The problem with Goenka method for "head-centric over-thinking conditioned state that is the norm in today's world" is that it activates the Trigeminal nerve and focusses attention on the head alone for three days: this is the pressure cooker that sends people over the boil. If meditation is practised according to the Budha's teachings and not these recent mistaken interpretations (based on a basic misunderstanding of Pali/Sanskrit) this does not happen, instead the Vagus nerve is fully activated embodying experience in bodily sensations and employing all aspects of the nervous system towards calm.
This is the fundamental reason that a meditation teaching of 25 year old VHS cassettes based on a bastardised and misinterpreted teaching sends a fair number of people mad and even suicidal.
A goenka retreat is a serious undertaking, it is described as a mental surgury. Repeated warnings are given as to the dangers of leaving in the middle of the surgury, and one is given plenty of opportunity to leave if they are not willing to follow the course schedule, guidlines, and stay to its completion.
The "problem" is not the method, it is quite simply craving. Craving for things to be not as they presently are but in some way different. You keep talking of relaxation as the key, Goenka teaches equiminity and awareness.
When the surgury begins it is similar to cutting the wound, the puss begins to come to the surface. Anapanna is the knife, the sharper the mind the deeper it cuts. As Biospirit was working correctly the knife cut into the wound and the puss began to come to the surface. This can be extremely unpleasant and most times is. It is important to allow this puss to exit the wound, only then are we freed from it. Unfortunatley when this puss comes to the surface many forms of meditation teach us to supress this poison, we are not liberated from this poison it will keep bubbling to the surface again and again.
On day 4 vipassana instructions are given, this is the method to simply observe this puss as it exits the wound, the idea is to allow this puss to exit without creating additional puss(additional suffering). This is where one must learn to "relax" but it must be done through non-reactive observation not suppression.
On the 10th day silence is broken and a day of Metta(loving kindness) is experienced, this is described as the balm that is applied to the wound.
It really is such a simple and beautiful technique. Due to its purity and simplicity, it can be taught with the use of 25 yr old video tapes. Incredibly amazing don't you think? And due to it effectiveness it is spreading almost effortlessly throughout the world.
Biospirit, if you stop picking at the wound it will scab over and you will be the same as prior to the course. Which is a state like most of us full of impurities.
My advice stands, contact your centre and talk to an AT, as I stated they will not try to force you to come back and sit another course they have experience with these situations and can be very helpful.
Matthew the method does not send people mad and make them suicidal, our blind reaction towards the impurities within, and the constant creation of new impurities is driving people to madness. This is why the centres use a gradual process, begin with several introductory 10 day courses before one can sit longer and more deeper surgical courses. The surface wounds should be cleansed before going after the deeper wounds.
