I thrive on his mastery of Pali and his support through audio and video. The chanting (particularly the early morning chanting that begins around 5:30 AM), my limited but somewhat viable understanding of Pali, and the effort I make in meditation often line up in a beautiful synchronicity. I am convinced that the meaning behind the Pali chanting and the experience I have of Dhamma on a moment-to-moment basis in meditation are connected, inherently.

Additionally, most of the old students I observe during the course meditate straight through the evening discourses. They are not treated as breaks. Noticing this, I took to meditating through the evening discourses myself and found that the meaning of Goenka's lectures increases dramatically, especially at the end when he concludes ardently wishing that others may find real joy, real happiness, real peace.

Not once in the course does Goenka exhort the mediators to unquestioningly believe in reincarnation or the vibratory nature of the body. On the contrary, he, like Gotama the Buddha, encourage one not to take anything on faith but instead to find your own answers.

There's no manipulation going on during any of the recorded information played at the course. You are only asked to follow the time table, the precepts and hopefully to "work seriously".

I am sorry you had to leave the course early and that you had a sour experience. May you find Dhamma again!