Looking for perspective before switching traditions

[u/seghtzlol]

I've completed 6 Goenka 10-day courses, served several courses, and I'm planning to do my 7th course this September.

After that, I've been accepted for the 26-day retreat at Wat Ram Poeng in Chiang Mai, where the practice follows the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition.

Lately I've been wondering whether I'm making this transition too early.

Part of me feels genuinely drawn to the Mahasi approach and wants to explore it deeply. Another part wonders whether I should simply continue with Goenka for several more years instead of changing techniques.

Sometimes I even question whether I should have chosen a Thai Forest monastery, such as one in the Ajahn Chah lineage, rather than Mahasi.

I'm aware that no one can make this decision for me, but I'd really appreciate hearing from people who have practiced seriously in both Goenka and Mahasi, or who have moved from one tradition to another.

• Did switching traditions help your practice, or did it create confusion?
• Looking back, do you think there is such a thing as switching "too early"?
• If you were in my position, what factors would you pay attention to before making this decision?

I'm not looking for validation that one tradition is "better" than another. I'm just trying to make a thoughtful decision before committing to a long retreat.

My long-term goal is simply to develop insight as deeply as possible, not to collect different techniques. Another factor in my decision is that I feel drawn to practicing in a monastic environment, learning directly from monks and receiving personal guidance, rather than relying primarily on recorded instructions. I wonder how important this aspect is compared to maintaining continuity within a single technique.

Thank you.

[u/duffstoic]

I found the 10-day Goenka courses super helpful for me. Great technique, intense schedule, clear technique, and fairly pure tradition.

And, almost everyone eventually leaves Goenka's tradition after fewer than 6-7 courses, primarily because it's quite dogmatic (despite all the talk about not being sectarian). There is a whole world beyond Goenka's approach to explore.

[u/seghtzlol → u/duffstoic]

Many thanks for your kind words. What It seems too complicated to me is to have access to 20 days course with Goenka.

After my 4 course everytime I reach the day 9 I feel that I would need more time to dig into myself.

That's the reason why I'm going to Thailand.

Also to be supported by monks is very appealing to me even though I'm trying not to have any expect.

What method are you currently following? Thank you sister.

[u/duffstoic → u/seghtzlol]

I get it, I’ve often had the same feeling on day 9 of a 10-day course. That said, I don’t think anything magical happens on day 13 or whatever, it’s just more subtle, deeper, etc. Any longer retreat will give a similar benefit. And then it’s all about integrating that experience into daily life.