Mindfulness Meditation: A Technique to alleviate your suffering and cultivate pure compassion
For Stress Reduction and Improved Well-Being
Not without a reason you find inspirational speakers and authors like Eckart Tolle, Sadhguru, and of course S. N. Goenka, spreading the word about this mindful meditation technique, explored and developed by Buddha Siddhartha Gautama more than 2500 years ago. It shall be free from any religious doctrine and is developed to be practiced for any being, holding any belief.
It is a journey to self, representing a commitment that may take you to deep underlying traumas that sit within the construct of your body. It is a luxury and privilege to make use of this tool, allowing one to disconnect for a full 10 days from any distraction, from any ego-polishing nature, from any selfishness.
Allow me to share my journey and story with you; how I got to know about Vipassana and what my journey from India to Germany has taught me.
I traveled and lived in India, no exact place but an exact time. The year 2019 brought so many challenges that surrendering presented the only (wise) option. Everywhere I went I heard about different meditation techniques, such as Vipassana. But not until a friend wanted to sign up, did I listen and pay attention to it. All I did during my time in India was try out new things; meditating, chanting, exercising, and living. So of course, I got more and more curious. This friend, let’s give him the name of Bhakti, teaching me many lessons, said to me: “This technique is coming to find you, not the other way around. You do not need to search for it, it knows when you are ready, and when you need it most; it will happen.” So far, it served to be true. Eventually, it did find me and I was making my way to a center in Hoshiarpur, Punjab.
The technique
It is a very strict, almost alienating environment that you are going to put yourself in. I myself thrive in a strict and disciplined environment (my 14-year-old self definitely did not think I would ever say this), but not everyone does. No eye contact, perseverance of speech and thought, reading and note-taking aren’t allowed, as well as general forms of distractions are to be eliminated. This includes any form of exercise, too. And of course, no phone nor contact with the outside world for 11 days. This includes anyone at the center, too. Some people get confused whether it is 11 or 10 days. In the end, you are in silence and meditate for a full 10 days, and on the 11th day in the morning, you receive your mobile phone, and the ban is lifted. The Vipassana system provides servers who put food on your plate and are open to talk to, in case of urgent queries and emergencies.
Real talk, the first days I felt like a prisoner. Staring down at all times, not catching someone’s eyes, not being interested in anyone’s doing, following the daily *gong* and paths led out for you to walk, from the room to the meditation hall and from the meditation hall to the room. Waking up at 4 AM, turning off lights the earliest at 9:15 PM. It is hard work. When you take it seriously. As a newbie, the concept and its rules may appear punishing and its function to assist may be far from ideal. The technique shall aid you. In what? is the question. This is something you will have to find out during these 10 days. They are gifted to you and your full awareness.
Now, what has moved me to come and sit for a 2nd Vipassana?
I felt radiant and so strong by the 11th day. This feeling is something you must have felt to understand. Same as with, you must put in the effort to achieve a substantial goal, you can merely describe the outcome. I went back to an area in India where I had resided before (Dharmsala). I felt a sense of home whilst returning, definitely due to the loving people and beautiful nature around. Perhaps, due to the work on my mind I had exercised. All the people around me had told me how beautiful I looked and how radiant I was walking through the streets. Even strangers had come to me giving me compliments. Of course, my ego was pushed, but damn, I felt it too! I didn’t need anyone telling me, I was speaking for myself.
I took this journey back to myself very seriously. I woke up every morning at 4 AM and sat all 12 hours in the meditation hall in a half-lotus position. At least 3 hours a day were spent without any movement. The second time around, I spent at least 5 hours a day not moving. I wonder how long I will last the 3rd time…But this is not a contest to see how far you can go! Those are selfish thoughts that are arising and I am not demonizing them. I am accepting them and can let go of them. I can observe where they are coming from. This process is learned during Vipassana. And now, let’s dig into 3 main lessons or skills that are touched upon during this technique:
3 Main Lessons & Skills
1. Impermanence a the central teaching of peace.
My interpretation of impermanence, my personal touch, would probably be the focus on the fleeting nature of any- and everything. By remembering that everything, as in any emotional state and relationship or any discomfort is ever-changing and will never constitute forever, some relief can be found. Some peace can be found.
2. Do not react.
By not reacting but simply observing the sensations that come up inside or on the surface of your body, you train and rewire your unconscious with its sankhara (karma) and habits. You allow a reset by forming this new habit.
3. Nobel Silence.
As in certain therapeutic approaches, like in psychodynamic therapy, the aspect of silence is allowing thoughts and emotions to surface. The perseverance of speech equals energy perseverance. Energy that you can divert into, let’s say, your healing process. This healing process can look like transforming your internal dialogue and the way you speak to yourself, toward a positive and encouraging nature.
My takeaways:
*Disclaimer*
These are thoughts that have come up during my last Vipassana sitting and have kept me strong ever since. These are thoughts resulting from the aspects of noble silence, observance, and the teachings by Goenka. Working on my own difficulties through meditation. I am sharing them because they apply to the central teachings of Vipassana, in an applied setting:
- My mind creates all pain
- This will change. This will change. This will change.
- I have strong healing power within
- I am confident and beautiful outside and in
- The way I react to things is like a domino effect, causal until you position anew
- I don’t take the gift of abuse, I don’t react, I practice Vipassana
- Try out new things, actively. Which means exploring facets of your true nature
- You thrive from experiencing and adhering to disciplined schedules and order. It allows you to feel success
- You like to have everything clean and organized, your mind will be organized
- Waking up early is not a problem to, then, mediate directly. It is a form of rest, so fight the first lazy thought. I can take a potential nap throughout the day if needed
What I want to leave you with today is something I recently read in a book that stuck with me ever since. Ask yourself:
“ONE Thing I want my life to be about more than any other. Something I’d like to accomplish and describe how I’d do it. Then, what does my life look like?” (Book: The ONE Thing by …)
For me, it is cultivating the art of writing.