Vipassana is one of the meditative techniques given by The Buddha. Some 2500 years back, the technique of vipassana was followed and spread over many parts of India. It was then taken to Burma and kept in its pristine purity. The technique was written and also spread in a oral tradition. In the due course of time, the technique lost its purity in India and was lost. It has now come back to India in its own purity through a well known lineage from Burma and is getting rooted. It is not only getting rooted in India, but also in many parts of the world because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
To learn this technique of meditation, one is required to attend a ten day residential programme offered by the current master, Mr.S.N.Goenka or one of his assistant teachers in any of the centers.
The specialty
In general, if one gets interested in meditation and takes to some practice, there are many claimed benefits of each meditative technique, one is promised to attain. With that belief in mind, one keeps on practicing and may attain a little benefit. But, in the case of Vipassana, one would certainly feel the difference in physical and mental health, immediately during the 10 day programme if the instructions are followed and practiced perfectly.
During the programme it is stressed again and again not to mix the technique with any other practice or ritual to give a sincere try to realize the potential of the technique. After the period of ten days, one could decide if that technique has some worth or not to be continued for life.
The lost link
Whatever be the meditative practice, it speaks of mind, its transformation and betterment of life. If there are mental blocks, it takes a physical form as disease and if there is any physical ailment, it shows its impact on the mental ability. Many practices speak of clearing these blockages. But to perceive the working nature of the technique and its effectiveness (in a live manner.. ha ha!!) would not be possible. But, in the case of Vipassana, the working nature of the technique could be felt, through different sensations on body, which makes this technique so special. These subtle sensations on the body is said to be the missing link, the link between the mind and the body which is not given importance in many of the meditative practices. When we work with the subtler body sensations, we directly work with the unconscious mind which is the main cause of misery and suffering in the life of an individual. If the unconscious mind is cleared and made perfect, the life becomes simple and comes under our control and the peace results. The improvement in the mental health and the physical health are just the side effects. The main goal of this practice is liberation.
The technique
During the 10 day programme, the mind is conditioned to realize the subtler realities of body. Whatever looks gross to our eyes is only some set of vibrations at a subtler level. Subtler the level of our perception deeper would be our level of understanding of the truth. When the mind is capable of realizing the subtler realities, the rest of the process becomes easy. A block could be a resultant of a trauma in ones life or a disease or any other cause that had left a deep impact. One would directly feel during the practice, different sensations coming up which represents these blocks and getting worked up for the relief.
To know more about the practice and learn the technique, you may visit www.dhamma.org
A change in life
If we are mentally hurt, which is so common in this money centered world, there is an impact on our mind and our mental output which may continue even for a long time. Even if we would want to get rid of such mental blocks, it would be tough to achieve at the practical level. But, with this technique, it becomes very easy. When one becomes aware of the subtler realities, one could easily feel the sensations as the thought arises and could immediately neutralize its effects before it takes form to bring about an expression. So, it transforms the whole life and the way we perceive and act.
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