Vipassana: part 2
My first post on this here.
Vipassana was interesting experience. There were a few questionable theory and practices, but no reason to throw away the good with the bad!
Observing breath took time for me to pick up. I experienced a really blissful focused session after nearly two full days of practice. This is a handy technique to quieten mind i.e. if there is awareness of unnecessary turbulence. I would recommend everyone to learn this.
Becoming better at noticing changes in breath and sensations can also be useful in hopefully detecting strong emotions given they should result in some physiological reactions, like quickening of breath or muscle tension. Catching these feelings early may allow easier intervention and an opportunity for pausing and changing deep set reactions and behavioral conditioning. Maybe same approach also works with changing habits. I have not been able to realize any of these benefits and lack of practice makes it unlikely I'll figure it out anytime soon.
Setting aside some time for meditation on daily basis may also reduce stress in general. But I think instead of mechanically scanning for sensations like in Vipassana better approach would be using the 15-20 minutes for reflecting on past day and planning for coming day. Again I have not tried it and do not know if it really works in practice.
There are the five precepts you follow at the camp but the centerpiece to me was the excellent emphasis on practicing compassion and goodwill. This was thematic even outside of Metta meditation taught on tenth day about spreading loving-kindness. I believe this is beyond benevolence but has a really selfish benefit. Radiating positiveness will lift all boats and invariably reflect back to you! Compassion here doesn't mean taking it easy or shying away from conflict but keeping your intentions good.
Lack of distractions and the quietness that comes from staying silent is strangely uplifting and clears the mind. Good high disciplined daily routine and simple food are surprisingly rejuvenating even when they should be painful. Outskirts also meant clean air, and lack of light pollution and it allowed for a glorious shooting star sighting!
Lastly but not the least there are the people. Amazing spirit of volunteers selflessly taking care of our needs like serving food, and the teacher & staff helping enforce/stick to grueling schedule while being compassionate. It was also interesting and fun to meet and talk with the diverse set of fellow campers on tenth day when silence is broken and other folks in the travel.
Vipassana was interesting experience. There were a few questionable theory and practices, but no reason to throw away the good with the bad!
Observing breath took time for me to pick up. I experienced a really blissful focused session after nearly two full days of practice. This is a handy technique to quieten mind i.e. if there is awareness of unnecessary turbulence. I would recommend everyone to learn this.
Becoming better at noticing changes in breath and sensations can also be useful in hopefully detecting strong emotions given they should result in some physiological reactions, like quickening of breath or muscle tension. Catching these feelings early may allow easier intervention and an opportunity for pausing and changing deep set reactions and behavioral conditioning. Maybe same approach also works with changing habits. I have not been able to realize any of these benefits and lack of practice makes it unlikely I'll figure it out anytime soon.
Setting aside some time for meditation on daily basis may also reduce stress in general. But I think instead of mechanically scanning for sensations like in Vipassana better approach would be using the 15-20 minutes for reflecting on past day and planning for coming day. Again I have not tried it and do not know if it really works in practice.
There are the five precepts you follow at the camp but the centerpiece to me was the excellent emphasis on practicing compassion and goodwill. This was thematic even outside of Metta meditation taught on tenth day about spreading loving-kindness. I believe this is beyond benevolence but has a really selfish benefit. Radiating positiveness will lift all boats and invariably reflect back to you! Compassion here doesn't mean taking it easy or shying away from conflict but keeping your intentions good.
Lack of distractions and the quietness that comes from staying silent is strangely uplifting and clears the mind. Good high disciplined daily routine and simple food are surprisingly rejuvenating even when they should be painful. Outskirts also meant clean air, and lack of light pollution and it allowed for a glorious shooting star sighting!
Lastly but not the least there are the people. Amazing spirit of volunteers selflessly taking care of our needs like serving food, and the teacher & staff helping enforce/stick to grueling schedule while being compassionate. It was also interesting and fun to meet and talk with the diverse set of fellow campers on tenth day when silence is broken and other folks in the travel.
So, any thing different to say, now that few days have passed? What feeling do you associate with the camp when you think about it, relief, pain, calm...?
ReplyDeleterelaxing but too long. regretfully i have done zero followup!
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