6 things I experienced as a Dhamma Server while practising Vipassana Meditation

When I was a Vipassana student when I first went for it in 2015 at their Kolhapur centre, I was really touched by how the volunteers (also known as Dhamma Servers) served us so tirelessly for 10 days and with so much love and compassion. I had gotten so much out of learning Vipassana Meditation that I ended up going there 3 more times in 2016, 2017 and 2018. While I mediated for these at these 10 days courses I was always curious what being a Dhamma server would be like. So this time in Dec 2019, I decided to serve as a Dhamma Sevak. I thought it would be a great way to to learn how to live and work in a mindful way.

For those who don't know what Vipassana is, it is a meditation technique to see things as they really are. One of India's most ancient techniques of meditation, it was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago and was taught by him as a universal remedy for universal ills. This non-sectarian technique aims for the total eradication of mental impurities and the resultant highest happiness of full liberation.

Since the time of Buddha, Vipassana has been handed down, to the present day, by an unbroken chain of teachers. Although Indian by descent, the current teacher in this chain, Mr S.N. Goenka, was born and raised in Burma (Myanmar). While living there he had the good fortune to learn Vipassana from his teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin who was at the time a high Government official. After receiving training from his teacher for fourteen years, Mr Goenka settled in India and began teaching Vipassana in 1969. Since then he has taught tens of thousands of people of all races and all religions in both the East and West. In 1982 he began to appoint assistant teachers to help him meet the growing demand for Vipassana courses.

Here are the things I experienced as a dhamma server. I hope these can inspire the ones who are on the path of their spiritual journey to attain liberation and finding the truth about themselves. 

1. Selflessness Service 

The course for around 100 individuals. As a server ensuring these students could meditate from 4.30 in the morning to 9.30 in the night made me realise what selflessness is. I did not know anyone of them in person yet the feeling of doing everything in my capacity so that they could meditate better, get food on time, get medicines if needed, follow the daily schedule, solving any queries the students had, to list a few was such a fulfilling experience. 

2. A conscious setting to observe my thoughts

During the 10 days, we were instructed not to talk too much and concentrate on our tasks. It was an excellent chance for me to learn more about myself. I got to observe my thoughts and my actions as I go about doing my tasks. I realized I tend to like to rush through things, feeling happy when a task is completed, but I seldom take time to really do things with care. Through the 10 days, I learnt to be more mindful and do things consciously. I felt my mind clearer and calmer as I slowed down and learnt to be in the present as I do things.

3. Connection with like-minded people

During the course, there were 7 other servers and I was really grateful to meet them. The people are all so inspiring and just wonderful. They are the kindest bunch of people I have ever met. Every one of them has their own accomplishments back home, but they take time off to volunteer their services. It was really inspiring. As the youngest there, I was really grateful to listen to their stories and their experiences on life and spirituality. I ended up absorbing a lot of knowledge along the way. 

4. Team Work

Talking about teamwork, as a Dhamma server, it is essential to be able to work in a team. I usually like to do things on my own, but this experience has taught me how to be a better team player. I learnt that it's fun having a team behind you. The assistant teacher from the very beginning said, we are a team and we shall work like one. It was so fabulous to see the synchronicity of all the 7 servers and the assistant teacher with very little to no verbal communication.  

5. Revision of concepts, new eyes looking at things

Volunteering was also a good chance for me to revise the concepts I learnt during the Dhamma talks. I got a clearer perspective of my thought patterns. I also got to hear so many stories from the assistant teacher which were such amazing opportunities for introspection.  After every day there is a video discourse that summarises the experiences that happened throughout the day. I have heard them numerous times, but each time I see these discourses, there is always something new that I could relate to and apply to my life.

6. Enormous joy and humility 

During the 10 days, I experienced humility. Serving people and putting others before myself. I was a humbling experience and kept my ego in check. At the end of 10 days, after noble silence was broken, I derived joy and happiness when I saw happy faces of students all around. You know, the indescribable moment where your heart overflows with joy when you know you played a part in making this all possible and when the students come and say thank you for your service. 

Hope you enjoyed the article, thank you for reading till the end. If you ever wish like enrolling yourself to a course like this, check the following link