[shobhitverma]

This November was my sixth 10 day Vipassana course (first was 12 years ago). I achieved momentary clarity on the 8th day which helped me get rid of some of unnecessary but deep rooted complexes of my mind. I believe that it was possible only because of the continued practice and focus of the past 7 days. If it were two courses of 4 days each with some gap in between, I do not think I would be able to experience what I did. In other words, I feel that my brain needed the 10 consecutive days.

[pc86]

> I achieved momentary clarity on the 8th day which helped me get rid of some of unnecessary but deep rooted complexes of my mind.

Can someone with experience in meditation explain what this actually means?

[patrickmay]

For me it means that I was able to look objectively at some of my ways of thinking and feeling and realize that I didn't have to do it that way. I was able to let go of the attachment to doing so and change my own reaction to things.

In the tradition I follow this is called "finding the listener".

[mvanvoorden]

During meditation, one can experience moments of such clarity of mind, that the answers to difficult or deep rooted issues suddenly show up in front of you. Usually it turns out the solution is so simple, that they wonder why they've never seen it before, and now they cannot unsee it.

Like an epiphany.

[patrickmay]

I did a 10 day workshop with Jelle Bode last February and found the same thing. The combination of active and passive meditation, silence except for answering the question "Tell me who you are.", no alcohol or caffeine, and no outside contact really works if you give it the time. My personal clarity occurred in the afternoon of the seventh day. I wonder if that timing is similar for everyone.