Vipassanaforum NOT Closing (edited).

[Matthew]

Dear fellow mediators,

After fifteen years of being a gathering place online for mediators the forum will be closing after the second week of August this year. The current hosting expires on 17th August and I intend not to renew it.

A few factors have combined to make this choice seem the reasonable one to make at this point in time;

• A need to focus on my own practice, with fewer distractions.
• The overwhelming number of spam accounts, which has lead to being closed to new members as a necessity.
• Lower engagement by existing members leading to few postings.
• The need for constant maintenance and monitoring of the forum and software.

It has been an interesting experiment in sharing our practice and experience over the years. Many people have found help with their practice and with other obstacles in life. Many have also found reason to be disappointed or find fault. This is the nature of things.

The intent behind this space was always to help spread the Dhamma in a practical manner. Sometimes discussions have been rich and informative. At other times they have descended into acrimony or worse. The forum has at times been a humbling teacher, and at other times a frustrating microcosm of all that can go wrong with human interaction. We all bring some baggage with us, and the medium of text on the internet has inherent limitations of its own.

On the whole it has been a rewarding opportunity to be part of this experiment. Personally, I have met several forum members in person over the years, built friendships, and gained a lot of insight into many aspects of the Dhamma and other things (not least my own very human weaknesses).

It has been humbling to see people make small steps forward, or even great change, and to have been a part of that.

However, everything changes: "This too shall pass".

I am writing this post, and emailing all registered members, with a few weeks notice of this closure. It gives you the chance to download any materials or discussions that you find helpful, and to use the private message system to connect with other members should you wish to maintain mutual contact by other means.

May you flourish in your practice and in your life. Be compassionate to yourself and to those you encounter. Most of all, may your insight continue to grow such that you continue to be part of the solution. This messy world needs people who are awake to the rise and fall of things; meditation transforms you and your relationship to the wider world.

Thank you for being part of this community, part of this journey.

With loving kindness to all,

Matthew 🙏

[Dharmic Tui]

Hi Matthew,

I know this isn't a decision you make easily or quickly. In many ways the world seems like it is in need of Dhamma teachings more than ever, but also technology is moving away from this forum style of communication.

Efforts you (with assistance from others) have made in bringing this site to the world no doubt have made positive impact on people wishing to find and discuss meditation/the path.

Take care and all the best on your continued journey

[Crispy0405]

Thank you for all the effort you have put into this site,
May all beings find peace and contentment

[Matthew]

I know this isn't a decision you make easily or quickly.

Very true; the decision has been five years in the making. First I gathered a small team to help run things which allowed me to be able to take a needed break. Achieving that took about a year. Now all but one have felt a need to step back themselves to prioritise other things.

In many ways the world seems like it is in need of Dhamma teachings more than ever, but also technology is moving away from this forum style of communication.

Yes, technology is leading people to other ways of communicating. Since the pandemic, when we have been open to new members most have been spammers; twenty, thirty a day sometimes. Just parsing and rejecting these accounts takes a not insignificant amount of time, so we had to close to new members. Eventually the cost/benefit analysis comes down to time to let go.

There are other very good forums people can join. The Dhamma is probably more widely available than when the forum opened in 2007. There are no shortage of ways to hear or read the Dhamma, and discuss it.

Efforts you (with assistance from others) have made in bringing this site to the world no doubt have made positive impact on people wishing to find and discuss meditation/the path.

Many have been helped in ways both small and significant over the years; not just by the staff, including myself, but also by the generosity, compassion and kindness of other members. It really has been a team effort on every level.

Take care and all the best on your continued journey

You too DT 🙂

Thank you for all the effort you have put into this site,
May all beings find peace and contentment

Thank you for being part of the community 🙏

[Dhamma]

Is there any way we can stay in touch with members on the forum?

As I often say: May you all fulfill your deepest wish for happiness.

