The Meditation Technique That Changed My Life

Understanding Vipassana meditation and its transformative impact on personal growth

Vipassana meditation is a practice that helps us understand our minds and feelings by observing our thoughts and sensations.

“Vipassana is a tool for understanding how the mind works, and how to free ourselves from its tyranny. It is a way to see the world as it really is, without our own projections and delusions.” — Yuval Noah Harari

I began doing Vipassana meditation in 2016 during my time at university, and after practising it for seven years, I believe it has had a significant and positive influence on my life.

During these seven years, I’ve found that the practice has not only improved my emotional well-being but has also deepened my understanding of myself. It has made me a calmer, and more relaxed person, and has improved my overall life including my productivity. I used to have a major procrastination problem, and I believe that my meditation practice has helped me overcome this habit.

I also used to get angry quickly and react aggressively when I felt threatened, often lashing out when I was angry or triggered. But, through my meditation practice, I have learned to be more patient and thoughtful, responding to situations instead of reacting impulsively.

The History of Vipassana in Bullet Points:

• Vipassana is a Pali word that means “clear seeing.” It is a meditation technique that focuses on developing mindfulness of the present moment through the observation of bodily sensations.
• Origins: Vipassana is one of the oldest meditation techniques in the world, with its origins dating back to the time of Gautama Buddha.
• Transmission: The technique was transmitted from the Buddha to his disciples, and then from generation to generation, until it was rediscovered by S.N. Goenka in the 20th century.
• Rediscovery: Goenka rediscovered Vipassana in Burma in 1948, after studying with Sayagyi U Ba Khin, a Burmese meditation teacher. Goenka then spent the next 14 years teaching Vipassana to students in Burma.
• Spread to the West: In 1969, Goenka began teaching Vipassana in the West, starting in India. He then established Vipassana Research Institutes in over 100 countries around the world.
• Popularity today: Vipassana is now one of the most popular meditation techniques in the world, with millions of people practising it regularly.

Vipassana is taught through 10-day residential courses, which are held at Vipassana Research Institutes worldwide. During a course, students learn the basic principles of the technique and practice meditating for 10 hours per day.

Vipassana course is a free service, and all donations are used to cover the costs of running the courses.

After practising Vipassana for a few years, I decided to become a mindfulness teacher and underwent a 2-year training program.

During my training, I had to practice mindfulness, and this experience changed my Vipassana practice. Mindfulness introduced me to the idea of compassion, which I believe is missing in Vipassana.

Vipassana is a very effective meditation practice but it can be overly strict and inflexible. The core of the practice involves observing one’s experiences without judgment and with equanimity, yet people, including myself, tend to criticize themselves for not being perfectly equanimous in their observations.

Vipassana meditation is a powerful tool for self-discovery and understanding the workings of the mind. It offers the promise of liberation from the constraints of our thoughts and illusions, allowing us to perceive the world with greater clarity. As Yuval Noah Harari aptly puts it, Vipassana reveals the truth beyond our personal interpretations. My personal journey with Vipassana has been transformative.

If you are interested in learning more about the practice of Vipassana, you can check out their website here.