Bollywood   |   Indian Shaadi  |  Medical Care  |  Skin Beauty  |  Food Pyramid  |  Medications  |  Clothing Brands  |  Bedroom Designs |  Brides
Home » Health & Wellness  » Yoga & meditation »  Insightful meditation

Insightful meditation

Insightful meditation

An ancient meditation technique that helps you lead a more effective and fulfilling life.

What is Vipassana?

Though seemingly the latest craze in a long string of meditation techniques; it is probably one of the oldest ones around. Vipassana is the ancient meditation technique that was said to have been taught by Buddha himself some 2500 years ago. Buddha prescribed it as the means to eliminate suffering and a path to enlightenment.

Vipassana means insight into the ancient Indian language of Pali. It was lost to its country of origin over the years but was preserved in its original form in the remote monasteries of Burma. It was S.N. Goenka who brought the technique back to its native land after studying with his Burmese teacher. In effect, fulfilling the prophecy that the teachings would return to its native land after 2500 years.

How do you learn it?

You do not have to be initiated into a monastery to practice it. Buddha especially designed it keeping the householder in mind. In fact, Vipassana helps you to lead a more effective and fulfilling life because of the way it teaches you to react to everyday situations and problems.

Ideally you should take a ten-day course. This is essential because Vipassana is not about theories but the practice. At the core of it is that reality is one of -non-permanence. Though the course is rigorous and austere it acts as a cleansing process. "You have to come out of the habit pattern of a conditioned mind", says Goenka, "since the mind necessarily reacts either by aversion or by craving." This takes time and patience but on the flip side, the changes can be dramatic.

Channels
Alternative healing
Cancer
Care of the aged
Common ailments
Diabetes
Disability
Doctors and hospitals
Environment and hygiene
Eye care
Health Tips for Women
Heart attack
Home & herbal remedies
Kidney stones
Medical news
Mental health
Osteoporosis
Preventive measures
Yoga & meditation

How exactly does one do it?

Vipassana is all about awareness and observation. You essentially start by watching your breath. This is however not breath control like pranayama, but a simple non-judgemental observation of breath. Buddha is said to have chosen breath as a starting point because it is something that is with you all the time.

Practice sharpens mind and makes it sensitive to sensations normally ignored. The next step is to observe bodily sensations without reacting to them. The rhythms of the body are thought to be the very law of the Universe, at an experiential level.

Everyday Use

The best results are achieved by continuous practice. Goenka recommends two hours of meditation daily - once in the morning and once in the evening that in effect cleans the mind of impurities and negativities. If this is not done regularly, just like lack of bathing leads to accumulation of impurities and serious consequences, so also this too would have negative results. For a hectic lifestyle this may be next to impossible, but continuous practice results in time gain as less energy and time needs to be expended on tasks.

Vipassana can become a whole new way of perceiving the world while being "insightful" every waking moment. The very act of living in the moment; being aware of every instance in that moment without being judgemental, is in itself the best application of Vipassana.





Viewers who read this article also read

Beauty Care

Home Beauty
Tips for Brides
Beauty Secrets
Home Facial
How to Look Beautiful
Home Beauty Care
Beautiful Nails
Nail Care Tips
Dry Hair Care
Healthy Hair Tips
Hair Style Trends 2009
Dry Skin Care
Gorgeous Skin

Make Up

Bridal Makeup Tips
Eye Makeup Tips
Makeup for Party
Indian Makeup
Best Makeup

Home and Lifestyle

Gardening Tips
Tips for Rose Arrangement
Care for Pets
Indian Breeds
Decorating Kids Room
Home Cleaning Tips
Room Decoration Tips

Express Your Love

Writing Love Letter
Healthy Relationships
Gifts of Love
Tips for Marriage
Friends

Food for Women

Festive Cuisine
Healthy Diet
Low Calorie Food

Indian Weddings

Working Women

Home Lifestyle
Relationships
Mind Body & Soul
Women Travel
 
Communities
Counsellors
Youth Counsellors
BPO Agony Aunt
Contests
Quizzes
BPO Zone