The Benefits of S.N Goenka’s Vipassana Meditation Technique
If you're seeking a meditation technique free from any dogma or religion and solely focused on mastering the mind, living in the present moment, and achieving non-attachment, look no further than S.N Goenka’s Vipassana meditation technique.
The
technique involves spending the first three days in Annapurna, focusing
exclusively on the sensation of breath on your nostrils. The next seven days
are spent in Vipassana, where you focus on the sensations arising in your body
through constant mental scanning, and accepting them with equanimity. Finally,
on the last day, you practice Metta, which involves exuding love and compassion
into the world.
All of these
practices are done while sitting on a cushion and remaining unmoving, except the three daily one-hour blocks of Aditthanna, where you must not
move at all. While it may sound challenging, the technique is highly effective
in helping individuals gain control over their minds and emotions.
This
philosophy is built on the premise that all suffering in life comes from not
getting what we want, or getting things we don’t want. We can attain true happiness by mastering our minds and learning to remain unflappable in the face of life's challenges.
As S.N Goenka
says repeatedly, Buddhism is more of a philosophy than a dogma and is not
at odds with other religions. It does not worship gods or demand prayer from
you - it only asks for your breath and patience to enjoy its fruits.
The
technique also emphasizes the importance of equanimity - a calm and collected
mind. By cultivating equanimity, we learn to respond to life's challenges with
clarity and focus.
Despite its
simplicity, the S.N Goenka Vipassana technique is not easy to practice. However,
with patience and persistence, individuals can gain control over their minds
and emotions, and experience true happiness without attachment.
In
conclusion, if you're seeking a meditation technique that is focused on
mastering the mind and living in the present moment, then S.N Goenka’s Vipassana
technique is a great option. By observing natural body sensations without attachment,
individuals can learn to do the same with their thoughts and experiences. The
technique is effective, and its philosophy is surprisingly accessible. So why
not give it a try?