Vipassana experience and insights

~ Ajay, Arunkumar, Dinesh, Rajesh, Sivaguru Prasath

Vipassana experience and insights

We practiced 5 precepts in Sila

  1. to abstain from killing any being.
  2. to abstain from stealing.
  3. to abstain from all sexual activity.
  4. to abstain from telling lies.
  5. to abstain from all intoxicants.

These avoided any strong negative mental volition.

We then practiced Samadhi which is Mastery of mind/ Concentration of mind using breath.

Then we practiced about Panna(Wisdom) – which eradicates the defilements from mind through observations of sensations without reacting.

Metta bhavana – a meditation which I shared my merits to all the beings to be happy and be kind.

Here are our reflections from the same:

Ajay:

I found that the initial days of practicing Vipassana meditation were quite physically challenging, but over time I began to feel that my mind became more active and my body felt lighter. After attending the meditation, I felt a sense of lightness and happiness. This practice helped me gain insight into myself.

Arun kumar:

Vipassana is a cause and effect meditation technique, I learned that the peace comes from within is more enjoyable than the transient excitement and happiness. The focus on the sensations helped me to grasp that everything in life is temporary and it will change, nowadays my emotions have been controlled and I am responding to the situations rather then reacting to them.

I noticed the following changes in me at Vipassana and after being back:

  1. Calmness in mind
  2. Less anger
  3. Increase in concentration
  4. Lesser impatience
  5. Taking responsibility for happenings around me

Dinesh:

My reflection about Vipassana was accept the reality as it is, don’t stress myself at any cause. Before Vipassana I got distracted easily and less focused but after Vipassana I am able to notice that If I got distracted I accepted it ,I wouldn’t regret it and then immediately got back to work rather than going into guilt and doing nothing. With Ana panna (breathing technique) I am able to focus on my breathe for longer time and got focused mind even though my mind got distracted. Previously, I gave more importance to my feelings and started to react but now with my equanimous mind I started to observe my feelings rather than reacting to it.

Rajesh

I have noticed that I have gained control over my wandering mind. Through Vipassana meditation, I have learned to stay present and accept things as they are, rather than how I want them to be.

Previously, I used to react immediately to situations based on my emotions, which would lead to long-lasting regret and negativity. However, by practicing Vipassana meditation, I have learned to be aware of the sensations that arise within me . I no longer create cravings or aversions towards any sensations, which has helped me avoid reacting to unpleasant situations.

As a result of my practice, I have also developed feelings of goodwill towards all living beings, including humans and animals. While I continue to practice daily to fully eliminate any remaining roots of aversion, I am grateful for the progress I have made towards liberation.

Sivaguru prasath

Learning the vipassana meditation is such a divine experience, I felt the sensations of my own body and also learned how determined I am.

To practice this technique, I prepared myself mentally and observed my sensations without reacting to it.

Being equanimous the best part I have practiced in this 10-day vipassana course without reacting to any impermanent reactions with craving or aversion.

-Pagoda cell

Vipassana in Swarna Bhoomi

We learned why the Pagoda structures are there at Vipassana centers in honor or Swarna Bhoomi (Burma/ Myanmar) where it is believed Vipassana was retained in its pristine purity.

It is said that King Ashoka who was called as Chand (Cruel) Ashoka and he was very proud of this name and about the killing the rulers and extending his reign across the country. When he came in contact with Vipassana and practiced it he was transformed. He realized his mistakes and changed after that, he insisted his sena members to learn this technique to master the mind and he then sent them to make Vipassana reach worldwide.

The two monks “Sona and Uttara” went to Swarna Bhoomi (Burma) to share this technique to Burmese people they kept the technique to its utmost purity, after 25 centuries the ancient technique to master the mind reached its origin (India).