About 2,500 years ago, Vipassana Meditation was rediscovered by Gautama Buddha and introduced as the remedy for all suffering and illness. Vipassana has been practiced in many places, including India and as well as places where Buddhism is observed.
Practicing Vipassana is so simple that even a little child can do it. Of course, on the plus side, the little child's mind is not yet adulterated by impure thoughts.
There are several methods to doing this meditation. But before we delve into the specifics, let's look at the broad principles on which this technique is based.
First, Vipassana does not require you to focus hard on something, such as an object (a candle flame, a flower etc). It is a shallow concentration technique where you don't put your focus on one object while the meditation lasts.
Instead, you practice mindfulness by focusing on what is in the present moment. As you'll notice, each moment brings with itself the birth and death of thoughts, sounds, visuals, feelings etc.
One moment, you're making a mental note of the traffic noise outside and other moment you're noticing the itch on your right foot.
Nothing is permanent, and therefore the traffic noise and the itch "die" at some point. They have a birthing moment within the moment just like they have a passing away moment too.
You're job is to observe reality as it is (which is impermanent, unsatisfactory and impersonal). What I mean by this is you notice the object (sound, thoughts, pain, movement etc) and the knower (the mind) which is a faculty that is aware of the noise, pain, thoughts, movement etc.
In other words, there is a knower and there is an object which is known. Both are in constant flux -- there's a rise and fall of each cycle.
It's important to remember that the knower is not you. You are observing both the knower and the object from outside. The knower (also known as nama) is just aware of the object's existence in this moment. The object (also known as rupa) does not have the capacity to "know" -- it just exists.
How to Practice Vipassana Meditation
One way to start is by becoming aware (mindful) about the connection between your mind, body and actions. When you're walking, make a mental note of "walking... walking.." and move on. Each new step brings a new start (and eventually a new passing away).
If you're sitting during meditation, and you feel a certain pain in your left finger, all you do is label the object as "pain... pain... " and move on. You don't focus on any one thing or object. You don't associate pain as "good" or "bad". It just is.
By doing this, you realize that both the mind and matter are impermanent. Everything is in flux.
The essence of Vipassana is to be aware of every moment. If you lift your hands up, you don't do it mechanically but by being very much aware of it. At the same time, you don't keep focused on it (because there will be another object drawing your attention).
You flow with the moments, observing and being very present.
Another technique to use is to focus on the rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. As you breathe in, you label the moment as "starting to breathe... "; "breathing in"; "holding breath"; "starting to breathe out... "; "breathing out... " and so on.
Regular practice of Buddhist Vipassana clears the mind of any illusion, desire and ignorance. Some advanced practitioners have been able to attain permanent happiness, or Nirvana which means there is eradication of all suffering and pain.
Learn everything about how to practice Vipassana Meditation and more. Click this link to follow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pooja_L
Practicing Vipassana is so simple that even a little child can do it. Of course, on the plus side, the little child's mind is not yet adulterated by impure thoughts.
There are several methods to doing this meditation. But before we delve into the specifics, let's look at the broad principles on which this technique is based.
First, Vipassana does not require you to focus hard on something, such as an object (a candle flame, a flower etc). It is a shallow concentration technique where you don't put your focus on one object while the meditation lasts.
Instead, you practice mindfulness by focusing on what is in the present moment. As you'll notice, each moment brings with itself the birth and death of thoughts, sounds, visuals, feelings etc.
One moment, you're making a mental note of the traffic noise outside and other moment you're noticing the itch on your right foot.
Nothing is permanent, and therefore the traffic noise and the itch "die" at some point. They have a birthing moment within the moment just like they have a passing away moment too.
You're job is to observe reality as it is (which is impermanent, unsatisfactory and impersonal). What I mean by this is you notice the object (sound, thoughts, pain, movement etc) and the knower (the mind) which is a faculty that is aware of the noise, pain, thoughts, movement etc.
In other words, there is a knower and there is an object which is known. Both are in constant flux -- there's a rise and fall of each cycle.
It's important to remember that the knower is not you. You are observing both the knower and the object from outside. The knower (also known as nama) is just aware of the object's existence in this moment. The object (also known as rupa) does not have the capacity to "know" -- it just exists.
How to Practice Vipassana Meditation
One way to start is by becoming aware (mindful) about the connection between your mind, body and actions. When you're walking, make a mental note of "walking... walking.." and move on. Each new step brings a new start (and eventually a new passing away).
If you're sitting during meditation, and you feel a certain pain in your left finger, all you do is label the object as "pain... pain... " and move on. You don't focus on any one thing or object. You don't associate pain as "good" or "bad". It just is.
By doing this, you realize that both the mind and matter are impermanent. Everything is in flux.
The essence of Vipassana is to be aware of every moment. If you lift your hands up, you don't do it mechanically but by being very much aware of it. At the same time, you don't keep focused on it (because there will be another object drawing your attention).
You flow with the moments, observing and being very present.
Another technique to use is to focus on the rise and fall of your belly as you breathe. As you breathe in, you label the moment as "starting to breathe... "; "breathing in"; "holding breath"; "starting to breathe out... "; "breathing out... " and so on.
Regular practice of Buddhist Vipassana clears the mind of any illusion, desire and ignorance. Some advanced practitioners have been able to attain permanent happiness, or Nirvana which means there is eradication of all suffering and pain.
Learn everything about how to practice Vipassana Meditation and more. Click this link to follow.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Pooja_L