VIPASSANA Meditation and It's Benifits (Continue)

You might think that this method of Vipassana Meditation is unusual. You may even wonder whether it is really meditation at all. This is simply because the Samatha methods of meditation are more familiar to most people than Vipassana Meditation. Samatha Meditation, however, develops only concentration, while the practice of VIPASSANA MEDITATION DEVELOPS THE WISDOM to know and understand reality.

It will not be difficult for a person who practices in this way to become aware of the CHANGING CONDITIONS OF THE MIND while performing everyday activities or even in work. This developing of constant awareness during daily life is also a method of practicing Vipassana Meditation. Here, it is not necessary to have one-pointed concentration on a single object, but simply to be aware of the ever-changing conditions of life.

Another method of mindfulness is to be aware of all the MENTAL FORMATIONS (DHAMMANU PASSANA) which arise in the mind. If DESIRE arises, be aware of desire arising. If ANGER arises, be aware of it. If there is LAZINESS, know that you are feeling lazy. If RESTLESSNESS is present, know that you are feeling restless. While meditating in this way, if DOUBT of the practice arises, know that you are feeling doubt. Also, if there is no desire, know that there is no desire. If there is no anger, be aware of no anger. Likewise, if laziness and doubt are not present, be aware they are not present.

TO PRACTICE VIPASSANA MEDITATION IN THE SITTING POSTURE, bring the attention to the rising and falling movements of the abdomen. Make a mental note “RISING” for the upward movement, and “FALLING” for the downward movement. If, while meditating in this way, a thought arises, make a mental note “THINKING, THINKING”.

After noting this a few times, bring the mind back to the rising and falling movements of the abdomen. If pain arises, note “PAIN, PAIN”. NOTE THE PAIN UNTIL IT DISAPPEARS. DO NOT TRY TO GET RID OF THE PAIN AND DO NOT DESIRE IT TO GO AWAY. If you feel that the pain is TOO UNCOMFORTABLE, note that thought mentally, and only after this, mindfully change posture, while noting “CHANGING, CHANGING”. Then return the attention to the movements of the abdomen. If you feel sleepy, lazy, happy, or any other feeling, note it as “SLEEPY, SLEEPY”, “LAZY, LAZY”, “HAPPY, HAPPY” and so forth. If you hear a sudden noise, make a mental note “HEARING, HEARING”. Whenever these mental notes are finished, bring the attention back to the abdominal movements.

Now you can see how Vipassana Meditation observes many objects rather than only one, and how it can build your awareness of the changing conditions of the mind and body in the present moment.

IF YOU GET ACCUSTOMED TO DOING THESE EXERCISES, YOU WILL COME TO REALIZE THE VALUE OF THIS MEDITATION. YOU WILL BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE PRESENT MOMENT AND THE PROCESS OF LIFE. AS THE MIND BECOMES CLEARER, THE DIFFICULTIES THAT ARISE IN LIFE WILL BECOME LESS CONFUSING AND LESS PAINFUL, AND WHEN HAPPINESS ARISES, YOU WILL NO LONGER BE CARRIED AWAY BY IT. AS THE MIND DEVELOPS MORE EQUANIMITY, MENTAL DISTURBANCES AND PHYSICAL PAIN MAY BE GREATLY REDUCED. WITH THE WISDOM GAINED THROUGH VIPASSANA MEDITATION, LIFE WILL BECOME MORE MEANINGFUL AND HARMONIOUS.

May all those who want to live an awakened life have the opportunity to practice Vipassana Meditation. May all beings come to realize the Dhamma and be freed from suffering.