Vipassana, a much needed meditation technique in today’s world
Vipassana Meditators who have benefited from this ancient art of observing life and cleansing old samskaras creating an environment in the devotee of ”˜anichha’ that is equanimity, stand up by it with total conviction. In ancient language of ”˜Pali’ Vipassana means ”˜to see things as they really are’. It is a technique of self-discovery which helps purify the mind in a systematic process of self-observation and purification on all levels of body, mind and spirit leading to increased awareness and thus peace of mind.
People who have taken Vipassana meditation as their way of life have been immensely helped. In life in general or any issues or conditions they may have. Vipassana was taught by Buddha 2,500 years ago and was quite popular in India when it was lost to the country for 500 years ago and revived in Burma by a chain of teachers. The technique maintained in its purity the way it was taught in Buddha’s times thousands of years ago.
Today it is taught at over 100 centres around the world with Sydney centre at Blackheath which was opened in 1983. Scores of Australians and people of other nationalities have benefited by learning Vipassana meditation from senior teachers in the picturesque and peaceful Blue Mountain area overlooking Megalong valley. Blackheath Centre provides 10-day intensive course each month to the public while providing nutritious vegetarian meals and accommodation. There is no charge for the ten-day stay but donations are accepted whatever one can afford. It is strictly a 10-day course for the first timers so that they learn the technique properly and take back a habit thus formed through rigorous training and discourses. We all want to take up meditation at some point in our life but never get to do it because people tend to take it up in dribs and drabs and then leave it. Vipassana meditation teaches discipline and the intensive 10-day course helps one to realise its benefits. It has had a life-changing experience for many.
Brought to India by Shri S. N. Goenka ji who has passed away now Vipassana was taught by him in person in Australia. As a retired industrialist Goenkaji brought this from Myanmar when he settled in Mumbai having learnt himself from his teacher, Sayagyi U Ba Khin. He started to teach Vipassana in India in 1969 and its popularity grew. This introspective spiritual practice has helped thousands in psychosomatic disorders, hypertension, anxiety, addictive tendencies such as alcohol, smoking and drugs. It helps sufferers to settle down, be calm and live in peace and harmony. Goenkaji said that Vipassana helps one to reach deep down into the unconscious level of the mind by observing different vibrations and sensations within the body without reacting to them. Many claim radical changes as this technique teaches one the art of observation without reaction. During the first three days of the course the mind is sharpened and concentrated until the power of observation is brought forth. Then on the fourth day students commence Vipassana when they observe the reality within. This is where the real purification process begins. Gradually the knots like anger, frustration, negativity, fears, trauma, pain and anxiety that have been part of the individual over a lifetimes or even past many life times are slowly observed and cleansed with deep samskaras fading away. Students of Vipassana are able to observe and interpret experiencing moments free from reaction and therefore gain wisdom and insight of how we react to situations and circumstances and thus become the victims carrying deep impressions within us.
The first ten-day mandatory course is renowned for its vow of silence (noble silence) with students committing to abstain themselves from reading, writing, listening and sever any contact from the outside world. These requirements go hand in hand with the introspective nature of the course, ensuring that every individual has the least amount of distraction from the ourside world and thus able to learn valuable technique of meditation.
Senior Vipassana meditators of Sydney have mobilised a group to help novices and people who would like to know Vipassana meditation and its technique by organising an Open Day on Sunday, November 6, 2016 from 10am to 1pm at Blackheath. There would be talks by teachers and short discourse about Vipassana meditation and if people are interested then they can register themselves for an intensive 10-day course to be held for Hindi-speakers as well speakers of other languages in March 2017.
Open Day on November 6 is an outing that will introduce the course with a tour of Blackheath Centre followed by vegetarian meal at the centre’ dining hall. For more info on Vipassana visit: http://www.bhumi.dhamma.org/
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