[Matthew]

Is there any way we can stay in touch with members on the forum?

Of course;

I am writing this post, and emailing all registered members, with a few weeks notice of this closure. It gives you the chance to download any materials or discussions that you find helpful, and to use the private message system to connect with other members should you wish to maintain mutual contact by other means.

[Quardamon]

These last years, I looked very little a vipassana forum, and posted even less.
As weird as it may sound, I had some of my most impressive friendships here on the forum. That is, without ever meeting in person. Maybe because meditation was for me not only the subject, but also the means to make contact. Cleanse, empty oneself, and allow the other to be there. Then see what happens, and stay alert. I used to do that before answering to someone.
So this forum was an important part of my life. But life goes on, indeed. Thank you so much, Matthew, DT and others who may even not be active or present any more.
May blessings be on your path.

[dharma bum]

I know August is some weeks away, but who knows what may happen tomorrow. So I'd like to thank everybody here for the conversations, ideas and support. There have been many occasions when I was unhappy and something I read here put me back on track. Special thanks to Matthew for all the effort, time and money you have put in. Also thanks to all those who contributed their time, effort or money as administrators. I will miss the forum which I check almost everyday, but all things must pass.

My best wishes for good health and Peace to everybody here.

[maybeiam]

Thank you for existing, was good.

[Alex]

It’s interesting to look back after all these years...

I feel very grateful to have found this place so many yeas ago to be able to learn and share with other committed practitioners. Helped me through some dark times as well.

Thanks Matthew, for keeping this space. Thanks to all those who assisted you over the years and all contributors in this community. I feel proud to have been a part of this.

All the best!

[Middleway]

Thanks for everything Matthew.  I think you made the right decision. While forum is very helpful to a lot of us, it’s maintenance should not distract you from your path. At the end of the day, we all travel alone on this path. Alone we reach our destination.

Please do stay in touch if you can.

Warm regards,

Middleway

[Tobin]

This breaks my heart a bit and it feels like a small ray of light is being snuffed out of existence. This forum was something I enjoyed coming to lurk and learn and soon it will be a blip, forgotten to the passage of time like it never existed. You've helped so many people, including me Matthew, even if I was only here a short while. We all appreciate what you've achieved here and thank you for the tireless hours you've put in to help guide us. I'm going to miss reading your insightful replies. I hope that you succeed in whatever ways you set out to on your path. You're an incredible human being Matthew. Take care.

[Matthew]

This breaks my heart a bit and it feels like a small ray of light is being snuffed out of existence. ..

Me too Tobin.

.. I think you made the right decision. ..

The right decision for me yes .. though more on that in a moment.

Please do stay in touch if you can.

I sent you my new email address on Sunday. You might need to look in spam.

It’s interesting to look back after all these years...

I feel very grateful to have found this place so many yeas ago to be able to learn and share with other committed practitioners. Helped me through some dark times as well.

..

It is interesting to look back; I reread an old thread from Dusko/Morning Dew/etc/etc the other day .. it was interesting seeing his journey and the steps back and forward he made. I'm grateful you found this place too Alex

Thank you for existing, was good.

🙏

I know August is some weeks away, but who knows what may happen tomorrow.
..

dharma bum, yes August is weeks away. As I replied above to Middleway I've made the right decision for me; I can no longer keep shop here and do right by myself. However, a guiding principle has always been to seek consensus, and I have no monopoly on the future of this place. If there is a desire by people with the right combination of skills to keep the forum running, that remains a possibility.

Thank you all for your thanks and words of appreciation. Special thanks to Raushan, Middleway, dharma bum, Vivek and Siddharth for helping keep the lights on and the floor clean.

I feel sad and also relieved with this choice I am making. I too shall miss the forum - it's been a part of my life for a long time ...

🙏🙂

Matthew

[Dharmic Tui]

Does anyone know much about Tapatalk? I know of forums that have migrated there, it's not the best interface but it appears to be mostly hands off, they host it and everything. I am unsure how much work the existing admins have to do though in that migration.

