Is Vipassana Meditation Just Another Fad or Something Above the Chatter (EP-31)
The subtle art of knowing your true nature
Among all the sand grains in a desert, you will find very few golden grains. Stretched across the vast ocean bed you will find a few pearls of wisdom.
This is the story of the modern world. Ancient, awe-inspiring teachings of the saints and sages are lost among the treachery of the tricksters and wannabe gurus.
Everything is modernized, remixed, rehashed, and served out to serve as per the comfort and convenience of the modern 'smartman'.
The meditation techniques taught by the sages of the yore were for self-realization. And now, those techniques are being studied and researched in the West and remarketed as stress-buster exercises.
People in the west and in the east too want to know what are the benefits of meditation. What a joke!
Yes, there is ample scientific evidence that meditation is good for physical, mental, and emotional health. But is this it? Is this the reason why you want to meditate?
Yes, well-being on all these three levels-physical, mental, and emotional- is a must before proceeding further. But don't make these benefits an end in itself.
The real purpose why all of us should meditate is to know the true nature of reality, the true nature of the self. That should be our highest aim in life.
Vipassana Meditation is one such technique that helps us see things as they really are.
While I have miles to go on this path, given the vast amount of literature present on this technique I can say for certain that it holds promise.
Let's have a look at the origins of the Vipassana Meditation technique:
Origins
The origins of Vipassana date back to the time of Siddhartha Gautama, more commonly known as Buddha, in the 6th century BC. The technique was said to have been taught by the Buddha himself.
The practice, however, was largely lost for centuries, only surviving in a few secluded Buddhist communities. It was revived by Burmese Monk Sayagyi U Ba Khinin in the 20th century, who reintroduced it to the global spiritual community.
Vipassana Meditation was reintroduced in modern India by Sayagyi U Ba Khin and popularized by his student S.N. Goenka.
S.N. Goenka: Born in Burma to Indian parents, S.N. Goenka was a successful businessman before he started seeking relief from migraines through Vipassana.
Impressed by the powerful effect it had on his well-being, he studied under U Ba Khin for 14 years and then brought the meditation technique back to his native India.
Establishing the first Vipassana center in 1976, Goenka became a leading figure in the global spread of this meditation, teaching thousands of people around the world through his 10-day meditation courses.
You can learn more about the courses and the technique through the following websites:
Dhamma Official Website: They offer courses in Vipassana meditation as taught by S. N. Goenka in the tradition of Sayagyi U Ba Khin. They have locations worldwide.
Vipassana Research Institute: The institute is responsible for research related to the Vipassana meditation technique and its impact on the individual and society. They provide courses and seminars on the technique. They are responsible for preserving Vipassana-related texts and carrying out surveys on the benefits of the practice.
How Vipassana Meditation Works
The technique of Vipassana is a simple, practical way to achieve real peace of mind. Vipassana means "to see things as they really are". It is a logical process of mental purification through self-observation.
It works on the principle that our reactions to both internal and external events are the root cause of our unhappiness and suffering. By training the mind to observe these reactions without emotional response, Vipassana practitioners can break the cycle of negative action and reaction.
How to Practice
Find a Quiet Place
Sit Comfortably
Focus on your Breathing
Be Mindful of Your Thoughts
With all these apps and websites sprouting up by the day we have complicated the concept of meditation. I like to keep it simple:
Just follow your breath and be aware of the thoughts when they divert your attention and gently bring your attention back to the breath. That’s it.
As for the benefits backed by science, numerous studies have linked regular Vipassana Meditation to several positive effects.
Stress Reduction - Vipassana Meditation helps to reduce stress levels. According to a study published in Psychosomatic Medicine, it has been found that using attention-controlling techniques found in Vipassana meditation reduced cortisol, a key stress hormone.
Emotional Well-being- Regular practice of Vipassana can lead to a better mood and an overall improved emotional well-being. A study from the Journal of American Medical Association recommends mediation as a treatment for alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Improved Compassion and Empathy- Vipassana meditation can cultivate a sense of compassion and empathy. A study done by the Department of Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital found that mindfulness practices can enhance the brain regions associated with empathy and understanding others' emotions.
Reduction of Pain Sensitivity -Vipassana meditation has been linked to a reduction in physical and emotional pain sensitivity. This was supported by a study conducted by Wake Forest Baptist Medical Centre, which found that just 20 minutes of mindfulness meditation can reduce pain intensity and unpleasantness.
Better Sleep Quality- Regular practice of Vipassana can improve sleep quality. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association showed that mindfulness meditation has positive effects on sleep quality and sleep disturbance for people who have trouble sleeping.
Boosted Immune System-The immune system gets a boost from Vipassana mediation. A study published in Psychoneuroendocrinology found that mindfulness meditation can activate the immune system, increase resilience to stressful situations, and speed up recovery from sickness.
Lower Blood Pressure
Improved Digestive Health
Decreased Symptoms of PTSD
Reduced Risk of Heart Diseases
Takeaway
Maybe with the lure of so many benefits people will give it a try. And then one day we will notice that it is much more than a beneficial meditative exercise.
Vipassana which essentially means insight need not be a one-off phenomenon that you perform when you are sitting. I believe it is an attitude toward life - to remain inquisitive, and curious, to question things around and within us.