Vipassana Meditation -
The Art of Living Well

What is Vipassana Meditation?

The intensive retreats run by this non-sectarian meditation style are known to be as challenging as they are rewarding. Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. Focusing on direct observation, this self exploratory journey to the common root of the mind which they say dissolves mental impurities, the attention is on the deep interconnection between mind and body. The result is a balanced mind full of love and compassion.

Vipassana meditation, also known as insight meditation is one of India's most ancient meditation techniques and has been taught for more than 2500 years as a remedy for universal ills. In other words, this form of meditation is about the art of living well.

This aim of this form of meditation is to achieve the highest happiness via the total eradication of mental impurities. The essential healing of human suffering, not merely the curing of diseases, is its purpose.

Courses in this style of meditation usually last for ten days, and students must agree to remain at the center for the full ten days, promise to observe the Noble Silence the entire time, which includes no eye contact or communication via sign language, and abstain from spiritual activities such as yoga and prayer. They must also be aware of the eight basic precepts, or vows although most students usually only take five of them.

The eight precepts include:

  • Abstaining from Killing
  • Stealing
  • Sexual Activity
  • Telling Lies
  • Taking Intoxicants or Alcohol
  • Engaging in Sensual Entertainment
  • Bodily Decorations, and
  • Using High or Luxurious Beds

A simple vegetarian diet is followed, as well as fruit for dinner. Students become accustomed to this regime, and become to enjoy the tasty vegetable casseroles and lasagnas, and the wholesome brown rice.

The focus of these Vipassana meditation retreats is applying hard work and meditation. The gong sounds at 4am, and private meditation begins at 4:30am. Throughout the day, time is set aside for meals, rest, walks and teacher-student interviews. Group meditations are also practiced.

Often, dormitory style accommodation is provided making it difficult to spend any length of time with others without speaking.

A complete gamut of emotions are experienced during a course of Vipassana meditation. From tears, anger, surprise, enjoyment, awareness. Before long, each feeling will pass before the student moves deeper into understanding the emotions that were arising. Techniques are provided to work through each emotion, such as "Go back to the breath."

At the completion of the ten day course, students are permitted to speak with each other, finally putting names to faces, and stories to tell.

Arriving home after a ten day visit to a Vipassana retreat will amaze you. Imagine ten days worth of emails, telephone messages, family, friends and relatives all wanting your opinion on how you managed to survive. I know I would be begging for the code of silence to be returned.

However, just go back to the breath, always to the breath.

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