MYANMAR has often been described as being the "cradle of Buddha" – so it’s not surprising that few places in the rest of the world can offer the complete meditation experience available here.

More than anything else, meditation is probably the most widely practiced holiday for Myanmars. Almost without exception, most Buddhists in this nation of 50 million have had an experience in a meditation centre and so it is worth exploring just exactly what are the options for those contemplating spending time thinking about the inner self and the wider universe. It’s almost impossible to say how many meditation centres there are in Myanmar. Certainly thousands, but there are around 30 or so which are very popular for both foreigners and locals and most of these have an international reputation. One of the great things about Buddhism of course is that there is absolutely no discrimination regarding race, country, culture or religious background. Rules are few, but the discipline to meditate is high for the newcomer.

Most centres are away from crowded areas and isolated in order to keep a peaceful environment. Men and women retreat separately in a centre and most meditation centres are open year round. Not surprisingly, the cost to go to a meditation center is low. Even less than K100 per day, with foreigners just being asked to make a donation. People of different ages are going to meditation centres during their holidays and to ascertain just what they think about the whole experience Myanamr Times visited the centres to talk with people first hand.

CONNIE – 32 year old rock singer

"If someone asked me to explain how I view true relaxation, I’d go for meditation," she said. And to prove her point she says she goes for at least one month every year to "keep it together". Connie’s perspective is that too much fun can lead to deterioration for the younger generation, while meditation brings a wider understanding. "Meditation leads to the basic knowledge of religion and will provide you with peace and calm for the whole of your life. "I can now bear more the ups and downs – changes of life – compared to previous times," she said.

Connie returns to retreat for one month each year at a meditation centre during Buddhist lent. Though some go to meditation centres intentionally, some are only there for the experience. Sophie van Scherpenzeel – a meditation student from the Netherlands. "This holiday is the marvelous one for me. It has taught me something which I haven’t known before," Ms Sophie van Scherpenzeel, a lady from the Netherlands, a yogi from Mahasi meditation centre, explained to Myanmar Times. As soon as she had finished her studies, she spent her holiday travelling. She had heard about the Buddhist faith and meditation centers of Myanmar from some foreigners. Though she was not a Buddhist, she became curious about it and decided to try it.

"I intended to sit for mediation only for two weeks but it drew my interest and so I have been sitting for four months. "At first I thought it would be very easy to sit and reflect, but it proved to be the most difficult thing to do. During the first week I felt only pain and discomfort due to prolonged sitting, but later I felt a strange feeling which is difficult to express. "Since I have to spend my time by noting every movement I’m making, negative thoughts are away from me. Four months passed quickly, so I called my dad to follow me and he is now here," she said, wearing a yogi’s dress together with a calm and peaceful face. It is not just a way of living peacefully for a short time, meditation can have a positive effect throughout the yogi’s life.

Sayadaw Thu Nanda – Teacher of meditation

"Holiday meditation provides me with a peaceful life," said Sayadaw Thu Nanda, who became a monk at Mahasi meditation centre after retiring from his previous life as a famous dermatologist Dr Thet Naung. When he was a doctor, he went to Australia to continue his studies and met with an Australian lady who wanted to spend her holiday at a Myanmar meditation centre. The lady asked him for details about meditation and he felt sad since he knew nothing about meditation. As soon as he returned to Myanmar, he started to sit for meditation during holidays. But, he wanted to know more and more about religion and chose the life of a monk. Now, Sayadaw often goes to foreign countries as a demonstrator of meditation.  "Insight meditation is the first step to understanding correctly the nature of the psycho-physical phenomena taking place in our own bodies. It is the realistic way to learn about religion. As Myanmar is famous for her Buddhist beliefs and meditation, nearly all Buddhists are trying to do one of the three main good deeds such as making donations (Dana), keeping at least five precepts (Sila) and meditation (Bawana) not only on auspicious occasions, but every day. Even those who are very busy keep a specific short time for meditation.

Dr Kyaw Myint – Medical Doctor

"After gaining a basic knowledge from meditation centres there are ways to improve your daily life. Awareness, not only for a short time during meditation, but also noting every action during our daily activities is very effective," said Dr Kyaw Myint, Panal Physician and Medical Technical Advisor, who sits for meditation at Myanmar Medical Association every Sunday. At least 50 doctors and physicians meditate at MMA hall every Sunday and most of them said that a man whose power of concentration is good and who can secure a perfect balance of mind can achieve better results than a person who is not so developed.  They also accept that with the development of the purity and power of the mind, backed by insight into the Ultimate Truth of nature, one might be able to do a lot of things for the benefit of mankind.

They said that he who develops the power of concentration sees things in their true perspective.

Zayar Htut – student

"After my final examinations, I was tired of learning and decided a meditation centre was the best place for me. Before I sat for meditation, I used to spend my summer holidays by travelling with my friends and when I came back, I felt very tired instead of relaxed," said Zayar Htut, a fourth year student of Institute of Technology, to MT. He said he also felt discomfort when sitting for meditation at the beginning, but later he felt peaceful and fully relaxed.  " Meditation removes my stressful feelings and brings a purified and peaceful mind."