Vipassana is a form of meditation practice which is embedded in Buddhist teachings and philosophy. Buddhism teaches the followers to attain the state of Nirvana, where one is aware of his real identity and remains in equanimity in all conditions of life. With this state of mind, he is able to get out of the cycle of repeated birth, death, old age, and disease.
To come to this point, several meditation techniques and wisdom are taken into account. Vipassana meditation offers a profound insight into an individual’s emotions and thought process and helps him observe everything within. Vipassana is a Pali word which translates to “seeing things as they are”.
History and Upsurge of Vipassana Meditation
Many Buddhist practitioners claim that Vipassana was taught by Gautam Buddha himself over 2500 years ago as a remedy for all material suffering. He used it himself and taught his disciples as a means to achieve enlightenment. After engaging in intense austerities and penances, Buddha was seeking the middle way – a path between over-restriction and giving in to the senses.
It is said that he attained perfection under a Bodhi tree and thereby taught the Vipassana practice to his disciples. After the disappearance of Buddha, his followers preached his teachings including Vipassana to various parts of South Asia. This was happening in the form of oral tradition and was later written in Pali texts in the Pali Canon which is the main scripture of Theravada Buddhism.
Around the 12th century, the widespread of Hinduism and Muslim invasions took place in India. As a result, Buddhism began to decline. While many adulterations started happening in the Buddhist principles, the core purpose and ideology of Vipassana were preserved in countries like Myanmar and Sri Lanka. The monastic communities of these countries retained the tradition and played a crucial role.
In the late 20th century, S.N. Goenka, born in Myanmar to Indian parents, popularized the Vipassana meditation course globally. He eventually moved to India where he began his first Vipassana 10-day session in the year 1969. These courses have now become renowned throughout the world and people from all sections of society come to experience a magical transformation in their lives.
How The Vipassana Practice Is Carried Out
Vipassana practice is all about being mindful and aware of what is going on in the body and the mind. Although it sounds simple, it is easier said than done! It is a path of self-observation. The practitioners begin by focusing first on their breath and then steadily shift their focus to bodily sensations.
Anapana – In this first step, the practitioner is told to observe his natural breathing without controlling it – air going in and out of the nostrils (Ana means “inhalation” and Apana means “exhalation”). This is done for a few days to help them be aware of their physical body and calm their mental state. The mind now prepares to only focus on the present and go deeper into the meditation.
Vedana Samudaya – Once the mind is calm and the breath is controlled, the practitioner now feels all the sensations on the bodily as well as subtle level. The word Vedana means “Sensations” and Samudaya means “Arising”. In crux, Vedana Samudaya is about experiencing the sensations which arise in the body due to various conditions – external or internal.
So the practice deals with noting how different feelings (good and bad) come and eventually pass out. This helps in developing a neutral state of mind in response to all those emotions, which is an important part of Buddhist principles. Only observe and be non-reactive.
Philosophy Behind Vipassana Practice
The philosophy of Vipassana and meditation practice are based on direct experience and analyzing the true nature of the surroundings. The practitioners form a strong body-mind connection and explore deeper aspects of life.
Three Universal Characteristics in Buddhism
Anicca (Impermanence) – The core teaching of Buddha revolved around the temporary nature of everything in this world. There is a constant flow of happenings but nothing stays forever. Vipassana meditation focuses on realizing this fact and not being attached to their feelings and thoughts which constantly come and go.
Dukkha (Misery) – Attachment is the root cause of suffering. When we identify ourselves with a certain feeling or situation, misery arises because everything is impermanent. Vipassana allows one to go beyond pleasant or unpleasant experiences to be free from any suffering.
Anatta (Non-self) – According to the teachings of Buddhism, there is no existence of the soul as propounded in the Vedic scriptures. The concept of “self” in Buddhism is nothing more than the interaction of temporary mental and physical phenomena. Through Vipassana, one goes beyond the idea of “me” and “mine” (false ego).
Vipassana Meditation Benefits
1. Since mindfulness (Sati) and awareness are the main emphasis in Vipassana, the practitioners develop a natural attitude of paying attention to momentary experiences. Their mental soothes down and they are able to break the chain of impulsive reactions to the internal and external stimuli. This is called non-reactive awareness.
2. Vipassana helps cultivate a sense of equanimity. One who practices it can see things as it is and not develop aversion or love for anything which is temporary.
3. The mind gets calmer and the concentration level goes up.
4. Since the practitioners are able to recognize the truth by observation and direct experience, they are able to detach themselves from situations and reduce the degree of their suffering.
5. Through Vipassana, one purifies himself of all the unwanted mind impressions and habits which become an obstacle in the path of enlightenment.
Wrapping Up
Vipassana is a core practice in Buddhism which is meant to purify one’s mind and allow them to be mindful and aware of everything happening in their physical and mental states. Through breathing work and sensational feeling, they become neutral to external situations, both negative and positive – an important step in achieving Nirvana in Buddhism.
It is not only a practical approach but also serves as a philosophical treatise to see the impermanent nature of the material world. The practitioners break free from their previous conditioned patterns and cultivate an equanimous attitude that helps them transcend suffering.
Today, various Vipassana meditation retreats are being organized in various parts of the world where people from all walks of life join the community to bring in a great transformation in their mental health. Under the guidance of the late S.N. Goenka, the course typically lasts 10 days during which people are also taught the primary teachings of Lord Buddha.
