Vipassana Meditation Centre (Dhamma Bhumi)

For anyone who's interested in exploring their inner self, this is the place to be. The spirit in this centre is pure and strong, all the courses organized here are highly beneficial. Also the nature in the centre and its surroundings is just beautiful. Come, see and learn how to meditate!

In 2019 my partner of 19 years, mother of two, attended Vipassana Meditation Centre and completed their program". We were all really pleased that she was able to do this although she did note several people had broken down and had to leave during her stay. And at first all seemed fine with her. However

An honest review:Personally, for me, the experience was challenging but deeply rewarding. I was ready to show up and do the hard work. I didn't plan to leave and I had the determination to get through the 10 days. So, despite the days that were tough, long and challenging - it was still a powerful enough experience to have created some level of change in my life. I really needed that structure and grit to get to me to do that deep inner work in the meditation realm.Other insights:I luckily come from a meditation background and I have been meditating for 6 years now. If I didn't have a meditation background, I would've felt clueless during the experience. I would assume anyone that is signing up to Vipassana has tried meditation before to sign up. So, I would maybe expect people know what they've signed up for.However, my friend who recommended me this course had never meditated before and was encouraged to sign up while she was in a deep depression, and this seemed to create some level of subtle change in her life for her to see positive changes in her lfie again.The teachers are working on a voluntary basis, so I don't believe they need to provide anything above and beyond. The fact that they showed up to serve for 10 days is an effort in itself.The servers are brilliant and I am super thankful for them. Thank you for coming and serving for us.We should all be very grateful for the opportunity that one is allowed to sit for ten days, for a donation basis, and participate. This is a very rare experience and really takes away from the ego that this is related to making money, or abusing a 'religious' teaching to profit.* From a business point of view, for one to experience this in a different way... a silent meditation without the Buddhist framework.I would be really curious to know how 'Vipassana' could go from an ancient teaching from Mr Goenka, to an adapted version accomodating all the new techniques we've understood in the realm of mindfulness, neuroscience, somatic body work, trauma work, pressure points etc.Of course, while still acknowledging where this technique was adapted. I would be curious to see the concept of a 10 day silent meditation in a modern day framework.Still, overall, I had a great experience.

This is a beautiful and peaceful space. I have found it to be a very healing experience overall. Sometimes the process is hard, and sometimes it's very comforting. What I find impressive is the incredible management and volunteer team. They are kind, generous, and extremely supportive and attentive. Thank you all for the work that you guys do.

Best experience and course of my life!After spending years trying to solve inner problems (grief, disappointment, frustration, anger) nothing has been able to help resolve this until...I decided to attend this 10-day Vipassana course as where you learn two powerful breathing techniques Anapana and Vipassana to help you get rid of negative weight and gain more love and compassion towards others.These techniques by the way are non religious and have been thought by Buddha himself over the last 2500 years.After 7 days already I felt tremendous lightness and relief. Waking up with a lot of joy and looking forward to the future again.Stunning location, great vegetarian food, simple but comfortable accomodation.Don't be afraid to join if you're completely new to meditation. The course is from 0430am till 0900pm each day but there are loads of timeslots allowing you recharge and pace yourself.Special thanks to our amazing teacher Erhard Rathmayr for guiding us and answering all questions.May you all be happy,Konstantin

It's OK, I feel though the teaching could be done better to avoid misunderstandings that can cause massive issues. When you play with fire, I believe great care needs to be taken. I feel there should of been much more 1 on 1 time with teachers. Too many questions went unanswered until serious problems emerged in meditation. I feel the first few days where we learned to watch breathing was good, to ground into the now, the rest arguably not so much for me . The last few days caused reactive spirals, and feared losing my mind. I resolved this by adjusting the technique thankfully to ensure it was being taught consistent to the teachings. The problems with this technique, it relies on foundation that suffering comes from attachment to impermanence of life and our aversions and cravings, yet it asks you however encryptedly, to trick yourself through successful use of the technique to avert aversions and crave to be free from cravings, so it is self defeating in the long term. I feel the subconscious cannot be tricked. Just my opinion. Still 4 stars , because staff were great, food was great, great nice walking tracks , and first 3 days was still a charm. I left end of day 7 as it was evident to me what I wrote above and thus my incompatibility . I'll stick with my yoga and sadhguru my mentor. I write this to present my honest review, not to berate or glorify anyone.

I am writing this to express my gratitude for the tremendous job that our Manager Alison did during my 10 days course at Dhamma Bhumi. She was always available to cater the requirements for every individual and attended them specifically and was really gentle and polite which was one of her greatest qualities I believe. I loved how she handled everything and helped us have the best course ever.Elizabeth and Tashi have been truly amazing in providing us our language discourse as per the preference of every individual and checking up on us. The best thing was that they respected the multicultural diversity and respected people by helping them meditate in their mother tounge language which helped them understand and benefit in a more larger way. They have been extremely kind and helpful throughout my precious course and I express a big big thank you for that!With Metta,Sunita M

I practice different kind of meditation for years, none of this practice could compare the one I learn from Vipassana Meditation Centre. My heart full of gratitude for people who invited me to join this course and people who work for the centre.

Dhamma Bhumi Blackheath is my favourite place for 10-day retreats. Vipassana (or Insight) is one of the meditation techniques taught by Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha, in India. Vipassana meditation a serious undertaking. You need to prepare for it - both mentally and physically. If you approach it with reverence, and if you follow the strict rules, you should see the results. May all beings be happy. Metta.