About the Teacher
Mahãsi Vipassana
Martin Pack
Introduction
Martin Pack was born in 1962 in Hertfordshire, UK. Since childhood he felt an instinctive pull towards meditation, mantras, and different forms of concentration practice. At the age of 39 Martin visited the Northern Thai Temple of Wat Phradhatu Sri Chomtong, where the venerable Abbott Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo resided. This proved to be a life-changing moment.
Through Ajahn Tong, one of Thailand’s most respected vipassana teachers, Martin discovered the meditation practice that would change his life, and later that of hundreds of his own students.
After this visit Martin returned to Thailand many times, eventually spending longer periods at the Northern Thai Temple. Martin assisted the head teacher of the international department there and in 2008 his teacher Kun Thanat asked him to teach the basic instructions of vipassana and organise courses in the Northern Thai village of Pai.
This experience was so positive that Martin was asked to stay and continue teaching vipassana. By the beginning of 2009 Martin had received permission from his teachers to teach full vipassana courses in Pai.
Martin teaches the Mahasi-style vipassana meditation of walking and sitting that he practised in the Thai temple of Ajahn Tong. While precise in the execution of the meditation practice itself, Martin’s approach to teaching is also supportive, holistic, and compassionate. Greater self-perception is the aim, helping students to see themselves from a new perspective and, ultimately, supporting them in the journey of gaining insight into the reality of things.
Martin is very grateful for his teachers who have guided and trusted him over all these years.
He has learned over more than 20 years about the benefits of this practice for those who engage in it. The practice can be challenging, but the power of transformation it brings is undeniable.
Martin has taught courses in Thailand, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Greece, Italy, France, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica and Israel.
“Let none find fault with others;
but let one see one’s own acts, done and undone.”
Gautama Buddha
Testimonials
What people say about the retreats & Martin
If you are doing a Vipassana retreat you’re involved in a process that can get extremely challenging at times. Martin inspired trust and gave me the confidence I needed to keep going. The insight that Vipassana has given me has been enormously valuable in my daily life. This was my second retreat with Martin and I will be back for more.
the Netherlands
Multiple retreats in Austria and NL
from 2017 till 2024
Multiple retreats in Austria and NL
from 2017 till 2024
Martin helped to me to step up on my new journey towards happiness and freedom. Seems like it is working from the very first second. I do continue my practice at home, willingly. Actually I have never felt better, enjoying every moment with tremendous amount of energy and most importantly, I am ready for whatever the next moment can bring to me. Or not. I know, that such journey is not easy. Facing fears and discovering new things is always hard. We know this fact deeply underneath from our real life. Meditation is a whole new experience. Our rational world minds are not used to this kind of “fitness” and It can hurt sometimes. We need a trainer to set us right. Martin is very good trainer.
Czech Republic
Two Retreats in Austria
in 2017 and 2018
Two Retreats in Austria
in 2017 and 2018
Doing Satipathana Vipassana with Martin gave me the life-changing impulses I have been longing for. An amazing and profound experience that is part of my life now.
Austria
Multipe retreats in Austria
from 2012 till 2023
Multipe retreats in Austria
from 2012 till 2023
Ich habe verschiedene formen von Vipassana ausprobiert und finde, Martin ist ein wunderbarer Vipassana-lehrer. Er unterrichtet Vipassana nach der traditition von Ajahn Tong Sirimangalo: eine abwechslungsreiche art von achtsamem sitzen und gehen. Neben dem ausgewogenen meditativen üben im sitzen und gehen finden täglich gespräche mit Martin statt. Diese persönlichen gespräche ohne religiöses oder esoterisches drum&dran haben mir sehr geholfen, einen unkompizierten zugang zum achtsamen umgang mit mir und meiner Umwelt zu finden. Ich möchte mich bei ihm für seine efiziente, einfache und humorvolle art des unterrichtens bedanken.
Switserland
Two retreats in Austria and Greece
in 2017 and 2018
Two retreats in Austria and Greece
in 2017 and 2018
In all the Vipassana insight meditation retreats Martin guided me with great love and clarity through the labyrinth of the arising subconscious dramas. I see Martin Pack as a real friend who teaches with natural authority based on the dedication to the practice of Vipassana – free from any guru attitude – full of clarity, humour, lightness and compassion. I am very grateful for his competent guidance through the process of facing myself on ever deeper and deeper levels of the subconscious. A retreat with Martin is an eye-opener
Germany
Multiple Retreats in Austria
from 2015 till 2022
Multiple Retreats in Austria
from 2015 till 2022
My Vipassana retreat with Martin in Austria was not my first but I came away wishing that it had been! Martin has a the gift for making everyone feel welcome. He took a genuine interest in how each person was getting along with the practice and would give individual guidance – it wasn’t like everyone had to follow exactly the schedule. It was clear that Martin felt a deep sense of gratitude toward his teachers and was fully committed to the buddhist tradition but he was able to share this in a way that was easily appreciated by people coming from various different backgrounds. His guidance on the practice of Vipassana is the clearest I have had.
New Sealand
Retreat in Austria in 2019
Retreat in Austria in 2019
Martin has this intuitive ability, to know where you are on your path and to guide and support you in a gentle and heart-touching way. That is why the daily reports with him have been of such great value to me and my practice. If you are looking for a vipassana teacher who truly cares about you and your personal progress, then Martin is the one I would recommend to you. To me he is a wonderful example on how to transfer ancient Buddhist teachings into the needs of our modern society and to integrate it in our daily lives.
