Vipassana Meditation

Vipassana, which means to see things as they really are, or in their true form, is one of India's most ancient techniques of meditation. It was rediscovered by Gotama Buddha more than 2500 years ago. Buddha taught Vipassana meditation as ‘a universal remedy for universal ills’; its meaning was passed on to those who practiced as a way to heal illnesses of the body and mind, by cleansing the two of impurities and toxins.

Vipassana meditation involves the observation of the breath. It is not controlled breathing, just simple observation.  

Since Buddha, the teaching of Vipassana has been handed down, to the present day, by an unbroken chain of teachers. The current teacher is S.N. Goenka, who has been teaching since 1969. In 1982 he appointed assistants to help him with the growing worldwide demand for learning Vipassana.  

“Vipassana is a way of self-transformation through self-observation. It focuses on the deep interconnect-ion between mind and body, which can be experienced directly by disciplined attention to the physical sensations that form the life of the body, and that continuously interconnect and condition the life of the mind.

It is this observation-based, self-exploratory journey to the common root of mind and body that dissolves mental impurity, resulting in a balanced mind full of love and compassion. ”Buddha practiced this state of mindlessness through deliberation and rumination throughout his life.

Vipassana is described as “an art of living, a way of life”...and, although deeply connected to Buddhism, is not a religion. 

Today Vipassana meditation is not only practiced by Buddhists or those following the Buddhist faith. It can be learned on a 10-day residential course. There is no charge to go on a course; no person involved in its teaching receives any payment. All expenses (food, accommodation etc) are covered by donations from people who, having completed a course and experienced the benefits of Vipassana, want to introduce new people. During the course ‘student’s learn the basic method and practice sufficiently to experience its beneficial results and to be able to continue their practice once they have returned home. 

You'll find some Amazon recommendations, specific to Vipassana Meditation, in the link below: