Vipassana Meditation: Use and Benefits

Vipassana Meditation:  Changing lifestyles and deteriorating eating habits have predisposed our bodies to many diseases at a young age. Some are in financial difficulty, while others are under stress as a result of their illness. This anxiety overpowers both the heart and the mind. Vipassana is a wonderful ancient meditation practice for relieving stress. Recognizing the value of Vipassana, world leaders and wealthy individuals take time out of their schedules to visit the Vipassana Meditation Center and meditate.

What is Vipassana?

Vipassana is an ancient meditation technique that helps you lead a more effective and fulfilling life.

Though seemingly the latest craze in a long string of meditation techniques; it is probably one of the oldest ones around. Vipassana is an ancient meditation technique that was said to have been taught by Buddha himself some 2500 years ago. Buddha prescribed it as the means to eliminate suffering and a path to enlightenment. Vipassana means insight into the ancient Indian language of Pali. It was lost to its country of origin over the years but was preserved in its original form in the remote monasteries of Burma. It was S.N. Goenka who brought the technique back to its native land after studying with his Burmese teacher. In effect, fulfilling the prophecy that the teachings would return to its native land after 2500 years.

How do you learn Vipassana?

You do not have to be initiated into a monastery to practice it. Buddha especially designed it keeping the householder in mind. In fact, Vipassana helps you to lead a more effective and fulfilling life because of the way it teaches you to react to everyday situations and problems.

What is the Vipassana 10 days course?

Ideally, you should take a ten-day course. This is essential because Vipassana is not about theories but practice. The 10-day Courses are an introductory course to Vipassana Meditation that teaches the technique step by step each day.

At the core of it is that reality is one of non-permanence. Though the course is rigorous and austere it acts as a cleansing process. You have to come out of the habit pattern of a conditioned mind since the mind necessarily reacts either by aversion or craving. This takes time and patience but on the flip side, the changes can be dramatic.

Also Read: How to Put an End to Your Anxiety Immediately

How exactly does one do Vipassana?

• There will be no talking or communication of any kind, including hand gestures or eye contact. There will be no reading or writing materials of any kind.
• There will be no exercise, no entertainment, no physical contact, no leaving the premises, and no food or drink other than what is provided by the centre.
• Vipassana is all about awareness and observation. You essentially start by watching your breath. This is however not breath control like pranayama, but a simple non-judgemental observation of breath. Buddha is said to have chosen breath as a starting point because it is something that is with you all the time. Practice sharpens the mind and makes it sensitive to sensations normally ignored.
• The next step is to observe bodily sensations without reacting to them. The rhythms of the body are thought to be the very law of the Universe, at an experiential level.

Vipassana in Everyday Use

• The best results are achieved by continuous practice. Goenka recommends two hours of meditation daily – once in the morning and once in the evening that in effect cleans the mind of impurities and negativities.
• If this is not done regularly, just like a lack of bathing leads to the accumulation of impurities and serious consequences, so also this too would have negative results.
• For a hectic lifestyle, this may be next to impossible, but continuous practice results in time gain as less energy and time need to be expended on tasks.
• Vipassana can become a whole new way of perceiving the world while being “insightful” every waking moment.
• The very act of living in the moment; being aware of every instance at that moment without being judgemental, is in itself the best application of Vipassana.

The Advantages of Vipassana

1. Brightens the skin’s complexion:

Long-term Vipassana practice increases blood circulation and causes the face to glow. The complexion of the face improves as a result of increased blood circulation and relaxation.

2. Confidence Booster

Vipassana practice calms the mind, reduces stress, and makes a person happy. This builds patience and confidence. There is less haste.

3. Extremely effective for improving concentration

Vipassana is extremely beneficial for improving concentration in children and adolescents. Children with erratic minds steal hearts by reading Such children should practise Vipassana to help them focus their minds. Vipassana can be practised by children aged eight to twelve. This course lasts one to two or three days for these children.

4. Many disorders are relieved

Vipassana is the most effective treatment for stress and mental problems. Many disorders can be resolved through Vipassana, including attachment, fear, attachment, greed, and malice.

Also Read: Meditation Benefits: 7 Awesome Benefits You Did Not Know

Vipassana Meditation Center

Vipassana has 236 centres all over the world, out of which 108 centres are in India only. You can see the list of centres in your desired location using the below link.

https://www.dhamma.org/en/locations/directory

Apart from their centres, Vipassana launches courses in different locations from time to time. To get more info about the courses in your location or near to your locations, you can use this link.

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