumn:
Essential things to Pack for 10 day Vipassana Retreat