Liberation for the Soul! "Vipassana Meditation, The Art of Living," by S.N. Goenka

Why Read It

Vipassana means ‘insight’ or ‘seeing’ in the ancient Pali language of India. The insight, or seeing, that Vipassana Meditation aims for is a profound realization of the reality of impermanence within the framework of the body and mind.

Every moment, the subatomic particles that compose the body arise and pass away. Every moment, the mental functions of mind appear and disappear, one after another.

If the body and mind are both impermanent and fleeting, what remains?

Vipassana aims to bring about sustained awareness and acceptance of this impermanence, so that one may gently uncover the deeper unchanging reality that is the True Self of the Perennial Philosophy. Vipassana is a timeless technique of ecstasy that has supported the awakening of countless people through time, beginning with the Buddha himself.

Overview

“Vipassana Meditation As Taught By S.N. Goenka” by William Hart offers a comprehensive introduction to the ancient practice of Vipassana, as taught by the renowned teacher S.N. Goenka. Hart elucidates the technique’s focus on self-observation, emphasizing mindfulness and the understanding of impermanence (Anicca). The book’s non-sectarian approach makes it accessible, aligning well with the inclusive nature of the Perennial Philosophy, and the emphasis on the mind-body connection, mental purification, and ethical living resonates deeply with universal spiritual truths. This work not only offers practical guidance for meditation but also shows how these principles can be integrated into daily life, aiding in the development of compassion, empathy, and a profound sense of interconnectedness. It’s a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of Vipassana and its relevance to broader spiritual concepts.

Key Takeaways

The Essence of Vipassana Meditation: The book explains Vipassana as a form of meditation focused on self-observation. It teaches one to observe bodily sensations objectively, understanding their impermanent nature, which leads to insights into the nature of suffering and attachment.
The Concept of Anicca (Impermanence): A central theme is the Buddhist concept of impermanence (Anicca). By observing the transient nature of thoughts and sensations, practitioners learn to detach from cravings and aversions, leading to inner peace.
Resolution of Suffering and Movement Into Liberation: Hart delves into how Vipassana meditation helps in understanding and overcoming suffering. By facing and accepting realities of life, such as pain and change, individuals can find greater peace and resilience.
Practical Applications: Hart provides practical guidance on how to practice Vipassana meditation, including posture, breathing, and the process of observing sensations, making it a useful guide for beginners.
Path of Self-Realization: Vipassana is presented not just as a technique but as a journey towards self-realization, offering insights into the true nature of one’s existence. The practice of Vipassana promises to dissolve the notion of the limited, separate self and dawn the awareness of True Self.

Quotes

~ “The only way to experience truth is to look within, to observe oneself. All our lives we have been accustomed to look outward. We have always been interested in what is happening outside, what others are doing. We have rarely if ever tried to examine ourselves, our own mental and physical structure, our own actions, our own reality. Therefore we remain unknown to ourselves. We do not realize how harmful this ignorance is, how much we remain the slaves of forces within ourselves of which we are unaware. This inner darkness must be dispelled to apprehend the truth. We must gain insight into our own nature in order to understand the nature of existence.”

~ “External reality is a reality, but only a superficial one. At a deeper level the reality is that the entire universe, animate and inanimate, is in a constant state of becoming — of arising and passing away. Each of us is in fact a stream of constantly changing subatomic particles, along with which the processes of consciousness, perception, sensation, reaction change even more rapidly than the physical process. This is the ultimate reality of the self with which each of us is so concerned. This is the course of events in which we are involved. If we can understand it properly by direct experience, we shall find the clue to lead us out of suffering.”

~ “Observing respiration is also the means for practicing right awareness. Our suffering stems from ignorance. We react because we do not know what we are doing, because we do not know the reality of ourselves. The mind spends most of the time lost in fantasies and illusions, reliving pleasant and unpleasant experiences and anticipating the future with eagerness or fear. While lost in such cravings or aversions we are unaware of what is happening now, what we are doing now. Yet surely this moment, now, is the most important for us…therefore we must develop our ability to be aware of the present moment.”

~ “The first step is to recognize how selfish and egocentric one is. Unless someone realizes this truth, he cannot emerge from the madness of self-love. As you practice more, you will realize that even your love for others is in fact self-love. You will understand, ‘Whom do I love? I love someone because I expect something from that person. I expect him to behave in a way that I like. The moment he starts to behave in a different way, all my love is gone. Then do I really love this person or myself?’ The answer will become clear, not by intellectualizing, but by your practice of Vipassana. And once you haver this direct realization, you begin to emerge from your selfishness. Then you learn to develop real love for others, love that is selfless, one-way traffic: giving without expecting anything in return.”

~ “This is the reality of mind and matter: it is changing and impermanent — annica. Every moment the subatomic particles of which the body is composed arise and pass away. Every moment of the mental functions appear and disappear, one after another. Everything inside oneself, physical and mental, just as in the world outside, is changing every moment. Previously, we may have known that this was true; we may have understood it intellectually. Now, however, by the practice of Vipassana-Bhavana, we experience the reality of impermanence directly within the framework of the body. The direct experience of the transitory sensations prove to us our ephemeral nature. Every particle of the body, every process of the mind is in a state of constant flux. This “I” is really just a combination of processes that are always changing.”