Vipassana (Insight) Meditation

Brief Description: Believed by some to be the style of mediation that Buddha used, Insight or Vipisanna meditation is said to be the basis for all forms of meditation. The Insight technique aims for the “eradication of mental impurities”* resulting in the happiness of full liberation, its purpose is to heal both physical diseases and the more essential healing of human suffering. Vipassana is a method for self-transformation by observation of self. By a disciplined attention to physical sensations the connection of the mind and body is experienced. It is recommended that the practitioner sits with the back upright in a lotus or similar posture in a quiet space with your eyes closed. Attention is given to the belly and one focuses on the breath but breathing normally. Be aware of all sensations. This self-exploratory journey of the mind and body dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion. The Buddha says, the way is simple, “Do good, refrain from doing evil, and purify the mind”. “Since the time of Buddha, Vipassana has been handed down, to the present day, by an unbroken chain of teachers. Although Indian by descent, the current teacher in this chain, Mr. S.N. Goenka, was born and raised in Burma (Myanmar).”**

What is the main focus? To gain insight into the mind and body connection to live more freely.

Is it a religion? The technique is non-sectarian but it is rooted in Buddhist tradition.

Does it involve chanting? No chanting but a “labeling” technique is used to bring focus by labeling a noise as “Hearing, hearing”.

What is the meditation posture? There are five variations on Lotus position. A chair can be used.

What is the average meditation practice time? It depends on the experience of the practitioner; usually beginning with 15 minutes, it is increased with skill.

Where is the technique usually practiced? By yourself in a place free of disturbance, but group meditation is encouraged.

How do you learn the technique? Silent Vipassana courses are offered at several retreat centers throughout the world. Ten or 90 days course are most common.

Scientifically proven benefits: Anti-Aging through Thickening the grey matter in the Brain, which usually deteriorates. http://www.livescience.com/health/051111_medidate.html

Other benefits attested by scientific researches include:

− Meditation make employees sharper, improves productivity, largely by preventing stress related
illness and reducing absenteeism.

− Meditation not only activates the left prefrontal cortex (reflecting a positive mental state),
but subjects also showed a significantly greater antibody response to influenza vaccine (they responded very well to the immunization process).

− Meditation brings healthy body changes: increase blood-flow but lower heart rate; lower
blood pressure; muscles apparently stop producing carbon monoxide, decreased renal &
hepatic blood flow, increased cerebral flow, lower breath-rate (body needs less oxygen).

− Even simple meditation brings deep relaxation, self-awareness, greater self-control, greater
awareness of one’s senses, and deeper intuition in a non-religious way.

− Students who lost a night’s sleep, after meditating, improved their performance. PFD available at themindingcentre.googlepages.com/Meditation_benefits_bp080507.pdf

Cost to learn? Free. Volunteer work is sometimes performed in exchange for instruction, and a financial usually contribution is encouraged, but not until after one attends the silent meditation retreat.