The Art, Practice, and Benefits of Vipassana Meditation

Meditation is gaining popularity at a high rate in today’s world. There are so many benefits associated to its practice. Different types of meditation exist out there, but in this article, we will focus on Vipassana Meditation.

What is Vipassana Meditation?

Vipassana meditation is also known as insight meditation. It’s the precise and exact awareness of things that are happening as it happens. It means seeing things as they really are. It involves practicing continued paying close attention to sensation and by doing that, you will be able to understand the true nature of existence. It is a state that brings the mind to rest by focusing on a specific item.

Vipassana Meditation is believed to be India’s most ancient form of meditation that was once taught by the Buddha himself. The learning of Vipassana requires a 10-day residential course with the help of a trainer.

Major types of Vipassana Meditation

There are two major types of Vipassana: Goenka and Mahasi.

• Goenka Vipassana meditation entails the slow scanning of the body. S.N Goenka was permitted to teach Vipassana by the late Burmese Vipassana teacher known as Sayagyi U Ba Khin. Goenka began conducting it in India in 1969. The act of slow body scanning is continuous and it leaves you with an exhilarating experience. If you put on enough energy and willingness, Goenka meditation leads to total body awareness.
• Mahasi Vipassana meditation consists in taking “mental notes”. The meditator must focus on his breathing and be attentive when an idea or intention appears. When this happens, a mental note must be created. A word is used to identify the occurrence of a thought. For example, if we start to imagine something, we must take the mental note “imagination”. This principle of mental note allows one to be fully aware of one’s thoughts and intentions at the precise moment when they occur. The practice of Mahasi meditation is known to bring about the revelation of a valuable insight.

Why opt for Vipassana Meditation

Vipassana meditation aims at self-discovery, using the process of mindfulness. You slowly become aware of what’s actually lying beneath the image you portray. It awakens you to the reality of life. It is a form of mental training that gives you another perspective of the world. For the first time in your life, you will be able to distinguish what is happening to and around you.

For you to learn this meditation, you must let go all the stereotypes and prejudices you are familiar with. You must have the attitude of an individual willing to learn and to understand the true nature of life.

Vipassana also employs the aspect of focusing of your attention. For you to develop awareness, you must be able to concentrate. As easy as you think concentrating might be, it can be quite hard. The mind is tricky. For you to focus better, you must train yourself. This is why Vipassana meditation suggests practitioners to focus on their breathing. It takes a lot of time and practice, but it’s worth it. Once you succeed, you will get a whole new experience of life.

What do you think about this type of meditation? Have you ever taken the 10-day Vipassana course? Please let us know by leaving a comment below.

If you’re a beginner, you’ll find a few tips to start meditation as well as top quality guided meditation audio tracks.