I lurk and post sometimes. Online communication can be challenging, I get conscious of sounding like a broken record, and if being online for a couple decades has taught me anything, its that opinions and approaches can vary wildly.

I feel though it's necessary to keep refreshing yourself with the teachings and spirit of Vipassana.

Matthew I hope everything's ok and thanks again.

[Matthew]

Does anyone know much about Tapatalk?

Had a quick look DT ... it's chock full of advertising and based on a monetisation model. I'm not too sure it would fit: we've always been very much against any commercial activity. They do offer to migrate forums, but even there one of the first questions they ask is how the site is monetised.

Matthew I hope everything's ok and thanks again.

I'm struggling physically at the moment DT, thank you for asking. Thank you too for your many pertinent contributions to the forum. Both yourself and Quardamon come at issues from a different perspective that I've personally found to be most valuable over the years.

[Andrew]

Hello old friends,
Out of curiousity, I searched out the forum after a decade.

Indeed, "this too shall pass" applies to decades as well.

Some of the most significant turning points in my life happened on this forum.

Matthew, I hope your health improves with the increased freedom that will come via this change.

If anyone wishes to get in touch, I will check the DMs over the next few days.

Efforts like this forum are what keep this world livable, it's not a small thing to seek to benefit one's fellow humans.

All the best to everyone, and especially to Matthew.

 

Andrew

[Matthew]

Hello old friends,
Out of curiousity, I searched out the forum after a decade.

Indeed, "this too shall pass" applies to decades as well.

Hope you enjoyed it 🤣

Your timing is rather impressive!

Some of the most significant turning points in my life happened on this forum.

It's been a ride for sure.

Matthew, I hope your health improves with the increased freedom that will come via this change.

Thank you Andrew.

Efforts like this forum are what keep this world livable, it's not a small thing to seek to benefit one's fellow humans.

It's been an honour 🙂

[JAB2202]

Hi Matthew,

Thank you very much for your time and effort! Maybe you could ask in the forum if someone could take over as everything is already set up? Just a suggestion..when you feel like it.
I definitely have found some help here in the past but wouldn't find the time to maintain the forum in the future.

Anyway all the best!

With Metta,
Jackie

[Matthew]

Hi Jackie,

I'm glad to know you found help here - thank you for letting us know. Despite my many flaws, and the difficulties inherent in text based discussions, I feel the project has been of value. People tell me they have found benefit here. It's been a great journey of learning.

I already put it out there that me not having the time to focus here doesn't necessarily mean an end, though I have a feeling it's time.

With kindest regards and best wishes,

Matthew

dharma bum, yes August is weeks away. As I replied above to Middleway I've made the right decision for me; I can no longer keep shop here and do right by myself. However, a guiding principle has always been to seek consensus, and I have no monopoly on the future of this place. If there is a desire by people with the right combination of skills to keep the forum running, that remains a possibility.

[Matthew]

Due to the generosity of some members to run the forum, and as a number of members felt strongly this venture into the unknown together has value, we will be staying online for at least the next year.

Things fell into place very last minute, the day before the rent was due, and everything is completed to continue.

I hope those of you who have benefited from the forum will continue to do so. We will not be opening to new members at the current time due to the overwhelming number of spam and bot registrations. Hopefully we can deal with that at some point during this year.

In peace,

Matthew

[Dhamma]

I love you all so very much. I didn't want to leave you all. I am in tears.


Love you all,

Dhamma

[Dharmic Tui]

Well done everyone. It's the VipassanaForum final world tour. The Rolling Stones of meditation.

Things fell into place very last minute

Life seems to have a habit of working out that way
🤞

Hope you're all well. This world needs insight more than ever.

[maybeiam]

wow , thats nice ! i just typed to get here , i was curious if you were still open , and voila so good to see it running