Austria
Multiple retreats in Austria
from 2019 till 2023
Multiple retreats in Austria
from 2019 till 2023
When the Covid lockdown began, I received a message from Martin proposing the possibility of practicing Vipassana together with others on Zoom. I realised I had gained a friend, a new virtual sangha. I re-found a teacher I had not seen for 4 years. Martin’s guidance proved to be key in providing a structure to the day in what could have been a potentially very challenging aimless time of lockdown. I personally have appreciated Martin’s time, energy and commitment to this practice that has allowed others to rediscover their inner light in a time of crisis. Thank you Martin. In Sangha..
For me; Vipassana is a rollercoaster like life itself. And your life lessons come more to the surface, because there is little or no escape. And yet it is gentle. It didn’t serve me anything I wasn’t ready for. I started 5 years ago in a unknowing state. Because of the Mindful meditation I am getting stronger, stable and more aware. I learned so much about myself and there is more room for self love now. And the best part is; I walked this journey myself. But I couldn’t have done it without the guidance of Martin. He teaches with wisdom, compassion and knowledge about Vipassana. His sense of humor is a blessing and many times a turning point in the process.
the Netherlands
Multiple retreats in Austria, UK & Netherlands
from 2017 till 2023
Multiple retreats in Austria, UK & Netherlands
from 2017 till 2023
Martin is an infinitely humane teacher, guide, and counsellor. The practice of Vipassana is exacting and challenging – but with Martin’s patient guidance, you’ll find it can be done.
United Kingdom
Retreat in UK in 2022
Retreat in UK in 2022
“Martin is a great Vipassana teacher, very dedicated and comitted to his students. With his wisdom and compassion he helped me through a very hard time – thank you very much, Martin!”
“Martin ist ein toller Vipassana-Lehrer, dem man seine langjährige Erfahrung anmerkt. Er versteht es, die Vipassana-Tradition auch für Menschen aus dem Westen gut zugänglich und mit Augenmaß zu vermitteln. Ich habe mich bei ihm jederzeit gut aufgehoben gefühlt.”
“Martin ist ein toller Vipassana-Lehrer, dem man seine langjährige Erfahrung anmerkt. Er versteht es, die Vipassana-Tradition auch für Menschen aus dem Westen gut zugänglich und mit Augenmaß zu vermitteln. Ich habe mich bei ihm jederzeit gut aufgehoben gefühlt.”
Vipassana is a word often used, but seldom understood. If you really want to understand Vipassana and to learn an authentic meditation practice, then I know of no better teacher than Martin. I have known many teachers, but Martin is on another level. Vipassana meditation is challenging and requires personal commitment, but so rewarding. Martin is a dedicated teacher with an ability to understand the needs of each individual and the compassion to guide them gently in the right direction from wherever they are at that moment. He does so lightly and effectively, and with good humour and infinite patience. Only you can walk the path, but with Martin as your guide and you can be reassured that you are actually on the right path.
United Kingdom
Retreat in UK 2022 and Austria 2023I want to thank Martin from the depth of my heart for all the encouragement and trust that he has given me.
Martin helped me through many tough times during Vipassana.
He always has an open ear no matter what silly thing I bothered him with. With his help and guidance some of the deepest realizations in my life came to me which have helped me to this day.
Martin helped me through many tough times during Vipassana.
He always has an open ear no matter what silly thing I bothered him with. With his help and guidance some of the deepest realizations in my life came to me which have helped me to this day.
Austria
Multipe retreats in Austria
from 2012 til 2022
Multipe retreats in Austria
from 2012 til 2022
I remember the 1st practice in the retreat; being confused and thinking what am I doing here? But after the 2 weeks I felt revived and more free than I had been for a while. And that wasn’t the main thing. I felt in Martin I had met someone that has a presence and calm and stillness that gets me.
Martin knows when to push and when to be patient in the one to one reports, which I greatly appreciate.
I can’t put into words what Vipassana has done for me in such a short time.
Martin knows when to push and when to be patient in the one to one reports, which I greatly appreciate.
I can’t put into words what Vipassana has done for me in such a short time.
United Kingdom
Multiple retreats in Greece & UK From 2019 till 2022
I feel so lucky and blessed that I met Martin! My life, how I see it has changed and became so much easier.
I became more confident, learned how to accept myself and found so many answers!
Vipassana does magic and I feel a need to continue practising.
I want to thank Martin for his teaching and for his trust in me.
Thank you for being near when needed and for always finding right words to support.
I became more confident, learned how to accept myself and found so many answers!
Vipassana does magic and I feel a need to continue practising.
I want to thank Martin for his teaching and for his trust in me.
Thank you for being near when needed and for always finding right words to support.
Russia
Two retreats Austria & UK
2022
Two retreats Austria & UK
2022
Meeting Martin has been one of the most profound experiences of my life and I am forever grateful for his teachings and the space he held for me. I want to thank Martin for all that he does and being such a grounding force. Martin is a beautiful glowing light in this world.
United Kingdom
Multipe Retreats UK and Greece
2018 and 2019
Multipe Retreats UK and Greece
2018 and 2019
I have learnt so much from Martin; from his humbleness, his big heart, his teachings, his giving, his care, his playfulness and seriousness… I found in him a teacher, a great support, guidance, easiness, inspiration, insights and so much more.
Spain
Multiple Retreats UK, Greece and Austria
2017 till 2023
Multiple Retreats UK, Greece and Austria
2017 till 2023
The two Vipassana retreats with Martin last year made a big difference for me. It’s been the most effective thing in terms of bettering the relationship with myself in decades.
22
Years
Vippasana
Experience
14
Years
Teaching
Experience
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