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VIPASSANA MEDITATION (MEDITATION ON THE BREATH)

 

Vipassana Meditation is the Traditional Buddhist style of meditation.  It's purpose is to strengthen concentration, ground yourself, awaken compassion, to awaken to yourself and your true nature, to become fully conscious and to develop buddhi (the discriminating intellect)

 

"Buddhi is the mental power which enables one to contemplate the eternal."

 

 

Parable of the Buddha

The Buddha wandered for many years, and as he encountered others, they recognized a spiritual greatness in him.  He eventually gathered many followers (disciples) who wished to learn from Buddha.  One day, his followers were debating the nature of Buddha.  They came to him with a question.

    "Buddha, are you a GOD?"

The Buddha answered simply.  "No."

The disciples went off to consider this response, and debate the issue further.  Soon they returned with another question.

    "Buddha, are you a saint?"

The Buddha answered simply.  "No."

The disciples again went off to consider this response, and debate the issue further. Again, they returned with another question.

    "Buddha, what ARE you?"

The Buddha answered simply.  "I am AWAKE."

 

 

HOW-TO

 

Read the preparation for meditation on the Meditation Techniques page, before beginning any Meditation Techniques.

 

  1. Darken your meditation room -no glaring sunlight or lamps - just perhaps a soft light - the light level should be as it is at dusk - not completely dark, but only a very low level of light in the room.  The room should be quiet and a comfortable temperature.  Remove distractions of sight, sound, smell, touch (excessive heat or cold).  Come to a comfortable seated position, with the spine erect, shoulders down and back, the body relaxed, breath fluid and easy.  Relax and breathe.  Fully land yourself in your body.  

  2. Focus only on the breath flowing into and out of your body.  Let any other thoughts go.  The mind tries to distract you with thoughts - it is the nature of the mind.  Release the thoughts.  Without judgment, bring your awareness back to the breath, the life force, flowing into and out of your body.

  3. Notice the sensation of the breath, as it whispers across the skin just below the nostrils, and above the upper lip.  Feel the sensation as you breathe.

  4. Don't change your breath.  Just observe it as it is, without the need to change anything.  Just notice.

  5. If you notice your attention drifting, honor yourself for noticing and being aware that the mind has strayed, and bring attention back to the breath, back to the sensation of the breath whispering across your skin.  The nature of the mind is to wander - being aware of the wandering mind indicates that you are alert and attentive.

  6. Return the awareness back to the sensation of the breath again and again.  As the mind wanders, gently guide its attention back to the breath, without judgment.

  7. Go deep within yourself, and connect with your inner vitality.

  8. Be compassionate with yourself.

  9. Allow the mind to be still - through this stillness, you will eventually transcend the mind and fully experience consciousness, your own true nature.  This brings you to a state of bliss and truth.  TO FULLY AWAKEN!

 

        "yoga chitta vrtti narodha"  - Yoga is the practice of stilling the fluctuations of the mind. Erich Schiffman elegantly translates this as "yoga is the spirit and practice of moving into stillness"

 

This style of Meditation, Vipassana Meditation, can also be done while walking - being completely conscious of every step, every breath, every sensation.  Vipassana is traditional Buddhist Meditation.  Buddha is not a deity to be worshipped and idolized.  Buddha is a goal.  Buddha means "one who is fully awake."  One of the primary tenets of Buddhism is that we all have the capacity to become fully enlightened (FULLY AWAKE) beings in our lifetime.  

 

 

 

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