Vipassana

Today is 14 April & thought of the old meditation practice in the world. Put forth by Gautam Buddha was brought in India from Burma by Satyanarayan Goenka, who is popularly known as ‘guruji’. Vipassana means meditation involving concentration on the body or its sensations, or the insight which this provides. Yoga teaches to control the breath & Vipassana teaches to watch & follow the breath.

If the mind is agitated, the breath quickens. If the mind is at peace, the breathing is smooth. This mind body relation can be felt keenly in meditation.First the sitting position has to be learnt. More comfortable the posture, more relaxed is the breathing. The thoughts become grounded & we are at peace.

My first experience was in Igatpuri, the main center & one of the best in the world. It has scenic location & the greenery that gave it the mystic look. I had completed my PG & wanted to know it first hand. I had a stiff body & couldn’t sit cross legged on the floor. On the first day of the ten day course, seats are assigned so you may be in the center, with no wall support . It was a learning process. We have changed our lifestyle & rarely sit on the floor!

It is known to bring a change in your life. So job, marriage & kids later my second experience was after 12 years, a ten day course in Pune, Swargate centre. My second child was just eight & I had a very tough time. At night as I tried to sleep I had dreams of abandoning her. She was in Pune but I couldn’t see her. I would wake up sobbing.’ Arya maun’ or complete silence is to be maintained. I couldn’t think of waking up my partner. The state of mind is very sublime & cleansing that occurs is painful. Now, the sitting posture was ok,but the mind wasn’t.

After 14 years again I went for a course in Nashik. This ten day was a sanctioned leave. I had recently found that government has made such a provision. Every one should avail of such a golden opportunity. I was mentally & physically more prepared for this & most of my responsibilities were over. I could concentrate well & found peace settling in. The resolution made at the end of every course never materialises. Every course is just a brush up. Actually it should be a regular practice. That doesn’t happen.

But long lasting benefits are seen clearly. Thinking process changes. there is more peace from within. I believe it recharges the body as we let go of the various ‘Sankaras’. the new slate helps. Aren’t we going over the bygones & getting sad? Living in the present with open mind helps us grow. Help others grow in our vicinity & bringing a positive change in life in general.

The whatsapp group helps & so do the updates. Follow it or ignore it the choice remains.Without withholding the negative thoughts & moving on in the right direction brings in benefits of its own. Happy meditating!